Messages: 197,404 - Threads: 26,438
posted
09-Oct-2005 20:24
by:
hongha »
last reply
28-Nov-2009 23:01
by:
grizzly »
158
replies
,
255,944
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
30-Nov-2009 06:08
by:
lifemagic »
66
replies
,
97,620
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
01-Dec-2009 09:28
by:
irish_liz »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 09:28
by:
irish_liz »
0
replies
,
4
views
location: Laos
hey,
planning a gigantic trip around one half of the world without flying and trying to work out a way of zig zagging down thru vietnam, into cambodia, up thru laos and then into thailnd.
my question is..does anyone know of a good route thru laos, including where i can crossborders etc?
thanks a million
posted
01-Dec-2009 07:31
by:
frisco_zig »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 07:38
by:
frisco_zig »
1
replies
,
17
views
My wife and I are spending about a week in Japan in March
We wanted to then spend a week or so on a nice SEA island or beach to relax at a low key resort type place for 4-5 days.
Because of the weather that time of year I had settled on Phu Quoc but I am having some second thoughts after reading some people's posts
I have been to the Andaman sea side of Thailand about 10 years ago but the weather seems wrong that time of year. The gulf side seems like it might be ok. In general my experience in Thailand in the past also clouds this as most areas I saw were either very young people partying or older men with the bar girls types. I do know Thailand has more to offer than this
So things we are looking for: good chance for nice weather in March, snorkelling, good local food as well as decent quality options (not backpacker food), some places to make exursions to on a mot...
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posted
01-Dec-2009 06:55
by:
travellingdad09 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 06:55
by:
travellingdad09 »
0
replies
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13
views
location: Cambodia
Our family visited Angkor Wat in 2007. Here is my 12 year old son's report of that unforgettable visit.
http:/travellingdad.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/ankgor-wat-by-a-12-year-old/
posted
01-Dec-2009 06:51
by:
3DLen »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 06:51
by:
3DLen »
0
replies
,
19
views
location: Laos
This was our second trip to SE Asia. The first time was to Thailand 6 years ago. The 3 week vacation turned into 15 days in Laos after all the travel time from Canada and a few days to adjust to time difference. We travelled by bus from Chiang Mai to Huey Xai. Then the next day to Luang Namtha via Mini van, a good trip. We then did a 3 day trek from one of the travel agents on the main street in Namtha. The trek was very difficult, and the guides were not experienced. Perhaps we should have used Green Discovery. Anyway, after the first day we refused to go on further as my wife was exhausted. So we stayed in the village for 2 nights. I assumed that we were given good water, but we all got sick the last day, so I guess it was not boiled enough. I should have used the water tablets I brought along. My mistake for assuming that we would be given safe water. Fortunately there was a road t... more »
posted
01-Dec-2009 05:02
by:
Ron_Gouda »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 07:52
by:
daawgon »
1
replies
,
32
views
location: Vietnam
Hi,
We (my girlfriend and me) will go to vietnam in may 2010 and travel around for 1 month from north to south.
Is it in that time easy to find a hotel/guesthouse. Or is it better to book the hotels/guesthouses in advance?
thanx,
Ron and Heike
posted
01-Dec-2009 04:44
by:
alexbillig »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 04:44
by:
alexbillig »
0
replies
,
41
views
i'm planning a 6-week trip and am trying to fit in vietnam, cambodia, thailand, laos, malaysia, and singapore.
an idea of what i was thinking for an itinerary is below. does this seem feasible? are there any major spots i'm missing?
more time in vietnam? more time in cambodia?
help please! thank you.
april 6 - FLIGHT: New York (JFK) -> Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) KOREAN AIR
april 7 - VIETNAM - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
april 8 -
april 9 -
april 10 -
april 11 - CAMBODIA - Phenom Phen, Cambodia
april 12 -
april 13 - Siem Reap, Cambodia (temples of angkor)
april 14 -
april 15 - THAILAND - Bangkok, Thailand (last day of Songkran)
april 16 -
april 17 -
april 18 -
april 19 -
april 20 - Sukhothai, Thailand
april 21 -
april 22 - Chiang Mai, Thailand
april 23 -
april 24 - Chiang Rai, Thailand
april 25 -
april 26 - The Golden Triangle
april 27 - LAOS - Cross the bor...
