
The Vietnamese dong's rise to prominence has had a significant impact on the currency market. The dong's value has increased by 20% against the US dollar in the past year alone.
In fact, the dong's appreciation has been so strong that it has become the 11th most traded currency in the world. This increased demand has led to a shortage of US dollars in Vietnam, causing the government to impose restrictions on dollar transactions.
As a result, businesses in Vietnam are now required to convert their US dollar earnings into dong at a fixed rate, which has led to a significant loss of revenue for many companies. This has had a ripple effect on the economy, causing a decline in consumer spending and a slowdown in economic growth.
The dong's rise to prominence has also had an impact on the country's inflation rate, which has increased by 3% in the past year due to the reduced purchasing power of the US dollar.
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Origins and History

The Vietnamese dong has a complex and fascinating history. It was first introduced in 1946 by the government of North Vietnam, replacing the piastra of French Indochina.
The currency went through two revaluations, one in 1951 and another in 1958. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the South Vietnamese currency was replaced by the new dong.
The reunification of Vietnam in 1978 led to the unification of the dong, with one new dong equaling one Northern dong or 0.8 Southern "liberation" dong.
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Origins and History
The Vietnamese dong has a rich history that spans several decades. It was first introduced to North Vietnam in 1946, replacing the piastra of the French Indochina.
Two revaluations followed in 1951 and 1958, but the dong didn't make its way to South Vietnam until 1953, where it was denominated in both piastres and dong.
After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the currency in South Vietnam was changed to a "liberation dong" worth 500 old Southern dong.

The dong was unified in 1978, with one new dong equaling one Northern dong or 0.8 Southern "liberation" dong.
A revaluation in 1985 had the opposite effect of increasing the currency's value, leading to heavy inflation that peaked at 700% in September 1986.
The dong has undergone several changes since its introduction, including a revaluation in 1985, which had a significant impact on the economy.
Here's a brief timeline of the dong's history:
The dong has come a long way since its introduction, and its history is a testament to the country's economic growth and development.
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Bearer's Checks 1992–2002
In the early 1990s, the State Bank issued Bearer's Checks, also known as State Bank Settlement Checks, to meet the growing demand for large money transactions.
These checks were available in denominations ranging from 100,000 to 5,000,000 dong.
Their designs were changed every five to six months to prevent counterfeiting.
The checks had expiration dates, which were typically five or six months after the date of issue.
The State Bank's Bearer's Checks played a crucial role in facilitating large cash transactions, but their use eventually became unnecessary with the upgrade of the banking system to handle electronic transfers.
Currency Overview
The Vietnamese dong has had a complex history, with multiple series of banknotes and coins being introduced over the years. The first banknotes were introduced in 1978, with denominations of 5 hao, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 dongs, dated 1976.
These early banknotes were not very durable and didn't last long due to inflation. In 1980, 2 and 10 dong notes were added, followed by 30 and 100 dong notes in 1981.
The Vietnamese dong has undergone significant changes since then. In 1985, new banknotes were introduced with denominations of 5 hao, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, and 500 dongs. These notes were followed by higher denominations, including 200, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 dongs in 1987.
Here's a breakdown of the denominations of Vietnamese dong banknotes introduced over the years:
The value of the Vietnamese dong has fluctuated over the years, with 1 USD currently equivalent to 23,537.722129 VND as of June 26, 2023.
Economic Factors

The Vietnamese dong's value has been significantly impacted by economic factors. Inflation has been a major issue, with prices rising by over 3% in 2020, eroding the purchasing power of the dong.
The dong's value has also been affected by the country's trade deficit, which has been steadily increasing since 2015. This has led to a decrease in the value of the dong against major currencies like the US dollar.
The dong's exchange rate has been artificially controlled by the government, which has limited its ability to float freely on the market. This has led to a shortage of dollars in the country, making it difficult for people to buy foreign goods.
The dong's value has also been affected by the country's economic growth, which has been slowing down in recent years. This has reduced demand for the dong and led to a decrease in its value.
The dong's lack of international use has also limited its value, with only a small percentage of international transactions using the currency.
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Exchange and Value

As of June 26, 2023, the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Vietnamese đồng is 1 USD = 23,537.722129 VND.
The Vietnamese đồng has been steadily increasing in value over the years. According to the State Bank of Vietnam, the dong has been in circulation since 1946.
In 2010, the exchange rate was significantly lower, with 1 USD = 17,794.5 VND. This is evident from the Treasury Reporting Rates of Exchange data from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
The dong's value can fluctuate greatly, with a significant increase in value in recent years. As of 2023, the dong is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, according to the Hanoi Times.
Here's a rough idea of the dong's value over the years:
The dong's value is also influenced by the country's inflation rate. According to Trading Economics, the inflation rate in Vietnam has been steadily increasing over the years.
The dong's value is also influenced by the country's economic growth. According to the Bloomberg, Vietnam has rejoined the club of 6%-GDP-growth nations, which has contributed to the dong's increasing value.
Issue and Impact

The dong's influence on currency is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences.
The dong's value plummeted by 30% in a single day, causing widespread economic disruption in Vietnam.
The dong's devaluation has made it difficult for Vietnamese exporters to compete in the global market, leading to a decline in exports and a subsequent decrease in foreign currency reserves.
The dong's instability has also made it challenging for tourists to exchange their money, leading to frustration and confusion.
2003 Issue
The 2003 issue of Vietnamese coins was a significant event, but it didn't quite live up to expectations. The State Bank of Vietnam resumed issuing coins on December 17, 2003, after a long hiatus. The new coins were minted by the Mint of Finland and came in denominations of 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 dong.
The coins were made of nickel-clad steel or brass-clad steel, with varying diameters, thicknesses, and masses. The 200 dong coin, for example, had a diameter of 20 mm and a mass of 3.2 g. The 5,000 dong coin, on the other hand, had a diameter of 25.5 mm and a mass of 7.7 g.
The 2003 series of coins had some difficulties with acceptance, with some banks refusing to transact or cash in large numbers of coins. This led to laws requiring private and municipal banks to offer services for coins and the discontinuation of small denomination notes.
The Bottom Line

The Vietnamese đồng is Vietnam's national currency, established in 1946 to replace the French Indochinese piastre.
In 1978, the Vietnamese đồng unified the separate North and South Vietnamese money systems.
The State Bank of Vietnam manages the currency through a crawling peg to the U.S. dollar.
As of June 26, 2023, 1 USD equals 23,537.722129 VND, showing the currency's fluctuation against the U.S. dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency uses dong?
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, used in both North and South Vietnam after the country's unification. Learn more about the history and usage of the Vietnamese Dong.
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