Spending Money in Vietnam

northwest1965

Whats the best way to spend in Vietnam?

Should we take £100 of VND with us? Then what? We normally use a Caxton Card but appreciate that won't be advisable on this occasion.
We also have a Santander Zero and Halifax Clarity.

Do we withdraw cash from said credit cards and exchange? If so where is best?

Voyager2002

Believe it or not, there are plenty of ATMs in Vietnam.

bagand96

As above, ATMs everywhere, no problems withdrawing cash in Vietnam.

Doshwaster

Yes, ATMs on every corner of the major towns and cities. Don't bother changing before you go any the exchange rate would be terrible. Just walk up to the first machine you see at arrivals. It will take a while to get used to the very high denominations but it's all very simple and there are no coins to worry about.

Cash is still king in Vietnam with cards only really accepted in higher end hotels and restaurants.

EveryWhere

You'll have to search for ATMs that don't charge a fee. I guess you'll be looking at fees from 35k to 80k. Though of course, you'll prefer those that charge nothing or 25k.

At the airport there will be less choice, so almost certainly will get hit by a fee.But we are talking, on average, less than £2.

parcival

Agreed, shops / restaurants want cash.

We changed a few pounds into Dong at Hanoi airport to get us going. Then got a larger amount of Dong from one of many ATM's in Hanoi.

PompeyPete

Try and avoid stand-alone ATMs, only use them if it is attached to a Bank and during office hours.

An ATM will probably dispense high denomination, ie. 500k dong. So if you need dong to get a taxi from the Airport to your hotel, be prepared for the taxi driver saying he hasn't got any change.

Personally, as cash is still King I'd just take 'clean' pristine £50 notes. All travel agencies, and they're everywhere, change money at a good rate.