Dollars, dongs or Monopoly money?
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- November
- 4
I’m told American dollars are widely accepted in Vietnam. That’s a relief; we’re leaving in a few days, and I haven’t had time to try to get any Vietnamese currency (dong).
Last time my father was there, he used neither dollars nor dongs. Instead, troops carried Military Payment Certificates, which look like Monopoly money:
“American soldiers in Vietnam were paid with MPCs rather than actual dollars in order to prevent black market and money laundering activities,” he explains. “These notes were used just like regular dollars at the PX, officer’s and enlisted men’s clubs. Upon leaving Vietnam, a soldier turned in his MPCs and got regular dollars to go back home.”
Now, to paraphrase my old Columbia University journalism school professors, “This and $2 will get you a ride on the subway.”
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I had no idea that American soldiers in Vietnam were paid with Military Certificates,than with actual dollars.
Thank you for the information Nicole!
Panos Messis