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posted
09-Oct-2005 20:24
by: hongha »

last reply
15-Nov-2009 12:31
by: grizzly »

158 replies , 255,146 views location: Vietnam

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 11

FAQ Thread for 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 »

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posted
30-Sep-2005 14:46
by: chaskemp »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 01:19
by: lifemagic »

66 replies , 97,163 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 5

FAQ Thread for Mainland SE Asia

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 »

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posted
28-Nov-2009 07:56
by: mosegrisen »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 07:56
by: mosegrisen »

0 replies , 14 views location: Myanmar

Inbound Tourism Booms:

Official

By WAI MOE Friday, November 27, 2009

Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Friday, an official with Myanmar (Burma) Travels and Tours of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism said numbers of inbound tourists at the beginning of the 2009-10 tourist season in the country was up over the previous year.

“Inbound tourists have increased by at least 30 percent. Last year, over 260,000 tourists visited the country, earning US $ 165 million,” he said, adding Burma’s tourism is returning to normal after Cyclone Nargis devastated Rangoon and the Irrawaddy Delta region of the country in May 2008.

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posted
28-Nov-2009 07:50
by: bun_cha »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 08:20
by: StraightnoChaser »

1 replies , 12 views

Bogus drugs

The October 2009 Smithsonian has an article on bogus antimalarials sold in SE Asia. More than 50% antimalarials tested were bogus. With most sick people seeking help from local pharmacies, that works out to a lot of people getting fakes. Some of the fakes even have small amounts of real medicine, so that testing is more difficult AND increasing the chances of resistance developing to the real drug.

One might also assume a high rate of fakes of other medications as well.

BTW, ~10,000 cases of malaria/year in Battambang province.

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posted
28-Nov-2009 03:32
by: pilgrimjmp »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 07:08
by: mosegrisen »

1 replies , 33 views location: Myanmar

Myanmar Visa so easy from London!!

I just wanted to say that as a British citizen, I took my visa application form in person,into the Burmese Embassy in London, 3 days ago together with the relevant one page application form and 14 GBP cash. Also a longer one (from Berlin) and two required photos. I had loads of paperwork as back up, inbound flights, no outward we are going to try and leave by land into Thailand ..proof on 1st nights accomm in Yangon..etc etc as suggested to me by various people.. I walked in at 1000am. The embassy which is like a large house was empty. The guy at reception threw most of the paperwork back to me and just took the one page application form and two photos and the cash.. He assured us nothing else was needed? I asked the turn round time...He said 3 days....I left a bit nervous that not enough was deposited. Imagine my surprise when the next morning the visas arrived in the post!! All cor... more »

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posted
28-Nov-2009 03:13
by: grignani »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 05:42
by: grignani »

1 replies , 18 views

sihanoukville new year

I would have liked to go by tranquillity guesthouse but it's already booked.
I found place in the following guesthouse

les jarden aus hibiscus
and
coasters

someone has been there??
I am not able to make a choise.
thanks
Laura

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posted
28-Nov-2009 02:36
by: seasister »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 02:58
by: grignani »

1 replies , 26 views location: Cambodia

Sihanoukville: Otres or Ochheuteal Beach?

Hello

We're travelling to Cambodia for the first time; we've got accommodation lined up for Otres beach and Ochhteuteal Beach (both at recommended places) but we're concerned that we've heard that Ochheuteal Beach is really busy. Not knowing either, any input is welcome! We're looking for paradise, obviously! :-)

Thanks
Jo

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posted
28-Nov-2009 02:08
by: maggiejo »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 05:00
by: Captain_Bob »

1 replies , 19 views

direct train Aranya Prathet to Bangok airport

I've seen various times for an afternoon train that goes direct from Aranya Prathet to Bangok airport. Has anyone taken this recently or otherwise know what time it departs and arrives? Thanks, MJ

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posted
28-Nov-2009 02:04
by: maggiejo »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 02:04
by: maggiejo »

0 replies , 11 views location: Cambodia

share taxi Siem Reap to Poipet Tuesday 1 Dec

Anyone want to share an early morning taxi from Siem Reap to Poipet on Tuesday 1 December? I'm staying at Shadow of Anchor (by the river). Thanks, MJ

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posted
28-Nov-2009 01:32
by: dulcifium »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 03:54
by: CMBurns »

1 replies , 25 views

Cambodia overland - e-visa or VOA?

Heading into Cambodia (PP) from HCMC overland. Should I get an e-visa or VOA at the border?

