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Is Using and Paying in Foreign Currency Permitted in Vietnam?

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Quick answer: No — except in cases permitted by law. Under Article 22 of the Ordinance on Foreign Exchange 2005 (amended in 2013), within the territory of Vietnam, all transactions, payments, listings, advertising, quotations and valuations may not be conducted in foreign exchange, except for the cases permitted under Article 4 of Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN (now consolidated in Consolidated Document No. 28/VBHN-NHNN dated 20/01/2026).

Legal basis

  • Ordinance on Foreign Exchange 2005 (amended 2013) — Article 22 (restrictions on the use of foreign exchange);
  • Circular No. 32/2013/TT-NHNN — Article 4 (cases where foreign exchange may be used); VBHN No. 28/VBHN-NHNN dated 20/01/2026.

General principle: restriction on the use of foreign exchange

All transactions, payments, listings, advertising, quotations, valuations and price recording in contracts and agreements within the territory of Vietnam must use the Vietnamese Dong, except in permitted cases.

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Cases where foreign exchange may be used (Article 4 of Circular 32/2013)

  • Customs offices, police, border guards and other state agencies at border gates and bonded warehouses may list and collect foreign currency by transfer or in cash from non-residents for taxes, fees and charges;
  • Licensed credit institutions may transact, pay, list and quote in foreign exchange within their foreign exchange business scope;
  • Organizations and individuals may quote and value in foreign currency and receive payment in foreign currency by transfer when supplying goods and services to non-residents (e.g. a travel company selling tours to foreign tourists);
  • Other special cases: payments in export processing zones, contracts with permitted foreign elements…

Sanctions for violations

  • Listing prices or paying in foreign currency outside the permitted cases may result in administrative penalties in the monetary and banking sector;
  • A contract containing an unlawful foreign-currency payment clause may face risks regarding the validity of the payment clause.

How ANT Legal can help

ANT Legal advises on compliance with foreign exchange laws in transactions and contracts with foreign elements. For advice on your specific case, please contact our lawyers at 0966.475.966.

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