Messages: 201,022 - Threads: 26,914
posted
09-Oct-2005 20:24
by:
hongha »
last reply
12-Dec-2009 04:14
by:
gossipvietnam »
162
replies
,
261,672
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
,
100,482
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
24-Dec-2009 08:27
by:
khufu4 »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 08:27
by:
khufu4 »
0
replies
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2
views
location: Vietnam
Hi me again.....I will be flying from Cancun to the west coast and hooking up with one of the above airlines. I will be in the back....don't have enough miles and upgradable coach seats cost $4000 (dear lord)
Which airline would you recommend and why and any tips for seating greatly appreciated
Thanks a lot
posted
24-Dec-2009 04:40
by:
LibertyBelle »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 04:40
by:
LibertyBelle »
0
replies
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10
views
Has anyone ever had a problem with these being accepted anywhere? Any different from regular travelers checks?
I've always used the single signature ones but have a need for the dual ones this time.
posted
24-Dec-2009 02:53
by:
jjzigzag »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 04:22
by:
zeke7 »
1
replies
,
23
views
location: Myanmar
Could someone give some advise on my itinerary? I am planning for a short short trip to Myanmar as i don't plan to visit all the tourist spots and pagodas, however i wish to cover all the places above in 4 days time.. Is this possible?? How long does it take for the domestic flights in between? and how much they cost??
I havent been doing any homework yet but my thought was:
Day 1 - Fly to Yangon, then transit to Mandalay
- Mandalay city tour (including pagoda) awhile, main purpose is to go to Mandalay hill and stay for a night in Mandalay
Day 2 - Check out and fly to Bagan, plan to go for Inle Lake in Kalaw as well, put up a night
Day 3- Check out and fly to Ngapali Beach (Thandwe), not sure what to see there, if it's nice, will stay for a night, else, fly back to Yangon
Day 4 - Yangon city tour (including pagoda/ shopping) then fly back to my own country
Please...
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posted
24-Dec-2009 01:38
by:
Mycombs »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 01:38
by:
Mycombs »
0
replies
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9
views
Hey guys! I have read a few threads about the bus from Hue (Dong Ha?) to Savannakhet, and haven't turned up any usable information yet. I gather there is a Direct Bus in existence, and we'd very much like to take it, instead of being switched several times from minibuses, bikes, vans, buses, etc. Sounds like most people had bad experiences doing this trip.
Does anyone have a reliable place to buy tickets for a bus, direct to to Savannakhet? Please post the name of the bus company, and/or the place you bought tickets. Thanks so much!
posted
23-Dec-2009 23:04
by:
normanp »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 06:40
by:
westwood »
1
replies
,
40
views
location: Myanmar
Gifts in and out of Myanmar
Several times in the past there has been a discussion of about what to buy in Myanmar and what to bring to our Myanmar friends that we have known for some time.
My list for what to buy in Myanmar:
1. The beautiful paintings sold at all the temples in Bagan. All sizes, shapes and colors. Once home have a framer work with them! They make great presents.
2. The markets at Bagan, Kalaw, and Mingun all have some nice pieces. I have a growing statue collection made from Yak bone. New, not antique.
3. In Mandalay at the corner of 27th St and 77th St. just at the corner from the Royal City Hotel is the green pottery outdoor shop = piles of green pottery. It does not look very inviting but some pieces have really nice shapes and when shined up look really bright. The three that I brought back have already been 'borrowed' by friends!
What to bring Myanma...
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posted
23-Dec-2009 22:31
by:
nothappy0 »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 22:31
by:
nothappy0 »
0
replies
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16
views
location: Cambodia
hi
i am trying to head out to phnom kulen park for a day trip in next couple day (around dec24-26), the local agent is asking for about 40-45US for a taxi. just wondering is there anyone want to share the taxi ?
thanks
posted
23-Dec-2009 20:20
by:
Taeglian »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 03:43
by:
zeke7 »
1
replies
,
43
views
location: Myanmar
Hello folks!
even though I try not to do this for other countries I do feel the urge for this part of the trip. Partly because it is relatively uncharted territory and the requirement to fly in/out which limits my time (damn...I'm making up excuses for asking a bit of help, why?).
So here it goes:
Blanks mean I'm still in the same place. What I'm wondering is whether I shoudl go the other way round to prevent getting stuck somewhere near Sittwe if boats don't run or if I miss one - rather rough to get away from there. Also - I reckon I've taken in enough travel time here and there but if it's a bit tricky do tell.
