Hello all,
I have about $5,000 saved up (will be more before I leave) for my move to Vietnam. Initially, I had planned to withdraw the maximum amount of $5k and head into Vietnam with no problems. Then I read a thread on this forum about a guy getting harassed by police in the airport. Now I'm wondering if I should take any more than a few hundred dollars.
Is there a recommended amount of cash I should take on the flight from the US to VN?
Should I convert all of it to VND immediately or just as the need arises?
Another possible option is for me to open an account with an American bank that has a branch in Vietnam so I can avoid the exorbitant international ATM fees. Is there a list of recommended banks to use for this method?
My first thought was Citibank because they have Citibank Vietnam but I noticed somebody in another thread mentioned that they aren't exactly the same company. Can anybody confirm this?
The last option I can think of is to use a credit card for most things and pay it off monthly with the funds remaining in my American bank account until I have exhausted it, then continue living off the funds I have been making in Vietnam. Is this a good method?
Please add any advice, input, suggestions, or comments you think may help.
Thank you!