It's not uncommon to be using $100,000 notes in Vietnam, whereas the $500,000 (that's right, half a million) isn't as widely used compared to the $50,000, $20,000, or $10,000 notes. $100,000 dong is equal to about $5.25 USD - a taxi ride in a 7 pax Toyota to the airport from our hotel in District 5 including tip was $150,000 or less than $8 USD - and the driver was very happy with the run for 4 of us plus our luggage (that's $2 per person, what a bargain)
Thus, Americans can easily feel like billionaires in VN - given the official exchange rate - but, prices are rising fast due to inflation (much like China)