1 Yangon, arrival, 8am (on independence day)
2 Yangon
3 Yangon, nightbus to Mandalay
4 Mandalay and surroudnings
5
6
7
8 Get to Hsipaw
9 Trek to Namhsan
10
11
12 Namhsan-Hsipaw
13 Hsipaw
14 Mandalay
15 Bagan
16
17
18
19
20 Taunggok
2...
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posted
23-Dec-2009 19:25
by:
jackdawreg »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 20:05
by:
vietanh2208 »
2
replies
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69
views
location: Myanmar
On arrival to Yangon I'll need some kyat for a taxi etc to get me to my hotel.
My question is how do I pay for it?
Will the driver accept US$ or do I have to change money at the silly exchange rate at the airport.
I'm staying at the Central Hotel near Traders Hotel. What should my taxi cost?
thanks!
posted
23-Dec-2009 16:05
by:
turkeylegs »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 03:11
by:
zeke7 »
7
replies
,
85
views
location: Myanmar
hi guys,
i plan to go to Myanmar in mid January. I live in Guangxi, just next to Yunnan province. For me, it would be pretty easy to just fly from Kunming into Yangon or Mandalay....just looking at elong.com now, I can see that a return trip would cost 4000yuan! Eeek.
I also checked airasia.com. Using that, I would have to go from Guangzhou to Bangkok and then onto Yangon....total cost return 3045yuan...not bad, but im guess it will probably add up to 4000 quickly with the Nanning-Guangzhou airport trips and airport stop overs...
ANY suggestions on a cheaper option?
Also, a quick visa question....is it possible to Fed Ex my passport to one of the Myanmar Embassies and have them send it back to avoid having to wait around for the processing?
Thanks for your help!
posted
23-Dec-2009 15:44
by:
zim123 »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 06:46
by:
Ha_Tha »
6
replies
,
95
views
location: Cambodia
We are in Chau Doc at present and will catch the fast boat to PP, then we want to go to Siem Reap obviously to see Angkor Wat BUT we are concerned about getting there on the roads. We have heard stories of the crazy driving of the Cambodian bus drivers. First question: can one catch a coach-style bus rather than a minibus because the drivers seem more responsible (we came on a minibus from Can Tho yesterday and couldn't believe the cheek of the driver regularly taking our lives in his hands and we couldn't protest because he didn't listen, we didn't speak a common language, he seemed to be wanting to impress his mates, being fellow minibus officials from Mailinh).
Otherwise, would it be better to share a taxi and if so where does one meet other people to share it with?
Thanks for your help
posted
23-Dec-2009 15:21
by:
patriciatbrogan »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 00:43
by:
surfboy »
3
replies
,
69
views
location: Cambodia
Hi, we`re arriving in PP on christmas eve and would like somewhere decent to stay. We would like to pay the going rate for a clean well run hotel in a good location - obviously can`t afford 5 star. But we prefer something slightly better than budget - poor beds, small rooms etc
Any suggestions?
posted
23-Dec-2009 15:01
by:
feiningyuan »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 23:10
by:
NormC »
6
replies
,
135
views
location: Myanmar
I've heard rumors that recently Americans have been having difficulty getting into Burma, perhaps because of tense relations resulting from the John Yettaw incident. Does anyone have more (up-to-date) information about whether Americans are having more trouble getting tourist visas and getting permission to enter?
posted
23-Dec-2009 14:40
by:
sarnew »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 20:36
by:
Captain_Bob »
1
replies
,
44
views
location: Laos
Hi
i'm currently in chiang mai and trying to figure out the best way to get to luang prabang (all flights are sold out)--does anyone recommend the river trip there? what about going to Luang Nam Tha? Is it quieter and better to go to middle/southern area?
thanks!!
posted
23-Dec-2009 14:34
by:
bambo »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 15:39
by:
zeke7 »
1
replies
,
37
views
location: Myanmar
I am planning to volunteer in Mae Sot, Thailand and do a meditation retreat near Mawlamyine in Burma, which is relatively close to Mae Sot. Can I cross the border at Mae Sot into Burma with a Burmese meditation visa? Another option: I could fly into Burma, and when leaving, could I cross from Burma into Thailand at Mae Sot? Thanks for any help you can give - the guide books only mention the 1-day visit at that border crossing.
posted
23-Dec-2009 12:34
by:
sophiemarg »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 16:08
by:
zeke7 »
3
replies
,
119
views
location: Myanmar
I am considering making a day trip to Burma, from Thailand and just wanted some advice on this. I have been told you can obtain a day visa... if entering from Thailand, how will this effect my thai visa? As clearly i need to get back into the country. Also, what area/border crossing would you suggest? I will be travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, so hoping for somewhere around there..
Thanks!
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