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Vietnam

Thomask
Thomask Posts: 557 Forumite
in Overseas holidays & travel planning
Hi People

I will be landing in Singapore on 11 March and looking to get to Vietnam for 10 days.

- What are my options? Who are the cheapest for flights? I hear if you fly out of a little Maylasian airport it is cheaper than Singapore. Anyone know about this? Can you take a bus instead?

- I hear there is a particular order you do the cities in Vietnam in based on their geographic whereabouts. Does anyone know this order? Which are 'must see' cities? Where is the village based where all the tailors are?

- Are ATMs readily available? Do many places offer WiFi (thinking Cafes over hotels)

- Can anyone recommend good backpackers? Thinking of booking ahead to be safe. Is this necessary or is March a fairly quiet time? How much should I expect to pay for a shared dorm?

- What are some 'must do' things? I hear there's a river you can float down drinking beer? Is this good fun or a little tacky to say the least?

- Is a Visa required to enter Vietnam? If so, how much is this? Where and when can this be obtained and does the price differ depending where you get it from?

I realise some of this information can be found on Google but I'm interesting in hearing first hand experiences!

Thanks

Comments

  • jammin_2
    jammin_2 Posts: 2,461 Forumite
    I'll answer what I can..
    Thomask wrote: »
    Hi People

    I will be landing in Singapore on 11 March and looking to get to Vietnam for 10 days.

    - What are my options? Who are the cheapest for flights? I hear if you fly out of a little Maylasian airport it is cheaper than Singapore. Anyone know about this? Can you take a bus instead?

    Have a look at Tiger Airways

    your_flight_selection.gif
    Singapore (SIN) to Ho Chi Minh City(SGN) Wed, 11 Mar, 09 Depart SIN 15:20hrs TR 328 Arrive SGN 16:35hrs

    Singapore (SIN) to Ho Chi Minh City(SGN) Wed, 11 Mar, 09 Depart SIN 15:20hrs TR 328 Arrive SGN 16:35hrs

    Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Singapore(SIN) Mon, 23 Mar, 09 Depart SGN 17:25hrs TR 329 Arrive SIN 20:20hrs

    Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Singapore(SIN) Mon, 23 Mar, 09 Depart SGN 17:25hrs TR 329 Arrive SIN 20:20hrs
    price_summary.gif Lowest Fare (SIN to SGN) 1 Adult @ 10.00 10.00 SGD Taxes / Fees [ details ] 45.00 SGDLowest Fare (SGN to SIN) 1 Adult @ 10.00 10.00 SGD Taxes / Fees [ details ] 60.00 SGD
    Total Price
    125.00 SGD


    You could go overland and / or via Malaysia, but at £50 for your return flight, it'd be a lot less hassle to direct from SG to HCM.
    Thomask wrote: »
    - Is a Visa required to enter Vietnam? If so, how much is this? Where and when can this be obtained and does the price differ depending where you get it from?

    Have a look at the Vietnam embassy website in London. You can get a visa in advance, but you can also get one on arrival. That is, you can (or your could), when you enter over land from Cambodia. Might be different flying in. Cost was about US$20 iirc.

    Piece of advice - DON'T EVER take a motorbike taxi in Vietnam. Cheap and convenient the may seem. The rider can take you to any back alley they like, remember that.
  • omelette451
    omelette451 Posts: 1,900 Forumite
    A normal travel guide will answer many or most of your questions. LP/RG available from bookshops and libraries; https://www.wikitravel.org for online advice.
  • Incapuppy
    Incapuppy Posts: 5,713 Forumite
    Thomask wrote: »
    Hi People
    I realise some of this information can be found on Google but I'm interesting in hearing first hand experiences!

    Or maybe you just want other people to do the legwork for you?

    Try looking at Trip Advisor or Lonely Planet forums for more info.
  • Voyager2002
    Voyager2002 Posts: 16,349 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Incapuppy wrote: »
    Or maybe you just want other people to do the legwork for you?

    Try looking at Trip Advisor or Lonely Planet forums for more info.

    Agreed.

    I will say that when I went there, a visa in advance was absolutely vital if you were flying in. (There was some way to arrange things in advance so that the visa was stamped into your passport at the airport, but that is even more hassle than just getting a visa at an Embassy.)

    One other point: public transport is not very safe, with crazy traffic and poorly-maintained buses. For this reason I bought a package that included transport, guides, and some hotels, yet gave me the flexibility that I needed (I could leave the tour and rejoin the next one whenever I felt like a few days somewhere). I was satisfied, and in particular the drivers were extremely careful and skilled while the vehicles seemed to be in good condition. I bought my tour from an outfit called Kim Cafe, but there are several others based in the same part of town.
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