100 Đồng World Cup Mexico 1986

Vietnam issued this coin during a period when the country was still operating under the tập trung bao cấp subsidy system, a centrally planned economy so strained that hard currency was essentially theoretical for ordinary citizens. Commemorative silver issues of this period were produced almost exclusively for foreign exchange — sold abroad or to collectors through Vietraximex, the state export agency, never intended to circulate domestically.

Mexico 86 was the first World Cup held at altitude, and Vietnam had no qualifying team. The subject was chosen purely for international marketability.