Vietnam and Cambodia currencies.
I did a major Overland trip, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, etc. and found my prepay card invaluable. Works for getting cash at atms with a far better rate than my bank, and all controllable from my phone. I took to on the same account, with one of them hidden away in my backpack, frozen and unusable unless I reactivated it. And a spare SIM card. I used Revolut, though there are others. I deactivated it between uses. Oh, and I got a message on my phone every time I used it. Brilliant device. Rechargeable via my bank or a debit card, and swap between major currencies.
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Thanks to all for these very useful replies.
Could I expand on my original post and ask for any general opinions on Thai Airways who we will be flying with? Business class I’m pleased to say as it will be our main holiday this year.
Could I expand on my original post and ask for any general opinions on Thai Airways who we will be flying with? Business class I’m pleased to say as it will be our main holiday this year.
Flown many times on Thai Airways. Generally very good.
The last time I flew business class with them, a few years ago, the aircraft had Angle Lie Flat seats. Avoid if possible. Check https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Th.../fleetinfo.php to see what your aircraft is equipped with.
A word of warning about Suvarnabuhmi Airport (BKK). When in transit, there are some excessively long walks to gates. If you have any mobility issues or are just feeling lazy, request transport by electric cart. Since you are travelling business class, you will be able to use the lounge, but it is difficult to find - you may have to ask. Comfortable seating, reasonable food and free foot massage.
Piper.Classique,
Thanks for the tip on Revolut - I had never heard of it. I'm going to look into using it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolut
The last time I flew business class with them, a few years ago, the aircraft had Angle Lie Flat seats. Avoid if possible. Check https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Th.../fleetinfo.php to see what your aircraft is equipped with.
A word of warning about Suvarnabuhmi Airport (BKK). When in transit, there are some excessively long walks to gates. If you have any mobility issues or are just feeling lazy, request transport by electric cart. Since you are travelling business class, you will be able to use the lounge, but it is difficult to find - you may have to ask. Comfortable seating, reasonable food and free foot massage.
Piper.Classique,
Thanks for the tip on Revolut - I had never heard of it. I'm going to look into using it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolut
I respectfully have to disagree. We inadvertently left the balcony door open when we went to dinner at the Sofitel in Siem Reap - oh and the room light on as well. When we returned, the housekeepers had fogged the room and were sweeping the survivors with high-voltage bats, like miniature tennis racquets (I hadn't seen these before).
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Hi YT, VND are not readily obtainable, (I'm in OZ) outside VN and only of limited use in neighbouring countries. I carry 2 separate Debit cards in, (my case), AUD for "insurance" purposes. I tried the banks prepaid cards ex Australia and found the fees to be exorbitant hence the Debit cards.Fees for use at ATM's are reasonable and as previously said let your bank do the FX. I don't use CC's but carry them for emergencies, cash is King. Each trip I take USD 100 in small notes ($20's $5's) and make sure they are pristine. Dirty or torn,excessively folded and they won't accept them. Going through Saigon, get a taxi voucher from just inside the terminal. You'll be swamped by guys touting "cheap" taxis, but they won't be when you get to your destination! I stick to Mai Linh or Vinasun taxis and never had a problem. Be wary of your change when shopping in markets etc. as the number of zeros looks impressive but its easy to have a 10000 slipped in for a 100000 especially when you're not that familiar with the currency.Great country, lovely friendly people and the food is fantastic. The price of the local "bia hoi" (beer) is also pretty attractive on a hot humid day! I'm sure you will enjoy your trip. Cambodia is a fantastic place as well. Chuc may man, thu'ong thuc.!! Trip # 9 coming up for me in 3 months. Cheers!!
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Continuing on with the currency theme, does the team have any thoughts on using Apple Pay in Vietnam and Cambodia ? it would seem to be a very secure method of paying for incidentals if it's widely accepted in both countries?
