Border Run report to Vietnam – Easy and cheap after new change of Visa requirement

[spambot]

NOTE – This is a long report - PART 1:to understanding if it’s worth doing a Vietnam border run.- Read PART 2 if you wonder if it’s worth staying longer than a turnaround day.

PART 1:

In the past I have done border runs to (mostly) Malaysia, Lao and (fewer) runs to Cambodia and Burma in order to end the first part of my tourist visa and start the second.

Since I’m British and I am now covered (similar to other Europeans) by the new system for getting into Vietnam (No cost for entry and no Visa required – Visit can last for 15 days, but cannot return within 30 days) So I decided to try this method.

OUTWARDS

Air Asia return flights leaving Don Mueang 7:45am – arrive HCMC 9:15am – The total return cost 2,500 Baht.

The exit from Thailand – simple passport control (one person in line ahead of me – 2 min wait time). Process: remove departure card (stapled to passport) and as usual nothing altered, added or written onto my Tourist visa.

Flight 1.5 hrs. – Uneventful.

Entry to HCMC airport: Again simple stage passport control (No persons in line ahead of me – 0 min wait time). This was the stage that I was not sure of what the process might be since this is where the 15 days are granted, but it turned out to be straightforward.

Process: stamp my passport (with Entry date) and then the ‘admitted until’ was hand written by immigration officer bellow the stamp – He entered a date for 15 days later. He did actually check with me and asked how long I expected to stay in Vietnam and since I told him I was staying just for 1 week and hence since this was less than the 15 days permitted under the scheme he did not require me to have the visa on arrival option and so he simply handed the passport back to me after a small wait with no further comment – time in total just over 1 minute.

RETURN

If you take the first (of the 3 choices) of outward flights (going by AirAsia) in the morning at 7:45am (as I did) then and you did want to return the same day – there are 3 flight time choices 9:45 am (which is bit tight), 18:00pm and 21:35pm.

However I set my return for 6 days later - The actual return trip when made was just as easy as the outgoing and the immigration had no nasty surprises. There was absolutely no gotchas

Returning back through HCMC airport the waiting time for getting through immigration was only minimal and this was mainly since I was a non AEC/Vietnam passport holder the queuing was less than the other queues - Only 2 people ahead of me and wait time was 3 min. As for the processing there was nothing new here - Stamp my passport to exit Vietnam – added another stamp showing the exit dated and the total time taken was 45 sec.

On the plane itself they gave out the Thailand Departure / Entry forms (White with blue writing) so you can fill these out at your ease which meant the experience was unlike a land based crossing where you play hunt the form and then try to complete it while queuing and juggling your details in the line

At the entry to Thailand again nothing new apart from a surprised at the inbound immigration after finding officer that smiled and talked with me as they stamped my passport with the correct ‘until date’, took my Entry form, stamped my departure form, stapled it to my passport and stamped my 2^nd part of my visa as being ‘used’.

SUMMARY

The process of doing this Visa run – Just to get an IN/OUT through using the flight return to Vietnam is easy and was smooth. Also the actual pages in your passport do not get filled up as there is no full page stickers (stamp space is the same as doing the run to Malaysia and same price of free). The travelling cost is more expensive – I paid 2,500 BHT and if I compare this with what would be my normal flight which is return to Hat Yai the cost is slightly more.

However for Hat Yai there is also then an extra bus trip required to get down to the border (and back) and there is normally an extra night accommodation required in Hat Yai in order to do the Malaysia run (while it might be possible to do the Malaysia journey back to Bangkok in a single day I have never been able to manage to do this). So the journey is less straightforward and the cost of the Flight (return) typically is about 1,400 BHT (Book 4/6 week in advance waiting for and using an AirAsia promotion price) and one overnight accommodation at around 600 Baht – The total cost is about 2,000 BHT.

The cost of the Vietnam flight was 2,500 BHT

Hence if your aim is just to do a run and get out/in at the right cost and as fast as possible – Vietnam is more comfortable, faster and easier – But the premium charged is 500 BHT.

However while there should not be any problem I did not actually test the practice of arriving and departing the same day to identify what immigration in Vietnam might consider as appropriate use of the Visa waiver since I stayed for 6 days and did not fly straight back.

PART 2: As said before READ THIS - ONLY IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO HCMC – And you would like info on staying longer.

You may want to stay a few nights – I decided to do this – And then money exchange, transport to the city and accommodation together with food and beverage prices will be important.

