Depicts a National Emblem surrounded by the state name (Socialist Republic of Vietnam).

The emblem of Vietnam is circular, has red background and a yellow star in the middle which represent the five main classes in Vietnamese society—intellectuals, farmers, workers, business people and military personnel; the revolutionary history and bright future of Vietnam. The cog and crops represent the cooperation of agriculture and industrial labor.

The coat of arms was designed by artist Bùi Trang Chước and was edited by artist Trần Văn Cẩn. The design closely resembles the emblem of the People's Republic of China and the entire emblem is based on the coat of arms of the Soviet Union.

Water Temple (Đô Temple), denomination below, inscription "State Bank of Vietnam" around.

The Lý Bát Đế Temple or Đô Temple is a temple near Hanoi of which the central section was built in 1028 on the death of the founder of the Later Lý Dynasty – Lý Thái Tổ, and the complex enlarged as seven of his descendant Lý Dynasty emperors were also buried at the shrine – Lý Bát Đế means "Eight Lý Emperors."