National Bank of Viet Nam
The National Bank of Viet Nam (Ngân hàng Quốc gia Việt Nam) served as the issuing authority of South Vietnam, operating within a currency system defined by external printing standards and pre-1975 monetary structure.
Quick Facts
Institutional Identity
The Bank operated as the central monetary authority of South Vietnam, issuing currency, supervising financial institutions, and maintaining monetary stability within a US-aligned economy supported by foreign aid and Western financial structures.
Historical Evolution
Established in 1955 after the division of Vietnam, the Bank replaced the Indochinese piastre and later introduced the đồng, with banknotes produced by leading institutions such as Thomas De La Rue and the Banque de France, resulting in highly detailed engraving and superior print quality compared to regional counterparts.
Design Philosophy
South Vietnamese banknotes are celebrated for their elegant compositions, including allegorical female figures in traditional áo dài, most notably the iconic “Three Graces” motif symbolizing national unity, alongside rural life, architecture, and finely executed guilloché patterns.
For collectors
For collectors, the National Bank of Viet Nam represents a premium Southeast Asian series, where Western-printed quality, the highly sought-after “Three Graces” designs, and the final 1975 issues depicting the Independence Palace—released on the eve of Saigon’s fall—create exceptional historical and aesthetic value.