Vietnam 500 Dong 1988, P-101a(2), UNC

Red cranes rise above Hai Phong's docks, carrying the eye from ceremonial portraiture toward the practical machinery of trade.

Design & Symbolism

Obverse

A reddish-brown portrait of Ho Chi Minh faces inward from the right, balanced by the national coat of arms and serial number at left. The written denomination sits over a field of stars and fine geometric lines, with blue and purple tones cooling the predominantly red composition. Floral corner motifs soften the rigid numerical frame without weakening its formal structure.

Reverse

Dockside cranes, trucks and ships crowd the reverse of this 500-dong note without obscuring the harbour's depth. The vessels form a distant horizontal band, while the machinery in front gives the scene scale and direction. Hai Phong appears here as a working port, translated into disciplined engraving rather than treated as a scenic waterfront.

Collector’s Insight

For collectors, P-101a(2) completes the paired P-101a production study while preserving the same 1988-dated design and August 1989 introduction. Its Pick sub-number matters most in a specialist run, where apparently identical notes can be separated without relying on new imagery or signatures. The type also marks the growing face values that followed Vietnam's 1985 monetary reform.

Shipping & Guarantee

Each banknote is carefully handled and securely packed to ensure safe delivery. Authenticity is guaranteed.

Serial number and prefix may vary from the reference image.