US dollars in Asia

Old Jul 14th, 2010, 02:13 PM
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US dollars in Asia

I have always had a personal aversion to people mentioning using US dollars when they travel, and I never carry any overseas -- particularly in Europe. But more and more I read i will actually need some in Asia.
For starters the $20 Visa fee for Cambodia, and the $35 for Laos -- both seem to suggest should be paid in dollars -- which I guess is good since I wouldn't have been able to exchange to local currency when entering. And all over the place I read about US dollars actually being preferred in Vietnam as well as other places.

So my question is -- for 10 weeks travel in Asia (three of those weeks in China -- most of the rest in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam), how much US cash should I carry? And they mention only small bills -- are 20s considered small enough for things like the above mentioned visas?
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 02:56 PM
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As much as you can, carry excact change for visas (which often are to be paid in US$), but you'll also need US$ for Cambodia. You'll pay for your temples pass, car and driver, guide (if you use one) and hotel in dollars. Small items you buy might be in dollars or riel, but if you need change, you'll get it riel. Basically, people in Siem Reap prefer US$ ro the riel.

Note that three currencies you encounter are worthless outside their home country: VN dong, Cambodian riel, Laos kip. Spend it or give it away before you leave the country.
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 03:42 PM
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So although I'm only three days in Cambodia, that looks like a fairly big one -- although the hotel takes credit cards.

So should I be thinking like $150 or more there alone?

In Luang Prabang, am I going to find the same thing? -- or just get kip from at ATM. The hotel already mentioned that their driver (free transfer from airport) will stop at an ATM, so no need to change currency at the airport.
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 05:24 PM
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In Luang Prabang, use kip. You'll find there are Americans who think everyone should accept dollars. But in the vast majority of places, they prefer their own currency, the one exception on your itinerary is Cambodia. Yes, vendors in some places in VN and some in Luang Prabang will accept dollars, but you'll pay more, and IMO mark yourself as a novice traveler (and perhaps, as an arrogant American).
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 05:31 PM
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i think in laos they asked us for dollars often, but we used local too.....for instance all the "taxi" drivers asked for $1 each...

i took $600 for 4 days in SR.... most of the $1 ($100) i came home with or converted in thailand....the 5's went quickly....the 20's and 50's (guide and driver--then $20 ea per day) also fairly quickly... it was a pain in the neck....i think my hotel was a credit card hotel however...
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 05:39 PM
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Kathie is quite right - I'm Australian and for Cambodia still carry US dollars - a lot of quite small ones too - like $1, $5, $10 etc - US is preferred by many and you can pay for anything there in US (but will get any change in Riel). How much you need for 3 days - well - Visa plus temple pass for however many days plus driver and guide if you use them - then meals etc. Visa and pass add up! Watch out for quite high premiums on the credit card charges - often 3 or 4% - ask you hotel before you go.

For Laos I will carry some US if I happen to have any left around but these days just take Aus $ as they are easily changed now and its better to use Kip for all your purchases. The only thing is if you happen to run out of Kip and aren't anywhere to change money then most vendors will accept US but the exchange won't be as good. Do a bit of research on ATM and kip in Lao - there are a few thread on here somewhere. You can't get much out from the ATMs as they have a small limit so just watch out for that. Have some dollars in reserve to change at the exchange which are everywhere. Traveler's cheques can be changed but cost quite a bit to change and are less commonly used in both Lao and Cambodia.

Thailand - just use Baht.
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 06:27 PM
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Kathie, you've summed up what I always thought about using US dollars in foreign countries, so it has surprised me reading over and over again to take them to SE Asia.

