My husband and I are independent travelers headed to Bangkok, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Hoi An, Hue and Hanoi, ending up in Hong Kong before returning to the US. Our hotel bills are being paid with a credit card.
How do we handle cash on the ground? We can carry American dollars but are edgy about having a lot of money on us. Does anyone know the ATM situation in the various countries?
Our credit card site indicates ATMs in some of the above cities but not all, so I wonder whether the airports are equipped.
As a tag on question, what about clothing during mid January to mid February in the above cities?
Carol

Of those cities, we were in Siem Reap, HoiAn, Hue and Hanoi last year and had no trouble at all finding ATMs for cash and using our debit and credit cards most places (meals, shops). Be aware that the ATMs in Siem Reap dispense American dollars.

I can't imagine Bangkok is a problem.

Good to know! I didn't think Bangkok would present a problem, but included it anyway.

What about what to wear? I presume all except Vietnam will be quite warm and humid during January and February.

Thanks for your response.

After you go through passport control in BKK, you'll immediately see an ATM to the right. Best location I've ever seen in an airport.

Make sure you bank knows about all the places you will be visiting, so they don't think your ATM card has been hijacked!

The weather in Vietnam in Jan can get quite cool in Hanoi particularly in the early morning. The same applies in Luang Prbang although it does usually get quite hot as the day progresses. If you are out and about early then take a fleece or something warm. great time to visit.

It can get very wet in Hue and Hoi An at that time of year but it is easy enough to buy a cheap umbrella/poncho if needed.

And take more than one - if one doesn't work (or gets eaten by a machine), you need a backup!

What to wear -- when we were in Hanoi in early March, it was cool, so we wore light slacks (my favorite travel pants - the Lucy walkabout pants, which I have in 3 colors) and carried a light jacket with us (which we needed only infrequently). We were lucky that Siem Reap, while hot, was not nearly as hot as expected, high 80s where we expected closer to 100+. Hue was warm and beautiful, mid-80s, and HoiAn was gorgeous beach weather for the first two days, then a huge rainstorm the third day (so bad we left early for Saigon).

If you're game, my very favorite sightseeing was our motobike tour in Hue with Hue Riders:

http://www.hueriders.com/

BTW, the ATMs in Siem Reap dispense US dollars, the currency you will use almost everywhere there. All the other ocuntries you mention, you'll use the local currency.

As for Laos, there are ATMS on the main road of Luang Prabang and money changes who offer a fair price. Some ATMS work for some cards and not others but no one had a problem finding one and the money changers on the main drag would take what ever you have as well.

If you are heading down south however, to the 4000 islands make sure you have cash as there are not ATMS or currency exchange places at all.

And the weather in Luang Prabang was cool in the evening and never hot during January. Vang Vieng, Vientiene and further south was quite warm.

Always ATM local currency from my no fee capitaloneone.com

VENTURE VISA CREDI CARD.. no debit card for me too much

"skimming" 0% liability with CC 100% liability with DC.

Do be aware that ATM withdrawals are treated as cash w/d

So go on line pay off quickly they accrue interest from

date of withdrawal can mount up quickly.

bangkok being a heaven for tourists from all over the world, won't have ATM machines that tourists can use...I don't think so that's possible.

YOu will find them almost anywhere.