Hi SteveT
I went to Vietnam just over a year ago.
My Vietnam tips are :-
Money – US Dollars are accepted everywhere that you go. Try to get small denomination US dollars, especially $1 bills. I pre-ordered my spending money from my local Post Office and asked them to include 100 x $1 bills - this was a good move because haggling in the local markets is part of the fun, but if you just have $20 notes (say) the local traders will just look blank.
Prices are generally shown in Vietnamese Dong and US dollars but remember there is about 20,000 Dong to $1- try getting your head round that!. The Dong price is usually slightly lower than the Dollar price (they round-up the Dollar price) but if you buy something priced as $3 with a $5 note, you will probably get change in Dong. This way you naturally collect Dong which can be spent during your holiday or used up as tips.
Hoi An – this town oozes with silk/material shops which will make bespoke clothes with something like a 24 hour turn-around, and yes they do men's shirts, suits etc as well. If this is something that interests you, get yourself measured up there, or bring a favourite shirt/top (or whatever) and get it reproduced. Prepare to haggle, but this is a chance to buy something special to remember your holiday by.
Best regards
Joyce