MONEY EXCHANGE

Before setting off I got rates on Khausan road the previous day, but I didn’t make any exchange and the rate was 610 VND / 1 BHT. There were restricted suppliers from the major FX booths that would sell VND – They all wanted to sell me USD (But I did not take USD and did not need USD while I was in HCMC)

However at HCMC airport directly at the point of exit from customs and into the airport area there are six different money exchange booths directly facing you on entry about 30 metres across from you on the point of entry stretching the full length of the 100 metres wall.

I wanted to exchange 5,000 BHT and I enquired at each of the FX booths – Their rates varied considerably – The final results were that the FX booth to the furthest most right hand side on entry (close to where you enter) and is the next to last unit to the far right wall gave the best rate and was exactly the same as Khausan Road rates of 610 VND/THB and the booth just below it gave a rate slightly less rate, but not meaningfully less and only meant a difference of 20 BHT loss. The other booths all had a similar rates as each other and represented about 340 THB loss if using these exchange booths (for 5,000 THB exchanged).

I was surprised to find that even in the tourist areas of the city there are not a lot of FX places and the ones that are operating varied a lot and exchanges varied from 500 - 610 VND/THB – Hence no reason not to get the VND at the airport at that particular FX booth - if you do not arrive with VND.

TRANSPORT (to the city)

Outside the terminal turn right and 30 metres away there are busses waiting – No 152. White with blue trim, short wheelbase (about 20 seats) 5,000 VND (8 BHT).

I took the bus to the city bus station, where everyone apart from two locals got off - The bus doesn’t immediately return to the airport as it goes onward to a new destination (important to know latter when you return to station to go back to airport so you do not go to these other destinations thinking you are on the airport bus).

When you arrive back at the bus station at the end of your stay to get the bus back to the airport (same 152 number- white with blue trim) – Now walk away from the main buildings and walk directly across wit at the furthest line of bus stops – And from here you will catch the bus, but you will see the same bus as you think you should be getting, but its arriving in front of the main building (you just walked away from and this is not the right bus – it does not go to the airport, rather it is the bus I referred to earlier and has just come from the airport and is going to an onward destination).

The 152 you need to take you to the airport arrives every 10/15 min – Small note, but worthwhile knowing if you start wondering if you will ever get on one of these busses since if you try to catch the bus at lunchtimes it full of school children at the time between 12:00 – 1:15pm, but if you wait until after 1:30pm the busses will arrive fairly empty. I missed three of the buses this way and thought that every bus would be like this, but they are not once the kids are back in school.

At the airport the bus will first stop at the domestic terminal so do not get off here – It then goes onto the International terminal which is a fair distance away. I did ask the driver if this was correct at this first stop (since everyone got off the bus) – He told me to stay on the bus and then when hearing this 4 other people that had left got back on the bus. Hence while this sounds trivial its worth knowing on a hot day.

Also once you initially arrive at the bus station – This is an important place to get your sense of direction and while it doesn’t look like it’s going to be meaningful - it is.

The bus station is around 100 metres long and 50 metres wide and on the long side there is the main ticket offices/Toilets/Retailers and on the other side there is just temporary shielding stopping you being in the construction site that has just started for Hotels/Retail/Apartments. If you stand with your back to the Ticketing / other offices and you are facing into the bus stops lanes of the station - Now get your directions from this position.

GETTING TO THE POPULAR PART OF TOURIST HCMC

Generally speaking there are really three real choices to head towards from here: 1. Turn right to wards the most popular tourist area (see navigating details below) 2. Turn left and head directly towards the river and takes about 15 mins (limited amount of accommodation along this route and slightly more expensive) 3. Walk 50 metres to left and essential walk directly straight from the bus station this takes 10 mins and also takes you down to the river - On this route you can choose from the limited amount of accommodation before you get to the river, but these are slightly better quality at similar prices of 600- 900 BHT that are available in the tourist area, but you do have much less choice.

Identified below is the direction to the popular tourist area since the other two choices do not have clear defined target destinations and are general areas.

At the bus station (with your back still to the main buildings and facing the bus lanes) Look to your right – and you can just about see the new (big news in HCMC as it’s the first) McDonald’s – It’s a flagship building (and worth a visit in its own right). Now walk to McDonalds if you want to visit the major area for popular drinking, eating and inexpensive accommodation (think Khausan road). It has lots and lots of accommodation at reasonable prices between 500 – 800 BHT.

