No matter where you are in the world, handling money can be tricky — or not

Regarding Vietnamese currency tips (On the Spot, by Catharine Hamm, Feb. 18): Check and double-check with your bank or credit union about using an ATM or debit card overseas.

My credit union would authorize my use of a card, but I had to sign a waiver that the credit union was not responsible in case of theft or corruption. I passed on that.

Fortunately, my spouse has a card with a bank that has links to a bank in the country we were visiting, so we used hers for cash.

Dave Middleton

Rancho Mirage

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In 2015 I traveled to Vietnam with plenty of dong purchased from my bank. However, I learned that the street vendors, especially children and teens, preferred new, crisp U.S. one-dollar bills that I found handy to pay for bottles of cold water and fresh coconut juice in the shell, tips to cab drivers and waiters in fine cafes. Easier than doing the dong math.

That cold water and juice saved my life in the high heat and humidity. And though I loved the stunning terrain and tasty cuisine, the sight of starving and dead dogs and cats was unpleasant.

Two more tips: The Vietnamese are generally friendly but are offended if tourists pat their adorable babies or children on the head and/or call the U.S. combat there the Vietnam War instead of the American War.

David Salvaggio

Redlands

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