Adding Vietnam onto Thailand Trip

sarah69696pink

Hi All,
Thanks to all those who have already helped me out with some Thailand advice, my trip is starting to come together.

I found some fairly good priced flights that involved a short stop in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) which got me thinking about adding 2 or 3 nights on add the end of our holiday there. But when I've looked at doing a multiple destination holiday with them even though the flights are the same times (but going home involve a gap of 50 hours instead of 2) the price rockets! Is this normal, or is there a way around this?

Also if I was thinking of Bangkok, Koh Tao and Ho CHi Minh City are there any recommendations as to which order to do them in?

Thanks for all your help!

phatbear

I was in Vietnam for 2 weeks in March and can highly recommend it.

You mentioned a reasonable priced flight into vietnam, however remember you will need, assuming you are a brit, a visa to the enter vietnam.

The cheapest way of doing this is to get a letter of introduction from an agency, approx $20, and then pay for a VOA when you arrive in Ho Chi Minh, $25.

Hi Cho Minh has an amazing vibrancy to it, just remember when the crossing the road to walk fast and dont stop

sarah69696pink

Thanks Phatbear, had not considered visas as the Vietnam add on had only just occurred to me, I will look into this.

possibly a silly Q, but if we decide to not to Vietnam but still fly Vietnam Airelines to Bangkok (connecting flight at HCS) will I still need a visa if I don't leave the airport?

Mr_Wang

HCMC is not worth going to Vietnam for alone.

Khao San and Sukhumvit offer up much of the same in Bangkok. Vietnam is a country that begs to be lingered in and given the extra costs and hassle its not worth it for only a couple of days.

If you are looking for a few days at the end then my suggestion would be the idyllic Koh Samet just a bus and boat from Bangkok.
Go midweek and have the island pretty much to yourselves.

shaunskankdog

I agree with Mr Wang. I was in HCM for 3 nts and saw all the sights...then I got a bit bored so I took the bus to Phnom Penh for $10 which was much better.....but each to their own I guess. You should youtube "Ho Chi Minh traffic" to see how crazy the motorbikes are. Hanoi would be better but a bit chilly in our winter season. Always good to add the stamp to your passport though lol.

sarah69696pink

Thanks all!! I am in total deliberation......so far planned for definite is Bangkok, then train down to South Gulf, over to Koh Tao (will probably island hop to Koh phangnan too) then back up to Bangkok. Was then planning on the heading to Vietnam, but will into Koh Samet.