When you arrive at McDonalds walk past McDonalds keeping yourself to the right of the building and you will see the huge park is on your right (but you need to keep on the road on opposite side to Park – Do not cross over to the park – Walk to the next crossroads (it’s not easy to cross this road and it is possible to lose sense of direction in the process) this road is about 50 metres past McDonalds – after crossing keep walking straight and keeping the park on right hand side and the actual road itself still on the right so the park is across and over the other side of the road – Take any of the next few roads on your left hand side (the first is around 30 metres further on) and within 50 metres down any of these roads and you will arrive in the centre of the main tourist bars, restaurants and accommodation – Just for reference copy and paste this 10°46'00.6"N 106°41'33.9"E into Google and it will bring up the map with an arrow showing you arguable the centre of this area you can use as a navigation.

SIDE NOTE: In order to use 3G and maps on your mobile you need a Vietnam sim card and a data plan – There are lots of prices from independent vendors for the same products – Correct pricing is to pay is $5 USD (or equivalent in VND) for 3GB of data including the sim (usable over a period of three months from purchase date). Hence use this info when haggling or buying at what looks like inflated prices.

TAXIS

I only took a single taxi ride while there, but this was cheap – 3 miles for 50 BHT and I didn’t need to tell the driver to turn on the meter – he did this immediately on entry.

FOOD

In the tourist areas it’s just the same a familiar story as any place around the world – The immediate easy located (that are non-high street western brands and are Vietnamese owner operated) the prices were high and hence not typical of normal pricing - The same quality and the same food that is just a few tens of metres away, but down a side street is much less expensive – For example comparing a rice dish that is very popular in Thailand or Vietnam and mostly the same for spicy chicken in the more expensive eating places the cost was around 200 BHT and at the least expensive it was 40 BHT (the food and surroundings were no different in quality) – Normally you can expect to pay 60 BHT in a clean building (not a street cart) for the same food on a main street away from the tourist area.

For high street western eating brand eating places are actually slightly more expensive than Thailand. For example the prices at McDonalds – A single coffee it is 45 BHT vs 35 BHT (in BKK) and for a McChicken set meal it is 120 BHT vs 90 BHT (in BKK). Hence not significantly different, but slightly higher.

BEER

This is very cheap, but as you might expect its price does vary a lot - especially when the bar is targeting the unwary.

For most places in the tourist area there are boards outside telling you the price for the Local ‘Bia Saigon’ Brand - The size of the bottle is mid-way between the size of a small and a large Thailand Leo (explained this way since there no indication as to the amount of volume showing on the label for what’s in the bottle) the alcohol content is 4.3%.

The actual prices I paid in different places are for the normal bars that are not trying to take advantage of tourist who do not know any better. The prices were in the following general price bands 15 – 18 - 23 THB/bottle - Typically expect to pay most of the time 18 BHT (12,000 VND).

I did pay at a bar without the price displayed 60 BHT for a very small glass of draught (non bottled) Tiger, but this is just an outlier example of a bar pricing for an unwary tourists. Obviously this is not a particularly high price as compared with Thailand, but this type of pricing can be expected when they do not indicate the price anywhere inside or outside the bar. The next night I went to the bar next door expecting to pay the same 60 BHT and in this bar (unbelievable but true) I paid 150 BHT to have the same draught Tiger offered as a“As much as you can you can drink” for 2 hrs in the happy hour (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm).

Apologies for this report being so long – I tried to get a balance so people would find it worth reading mostly for facts they can use, but I can see it’s a long report.

[ubonjoe]

I removed 5 duplicates of your topic. Go easy on the post button.

Edited October 5, 2015 by ubonjoe
changed 4 to 5 duplicates

[timberpond]

I would like to add my experience for money exchange...

When bus 152 arrived at the interchange, which is Ben thanh market. Walk cutting across the market and you will come out from either market gate 5 or 7. Look opposite and there is a goldsmith in the corner shop. That is where I change every time. They have much better rates than the airport... But I always change SGD to VND... Not sure about THB to VND.

[spambot]

I removed 5 duplicates of your topic. Go easy on the post button.

Thanks UbonJoe for "I removed 5 duplicates of your topic" - Just for background info only I resent because I got "server failed to deliver" messages to all postings hence the reason for duplicates - So thanks for being on top of this.

[uptheos]

I removed 5 duplicates of your topic. Go easy on the post button.

Thanks UbonJoe for "I removed 5 duplicates of your topic" - Just for background info only I resent because I got "server failed to deliver" messages to all postings hence the reason for duplicates - So thanks for being on top of this.

