Carrabella

OK, so I've changed my $100 into Dong and become a millionairess. How big a purse do I need, which I mustn't carry openly because it might get snatched, so I need to secrete it somehow on my person?
I'd love some info (perhaps Pat?) on how you managed the mechanics of a huge pile of notes. Just how big is a million Dong?

Only 10 days to go - I know too, that I mustn't carry Dong out of the country, but as I will be having a day stopover on the way back from Europe, as well as the few days on the way over, would it be a big problem to take any left-overs with me? My hubby says I'll end up in gaol if I get caught - anyone had any experiences, please?

Airlawgirl

Carrabella-I know nothing about this topic, but your post definitely amused me! It's nice to become a millionairess with only a $100, eh? We'd hate to see you end up in prison-do tell us how that goes!

Kathie

Let's see, you must be talking about VN (do put it in the title of the post, you'll get more responses).

I used ATMs, and got 2 million dong out of the cash machine at a time (for US $130). It's sort of a stack of money, but I was able to put all 2 million dong into my wallet with no problem. I seem to remember that the dong came out of the cash machine as 50,000 dong notes, so that's only 40 notes. You'll want to get some change, as those are large notes to spend.

While it is technically illegal to export dong, no one will mind if you take some out of the country (it's just that it's worthless outside the country).

By the way, this isn't nearly as large a stack of notes as you'd get for US$20 in kip in Laos. I coundn't fit all those notes in my wallet!

Carrabella

Sorry for not mentioning Vietnam - I should not have assumed! Thanks Kathie for your information - if you managed with TWO million, then I'm sure I can with only one!
This is my first holiday alone as a let's say mature woman, Airlawgirl - thanks for your interest. I probably worry too much, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Airlawgirl

Carrabella-Isn't it grand? Instant millionairess, and you don't even have to answer any silly questions in order to be one! Have a great trip, and do post back on Vietnam- haven't gotten there yet so will be interested in your experiences. (love that Vietnamese food though!) And as far as traveling solo-hey, Airlawgirl wrote the book on that! If she can climb Mt. Sinai in the middle of the night in order to be on top to watch the sunrise, then go jump on an Egyptian tanker and make her way to Jordan by herself with nary a hassle, I'm sure you'll do just fine! (and uh, no, I wouldn't do that again!)

orgy7

ohh. I thought you where trying to say crazy in thai which sounds very much like ding dong...

just do like you should be doing in any country divide your money and places it all over. in your luggage, wallet. hidden body pack. back pocket (change) etc.

Neil_Oz

Carrabella, we heeded all the dire warnings - keep a firm grip on hand/shoulder-borne bags, make sure they're on the building side of the footpath (sidewalk) to deter bike-borne snatchers, keep your wallet in an inside pocket and all that. In the event, at no time did anybody attempt a flying (or other) assault on our valuables, or for that matter our valuable persons, nor did we witness any such incident. That's not to say that you shouldn't exercise sensible caution - just don't let well-meaning but possibly overly cautious people spoil your experience of Vietnam for no good reason.

Carrabella

"Cam un" with the relevant, as yet unknown intonations, for all your advice and interest - will write a report on my return. I have twice been robbed on OS trips- the first time, we actually disturbed the robbers in our car near Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, whilst filling in time only a short distance away, for our continuing flight. We lost only our "carry on" bag, but it contained tickets, bookings, passports, medications etc, so was a nuisance to replace, and we missed the flight and had to stay an extra day to replace things. Second time, a motor-bike bag snatch in Bali, despite nearly always following Neil's advice, sometimes we forget! The worst thing was the loss of 600 European photos in the new digital camera . Amyway, I'll be more conscious of it this time. Thanks everyone.

What a great adventure, Airlawgirl, your tanker trip to Jordan! Hubby and I loved our few days in Jordan - arriving in a total blackout in Amman, trip to Petra, and we hired a car and drove ourselves to the Dead Sea, and down the fabulous Kings' Highway etc. despite very few English signs.

pat_woolford

Hi Carrabella - just watch the zero's on those dong notes - we did end up paying a Saigon taxi triver 10 times the amount he asked for (which wasn't much) - he did look pleased!