Thorn Tree travel forum
Messages: 209,295 - Threads: 27,950
09-Oct-2005 20:24
hongha
last reply
02-Feb-2010 22:43
asianfunkphenom...
170 replies
275,787 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
...
more »
30-Sep-2005 14:46
chaskemp
last reply
07-Jan-2010 08:33
Drtraveller
67 replies
105,356 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.
...
more »
Has anyone successfully managed to apply on-line (or elsewhere) for an 'on-arrival visa' to Myanmar? There are loads of webpages which claim they can arrange a pre-approval letter for an on-arrival visa for tourists arriving in Yangon airport. I spoke to the Myanmar embassy in Singapore who said these visas are invalid, but as I am currently running out of time to apply at the embassy, I was hoping it would be a viable solution.
Quick responses greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!
10-Feb-2010 13:36
pjknovomesto
last reply
10-Feb-2010 13:36
pjknovomesto
0 replies
2 views
Hi there,
Anyone out there have any experience with the Ong Lang resort? Can't find any info on this place. Any other recommendation for nice low key beach side place with a pool for a group of 7 in June.
Thanks
Pete
10-Feb-2010 13:32
asianfunkphenom...
last reply
10-Feb-2010 15:27
katrinab
1 replies
13 views
location:
Vietnam
My friend and I have yet to book our accommodations for when we arrive in Dalat followed by Saigon and wondering if anybody can recommend something budget to mid priced? I've seen quite a few on Tripadvisor but am wondering if the reviews are as reliable as I've read them. Here's the few that I've been looking at:
Dalat: either Ngoc Lan Hotel, Dreams Hotel or Thien An
Saigon/HCMC: either Bich Duyen Hotel or Blue River Hotel
We'll be in both cities for approximately 2 nights each.
Thanks
10-Feb-2010 12:39
daniellefromnz
last reply
10-Feb-2010 13:39
Aristotle
2 replies
21 views
Hi there,
A friend and I are flying into Bangkok in about a month. We plan to travel overland and fly out of Ho Chi Minh City. Our departure flight is two weeks after our arrival in Bangkok. We know we want to see Siem Reap and Phnom Penh along the way but we are having trouble figuring out a timetable for things.
If we plan on spending 2-3 days in Bangkok and 2-3 days in Ho Chi Minh City would we have enough time to see both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh as well? Would we have time to see any more? If so what would people recommend?
I plan on taking around $1000 US dollars with me. This will have to cover transport, accommodation and any other expenses. The only thing I have paid for so far is the flights there and back. Do you think this amount will be sufficient?
Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
10-Feb-2010 11:56
lisamatu
last reply
10-Feb-2010 13:51
Aristotle
4 replies
73 views
location:
Vietnam
Hi
I am heading to vietnam next week and I will be travelling from south (HCMC, Phu Quoc, Mekong Delta) to north (Hanoi) overland for 5 weeks. I have been advised by the doctor to take malaria tablets (I guess to cover themselves they have to). I was wondering if it is necessary to take them? I am guessing if I needed them it would only be for the time I am down south as up north is a lot cooler and I doubt they have mozzies.
What are other travellers doing? are you taking malaria tabs or just being extra careful not to get bitten.
I was in Papua New Guinea recently and I was told to take malaria tabs but when we were there we barely saw a mosquito.
Cheers
can anyone recommend a decent gym in each of these two towns?
I'm trying to keep up a strength weights program while travelling
10-Feb-2010 09:31
jangcheong
last reply
10-Feb-2010 09:31
jangcheong
0 replies
27 views
We stayed 5 nights at the Garnet Hotel in the center of Hanoi from 3rd Dec, 2009 . Well located and clean and comfortable. The bed room was good sized with wooden floor . it was very fine. The staff were friendly and helpful, i always find if your courteous they will be friendly and courteous in return which they were.Breakfast was fine and the hotel always was clean. Great little budget hotel, would recommend
10-Feb-2010 08:07
dom_wave
last reply
10-Feb-2010 08:41
morebali4me
1 replies
23 views
location:
Cambodia
Finding it difficult to gather information on the business visa for Cambodia.