I know that e-visa is only valid at one of the two crossings from HCMC - am I likely to go through the one where it's invalid? And is e-visa usable at any exit point, or only particular ones?

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posted
28-Nov-2009 00:25
by: fugree »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 00:25
by: fugree »

0 replies , 10 views location: Vietnam

National Parks - Transport and Accommodation

Hi
I'm planning a trip to vietnam and would like to visit Cat Tien, Bach Ma, and Cuc Phuong National Parks. I do not want to go with a tour group, and would like to be as independent as possible, so I would like to know:

1 - Is it reasonably easy to get to these places independently ?. For example, is there a bus service from HCMC to Cat Tien ?, or is getting a taxi feasible ?. Lonely Planet suggest part bus and part motorcycle, but that's not an option for me because I'll have a suitcase !. Are taxis/private vehicles expensive ?

2 - Do I have to go through a tour agency to book accommodation at (or near the parks)? what's the best way to book accommodation there ?

Thank you

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posted
28-Nov-2009 00:09
by: angsta »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 02:30
by: sbruny »

1 replies , 32 views location: Cambodia

Watching Football in Sihanoukville

Is there anywhere half decent to watch football matches on the weekends in Sihanoukville? The corner bar has good food but the mainly ex-pat clientele make it one of the most depressing venues in the South of Cambodia.

Any other suggestions?

Many Thanks

angsta

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posted
27-Nov-2009 23:09
by: nicolajanexx »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 01:04
by: StraightnoChaser »

1 replies , 31 views location: Vietnam

Open bus Ticket- HCMC

hi all :)
arriving in vietnam on december 1st and planning to travel north to hanoi over the space of about 3 weeks. from what ive read, seems like the open bus ticket is the way to go?
can anyone recommend a good place to buy these tickets (and are there different companies?)
also, what should i expect to pay, around US$25?
thanks in advance for any advice!
cheers,
nicola

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posted
27-Nov-2009 22:53
by: papercutgirl »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 04:04
by: zeke7 »

2 replies , 32 views

Visa in South East Asia, specifically Myanmar.

Hi

I am a first time traveller who is getting a little confused about all the visa arrangements I need to make. I'm planning on flying into Myanmar from Calcutta around the 1st of April. Is it possible to get a visa from Calcutta (where i plan to fly from), or would I be better to get one from Delhi on arrival in Jan? It is just that as far as i can see if i get one now (i.e. in UK) it will have run out by the time i reach Yangoon, correct?

Any help appreciated :)

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posted
27-Nov-2009 21:05
by: cambodiaroadtrip »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 02:06
by: NormC »

1 replies , 51 views location: Cambodia

Across Thai border(poi pet) without cheater,mafiataxi & mafia association!

Hi! Dear, I was meet too many tourist was complain about cheater, mafia taxi and mafia transport association. So better idea you should booking to any tours company or you can check: www.cambodiaroadtrip.com Asking about his taxi service, and you should booking his service before 3days you come!!

Cambodiaroadtrip

+855 97 97 00 117

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posted
27-Nov-2009 20:17
by: purpletreefrog »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 00:47
by: Cocodrilo »

2 replies , 45 views

Arriving in Phnom Penh - where would you stay?

Hi,

A friend and I will be flying into Phnom Penh (from different sides of the globe) and meeting up at the airport there. We won't land until about 11pm so it is going to be midnight or so by the time we clear customs etc.

I'm after advice on what to do that first night. Would it be best to arrange to stay somewhere which will do an airport pickup for us? Any suggestions on a good place? Or do you think it is easy enough to get from the airport to a hotel/hostel regardless of the time? If so any places you'd recommend us to stay?

Basically we are after something clean, basic is fine. Cheap is good but it doesn't have to be absolute bargain basement prices, especially not for the first night or two. Two places I was looking at after seeing recommendations on here are Dara Reang Sey Hotel and Me Mates Place. Any comments on those?

Thanks
ptf more »

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posted
27-Nov-2009 17:21
by: beeherenow »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 07:00
by: mosegrisen »

7 replies , 164 views location: Myanmar

Getting into Myanmar by land without return ticket? Thailand-India by land.

Hi friendly strangers. I'm a Norwegian female traveler currently in Bangkok, hoping to eventually make my way up to India without flying. Im assuming going through Myanmar is easier than China. Does anyone have any experience with this route and particularly concerning getting into Myanmar without flying in (and not having ticket going out of the country)? Would it for instance be enough to get a travel initiary confirming a bus or train schedule? Also; If you have any experience on getting the visa to Myanmar, I'd love to hear about it!

Thanks for all you feedback!
bee

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