Whats best way to take spendng money to Vietnam?

Question

Have bought US dollars, should we take some sort of travellars cheques?

Answer 1

They take US dollars everywhere in Vietnam, often quoting you prices in USD before VND. I was there about a month ago and I kept wishing I had brought more USD. Other than that, I just used a credit card to make ATM withdrawals and I had no problems.

Answer 2

US dollar is the best. Travelers cheques can't cash at the bank in small town. Just be carefully when you keep your money.

Answer 3

a little of each, and a cpl of credit cards there is always a 1.5-3% charge for cashing "t" checks and using credit cards.. there are also atm machines all over the tourist areas..

Answer 4

Hi

If you in Ho Chi Minh city, there is one Western Union agent opposite Rex Hotel that accepts traveler cheque but if i were you, i would prefer bringing with me a credit card.

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Answer 5

You get more VND if you exchange with big denomination US bills. The $100 and $50 bills are considered 'big' notes.

Answer 6

Shrapnel

Answer 7

Although travelers checks seem like a good idea, it's very difficult to find anyone in Vietnam that accepts them. Banks and major hotels are about the only place that will know what to do with a traveler check, let alone accept one, over there.

I always bring greenbacks (dollars) with me whenever I go to Vietnam. I always bring brand new and crisp money. I bring mostly $100 bills and about $200 in smaller denominations. I bring $100 in 20's, 10's and 5's for getting between the airport and where I'm staying in Vietnam. I bring $50 each in 1's and 2's that I usually give to kids, family and friends in Vietnam for a variety of reasons.

If you're concerned about bringing a lot of money with you while traveling, you can use your credit card or ATM to withdraw money in VND while in Vietnam. ATM machines from the major banks in Vietnam accept ATM from most of the U.S. banks. You will get dinged between 1%-4% ($1 to $4 per $100) for the transaction depending on the bank, but that might be worth it to alleviate the concern of carrying thousands of dollars in cash into a strange and hostile environment.

Answer 8

Travellers cheques sound a good idea. Don't have too much cash on your person.

Vietnam seems quite popular with tourists now. Have a great time.

Answer 9

I live in Ha Noi. I use my US bank bank card to draw money when I need it. Citibank and ANZ are to major banks that have ATMs in Ha Noi and no doubt HCMC. Smaller towns won't necessarily have ATMs that you can use. The Vietnamese bank AMTs that I have tried require a 5 number pin, and my bank cards only have 4 numbers.

Answer 10

yes - they are safer - check with the travel agency if it is best to take dollar or sterling cheques.  Also you can use switch cards in most countries these days

Answer 11

Euro's is the best right now in world currency. It has $500 bills.

Answer 12

My self, I carry cash in $100.00 bills, then some small denominations in my pocket to get me going and for back up, travelers checks.  Mostly, I depend on my Citibank debit card, they have two instant cash machines in Saigon.  Think they are in Hanoi also, along with Bangkok and Manila.

Travelers checks as said in other posts can be a real hassle to cash. I haven't seen any merchants that except them.  So you have to a bank and cash them and then I have had the bank challenge my signature on the check.  Oh ya and you need your passport to cash them also for a cash advance.

I carry a small amount of my cash in my pocket and use a money belt for the rest when traveling.  When staying somewhere, if they have a lock box I use that or if not I hide it in my room.  I know the hiding sounds a bit shaky but its worked so far.  I've been pick pocked twice and was saved by my hidden stash.

Note:  Vietnamese like nice clean looking money.  So make sure the cash you take alone is crisp and with out marks or other surface flaws.  

- Keep close track of you credit and cash cards when traveling - its h**l getting them replaced.