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Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 6:27 pm
by MrBlueSky
I am travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia later this year and want to use US Dollars in both countries. I know that many places in Udon are happy to buy US Dollars but will not sell them. Can anyone recommend a place that will sell US Dollars, preferably with a fair exchange rate!

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 6:32 pm
by Sateeb
I've got them in the gold shops in Central in the past. I was out of luck in the banks and IIRC I got $50 in one of the gold shops. They might be available in any of them if you are in town.

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 6:46 pm
by Lone Star
Phosri Road. Gold Shop on the corner west of Fountain Circle on the right. They buy and sell. Good exchange rate. I use them all the time.

Happy Money on sign in English.

https://www.google.com/maps/@17.4045688 ... bfov%3D100

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 7:28 pm
by MrBlueSky
Thanks for the replies (and the map!).

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 8:06 pm
by Barney
MrBluesky any reason you do not want to take use local currency while travelling?
Can you see an advantage.

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 8:28 pm
by skinner
If you are travelling through Bangkok there is no problem buying selling many currencies at Super rich in Ratchadamri.
Best rates in Thailand. Check the website.
Rates in Udon are always lower.

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 9:35 pm
by fdimike
Once you arrive in Cambodia you'll quickly learn that the ATM's all spit out USD. USD and Cambodian Riel are accepted throughout the country.

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 9:51 pm
by Lone Star
fdimike wrote:
February 11, 2019, 9:35 pm
Once you arrive in Cambodia you'll quickly learn that the ATM's all spit out USD. USD and Cambodian Riel are accepted throughout the country.
Absolutely true.

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 11, 2019, 10:18 pm
by TJ
Four years ago I cashed in some Thai baht at the Bangkok Bank for several hundred U.S. dollars with no fuss. I did this inside the bank, not at an exchange window. Did not give it a thought at the time. Is it different now?

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 12, 2019, 8:45 am
by MrBlueSky
Barney wrote:
February 11, 2019, 8:06 pm
MrBluesky any reason you do not want to take use local currency while travelling?
Can you see an advantage.
I will be able to use an ATM in Vietnam but unsure if I will find an ATM in Cambodia as I'm not visiting any large towns or cities. I thought if I took US Dollars then I wouldn't need to worry.

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 12, 2019, 2:29 pm
by fdimike
There are plenty of ATM's scattered throughout Cambodia. What is your planned itinerary? I've cycled through Cambodia by bicycle numerous times and have never had a problem finding an ATM.

Re: Buying US Dollars

Posted: February 12, 2019, 8:11 pm
by Wide Awake
Yeah, like lone Star said..Gold shops. My shop does not do all the stupid passport copies. BS.
Inside the Tesco in Ud Town is a exchange window. I paid 3,100tb for a piece of worthless US , counterfiet paper, that most countries don't want anymore. Hehe. gave it to a "falong" trying to make his way back to where he came from. So sad.