Messages: 198,690 - Threads: 26,600
posted
09-Oct-2005 20:24
by:
hongha »
last reply
07-Dec-2009 18:58
by:
sakya »
161
replies
,
258,035
views
location: Vietnam
The purpose of this thread is to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about traveling in Vietnam I hope that this FAQ helps newcomers and others plan their trips to Vietnam. I would like to thank all the posters who have contributed information to this thread. To make searching easier for you, please find my index of some major topics as follows:
1. Visa for Vietnam => find posts #115, 117, 111
2. Ha Long bay tours/Cat Ba => #83, 84
3. Vietnam - China border crossings => #7
4. Vietnam - Laos border crossings => #8, 50, 58
5. Vietnam - Cambodia border crossings => #96, 107
6. What to see in Vietnam? => #12
7. Taxi/bus from airport to cities => #3
8. Train in Vietnam => #76
9. The lunar new year (Tet) => #23, 80, 114
10. Bus from Hanoi to Vientiane => #79
11. Bus/train from Hanoi to Kunming => #105, 106
12. Bus/train from Hanoi to Nanning => #95, 99, 100
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posted
30-Sep-2005 14:46
by:
chaskemp »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 13:29
by:
lifemagic »
66
replies
,
98,661
views
This branch covers:
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam
Here you will find links to information on health issues, visas, transportation, volunteering, weather, food, and more. Links to well-regarded resources such as Travelfish, Tales of Asia, Canby, and so on are also here.
Note: This is a FAQ/internet resources post, not an area for asking questions (nobody will answer questions here) or a place to post personal blogs, photos, etc. Please do post updates or added information that will help others find their way around the Southeast Asia mainland.
CK
Guidebook Updates
To get the latest updates to any of our guidebooks - or to add your own - visit the Guidebook Feedback branch of the Thorn Tree. See below for links to all the guides relating to mainland SE Asia.
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posted
08-Dec-2009 16:17
by:
icebreaker77 »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 16:17
by:
icebreaker77 »
0
replies
,
8
views
It's amusing to read discussions that somehow not related to travel. My concern is how do I start a plan to go to Vietnam for the first time. I just knew about the place in school, so please advice me and my mom on what to see and expect so that we can be sure of what we are going to spend. We may visit Saigon and Hanoi, so please give us the best place to go somewhere like outside the city. Your help will be highly appreciated.
posted
08-Dec-2009 15:17
by:
Kanzis_slave »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 16:27
by:
Kanzis_slave »
2
replies
,
26
views
location: Laos
Is there a boat from the Thai border to Luang Prabang via the Mekong that is sort of between the fast 6-8hr speed boat and the two day slow boat? Like a 1-long-day boat? Price?
Are there good photo opportunities on the speed boat or do the G-forces and motion blur ruin the possibility?
Has anyone managed to catch a boat on the Mekong for any of the legs south of Luang Prabang (anywhere on the way down toward Phnom Penh)? Which legs? Prices and duration? Are there any public boats left or is it a matter of hiring a whole boat?
posted
08-Dec-2009 14:51
by:
Catmando »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 15:47
by:
daawgon »
1
replies
,
15
views
location: Vietnam
Can anyone recommend a hotel in Da Lat situated not far from the town center under $30/night?
posted
08-Dec-2009 13:14
by:
sarah_117 »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 16:57
by:
jp_geckozy »
2
replies
,
37
views
location: Vietnam
Hey,
My friend and I are thinking of getting the sleeper bus from Hoi An to Nha Trang through the Sinh Cafe. We want to do this because its cheaper than the train from danang.
We got a sleeper bus from Ninh Binh to Hue with a different company that was pretty terrible. We were the only tourists on the bus, so not too sure what company it was. We barely slept because we were too tall and too wide for the bed/seats.
A fellow traveller said that the sinh cafe buses are much better and we'd be more comfortable. Does anyone know if this is the case? (sorry- I don't know the name of the bus company we booked through last time). Have any other tall tourists taken the sing cafe bus with success?
Thanks.
posted
08-Dec-2009 13:11
by:
linda99 »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 14:30
by:
HenningWessel »
1
replies
,
16
views
location: Cambodia
During my stay in Banlung I stayed at Tribal guesthouse. Really liked the place, good rooms for good value.
But there's one thing I didn't like at this place: the hassling of all the tourguides hanging around, trying to sell a daytrip or trekking in a very persistent way. They keep on trying to sell, wether you have dinner, want to relax or want to go outside.
