Finance and money forum

Hi Indoluso.

I was quite surprised nobody answered your other question about euros and dollars a couple of days ago.

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/financemoney/10784_euros-dolars

I didn't try and answer because I've never been to Vietnam and it's a long time since I was in Laos so I couldn't remember if I'd changed euros into dollars beforehand or not.

I've a feeling I just took euros in cash though (There were no ATMs back then). I've never had much problem changing euros anywhere else in SE Asia, even in Burma. If it were me I'd just take Euros in cash and a credit card but maybe someone who actually knows for sure will see your question now!

Yes it's a good idea to take some dollars with you as a back up, especially if you're buying visas in SE Asia because they are nearly always payable in dollars.

Actually I wouldn't take any denomination larger than a 20 because more often than not people don't have change even when you're getting a visa so they'll give you your change in local currency (at a bad rate naturally).
Take $5 and $1 notes too so that you have the exact change.

$100 in cash should be heaps unless there are things in Vietnam and Laos that you HAVE to pay in dollars rather than local currency. For example, entry fees to major "must see" sites like Angkhor Wat and Bagan are payable in dollars, and Angkhor Wat costs $45 for 3 days if I remember right. Otherwise you can just change Euros directly into local currency without losing money by changing into dollars first.

Great info indeed.