Hey guys, so I'm in the UK, will be going back home next week to Philippine's and onto Vietnam for a couple of week before heading back to Philippine's once again. I'm wondering what will get me the best exchange, to change GBP for vnd here in UK or GBP for peso here and then exchange the peso for vnd (either in Phil's or in Vietnam) Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
In my experience changing a major currency in the target country will yield a far better rate, you might lose out substantially changing PHP to VND and you will get a lousy rate for PHP in the UK and you might find it hard to get a good rate on VND to PHP in the Phils. In the past I have seen Ana get dreadful rates changing Korean Won, which is a strong currency, to PHP I got 66 peso to the pound on landing last Friday in NAIA, if you change pounds there make sure to check the rate offered by each money changer, the one I used offered 66 the one next to it was offering 65.4
Best option in my experience has been to change GBP in-country as that gets the best rates. Take the GBP to philippines and Vietnam and change it there when you need it. Much better rates than buying in the UK. Best rates in philippines that I got was using BDO money changer at the airport as got virtually the interbank rate when I changed money. Definitely have to compare as BDO was always better than others at airport and I think better than non airport money changers. Don't convert to peso then to VND as will lose money on each change. Last time I was in Vietnam sure the majority of transactions were in USD so might be better to bring USD from UK for that leg. Personally I prefer a pre paid card with a spare and top up on line such as FairFx as that normally pays good rates and get cash when needed. Also limits exposure as can add cash to the card when required. On recent trips to philippines I've brought more cash to change at BDO as rates have been very good and cash avoids the ATM charge at philippines cash machine for foreign ATM cards. When run out have used wife's account to get cash as that is cheapest option in our circumstances. Can transfer money to philippines bank account using either western union or transferwise depending on who offs best deal (weirdly I found western union to bank account at times beat transferwise so always checked both on recent transfers to see which was best.)
Yeh BDO normally better when get to phili..that's where I'll be going when j go in few weeks...avoid getting from here...rates not as good
Slightly off topic but does anyone know anywhere in the UK that would change Bhutanese ngultrum?I have maybe 600 quids worth and bureau de change haven't even heard of the country never mind the currency
Ok, so I'm in Philippines again, I've exchanged some peso to vnd ready for my trip, I've ready that any amount over 15,000,000 vnd must be declared. This is a stupid question, but I've never had to declare anything before as I've always transferred money to my wife's bank here in Phil's, but when I declare any amount over 15 million dong upon arrival at vietam will I be charged anything for declaring it?
Probably mate,might just keep it as I will be going back to Bhutan at some point before it opens up more.