Often happens with slow connections.

[spambot]

Thanks Austin Chng - Good Info - I remember and know the shop you mean - I will try here next time. There is also a shop just around the corner from this one that offered me the very small FX rate of only 500 VND/THB - So good to know that this place exists.

[spambot]

Thanks uptheos - Yup I think you got to the problem - Just tested my connection speed - Its waaay down this morning so its probably this end that caused the problem with the server not seeing data - Good Info

[ubonjoe]

I removed 5 duplicates of your topic. Go easy on the post button.

Thanks UbonJoe for "I removed 5 duplicates of your topic" - Just for background info only I resent because I got "server failed to deliver" messages to all postings hence the reason for duplicates - So thanks for being on top of this.

When that happens it is best to go back to the main page to see if really did post, That is how I avoid duplicate posts.

[spambot]

I removed 5 duplicates of your topic. Go easy on the post button.

Thanks UbonJoe for "I removed 5 duplicates of your topic" - Just for background info only I resent because I got "server failed to deliver" messages to all postings hence the reason for duplicates - So thanks for being on top of this.

When that happens it is best to go back to the main page to see if really did post, That is how I avoid duplicate posts.

Good Tip - Got it - Will do next time - Thanks UbonJoe

[zaZa9]

A big effort and useful read and thank you !

...so just to be 100% sure ...

There is no longer a Vietnam Visa required before entering Vietnam AND there is NO fee on arrival ( if you stay less than 15 days ) either ??? ( Im Australian , is that different?)

AND the entry stamp doesnt eat up a whole page either ???

[wump]

Thanks for your report. Good to know beer is still as cheap as 8 years ago:).

But one question: Isn't it easier to take out money from the ATM instead of using a money changer? If you shop around there is banks with zero transaction fees and you don't risk losing your stacks of cash.

Edited October 5, 2015 by wump

[zaZa9]

Ok , I checked -

A. WARNING

The Vietnamese Embassies and Consular Offices are the only Competent Government Agencies, who are authorised to issue visas abroad.

In order to avoid any risks that may arise when boarding flights or at ports of entry in Viet Nam due to possible miscommunication, travellers are strongly recommended to apply at the Vietnamese Embassy and Consular Offices in Australia to get visas before leaving.

- We have the honour to announce that the following websites are not legitimate:

http://vietnam-embassy.org, http://myvietnamvisa.com, http://vietnamvisacorp.com, http://vietnam-visa.com,http://visavietnam.gov.vn, http://vietnamvisa.gov.vn, http://visatovietnam.gov.vn, http://vietnam-visa.gov.vn, etc.

- The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam has recently received many feedbacks from foreign nationals on the visa online service provided by above-mentioned websites.

- The Embassy holds no responsibility for any visa application for Viet Nam provided by these services.

B. NOTICE

Visa exemption for holders of passports of UK, Italy, Germany, Spain and France from 01st July 2015 to 30th June 2016

The Vietnamese Government has unilaterally decided that from the 01st July 2015 to 30th June 2016 holders of passports from the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain and France will be waived off Vietnamese visas, if meeting all the following conditions:

- Entering Viet Nam from the 01st July 2015 to 30th June 2016;

- Tentative duration of stay in Viet Nam does not exceed 15 days (If tentative duration of stay is over 15 days, the applicant must apply for visa in advance);

- Passport's validity remains at least 06 months commencing the date of existing Viet Nam;

- For those who visited Viet Nam before, this entry date must be over 30days since the last entry (If this entry is 30days or less since the last entry, the applicant you have to apply for visa in advance).

Note:

- Fee paid for Vietnamese visas issued before the 23rd June 2015 for passport holders of the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain and France are non-refundable.

- Up to now, the Government of Viet Nam has unilaterally waived visas for holders of passports from 12 countries, namely the Republic of Korea, Japan, the Russia Federation, Demark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain and France.

C. The Embassy of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in Australia provides a wide range of consular services to foreigners, the Vietnamese who holds foreign passports and Vietnamese citizens

All FORMS here

- Foreigners applying for a VISA

- Vietnamese citizens holding foreign passports

- Vietnamese citizens living in Australia

- Other consular procedures (Vietnamese Citizenship and Laisser - Passer)

VISA

Vietnamese entry visa is required for all foreigners wishing to visit Viet Nam, except those enjoying visa exemption in bilateral agreements between Viet Nam and country concerned and those enjoying unilateral visa exemption policy by the Vietnamese Government. Visas can be applied by mail or in person at the Embassy of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in Australia.