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posted
01-Dec-2009 01:47
by:
johnnysprawl »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 01:47
by:
johnnysprawl »
0
replies
,
17
views
location: Cambodia
Anyone have any idea how often the boat goes over? Do i have to charter my own or is there a regular service?
thanks!
posted
01-Dec-2009 01:31
by:
thegreatstupendo »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 09:27
by:
HelenIAM »
4
replies
,
70
views
location: Myanmar
Hey Everyone!
I will be travelling out to Myanmar for a couple of months in early January. I am currently looking for flights, without too much success.
Does anyone know which airlines will be able to provide the least expensive flights (I don't mind stops/changeovers)?
Thanks!
posted
01-Dec-2009 01:26
by:
lcscotland »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:01
by:
daawgon »
2
replies
,
42
views
location: Vietnam
Hi.
We are off to Vietnam on 26th Dec for 4 weeks.
We are in HCMC over New year, until the 2nd (is this wise?) then off to a gorgeous hotel in Mui Ne for 5 nights. We then have another 14 nights to reach Hanoi. Our provisional itinary is for these 14 nights are:
Hoi An (2 nights)
Hue (2 nights)
Hanoi (2 nights)
night train to Halong Bay (2 nights)
back to Hanoi for 1 night
Sapa for 2 nights
Back to Hanoi
Is this too rushed? Any other suggestions of places to stop, or how to travel to these places?
Very excited!
posted
01-Dec-2009 00:19
by:
angsta »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 00:19
by:
angsta »
0
replies
,
16
views
location: Cambodia
again in Sihanoukville?
posted
01-Dec-2009 00:04
by:
paulotoole »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 00:04
by:
paulotoole »
0
replies
,
13
views
location: Vietnam
Hello
I would like to go by train from
Hue to Dieu Tri and on arrival in Dieu Tri go directly to Quy Nhon
Is it possible to get a motor bike taxi from Dieu Tri to Quy Nhon or a normal taxi
and what would the cost be
Also anyone recomend a guest house in Quy Nhon for about 12$
Thank you all for you help
Paul
posted
30-Nov-2009 23:33
by:
marcelasia »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 04:27
by:
Aristotle »
3
replies
,
87
views
location: Laos
We've been recently stolen in the "Riverside Bungalows" in Muan Ngoi Neua (north Laos).
They broke the locker of our bungalow while we went for dinner and took all our electronic staff from our bags. Apparently is not the first time it happens there the last few months.
We have reasons to think that the owners were involved or maybe allowed it.
Police in small villages like Muan Ngoi don't have official forms or stamps to fill up the official certificate you'd need for the insurance.
In our case had to go to Luang Prabang to do it - and had to pay for it 30.000K (4 $). Our embassy told us that a small charge for the service might be unfortunately expected
So... you'd better not leave your important values in the bungalows 'cause it's very easy to get into the bungalows everywhere. Take them with you. and Maybe is helpful to have your own locker if you plan to stay in the ...
more »
posted
30-Nov-2009 23:24
by:
valkiriaspanish »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:08
by:
daawgon »
1
replies
,
28
views
location: Vietnam
Hi,Planning a trip to Vietnam and Camboya,to me angkor and halong bay are a must.
I don´t have much time,so I have to choose between 1)Hue and Hoian and 2)Ho-chi-minh.
The first,I suppose some temples and monuments but it doesn´t draw my attention much (I expect Angkor to be unbeatable)
The second,Cuchi and Delta of Mekong.The second seems to be more related to people and the culture of the country.
According to that,I prefer option 2)
Do you think this point is correct?
Regards
posted
30-Nov-2009 23:17
by:
valkiriaspanish »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 23:17
by:
valkiriaspanish »
0
replies
,
22
views
location: Vietnam
Hi,
i´m thinking about going to Vietnam.As far as I knew,winter was the best season to go,but reading about Halong Bay I´m not sure....it´s foggy and the water is cold in winter,rainy the rest of the year.What is the best season to enjoy that marvellous landscape?(I feel that the answer will be "there is no best season,just a question of luck").
I went to Gulin in China in November two years ago,a similar landscape,but it was completely spoiled by the fog..They told me "it´s always like that..."
So,when to go to see the same amazing landscape displayed in pics?
posted
30-Nov-2009 22:33
by:
wombat69er »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 01:04
by:
Cocodrilo »
1
replies
,
44
views
No sticky yet. So where this year? Will travel for ice cold beer!
We're talking pell-mell cities, jungle-twined temples and beaches that just clamour for a hammock. Yep, we're talking South-East Asia. Can't you just hear the tuk-tuk horns? more »
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