Currencies

[KLLund]

We will be in Hong Kong, two Vietnam ports, Bangkok and Singapore next month and I am wondering if we will need the local currencies in these ports .. if so I prefer to do it at my bank at home before we leave and supplement it as needed at ATM's in the various cities. I do know that one tour in Vietnam has requested US dollars (and more particularly newer large bills ) .. but in the markets and shops and restaurants or street food venders will we need the currency ?

 

Thanks

[cdngrl]

I'm wondering for all of those places too.

in my research it shows hong kong and Singapore want local currency.

Vietnam is happy with American money but it has to be in good condition.

the jury is out on Thailand.

 

i read one thread here where they only brought $us and were fine. but i also read where if you are buying from markets or street vendors, you have more bargaining power with local currency.

[ASing1Cruise]

For Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, you will need local currency for food (street food and food courts). For resturants, they will take credit cards. As for shops, Hong Kong and Singapore accept credit cards. Thailand depend on where you shop, local currency and cash preferred.

 

Vietnam is a unique place where they accept US$. But you need to know how to bargain when you shop. I doubt you will be able to get any Viet currency exchanged in your own country. Normally we do it when arriving at the airport or the port. You will need a very big pouch to carry the Viet Dong as 1 US$= 21000 Dong now. Last time I was there, changing US$100 to Dong, I needed a pouch, my wallet doesnt fit all the bills they gave. If you go to the rural area, you probably will need dong for taxi. But highly unlikely that you will go unless you have someone there you want to me.

[Bpos]

We will be in Hong Kong, two Vietnam ports, Bangkok and Singapore next month and I am wondering if we will need the local currencies in these ports .. if so I prefer to do it at my bank at home before we leave and supplement it as needed at ATM's in the various cities. I do know that one tour in Vietnam has requested US dollars (and more particularly newer large bills ) .. but in the markets and shops and restaurants or street food venders will we need the currency ?

 

Thanks

 

If you are doing a ship's tour in Vietnam you probably will not V Dong as all but shopping should be covered in the fare and you can use $US for that. Just make sure you have some small notes (ie $1, $5 etc), get notes changed from the ship's casino if need be before you get to Phu My

 

On our last trip to Phu My on Diamond Princess there was a exchange table run by local Vietnamese located in the ship's atrium area and I must say the exchange rate was very good. If you do change money or get it from an ATM (which are everywhere in Vietnam (even saw one in a rice paddy) get only what you think you will need and get rid if it before getting back on the ship. Has no value anywhere else other than Vietnam

 

For Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok take $US dollars and change at official exchange offices or use ATM to get cash - In Singapore you can use card for a lot of payments also.

[John Bull]

For Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, you will need local currency for food (street food and food courts). For resturants, they will take credit cards. As for shops, Hong Kong and Singapore accept credit cards. Thailand depend on where you shop, local currency and cash preferred.

 

Vietnam is a unique place where they accept US$. But you need to know how to bargain when you shop. I doubt you will be able to get any Viet currency exchanged in your own country. Normally we do it when arriving at the airport or the port. You will need a very big pouch to carry the Viet Dong as 1 US$= 21000 Dong now. Last time I was there, changing US$100 to Dong, I needed a pouch, my wallet doesnt fit all the bills they gave. If you go to the rural area, you probably will need dong for taxi. But highly unlikely that you will go unless you have someone there you want to me.

 

An excellent précis. :)

 

And yes, you get an awful lot of Dong to the dollar. For a while you'll be a multi-millionaire :cool:

Didn't have trouble carrying the stuff (mebbe I'm not as rich as ASing1Cruise ;)) but you do need to be careful to count the noughts or you can accidentally pay 10 or 100 times as much as you should.

Even for city taxis, before getting in you should ask the driver (by flashing dollars if your Vietnamese language is a little rusty) whether USD are acceptable. Most city drivers do, their cabs are metered & they carry a conversion table - we found them ridiculously cheap & very honest in the conversion. Operators who tout will quote fixed USD prices, & be much more expensive than the liveried cabs. Having a map, or your destination written in Vietnamese, will avoid confusion & complication.

 

JB :)