[Pdavies99]

Very interesting, do you have any guesthouse / hotels to reccomend please?

Thanks

[jagfx]

Very good post for those heading to Saigon. Great city and worth a visit at least once.

Also as a side note, If you have a smart phone, you can download an app called Maps.me which is a great map app that does not require data to use anywhere. All you have to do, is download the relevant country when you have got wifi and then you can use it whenever you choose. It is a great app and I have used it in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia without a problem.

[jacksam]

A big effort and useful read and thank you !

...so just to be 100% sure ...

There is no longer a Vietnam Visa required before entering Vietnam AND there is NO fee on arrival ( if you stay less than 15 days ) either ??? ( Im Australian , is that different?)

AND the entry stamp doesnt eat up a whole page either ???

The post out made further on is incorrect.

I'm AU and go Vietnam every 7 weeks. You need a visa. The best way is to letter of approval online. It takes 24 hours sometimes little longer. It costs 20$aud approx. You print this letter out. There is a visa form you can download. You will need passport photo. The fee when you land and go to counter is 45USD. Best bring USD and exact change.

It's a breeze. Do your form.befor hand. Always bring a pen. Have print out of you letter of approval.when boarding plane to fly to Vietnam as check in will check also check required at gate.

If you don't wish to get letter online then visit embassy twice. No Brainer.

The OP is UK.he gets 15 days exempt . You AU same me, we get very little. I fly bali tomorrow. Thai gf is visa exempt. Jingjoe get nothing.

Edited October 5, 2015 by jacksam

[bartender100]

Thanks for the info, going next month for a few days, you did not mention your hotel, any recommendations for D1, preferably "guest friendly" just in case

[jacksam]

Update to comments about letter of approval. I applied for one today at midday. Just received my letter of approval now. That's a record for me. 6 hours.

If your ever in a spot you can paid extra $20 and receive it in 4 hours

[jacksam]

Plenty of cheap hotels in D1. Anywhere in or nearby bui vien street. Taxi from airport to D1 is 200k dong

[scotinsiam]

I go to HCM quite a bit and always stay in District ! Bui Vien street - I use ONLY Vinnasun taxis as they are honest usually 150,000 dong to D1 the taxis are white with a touch of red and green.

I am told the green taxis (Mahlina?) are also honest and wont cheat you - come out of HCM airport pass all the <deleted> touts and head up to your left about 100m and you will find the Vinnasun guys who will give you a slip with taxi number and driver details on it. All taxis add 10.000 (50 US cents) to your journey as they have to pay that on leaving the airport.

[kg1947]

Excellent posting ....

re: VND - you can buy in BKK at Sukhumvit Soi 7 " VASU" excellent rate buy / sell .

in District 1 , look for Citibank ATM lowest fee , around Ben Thanh market any Jewellry Store

can change THB ( rate July 2015 THB - VND 640.-- )

Question : Bus 152 does it stop along Pham Ngu Lao Str ?? (drop off & pick up) ??

my taxi cost : between 180K - 200K .

[Asiantravel]

A big effort and useful read and thank you !

...so just to be 100% sure ...

There is no longer a Vietnam Visa required before entering Vietnam AND there is NO fee on arrival ( if you stay less than 15 days ) either ??? ( Im Australian , is that different?)

AND the entry stamp doesnt eat up a whole page either ???

The post out made further on is incorrect.

I'm AU and go Vietnam every 7 weeks. You need a visa. The best way is to letter of approval online. It takes 24 hours sometimes little longer. It costs 20$aud approx. You print this letter out. There is a visa form you can download. You will need passport photo. The fee when you land and go to counter is 45USD. Best bring USD and exact change.

It's a breeze. Do your form.befor hand. Always bring a pen. Have print out of you letter of approval.when boarding plane to fly to Vietnam as check in will check also check required at gate.

If you don't wish to get letter online then visit embassy twice. No Brainer.

The OP is UK.he gets 15 days exempt . You AU same me, we get very little. I fly bali tomorrow. Thai gf is visa exempt. Jingjoe get nothing.

but it doesn't sound like Australians will have to wait too long to be able to enjoy the same VISA free privileges

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/860621-vietnam-tourism-authority-seeks-visa-waiver-for-19-countries/

[Shiver]

Thanks for the post Spambot. Although I've never been out that way, this is the kind of useful information that keeps me coming back to TVF.

