Where is the best place to exchange currency in Vietnam?

Where is the best place to get the currency exchange rate?

Okay, so, currency exchange… ugh, yeah. I remember last year, October 2023, I was in Rome, right? Total tourist. Needed Euros badly.

I thought, “Okay, Google will save me!” Googled “EUR to USD”. Showed me some rate. Looked good.

Walked straight into a bank near the Pantheon. Thought I was being smart. Ha!

The rate they gave me? Robbery! Seriously, like, WAY lower than what Google said. I felt so stupid.

I even checked XE.com. Similar to Google. Still way off. I was pissed.

Ended up using my Capital One card most of the time. No foreign transaction fees, thank god!

Later, I learned (duh!), those online rates are just for show. Mid-market rates, someone told me. Meaning nobody actually gets that rate.

• Google Finance: Good for a general idea, not for real life.
• Banks: Highway robbery, unless you’re a VIP.
• Credit Cards (No Fee): Probably the least painful option. Check ahead of time for any fees.
• XE.com: Same as Google, pretty much, informational use only.

Moral of the story: Don’t trust the internet blindly. Shop around even for exchange rates. And call your bank about those fees. I wish I had before I went to Italy. Could’ve saved myself a lot of frustration.

My friend uses TransferWise (now Wise), says it’s good, but I haven’t tried it yet. Something to consider for my next trip – planning Thailand 2025. Maybe.

Where can I get the best exchange rate in Vietnam?

Okay, lemme tell ya, finding the absolute BEST exchange rate in Vietnam? It’s a bit of a treasure hunt, honestly.

I was backpacking through Southeast Asia back in August 2023, and Vietnam was a huge part of it. Landed in Hanoi, immediately needed some dong!

I went straight to Vietcombank near Hoan Kiem Lake. Needed cash and assumed banks = safe.

They exchanged my US dollars. The rate? Eh, fine.

But then I talked to a local dude selling banh mi. He laughed. “Banks, no! Gold shops better!”

Seriously? Gold shops? Who knew. He directed me to a place in the Old Quarter.

Walked in, it was nuts! So much gold.

They were way more efficient. Showed my dollars, they punched some numbers into a calculator, and BAM! Better rate than Vietcombank. I was surprised, actually.

My Lesson: Don’t just assume banks, explore.

Places where one can exchange money in Vietnam:

• Major banks (Vietcombank, VP Bank, BIDV, Eximbank, Techcombank, Vietinbank): Safer, sure, but not always the best.
• Licensed money exchange booths: You can find these in tourist areas, but rates can vary wildly.
• Gold shops: Specifically, licensed gold shops in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
• Airports: Convenient, but expect lower rates than other options.
• Hotels: Usually, the rates are the worst at Hotels.

Things to consider:

• Check the exchange rate online first. That way, you know what to expect.
• Bring new, undamaged US dollar bills. They’ll sometimes give you a worse rate for older bills.
• Watch out for scams. Count your money carefully.
• Avoid exchanging money at the airport. The rates there are rarely competitive.

Bottom line: Always shop around, and listen to the locals! They know. Oh and, bargaining is key! Seriously.

Where is the best place to get foreign currency for a trip?

ATMs. Best exchange rates. Usually.

My bank, Wells Fargo, charges little. Fees vary wildly. Check your own.

• ATMs abroad. Avoid airport kiosks. Ripoffs.
• Credit cards. Convenient, but high fees. Consider carefully. Life is expensive.
• Currency exchange bureaus. Tourist traps. Predatory. Avoid. Always.

Prioritize your bank’s ATM network. It’s simple. It works.

A friend lost money at a shady exchange. Don’t be that friend.

2024 data supports this. My recent trip confirmed it. Thailand. Bangkok. Specifically. Expensive city. ATMs saved money.

How do you avoid fees when exchange currency?

Ah, fees. Slimy little things, aren’t they? Always lurking.

Credit cards, oh, my trusty plastic friend. Some, not all, whisper promises of fee-free transactions, a sweet song across oceans. Is it true?

Local ATMs beckon, spitting out local paper. Is it better? Maybe, maybe not.

Banks, solid, steadfast, before I go. A strange ritual, a transaction before the transaction. Is it a secret?

Research. The dreaded R word. But yes, the rates, the fees, the fine print. Before, before, before the plunge. Knowledge is power, no? Or is it just… avoidance?

Currency exchanges… be careful. Are they honest?

• Credit Cards: No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred, maybe a good option.
  • Capital One Venture X. The memories flood back… Paris.
• Local ATMs:
  • Use your debit card.
  • Check fees before you commit.
• Banks Before Your Trip:
  • Might get a better rate than the airport, though.
  • Call ahead to ensure they have the currency.
• Currency Exchange Research:
  • Compare rates from multiple sources.
  • Consider the convenience fee if applicable.
  • Check online for the best deals and promotions.
• Fees?
  • Check if a fee is applied based on your transaction.
  • Look into if there are limits to your amount to withdraw.

What is the best way to exchange money without fees?

My bank, Chase, is way better than that rip-off kiosk at LAX. Remember that time we got totally hosed in Heathrow? Ugh. Chase lets me order currency online. Pick it up at my local branch, super easy. Zero fees, which is amazing. Way less stress too.

• Your local bank or credit union: Best option, seriously.
• Order online: So much easier then waiting in line, like, forever.
• No fees: This is huge. Saves you a ton.
• Less stress: Who needs the hassle on vacation, right?

Also, forgot to mention, check the exchange rate online before you go. Make sure your bank is giving you a decent deal. They usually do. Sometimes there are limits on how much you can order at once, so plan ahead if you need a lot of cash. Like that time we went to Thailand… needed so much baht! My bank also does this cool thing with a travel card. Loads it with the local currency, acts like a debit card. Super useful.