Most folks bring between $400 - $800 --- it all depends on how impressed you are with the goodies there, or how expensive your tastes are. Some veterans have shipped home fantastic marble statuary worth thousands, but they paid with a credit card. See one of our tour photos for a small glimpse at a few of the amazing pieces available.
Some stores have started to take Visa and Mastercard, but just a few. You may bring back to CONUS, a total of $800 per person in purchases without having to pay duty.
Traveler's Checks - Traveler's checks are something of an anachronism from the days before the ATM made cash accessible at any time. Traveler's checks used to be the only sound alternative to traveling with dangerously large amounts of cash. They were as reliable as currency, but, unlike cash, could be replaced if lost or stolen.
These days traveler's checks are not necessary because most cities have 24-hour ATMs that allow you to withdraw small amounts of cash as needed. Rural stops in Vietnam are less likely to have ATM service, so carrying some traveler's checks as a backup isn't a bad idea.
The U.S. dollar is the preferred currency for most items, but for some reason your drinks will be slightly cheaper if you use dong. As you know, you will have to buy your own drinks. Water, beer, and soda generally run about $1 each in the hotels and restaurants.
