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Getting/Using Cash (Dong/US Dollars) in Hanoi

Getting/Using Cash (Dong/US Dollars) in Hanoi

Old Feb 24th, 2009, 08:28 AM
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Getting/Using Cash (Dong/US Dollars) in Hanoi

I'm starting to think about some of the little details about our April trip to northern Vietnam. One thing I've read is that there are very few ATM's - according to the Mastercard website, Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport does not have an ATM that accepts Mastercard, although there is an ATM (one) that does in the old quarter. Are we better off bringing some brand new US currency and exchanging? Or how about travelers checks (haven't used these in years)? We anticipate having to use cash for things like taxi's and tips. I assume most of the little shops in the old quarter do not take credit cards - is that correct? I know some will take US dollars - will we get a good exchange rate - how about exchanging money at the airport? Our lodging, Halong Bay cruise, train to Sapa and all associated transport will be paid for in advance so at least we won't have to worry about that. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 08:42 AM
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I remember using an HSBC ATM in the old part of Hanoi that accepted the usual plus/cirrus cards.
I can't remember specifically if I used an ATM at the airport, but it is fairly large and modern....I'd find it hard to believe that there is not an ATM there that would work with your card.
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 10:30 AM
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we used a lot of american money...but of course that was a few years ago....many of the shops in old town take credit cards....some ask for dollars, but of course that was before Bernie and citibank problems....

there must also be a citibank in hanoi??
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 10:33 AM
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There was an ATM at the Hanoi airport when I was there several years ago. It was new then. I had no difficulty finding plenty of ATMs that would accept my card and give me dong in Hanoi. In my expererience, the bank websites are years (if not a decade) behind in listing availability of ATMs. Which network is your ATM card affiliated with? Mine use both Plus and Interlink.

We found that using dong (rather than dollars) in Hanoi gave us better prices. The little shops in the old quarter rarely took credits cards though that may have changed.

I do always carry a few US$100 bills "just in case."
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 10:59 AM
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Jan 2008, we found ATMs in Hanoi airport
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 11:51 AM
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Hmmm...I recall no difficulty in finding ATMs in the major cities. Most useful in Hanoi, there was a Citibank ATM practically across the street from your hotel in the Hoan Kiem district -- if I am recalling correctly that you are staying at the Sofitel Metropole. It was inside the lobby of a building and had a concierge or guard stationed at a desk several meters away. Very comfortable and easy to use. You could ask the Metropole if it is still there. It was in July.

Up in the Westlake area,the ATM we used several times required you to climb some scaffolding to a second-story ATM -- very odd arrangement but we grew used to it. We similarly had no trouble finding ATMs near major hotels in Hue, Danang, and HCMC. Did anyone else?

Out in the countryside I would definitely be prepared with cash.
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 01:40 PM
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I lived in Hanoi for four months and traveled throughout northern Vietnam last fall. ATM's are all over the place in Hanoi. I cannot EVER recall not finding one when needed. I don't think you should have any problems.

I spent five days in Sapa and also used ATM's there. I can't really recall not seeing ATMs in any location I visited in Vietnam. The nice thing was that they all allow you to select English as your language and from that point on it was just push a few buttons....and presto, you were a millionaire (in Dong!)

The fees for using the ATM typically cost me about $3 per transaction....about $1.50 for the Vietnam bank and my bank charged me approximately $1.50.

And I found that most of the smaller stores in Hanoi DID NOT take credit cards. The top-o-the-line places would accept credit cards, but I usually used cash (dong) just to avoid the hassle. I can recall running down the street to an ATM several times when I bought something and needed more money to pay for it.

The only real hassle I ran into using the ATM machines was that they typically gave you cash in 500,000 notes. I shopped in the markets and often ate on the street...and no one would be able to make change for this large note. Thus it became a habit for me to get 500,000 notes from the ATM and then find a bank and have them change the big bills into 50,000 dong notes. This worked well because the 50,000 dong note is much more "usable" for the smaller purchases you might make.

Have a GREAT time....I miss Hanoi....I want a bowl of "Bun Cha"!
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 02:26 PM
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Great info - thanks. Kathie, my card is accepted at any ATM with a MasterCard logo. Looks like we won't have any problems though.
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Old Feb 24th, 2009, 03:14 PM
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Craig,

There's either an HSBC or a Citibank branch with a good ATM machine next to or very close to the Metropole in Hanoi that I found to be quite reliable and always have enough cash in them.
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