Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NSMatt]

How do you carry money when you go overseas?

On my past few trips overseas I've been converting all of my cash beforehand, hiding the bulk of it in my room, and then carrying small amounts during the day. Now that Im going to Vietnam I'm slightly less comfortable with converting 1000 bucks and carrying it with me. I suppose the my Korean check card is an option but the exchange rate might not be great and I was hoping to close out the account before I left.

Also, can anyone give me advice on converting won to dong for Vietnam?

Would I be better served converting won to dong here at KEB, or at the Vietnamese airport?

I am worried that I won't get a good rate for won overseas.

[nukeday]

Small amount of emergency cash in a money belt. A similar amount of emergency cash in the room (or at reception). Spending cash taken out every 2-3 days via ATM.

Always best to have 2-3 options in case one fails.

From what I've heard, the exchange rate at banks or at Incheon airport are nearly identical by law.

I would in general advise not exchanging Korean won abroad. In fact, it's often best to first convert to USD in Korea, then exchange those for the local currency abroad. You may have trouble finding some foreign currencies in Korea, and most countries are not interested in Won, other than maybe Japan or China.

[ttompatz]

$1000 is NOT a lot of money.

Get yourself 10*$100 notes.

Put 2 in each pocket and change them as necessary.

It is easier to hide 10 pieces of paper than it is to hide 10 bundles of cash.

If you are in a decent hotel, use the hotel safe at the desk.

If you are staying in dodgy hotels and hostels then scatter it around.

.

[Sleepy in Seoul]

[Hello]

[Caffeinated]

I keep some money with me and change when necessary but hide the rest in various places in my luggage as ttompatz suggested.

[Izyb]

I agree $1000 isn't particularly a large sum of cash, although in Vietnam that should last for a while.

I traveled 3.5 months around South East Asia and barely carried much cash.

I just withdrew money from the ATM and used it. Vietnam does have limitations on how much you can withdraw, although ANZ bank (my home bank, yay) allows you to withdraw up to 20,000,000 dong. I just withdrew as much as I could in places and it was between 3-6,000,000. There are transactional costs, but I figured for me personally they were worthwhile for me to not carry too much cash as a young woman traveling alone

If I were you I'd just convert the $1000 into dong and divide it into 4 even piles. I'd hide one in my day bag, two in my backpack (or suitcase) and the last one in a money belt to carry with me and just replenish it as necessary.

I'd also suggest having a money book to keep track of your spending, it helps

[ttompatz]

Oh, and DON"t take won out of Korea and don't buy dong outside of Vietnam.

Take dollars (as your first choice) or Euros (as your 2nd).

.

[Izyb]

Definitely take USD!

[Dutchtouch]

I got 1,500USD in travelers checks when I first started traveling and used the ATM's to withdraw cash when necessary.

I now think the TC's are dumb. Bring your 1000 with you like ttompatz says in 10 notes and then just use an international check card at ATM's when you need to stock up on funds.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

I kept maybe $1-200 on me at all times, some in my front pockets, some in my purse. The other money I would hide in pockets of pants in my suitcase, or inside of souvenir posters etc.

[Mr. Peabody]

I keep my cash, credit cards and my passport in this.

http://www.zappos.com/victorinox-lifestyle-3-0-accessoriesdeluxe-concealed-security-belt-natural?zlfid=111

I'll exchange a hundred bucks or so and keep it in my wallet. The rest of my Benjamins, Grants and Jacksons stay in the belt. If I find an exceptionally great exchange rate, I like being able to take advantage of it by having my cash with me.
It's quite comfortable and I forget I'm even wearing it most of the time.

I sometimes lock it up in the hotel safe or lock box if I trust the hotel, otherwise, I just keep everything on me. I never hide anything in my hotel room.

[davai!]

[isisaredead]

a little something i do:

if you're somewhere that doesn't have a safe, either in your room or at the front desk (or you don't trust them), and you have a fridge, put your cash in the fridge. it'll be the very last place anyone looks if they break into your room.

that, or in your dirty laundry.

[bossface]

yeah, like the others said, change for USD in 100s. also, i dunno if this applies to Vietnam as i haven't been, but it could benefit you to get NEW bills. when i was in Bali last year, the money changers always checked the dates on the bills, and i got a better rate for, say, a 2009 bill than a 2005 bill. if possible, get the newest bills you can when you exchange won at the bank or ICN.