Physical Money in Vietnam

Allison Truitt discusses in Dreaming of Money in Ho Chi Minh City the transformative appearance and symbolism attached to national currency in Vietnam.  She points out the strong themes of nationalism and sovereignty present after 1945 with images related to militarization and power in defense.  These correlated with the recent revolution in Vietnam.  In the late fifties, newly circulating coins and notes depicted advances in industry.  It seems that, in order to maintain the currency’s legitimacy, its material form must be cutting edge and up-to-date.  Progress and an idealistic image of Vietnam had to be represented by the currency. I found it interesting that the National Bank would burn old notes that were “unfit for circulation” and replace them with new ones.  Such high importance was placed on the physical appearance of the money because of its representation of sovereignty.  Ngo Dinh Diem stated that the currency was “the real independence of the country.”