We all have our jokes and complaints about various issues, but this is really useful to know. Respect.

[TheKnave]

Great post, Spambot. Thank you.

[BritTim]

Thanks to the OP for a very informative post. The THB-VND exchange rate (610 VND = 1 THB) seems very good. In general, when there is the option of paying in USD or VND, is there a preference? Do some businesses prefer USD/VND and give you a better deal?

[TerrylSky]

Khap khun khrap, thanks for the useful information! You forgot to mention the cheapest go go bar enroute with a happy hour though.!

[jacksam]

Trying to address couple of posts above. Once in Vietnam pay in dong. They love USD but not best option unless your a yank.

Many happy hours in Hcmc especially. One example is pastor street. All draft you can drink from 3till 7 for about 300 bah. Dangerous.

Bar in bui vine has matched it. I go Hcmc and leave gf in bkk to save money

Edited October 5, 2015 by jacksam

[oncearugge]

"Try and a dress couple of posts above. Once in Vietnam pay in doing "

What does this mean ?

[jacksam]

"Try and a dress couple of posts above. Once in Vietnam pay in doing "

What does this mean ?

Geezuz give me a break. In many forums I respect your advice and I regard it as expert .

Clearly a typo that I fixed befor I even read your post. Some time ago an experienced mod picked me up on referring to HCMC as HCM. and that was in a thread about tourist visas in Vietnam . Please add constructive stuff. The currency in Vietnam is DONG not DOING

Is that a quantum leap for you

Edited October 5, 2015 by jacksam

[spambot]

A big effort and useful read and thank you !

...so just to be 100% sure ...

There is no longer a Vietnam Visa required before entering Vietnam AND there is NO fee on arrival ( if you stay less than 15 days ) either ??? ( Im Australian , is that different?)

AND the entry stamp doesnt eat up a whole page either ???Unfortunately Vietnam

Unfortunately Vietnam did not include Australia - The Effective date was from 1st July 2015 and was only covering travelers from the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy - these travelers no longer required to have a visa to enter Vietnam for stays of up to 15 days.

This is however this is only a temporary position and this will run until 30th June 2016. This announcement means that travellers from only these five nations will be able to enter Vietnam without the usual form-filling and fees.

Obviously its not now something you can use, but to answer your question - The stamp is a only small and the type you might get when using Malaysia for those that do not require a visa to enter - You could stamp the page possibly 10/12 times with this size stamp and it is definitely not a full page sticker.

And for those countries identified above - There is no fee.

[spambot]

Thanks for your report. Good to know beer is still as cheap as 8 years ago:).

But one question: Isn't it easier to take out money from the ATM instead of using a money changer? If you shop around there is banks with zero transaction fees and you don't risk losing your stacks of cash.

Good question Wump - I struggled with this myself for a while - Should I use a card in the ATM or take cash - I was only considered which was the most efficient i.e what would cost me less. I looked at the Visa FX rates and they are around 4% less than the cash FX rates, meaning that if you use your ATM card you will get about 4% more advantage in the spending power with what you get more of (and every bank has to use this rate if they provide customers with a Visa debit card for the ATM network). The Gotcha however is that the banks claw back this advantage. This is not just your card issuer bank, but also the ATM for the foreign bank will charge you - Two charges. In my case (but every bank is different) Kasikorn Bank will charge 100 BHT for every withdraw and the bank that provides the ATM that you use will charge a fee extra differently depending upon the bank you us. This would normally be easy to calculate what is best ATM vs cash FX for VND by establishing the max withdraw amount in the foreign country and using this to establish the effect of the Kasikorn percentage damage to withdraw - But the problem is that the available mount for max to withdraw is not clearly defines by any of the banks in Vietnam and confusingly different areas of HCMC may provide different max withdraws the standard amount is only 2 million VND, which is about 3,3K BHT - Hence the costs of the 100 BHT then has a higher impact percentage for loss. The bank ATM owner also charges and this is around 120 BHT (variable by specific bank) I tried to calculate how much of the 4% advantage I could keep by using the Visa rate and realized I while I might have a small chance of keeping some part of this in certain circumstances it was impossible to predict since no ATM withdraw amount could be predicted across all ATM's. It was very likely that the costs from the two banks would exceed the 4% Visa savings advantage.

So I used cash....cos I could predict what was happening.

Edited October 5, 2015 by spambot