1 hao 1972
About This Note
This 1 Hào note from North Vietnam (1972) is presented in uncirculated condition with vibrant, well-preserved colors and sharp engraving details throughout. The front features the State Emblem of Vietnam prominently displayed within ornate baroque-style borders and fine geometric crosshatching, while the reverse depicts a labor scene with multiple worker figures—characteristic socialist-realist imagery reflecting the nation's post-war reconstruction era. The note exhibits the hallmark security features of early 1970s Vietnamese currency, including intricate line engraving and multi-color printing techniques.
Common. The 1 Hào denomination from 1972 (Pick P-77a) was issued in substantial quantities by the State Bank of Vietnam during the final years of North Vietnam's independent existence. No evidence of restricted print runs, early recall, or scarcity conditions exists for this note. Uncirculated examples, while desirable for condition, remain readily available in the collector market at modest valuations typical of common 1970s Vietnamese currency.
This banknote was issued during the reign of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) in 1972, near the end of the Vietnam War and during a period of significant economic reconstruction. The reverse's depiction of workers engaged in manual labor reflects the socialist ideology and collective work ethic promoted by the government during this period. The State Emblem and the inscription 'Nước Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cộng Hòa' (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) affirm the note's provenance from the northern communist state, which would reunify with South Vietnam in 1975.
The obverse features the State Emblem of North Vietnam—a golden star positioned above a circular seal with radiating design elements—centrally placed and surrounded by ornamental baroque-style borders with scrollwork flourishes in all four corners. The denomination 'MỘT HÀO' appears below the emblem with decorative flourishes. The reverse depicts a socialist-realist labor vignette showing multiple worker figures (at least 3-4 distinct individuals) engaged in manual work or construction activities, rendered in fine line engraving. Both sides employ an intricate geometric crosshatch background pattern in cream and beige tones, with matching decorative corner ornaments. The note's color palette consists of purple/mauve, brown, rust/orange, and green, creating a visually cohesive and period-appropriate design.
Front side: 'NƯỚC VIỆT NAM DÂN CHỦ CỘNG HÒA' translates to 'Democratic Republic of Vietnam'; 'MỘT HÀO' translates to 'One Hao'. Back side: 'NGÂN HÀNG NHÀ NƯỚC VIỆT NAM' translates to 'State Bank of Vietnam'; 'MỘT HÀO' translates to 'One Hao'; Serial number prefix 'XB' with numeric sequence '347350'.
This note was produced using intaglio engraving (line engraving) combined with multi-color offset lithography. The fine line work visible in both the State Emblem vignette and the labor scene indicates traditional intaglio engraving, while the background patterns and color separations reflect offset printing technology. The State Bank of Vietnam employed security printers capable of these techniques; notes from this era and Pick catalog number typically utilized Vietnamese state printing facilities or allied Eastern Bloc printers.
This specimen carries serial number prefix 'XB' with serial number 347350. The P-77a designation represents the standard 1972 issue; varieties of this pick number may exist based on printer identifications, signature variations, or serial number prefix changes, but the observed example appears to be a standard printing. No overprints or significant design variations are evident on this specimen.
