Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore currency

[Georgyporky]

Going on holiday to them soon, & trying to work out what cash we'll need.

Does anyone know if they accept each other's currency - particularly V&C.

We know we'll need US$ for C. visas, wondering if US$ would be generally acceptable in V, C &S ?

Thank you.

Dollars were the only currency we used in Cambodia. Occasionally got change back in local currency

Vietnam some big hotels/tourist hotshots will accept dollars but you will be paying way more then if you use dong. Many hotels also do currency exchange but again you won't get a good rate.

I would use a ATM to get cash out when I arrived you can usually only take a certain amount out a day a chase card shouldn't charge you.

Singapore is only Singapore dollars in my experience.

Regarding Vietnam, bring your currency to exchange for Vietnamese dong (VND) at the airport’s kiosk or gold shop (New and big notes for better rates) as well as use ATMs to withdraw money.

I really cannot imagine Singaporeans being impressed with being offered USD, at best you'll get a whole load of faces and at worst people would be offended 😅 You will need to obtain some Singapore dollars.

Why would you not use the local currencies?
In Thailand last year we kept seeing people trying to pay in dollars which bemused locals - why would they accept it more than I accept Thai Baht? In Jamaica a lot of people use US dollars and they pay 1.5-2x a much. It is eay to change money and get it from a cash point.

Just back from Singapore and Vietnam and we used local currency only in both places. (Although Singapore mainly ApplePay via Revolut).

Cash is king in Vietnam and you have a limit of how much you can take out each day at cash points so be aware of this.

And….If you haven’t sorted your phone yet I’d highly recommend an Asia eSIM card - I used Holafly and was great for data wherever I was - no waiting to get to free wifi places etc. Cost me £30 for 15 days.

Thanks everyone, some very useful tips.
I asked who takes what currency because I never cease to be surprised.
A market stallholder in China took GB, US & OZ currency !

A general rule is if their own currency isn’t considered “hard” they tend to prefer or at least accept USD but if it is they prefer own currency. You shouldn’t need much cash in Singapore. Most places take cards and it’s not a tipping culture. Might need a bit for street food etc.

Agree with @Filingmyshoes re Holafly. Cheap data bundles and you don’t need to faff with roaming which sometimes just doesn’t work even if you technically have it- I am on EE and can never get roaming in India, for example.