Southeast Asian Currencies Quiz / Test | World

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which currency do you need to purchase a pewter plate in Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia?

Answer: Ringgit

The currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). The locals use the abbreviation RM (Ringgit Malaysia, in the Malay language).

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Central Market (or Pasar Seni, in the Malay language) is a popular tourist attraction. Tourists frequent this place to purchase some of the most well-known Malaysian souvenirs, such as batik, songket, wau kite, durian chocolate, and pewter goods.

In the late 1880s, Malaysia was the world's largest tin producer. Pewter goods are made of tin (85-99%), antimony, copper, and silver. Founded in 1885, Royal Selangor is a reputable Malaysian pewter manufacturer, known for its high quality tableware and home decoration items.

The rand, the ruble, and the rupee are the currencies used in South Africa, Belarus, and India, respectively.

2. You spot a nice piece of wooden handicraft in the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Can you pay for the item using the Singapore dollar?

Answer: Yes

The currencies used in Singapore and Brunei are the Singapore dollar (SGD) and the Brunei dollar (BND), respectively.

In 1967, Brunei and Singapore signed the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA). The agreement allows the Brunei and Singapore dollars to be used in both nations at par, without any charges.

Likewise, Brunei tourists can pay in Brunei dollar when they shop in Orchard Road, Singapore.

3. Which local currency do you need to pay for a bag of civet coffee beans in Bali, Indonesia?

Answer: Rupiah

The local currency used in Indonesia is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). The US dollar (USD) is also widely accepted in popular tourist destinations in Indonesia, such as Bali and Lombok.

Civet coffee (kopi luwak, in the Indonesian language), is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, where its price can go as high as USD700 per kilogram. The coffee is collected from wild civets' faeces.

The Asian palm civet is a small cat-like mammal native to Southeast Asia. Due to the high demand of civet coffee, civets are being captured from the wild and kept in cages to mass-produce civet coffee beans.

The bolivar, the leone, and the zloty are the currencies of Venezuela, Sierra Leone, and Poland, respectively.

4. The currency used in the Philippines shares the same name as the currencies used in some Central and South American countries. What is the name of this currency that you need to purchase a decorative jeepney artwork from a night market stall in Tutuban, Manila?

Answer: Peso

The currency used in the Philippines is the Philippine peso (PHP). The country was formerly colonized by Spain from 1565 until 1898.

Some Central and South American countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Uruguay) also use the peso as their currencies.

Jeepneys, or more colloquially known as jeeps by the locals, are the most common means of transportation used in the Philippines. These vibrant-colored, bus-like vehicles are decorated with stickers and spray paints, depicting images from popular culture.

The sol, the real, and the guarani are the currencies used in Peru, Brazil, and Paraguay, respectively.

5. Elephant pants are ubiquitous items in the Land of White Elephants, Thailand. What currency do you need to pay for a pair of elephant pants in the Weekend Chatuchak Market, Bangkok?

Answer: Baht

The currency used in Thailand is the Thai baht (THB).

Thai elephant pants are commonly worn by female backpackers.

The Chatuchak Weekend Market, or more colloquially known as JJ Market among the locals, is one of the world's largest markets.

The birr, the won, and the yuan are the currencies used in Ethiopia, South Korea, and China, respectively.

6. A trip to Myanmar would not be complete without paying a visit to the famous Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon. What local currency do you need to pay for a Burmese jade bracelet?

Answer: Kyat

The currency used in Myanmar is the Burmese kyat (MMK).

Bogyoke Aung San Market, known formerly as Scott's Market, is a popular tourist destination in Yangon, Myanmar.

Myanmar is one of the world's top ruby producers. Apart from rubies, the nation also produces other precious gemstones, such as jade and sapphires.

The kuna, the krone, and the kwanza are the currencies of Croatia, Norway, and Zambia, respectively.

7. Luang Prabang is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the landlocked nation of Laos. You spot a beautifully woven silk sinh (Lao skirt) in the Luang Prabang night market. What local currency do you need to pay for the item?

Answer: Kip

The currency used in Laos is the Lao Kip (LAK).

Luang Prabang means "Royal Buddha Image" in the Lao language. The city is located approximately 300 km away from the nation's capital, Vientiane.

Laos is well-known for its high quality silk products. The sinh, woven from silk, are commonly worn by Lao women.

The lek, the som, and the yen are the currencies used in Albania, Kyrgyzstan, and Japan, respectively.

8. On your visit to the Central Market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, you spot a colorful oil painting depicting the magnificent Angkor Wat. What local currency do you need to pay for the painting?

Answer: Riel

The currency used in Cambodia is the Cambodian riel (KHR).

The Central Market, located in the nation's capital of Phnom Penh, is easily recognizable by the building's yellow dome.

Produced by skilled artists, oil paintings are popular mementos for tourists visiting Cambodia.

The rial, the riyal, and the rufiyaa are the currencies used in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives, respectively.

9. The old town of Hoi An is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Vietnam. You spot a colorful lantern in one of the night market stalls in Hoi An. What local currency do you need to pay for the item?

Answer: Dong

The local currency used in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND).

The old town of Hoi An was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

The vibrant Hoi An night market is decorated and illuminated by thousands of colorful lanterns, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam.

The togrok (or tugrik), the dobra, and the cordoba are the currencies used in Mongolia, S�o Tom� and Pr�ncipe, and Nicaragua, respectively.

10. You intend to send some postcards from the capital of Timor-Leste, Dili. What currency would you need to pay for the postage stamps?

Answer: US dollar

Timor Leste, also known as East Timor, does not have its own currency. The country is using the US dollar (USD) as its official currency.

The Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post) issued Timor Leste's first stamps in 2002.

Source: Author Matthew_07

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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Southeast Asian Currencies Trivia Quiz

Join me in a tour to Southeast Asia and figure out which currency do you need to pay for the souvenirs in each of the 11 Southeast Asian countries. Enjoy!

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