Any key points I need to know, such as documents required (if any)?
Any help would be great...
10-Feb-2010 07:31
salada
last reply
10-Feb-2010 10:59
StillWithUs
1 replies
22 views
location:
Laos
Hi!!
I will be traveling in Laos in May to do a cultural experience with my college. I will do a research on children, particularly on socialization and on the process of learning customs. More generally, on the way to educate children.
Is there anyone who could share its experience about this subject or has relevant sources for documentation?
Thanks ;-)
10-Feb-2010 07:03
cosmosmariner
last reply
10-Feb-2010 11:46
malvolio
3 replies
51 views
location:
Myanmar
I am planning on spending 3-4 weeks in Myanmar this autumn. I would like to do the typical circuit,... Fly from Bangkok to Yangoon, visit Yangon for a couple of days, then fly to the Mandalay area, I would use surface travel around Inlay Lake and Bagon. then overland back to Yangoon to exit to Thailand. I would be staying in Budget or midrange hotels or guesthouses.. What do you think would be a fair estimate in dollars to cover the travel, accommodations and food for 3-4 weeks?. I am thinking it would be about $2000... is this estimate too high?
Thanks for your feedback.
I am a photographer who will be in Siem Reap early November.
Can someone help, or direct me to a location where I could negotiate hiring one to three apsara dancers to use as models.
I would prefer negotiating with a dance academy or the girls directly (well not me, but a guide I would presume.) I do not mind paying a little extra for a chaperone or friend to help with costume and makeup.
This is low budget but may help someone with extra income.
I am told that many restaurants have apsara venues, would this be the logical place to start?
Any information would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks
www.vanishingculturesphotography.com
10-Feb-2010 05:51
Drtraveller
last reply
10-Feb-2010 05:51
Drtraveller
0 replies
27 views
location:
Myanmar
Short Travel Report on SE Myanmar - part III –Kin Pun to Bago To Inle
Our second day in Kin Pun was marked by music – lot of music – a lot of very loud music that started about 4 in the afternoon and went on until 11. The hotel staff assured us that it was wedding music and would stop by 11, which it did. They neglected to say that it would start up at 4:30 AM, which it did.
‘Nine’ the manager saw us at breakfast and assured us that he had arranged the bus to Bago and the transfer to the Inle Bus, which was starting in Yangon. “Reclining seats and AC,” he assured us. So we got on the designated bus and off we went; a couple of hours later the bus stopped at a very casual bus stop on the outskirts of Bago and two smiling guys indicated that they were there for us – and they mentioned ‘Mr, Nine.’ So we got off the bus, got our bags and we were loaded onto separate motorcycles a...
more »
Hi,
I'm booked on the 8AM bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
Is this a very windy mountain road all the way?
If so, where can I get reliable motion sickness pills?
And what's the journey like?
thanks
Philip
10-Feb-2010 00:35
paulsupermario
last reply
10-Feb-2010 15:26
maureenm
5 replies
120 views
location:
Vietnam
Has anyone else had trouble with this travel company? I am currently in the office of Ngoc Hong Travel, waiting for my bus to come. I want to go to Hue and was told I was paying for a bus that would take me there direct (Saigon to Hanoi bus). I have just turned up and alas it is actually 3 buses, with a 12 hour wait in Nha Trang and a one hour wait in Hoi An.
When I booked the bus yesterday, the lady, was very clear that it was 1 bus. Now I have spent more than I needed to and will have 2 nights on the buses instead of one.
My advice, don't go with them, choose another one recommended by Lonely Planet.
10-Feb-2010 00:01
chinochano
last reply
10-Feb-2010 03:18
montyman
1 replies
43 views
I am in Vang Vieng, and after 3 days watching Friends episodes -just kidding- I want to go to the green. My map says there are a lot of acves here. Which ones are the most interesting? Or only one is enough?
Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01
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