Money, payments and deposits for dental treatment in Vietnam

Paying a clinic in Vietnam, from currency and card fees to deposits, receipts and refunds.

Written by VietDentalTrip editorial team

Updated

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Key points

  • Vietnam's currency is the đồng (VND). Many clinics quote in US dollars but may charge in đồng.
  • Ask whether a card surcharge applies, and which exchange rate the clinic uses.
  • Pay a deposit only after you have a written plan, and get a receipt for every payment.

Money is the part of a dental trip people plan least, and it causes the most avoidable stress.

Currency and cards

Vietnam's currency is the đồng (VND). Clinics that treat international patients often quote in US dollars, then charge the đồng equivalent on the day. Ask which exchange rate they use.

Cards are widely accepted in clinics and hotels in the big cities, but some clinics add a fee for card payments. Ask before you pay. ATMs are easy to find, though many have a withdrawal limit per transaction.

Deposits

Some clinics ask for a deposit to hold appointments or to order lab work. Before you send one:

  • get the treatment plan and quote in writing
  • ask whether the deposit is refundable, and under what conditions
  • pay by a method that leaves a record

Receipts and invoices

Ask for a receipt for every payment and an itemised invoice at the end, listing each tooth and treatment. You'll need it for insurance claims, warranty questions, and your dentist at home.

VietDentalTrip doesn't take payments or deposits. You pay the clinic directly.

Frequently asked questions

Should I pay the whole treatment up front?

Usually not. Many clinics take a deposit to hold appointments and the rest as treatment progresses. Ask for the payment schedule in writing.

Can I claim the cost on insurance at home?

It depends on your insurer. Ask for an itemised invoice with the clinic's details and the treatment for each tooth, which most insurers will want to see.

This article is general information, not medical advice. A dentist who has examined you is the right person to recommend treatment.

More in Travel in Vietnam: Practical travel

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Visas and travel to VietnamEntry rules, getting between cities, and practical tips for a treatment trip.Getting around Vietnam's cities between appointmentsRide-hailing, taxis, metro lines and walking, and how to reach your clinic on time.Eating well in Vietnam after dental workSoft Vietnamese dishes that are easy after treatment, and what to avoid for the first few days.