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Hi YT, VND are not readily obtainable, (I'm in OZ) outside VN and only of limited use in neighbouring countries. I carry 2 separate Debit cards in, (my case), AUD for "insurance" purposes. I tried the banks prepaid cards ex Australia and found the fees to be exorbitant hence the Debit cards.Fees for use at ATM's are reasonable and as previously said let your bank do the FX. I don't use CC's but carry them for emergencies, cash is King. Each trip I take USD 100 in small notes ($20's $5's) and make sure they are pristine. Dirty or torn,excessively folded and they won't accept them. Going through Saigon, get a taxi voucher from just inside the terminal. You'll be swamped by guys touting "cheap" taxis, but they won't be when you get to your destination! I stick to Mai Linh or Vinasun taxis and never had a problem. Be wary of your change when shopping in markets etc. as the number of zeros looks impressive but its easy to have a 10000 slipped in for a 100000 especially when you're not that familiar with the currency.Great country, lovely friendly people and the food is fantastic. The price of the local "bia hoi" (beer) is also pretty attractive on a hot humid day! I'm sure you will enjoy your trip. Cambodia is a fantastic place as well. Chuc may man, thu'ong thuc.!! Trip # 9 coming up for me in 3 months. Cheers!!
yt,
Never mind Apple Pay, even credit cards are not widely accepted.
The last time I was in Saigon was October. I don't recall ever seeing a terminal that would accept "tap" payments. Most credit card transactions use the old-fashioned paper method. Even when entering my PIN number into a terminal, I usually have to sign the credit card slip. Often two copies - "one for the bank". Don't worry, it's not a scam. As I mentioned before, I only use credit cards in hotels and tourist-oriented restaurants and bars. I expect up-market stores and shops will accept then as well, usually with a 3% commission.
I agree - only use these two companies, but watch out for fakes - I once got into a "Vinasum" taxi by mistake! I noticed my error, when the taximeter had clocked up several km of fares in 200 m of travel! I got out immediately.
Note that the taxi meter shows fares that appear to be dollars, but are in dong - $10.000 on the meter is 10,000 VND.
These days I use Grab taxis (like Uber) in Saigon, but it's hardly worth setting up the app, if you are on a tour.
if it's widely accepted in both countries?
The last time I was in Saigon was October. I don't recall ever seeing a terminal that would accept "tap" payments. Most credit card transactions use the old-fashioned paper method. Even when entering my PIN number into a terminal, I usually have to sign the credit card slip. Often two copies - "one for the bank". Don't worry, it's not a scam. As I mentioned before, I only use credit cards in hotels and tourist-oriented restaurants and bars. I expect up-market stores and shops will accept then as well, usually with a 3% commission.
I stick to Mai Linh or Vinasun taxis and never had a problem.
Note that the taxi meter shows fares that appear to be dollars, but are in dong - $10.000 on the meter is 10,000 VND.
These days I use Grab taxis (like Uber) in Saigon, but it's hardly worth setting up the app, if you are on a tour.
Last edited by India Four Two; 26th Jan 2019 at 03:59.
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We have settled on taking some cash VND and USD. The VND we have obtained from M&S are new unfolded notes.The Cambodian Riel is not obtainable as already pointed out on this thread.
We have also obtained a ‘Revolut’ plastic card as recommenced by some friends who have travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia recently. The Revolut card is one of those put on UK pounds via a linked UK bank account via an app and then use it locally at retailers or atm machines to get local cash. The card can be frozen on or off via the Revolut app (nice security feature we thought) and can be set up so that transactions only go through if the associated mobile phone is in the near vicinity of the credit card - we thought that was a useful additional security feature too.
We have also obtained a ‘Revolut’ plastic card as recommenced by some friends who have travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia recently. The Revolut card is one of those put on UK pounds via a linked UK bank account via an app and then use it locally at retailers or atm machines to get local cash. The card can be frozen on or off via the Revolut app (nice security feature we thought) and can be set up so that transactions only go through if the associated mobile phone is in the near vicinity of the credit card - we thought that was a useful additional security feature too.