So I guess it's mainly an issue in Cambodia, not Laos or Thailand, and I'm with a group in Vietnam with everything prepaid, so I'm guessing that won't be an issue.
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 07:33 PM
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The ATM in Siem Reap paid in US Dollars- and gave a mix odf 5s 10s and 20s- a couple of years ago. Does it still do that? We still used wads of $1s and $5s, as it seemed every tuk tuk wanted $2, and every meal was $5!
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Old Jul 14th, 2010, 07:43 PM
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no usa cash needed ever for thailand....
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Old Jul 15th, 2010, 03:10 AM
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what about Bali?
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Old Jul 15th, 2010, 08:06 AM
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No use of US dollars in Bali, use rupiah. Lots of ATMs to get the local cash.
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Old Jul 20th, 2010, 12:04 AM
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Quote MaryW:
"Do a bit of research on ATM and kip in Lao - there are a few thread on here somewhere. You can't get much out from the ATMs as they have a small limit so just watch out for that."

This information is wildly inaccurate. The ANZ Vientiane will allow withdrawals of 2 million Kip. Most other banks allow 700,000 Kip with multiple withdrawals per day.
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Old Jul 20th, 2010, 05:09 AM
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"wildly inaccurate"? Since 700,000 kip is equal to about $84 US, I'd call that small limits too -- compared to up to $1000 you can withdraw from ATMs in many countries or even the $250 which some banks in Europe limit you to per withdrawal.

I appreciate that information -- I'm unsure what the limits might be on at ATM in Luang Prabang. My hotel has advised me not to exchange any currency at the airport as it will be their driver and he will stop at an ATM for me -- so should I assume 700,000 is the usual limit?
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Old Jul 20th, 2010, 06:58 PM
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It is innacurate, as you presumably did not read that multiple daily withdrawals are available. Exchanging at the airport or getting cash at an ATM will not result in a big difference in exchange rates. As far as i now, there is as yet no ANZ ATM in Luang Prabang, though I may be mistaken on that point.
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Old Jul 20th, 2010, 07:36 PM
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of course multiple withdrawals may mean huge fees from your home bank
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Old Jul 20th, 2010, 07:38 PM
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VB, the issue of one withdrawal or multiple daily withdrawals is very important to most travelers. The average fee US banks charge to use a foreign ATM is US$5. So if one can only get 700,000 out, and you pay the bank $5 for each withdrawal, the difference between a 700,000 kip limit and a 2,000,000 kip limit is $5 for the larger withdrawal vs. $15 for three smaller withdrawals.

Have banks in Laos started charging ATM fees for use of a foreign card as Thailand, Cambodia and VN do? If so, that makes the difference between the cost of a large withdrawal vs. three smaller withdrawals even larger.
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Old Jul 21st, 2010, 12:51 AM
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ATMs in Cambodia (as of last week) still pay US dollars. They gave a mixture of $20s and $50s but I only withdrew in multiples of $100. Even the children selling postcards in the streets say "One dollaaar". A couple of restaurants had prices in riel (White Rose in Battangbang springs to mind) but the majority had prices in dollars or dollars and riel.

In addition to the visa, you will need $25US departure tax when leaving Cambodia. Nothing else will do. I saw a couple try in vain to pay in Thai baht.

Also, I have a feeling, the local banks in Laos have a fee per withdrawal.
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Old Jul 21st, 2010, 02:12 AM
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Kathie, some ATMs in Lao do charge. The ANZ charges 40,000Kip per withdrawal. The BCEL 20,000Kip and the Lao Development Bank 0 at this stage. Not sure about the private bank Phonesavahn Bank.
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Old Jul 21st, 2010, 05:42 AM
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Thanks for the info, VB. That makes multiple withdrawals even more expensive.
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Old Jul 21st, 2010, 05:53 AM
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Yes, very interesting. So if my home bank charges me $5 and the ANZ chargs me another almost $5 -- then everytime I get $84 worth of Kip, it's costing me $10 or about 12%.

Surely you understand why this could be considered an "issue" Vientianeboy. Many here often whine about the fact that withdrawing $300 worth of Euros in Europe costs them $5 -- a real bargain compared to this.
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