Asian style, I know, but I really got very tired of this.....
posted
08-Dec-2009 12:16
by:
lsquare »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 14:35
by:
HenningWessel »
2
replies
,
34
views
I'll be going to Siem Reap later this month. I just realized I only have $100 USD in cash right now. Should I get more USD in cash before I arrive in Cambodia? Are the machines reliable in that country? Where is the best place to exchange my Hong Kong Dollars in that country? Any additional surcharges from using ATMS in Cambodia?
posted
08-Dec-2009 11:55
by:
nachojon »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 15:14
by:
nachojon »
2
replies
,
21
views
I am planning a 22 day trip in SE Asia. I will be flying into HCMC on Dec. 25th and out of Vientiane, Laos on Jan. 16th. Other than definitely spending the first portion of the trip up to New Years with friends in Vietnam I am pretty open about the rest of the journey which I will be doing solo. I have a rough itinerary, any suggestions/ comments would be much appreciated.
Dec. 25 - Jan. 1 Vietnam
Jan. 1-2 Bus from HCMC to Phnom Penh
-arrange Lao visa
-explore PP
Jan. 5 Phom Penh to Siem Riep by bus.
- Angkor Wat etc.
Jan. 9-10 Siem Riep to 4,000 Islands
posted
08-Dec-2009 11:27
by:
elmono773 »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 15:00
by:
HenningWessel »
1
replies
,
21
views
location: Vietnam
I'm open to suggestions on how to travel HCMC via Delta to Phu Quoc. Homestays? Do solo or are there non-cattle tour operators worth considering. Thinking 3-5 days in the Delta. Probably ferry from Rach Gia and save Ha Tien for the trip from Phu Quoc to S'ville.
Thank-you for your thoughts.
posted
08-Dec-2009 11:01
by:
katian »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 16:49
by:
violets »
7
replies
,
97
views
location: Vietnam
Could someone confirm the cost of a 30 day multi entry tourist visa for Vietnam, purchased in Australia? I've just spoken to the embassy and I think they said $120 but it was a very bad line and I just want to make sure I send off the right amount. Thanks very much.
posted
08-Dec-2009 09:25
by:
girlontour09 »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 15:13
by:
HenningWessel »
1
replies
,
20
views
Hi,
I wondered if anyone is out there at the moment or has been recently volunteering in Cambodia? I did search the forums for this but the threads I got were a few years old, so I'm gonna look into what was suggested on those but would love some other feedback too.
I've got about a month to spare and would like to volunteer somewhere - I've taught English in Asia before so maybe doing that but I'm open to other things too.
Any ideas?
posted
08-Dec-2009 06:35
by:
jdhgmb »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 13:23
by:
ScottLazar »
3
replies
,
82
views
location: Myanmar
Hoping someone can give me some advice.
We are travelling to Myanmar in January and would like to book a flight from Yangon to Bagan.
I completed the 'reservation form' on the Air Bagan website a couple of weeks ago but haven't heard anything.
When should I expect to hear something? Just wondering if they are waiting until closer to departure until the open the flight for sale.
Thank you
Julie
posted
08-Dec-2009 05:25
by:
alexandrawells »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 15:33
by:
HenningWessel »
4
replies
,
81
views
location: Cambodia
Hi,
I am traveling to Cambodia in the next few weeks and have been desperately trying to find out how to say "I am allergic to nuts" in Khmer. It seems like it is next to impossible to find a translation. And the most irritating part is that it is not listed in the Lonely Planet Translations section - at least not in my copy (I have the Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Greater Mekong one).
I would be so grateful to anyone who could help me out!
Thanks!
posted
08-Dec-2009 03:58
by:
smurfin »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 15:36
by:
HenningWessel »
2
replies
,
47
views
location: Laos
does anyone know if there are any places for giving blood in louang phabang?
i gave blood in a childrens hospital in Cambodia and i would like to do it again
as a small westerner i cant give blood in my country but they ask for less in asia because people are generally smaller
many thanks
posted
08-Dec-2009 03:53
by:
smurfin »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 16:56
by:
Vientianeboy »
7
replies
,
94
views
location: Laos
are there any atms in laos yet?
if not can i use a visa debit card at the bank?
many thanks...
posted
08-Dec-2009 02:52
by:
awsomewells »
last reply
08-Dec-2009 15:50
by:
HenningWessel »
2
replies
,
40
views
location: Laos
hi there, i am going to be in laos march to april in 2010, going to be spending march doing some volunteering in luang prabang and then was hoping to get up to phongsali during a couple of weeks at the beginning of april, getting back to luang prabang for lao new year. my question is will i beable to travel up the nam ou by boat at this time? or is it more of a case of wait and see. any info would be appreciated. thanks very much x
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