Money to Bring to Asia (HK Vietnam & Thailand) & Ko San Road

I

IrishGunner

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Travelling to HK for the new year and then onto Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok & Ko Samui and then back to Hong Kong

What is the best currency to bring ? HK should be ok and I am going to use my Atm & maybe get HKD cash. Not sure if I should bring some Usd traveller cheques and some Usd hard currency?

Or maybe bring some Thai Baht for taxi from airport. Can you get Vietnam Dong here or just wait until I arrive and get to HK or get it at an ATM in Ho Chi Minh Aiport ?

Also views on the Ko San Road as not sure if to stay here or somewere near siam square. Only in BK for 2-3 days so KSR is near the attractions. Not going particular for shopping. Also not backpackers but not loaded so does it depend on taste ?
 
I would advocate getting the HKD and Thai Baht at the airport ATM. Would not bring any foreign currency over with me (have done this myself in both these places). Not sure what the set up is in vietnam regarding ATMs.
Would not bring $ and would definetly not get travellers cheques. In any case the euro is as widely accepted as the dollar these days.
 
I'd still with the ATMs for all places - and bring some euro and keep for emergencies. No knowledge of HK but Thailand and Vietnam are well serviced as regards ATMs - unless you go well off the beaten track.
 
Again…don't bring travelers cheques, they are a thing of the past. ATM for most things. Some 1$ bills are useful for tips or if you are stuck. With the rapidly dropping dollar they will be more than happy to exchange your strong euros. Just be careful not be get done with a bad exchange rate, and when leaving the place you changed them.
 
soy said:
Would not bring $ and would definetly not get travellers cheques.
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Agree with the advise on Travellers Cheques, but if memory serves me right $ cash is as widely accepted in Vietnam as Dong.

Oh and you can't buy Vietnam Dong outside the country nor are you allowed to bring surplus Dong out of Vietnam (although I have some Dong at home, but it's of no use to me other than to admire and remind me of a super holiday - enjoy)
 
Want to bring my ATM card but wanted travellers cheques on the off chance I loose it / misplace it

May get a few $ as at a low at the mo

Recam throw some Dong my way if its just lying around
 
IrishGunner said:
Want to bring my ATM card but wanted travellers cheques on the off chance I loose it / misplace it

May get a few $ as at a low at the mo

Recam throw some Dong my way if its just lying around
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Another option is to throw a few euro into Western Union - to use as emergency funds. There are WU agents all over SE Asia.
 
Travellers cheques are becoming increasingly hard (and expensive) to cash as they're much less common now than they used to be.

Honestly unless I was going to North Korea or somewhere really I don't think there's any need to carry cash around nowadays. There are very few International airports nowadays that don't have loads of ATM machines

Given the cost and inconvenience involved in getting foreign currency in advance vs. using an ATM on arrival I just dont' think it's worth it any more
 
On the accom thing, the D&D Inn on the KoSahn Road is huge and clean - not the cheapest, but still only like 10-15 a night....nice rooftop pool too! Its central so worth the money if you're only there a couple of days....

Either that or Sukumvit (sp?), never stayed there but its busy and a bit more upmarket (shopping malls etc..)
 
We brought dollars to Asia on a friends advice, but came home with them again. ATMs are everywhere and are safer than carrying wads of cash around.
 
Phibbleberry said:
On the accom thing, the D&D Inn on the KoSahn Road is huge and clean - not the cheapest, but still only like 10-15 a night....nice rooftop pool too! Its central so worth the money if you're only there a couple of days....

Either that or Sukumvit (sp?), never stayed there but its busy and a bit more upmarket (shopping malls etc..)
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Yeah was told about this place but staying at the Buddy lodge D&D only take cash

Trying to call them is like calling Elvis
 
Yeah staying in the buddy lodge have to book it yet

Will bring some HKD with me and then the dilemma. Some people are telling me to bring usd to Vietnam in small denominations ie $1 dollar bills and some are saying no? Will get some dong when I arrive in the airport

May also bring some Thai Baht just to have then get more when I arrive there
 
Another really nice place around kao san road is Lamphuh house - its about 3 mins walk from ksr, so you're still in the middle of everything but its in a nice quiet courtyard and most rooms have a balcony. We stayed there just over a year ago and i think it was about 25eur for twin aircon room with private bath and balcony. Their website is www.lamphuhouse.com.

I also agree with everyone else on the cash front, have travelled extensively in asia and ATM's are the way to go. If you think you're going to go well off the beaten track at any point, just take cash from an ATM with you.

Have a ball!
 
bring USD with you but in low bills for taxi, tips etc.. plenty of money exchange places in vietnam..will take all major currencies -even euros
 
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