1963 South Vietnam 1 Đồng – National Liberation Front “People’s Struggle” Note
Pick# R4 | Never Issued | Printed in China
Created during one of the most politically charged eras of Vietnam’s modern history, the 1 Đồng P‑R4 note represents a rare and fascinating artifact of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NLF)—known internationally as the Viet Cong. Although designed for circulation, these notes were never officially issued, remaining stored in China until the end of the conflict.
The note’s imagery reflects the NLF’s ideological messaging: the dignity of agricultural labour, the importance of education, and the vision of a unified, self‑sufficient society. Today, surviving examples offer collectors a unique window into the propaganda, aspirations, and material culture of the revolutionary movement.
Design Highlights
Obverse
Farmers harvesting rice, symbolizing the agrarian foundation of the South and the NLF’s emphasis on rural solidarity
Text in Latin script identifying the issuing authority:
ỦY BAN TRUNG ƯƠNG — Central Committee
MẶT TRẬN DÂN TỘC GIẢI PHÓNG MIỀN NAM VIỆT NAM — National Liberation Front of South Vietnam
MỘT ĐỒNG — One Đồng
Clean, utilitarian design reflecting revolutionary aesthetics
Reverse
Students in a classroom, representing education, social development, and the NLF’s vision for a future socialist society
Denomination MỘT ĐỒNG prominently displayed
Simple, symbolic layout consistent with unissued political currency
Watermark
Stars, a common revolutionary motif and security feature
Specifications
Attribute Details
Country South Vietnam (NLF-controlled regions)
Authority National Liberation Front Central Committee
Type Non‑issued banknote
Years 1963–1966 (later research suggests 1968)
Value 1 Đồng
Currency Southern đồng
Composition Paper
Size 123 × 62 mm
Shape Rectangular
Issued Never issued
Demonetized Yes
Reference P‑R4
Watermark Stars
Notes Printed in China; entire stock remained unissued
Why Add This Note to Your Collection?
This unissued NLF 1 Đồng note is ideal for:
Collectors of Vietnam War–era currency
Enthusiasts of revolutionary or propaganda banknotes
Historians studying NLF political messaging
Collectors of unissued or provisional notes
Anyone seeking rare, ideologically significant Southeast Asian material
As a piece never released into circulation, it stands as a preserved artifact of a movement, a moment, and a message—making it one of the more intriguing non‑issued notes of the Vietnam conflict.
