Picking which atm to use initially doesn't seem like a big deal, after all a few thousand dong extra in fees doesn't seem that bad. But when you remember that your bank will also be charging you (even if you are using a travel card often they have atm fees). Plus over a couple of weeks it adds up!
VIETNAM
Best pick
MB
White buildings with blue writing
NO ATM'S FEES- and this atm allowed me to withdraw 5 million dong in each transaction.
Gives 1 million of withdrawal as small notes
In hoi an most ATM's only allow 2 million per transaction, MB stills allows 5
MB
White buildings with blue writing
NO ATM'S FEES- and this atm allowed me to withdraw 5 million dong in each transaction.
Gives 1 million of withdrawal as small notes
In hoi an most ATM's only allow 2 million per transaction, MB stills allows 5
ACB
30k fee on atm
Varies between ATM's how much you can withdraw. 2 or 3 million per withdrawal. In hoi an they only allow 2 million.
30k fee on atm
Varies between ATM's how much you can withdraw. 2 or 3 million per withdrawal. In hoi an they only allow 2 million.
Agribank ATMs
Maroon and white.
Allows withdrawals of 2 Million (I have never been able to take more than that). The best thing about Agribank is that they give you at least 1 mill in small denominations, 20K -> 100K. This is super useful if you are getting spending money out. Most shops will get angry if you give them 500K and market stalls or small businesses just wont even accept it.
Cambodia
100% the most useful ATM is Canadabank. They won't charge you fees (as long as the money is in USD. If it is a different currency you will get conversion fees). The problem is that you get most $20 or $50 bills, but if you go in branch they will actually change the money to lower denominations for you for free, so that was pretty awesome!
Once I discovered these ATMs, I didn't use any others!
The currency advice is that if you do take a chunk of money in local currency, and ask people at markets the price in riel, they will either work out the price in USD and then convert it, or sometimes they can't do that maths in their head and will quote you a closer to cambodian price.... so you end up paying less.
For hotels, tours, and big purchases you will be quoted in USD. You may as well use these as at least if you have money left over you can spend it in other countries and it's free to get from ATMs. But keep that small change for buying water, snacks etc. Don't stress too much about changing money, often if you pay a hotel in USD, your change will be in Riel - just watch that exchange rate for any weirdness!
