Banking Abroad?

I've already post this on another board but just saw this one so i'll make it short and simple.

Just got back for Vietnam. Wanted to know is anyone use a bank here (US) and had any problem while in other country while taking out large (aound $1000 - $5000) sum of money. The reason is that when I went to Vietnam I took with me $10000 and was kind or apprehensive because i didn't want to get hassel at the Vietnamese Airport. I'm thinking about opening an account with HBSC (a bank i saw in Vietnam that is based out of NY) to make it easier. Don't want to carry so much money with me.

So I was curious if anyone has any idea how to take large amount of cash with you when traveling esecially if you use the bank abroad.

Thanks for reading and replying.

Check out this article by Kiplinger.com columnist Janet Bodnar:

http://www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/columns/drt/archive/2006/dt060419.html

It's about making sure your kids have money when they go to school abroad, but the concept is the same for you. She specifically mentions Citibank and HSBC as banks that may be convenient for people living abroad.

She also wrote a follow-up column that discusses the idea of pre-paid debit cards instead of carrying cash or travelers checks: http://www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/columns/drt/archive/2006/dt060517.html

Hope this helps.

I've already post this on another board but just saw this one so i'll make it short and simple.

Just got back for Vietnam. Wanted to know is anyone use a bank here (US) and had any problem while in other country while taking out large (aound $1000 - $5000) sum of money. The reason is that when I went to Vietnam I took with me $10000 and was kind or apprehensive because i didn't want to get hassel at the Vietnamese Airport. I'm thinking about opening an account with HBSC (a bank i saw in Vietnam that is based out of NY) to make it easier. Don't want to carry so much money with me.

So I was curious if anyone has any idea how to take large amount of cash with you when traveling esecially if you use the bank abroad.

Thanks for reading and replying.

It depends on what part of the world you plan on visiting the most. In europe Citibank is a safe bet as well as HSBC, but HSBC is probably the best for Asia.
HSBC is actually based in the UK.