Money matters

Hi, We are a couple hoping to travel for three to four weeks in Laos from Huay Xai all the way to the Cambodian border at Voen Kham. We would like to know how many ATMs there are in the country, the only hard information we have found so far is ';very few';. Using USD travellers cheques and cash is not a problem but we would anticipate needing quite a large lump sum when we first enter the country to last for the whole trip.

We have VISA debit cards and any information would be greatly appreciated.

Tom and Alex

Money matters

You would be unwise to depend on ATMs in Laos except for in Vientiane. Don%26#39;t bother with travellers%26#39; cheques, just take US$ and Baht. Laos is a very inexpensive place to travel in. If you do some research into local costs (e.g. accommodation and food) you can draw up a budget. The approximate exchange rate is 10,000 kip = 1 US$.

Money matters

Hi - $US in smaller denominations (10s, 20s, 50,s) are best - there is one ATM in LP and half a dozen in Vientiane now but none elsewhere that I have seen. Also Mastercard seems to be more accepted than Visa for your backup credit card, certainly in the north. I live well in Vientiane and rarely need more than $100/week after rent, so you wouldn%26#39;t have to carry great wads of cash!

Thank you for your messages. We just want to make sure that the ATMs in Vientiane accept international debit cards. I dont want to use my credit card to get cash out because of the interest my bank will charge!

Has anyone tried using their debit card (Visa Debit) to get cash out recently?

Cheers

Hi - yes all the ATMs in Vientiane %26amp; LP take an international debit card - Cirrus, Plus etc. I%26#39;ve used mine here with no probs monthly for the last year or so. The only drawback is a max of 700,000kip (or 1,000,000kip near the Lao Plaza hotel)per withdrawal, so you get the fixed charge from your own bank every time you need $70.

With a credit card you can get a max of $500 at one time at the BCEL bank near the river, and at 3% charge, this works out cheaper than paying the fixed charge from your debit card 7 times to get the same $500. Not much in it though, but every cent swiped from the bank%26#39;s clutches is worth it...

Ahhh very true, thank you for that!

hello,

I live in Pakse

the only local ATM accepts mastercard and not visa card

but you can get from your visa card when getting inside the bank (banque pour le commerce exterieur lao = along the sedone river). opening time 8:30, closure time 15:30, closed on saturday.

globally, mastercard is better accepted by ATM in the country (which are very few / but a new private bank just bought 200 of them that will be soon dispatched all over the country)

do not use 100$ banknotes in cambodia, locals rarely accept them. too many false banknotes. some problems sometimes in thai banks too, with some serial numbers or particular years)

have a nice trip

Jerome.

hello again,

just forgot to mention :

from the ATM outside the bank, you will get up to 700.000 Kip per withdrawal (moreless 70 US $), but from inside the bank, you get cash in $, up to 500 $ per operation (when they are in a good mood...)

Jerome

Can you recommend a hotel in pakse? I assume there are lots of local travel agencies in town who arrange day trips?

pakse hotel is an excellent option. prices 20 up to 45 $, good enough !

Thank you for the updte on Pakse. We really wanted to know about debit cards being used. Our debit card is a Visa Debit and it gives us free withdrawals from abroad and so we didn%26#39;t want to use the our Mastercard Credit card. I guess we%26#39;ll just have to try it out. I just hate giving banks any more of my money and so didn%26#39;t want to use my Mastercard for the interest it chages on cash advances. We leave for Loas in a day and will post up ATM experiences in a week or two.