While traveler's checks have become somewhat obsolete in many places due to the advent of ATM's
, in Vietnam they are quite useful. You can cash U.S. dollar checks atbanks in Hanoi (don't know about elsewhere) for a 1.25-1.5% charge. This is no more expensive than using an ATM, once you figure in bank fees. Note that using traveler's checks is most useful if you can buy your checks without a commission, which some banks and other organizations (the AAA in the U.S., for example) offer their customers. You can visit http://www.indochinaodysseytours.com to get more information about this.