Hi I guess you can cash the travelers check at the bank. I would suggest using your bank card there in Vientianne I know of 1 machine that does take foreign bank cards. It is below the 4th story bar on the street. Near the Laos saffire company. US dollars are widely excepted and easier to do the conversion fast at markets and such. 10000 kip = 1 dollar Baht is excepted but its harder to do the math. Using Credit cards is hit and miss. Even if a place says they except cards they may not tell you you have to spend a certain amount to be excepted, a real piss off. If you are planning on doing cash advances on a visa or MC just put the extra cash on the card before you go so you don''t have to pay the high interest. Cheers I just spent 3 weeks in Laos it is GREAT.