Take a leisurely weekend to see the Vietnamese currency exhibition at the State Bank

On the morning of November 22, the exhibition "Vietnamese Currency - Journey along the flow of national history" officially opened at the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Branch Region II (No. 8 Vo Van Kiet, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City).

The free event introduces more than 1,500 monetary artifacts from historical periods from the Indochina period to modern polymer money, giving the public a unique perspective on national history through the story of money.

Cuối tuần thong thả đi xem triển lãm đồng tiền Việt Nam tại Ngân hàng Nhà nước- Ảnh 1. — Inside the State Bank of Vietnam, Region II branch

The exhibition, organized by the State Bank of Vietnam, Region II Branch, is part of a series of activities to celebrate major holidays in 2025 and towards the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Bank of Vietnam (1951 - 2026). Not only a place to display artifacts, the exhibition is also an "emotional journey" that takes viewers back to the length of the country's socio-economic development through banknotes and coins that have been present in the lives of many generations.

Cuối tuần thong thả đi xem triển lãm đồng tiền Việt Nam tại Ngân hàng Nhà nước- Ảnh 2. — 'Mini museum' inside a 90-year-old French architectural building

The exhibition is held on the ground floor of the State Bank of Vietnam branch in Region II - a French architectural work built between 1929 and 1931, with a classic style with red tiled roofs, large arched doors and yellow walls, which is also one of the reasons why the exhibition space becomes more attractive. It feels like entering the exhibition and "traveling through time" in an ancient, beautiful building.

Cuối tuần thong thả đi xem triển lãm đồng tiền Việt Nam tại Ngân hàng Nhà nước- Ảnh 3. — Many locals and tourists were excited to see for the first time a complete picture of Vietnamese currency from the past to the present.

Right from the entrance, visitors will encounter display cabinets arranged chronologically. Each Indochina banknote, Uncle Ho banknote, resistance money, credit notes, purchase vouchers, coins or modern polymer bills are all carefully preserved as important pieces of history. Each artifact is a "witness", telling the story of each period of the country's war, renovation and development, but in a much gentler, more familiar and easier to understand way.

Cuối tuần thong thả đi xem triển lãm đồng tiền Việt Nam tại Ngân hàng Nhà nước- Ảnh 4. — The exhibition "Vietnamese Coins" recreates the flow of national history through more than 1,500 artifacts.

The exhibition is divided into four clear thematic areas:

Indochina money - banknotes with images of buffalos and majestic ladies on old paper, from the period when Vietnam was still part of the French Indochina peninsula.
Financial banknotes - "Uncle Ho" banknotes (1945 - 1954), are the first banknotes of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, printed with Uncle Ho's image, marking the affirmation of national sovereignty after the August Revolution.
National Bank of Vietnam (1951 - 1975), an important step when the banking system was established and developed.
The State Bank of Vietnam's money (from 1975 to present) most clearly demonstrates the journey of innovation, integration and modernization of the economy.

More than 1,500 artifacts are displayed in an intuitive, accessible way, suitable for young people. Just standing in front of a display case, you can clearly see the changes from material, color, design to cultural value of coins over the decades.

Cuối tuần thong thả đi xem triển lãm đồng tiền Việt Nam tại Ngân hàng Nhà nước- Ảnh 5. — Technology highlights include VR tours and touch screen experiences

In addition to displaying artifacts, the exhibition also has a digital experience area with a touch screen system and VR technology. Visitors can "take a tour" of the headquarters of the State Bank of Vietnam at 49 Ly Thai To (Hanoi), review the exhibition "80 years of achievements of the State Bank of Vietnam" held in Dong Anh, or access a digital database of administrative procedures.

The combination of artifacts and technology makes the exhibition not only nostalgic but also modern, suitable for the young generation who love history but want to approach it in a new, easy-to-understand way.

In particular, the tour guide team are all young people with a passion for history and culture. Their explanations are very lively and engaging, helping visitors easily grasp the seemingly dry stories of the banking industry.

Location, time, what to note?

Location: State Bank Branch Region II, No. 8 Vo Van Kiet, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
Opening hours: Weekends, morning from 9am, afternoon from 2pm.
Time: From November 22, 2025 to the end of April 2026.
Admission fee: Free.

Note: Guests 14 years of age or older; Vietnamese people need to bring CCCD or VNeID; Foreign guests need to bring passport.