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re: travel to Vietnam

 
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dtomchek



Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 135
PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 6:01 am    Post subject: re: travel to Vietnam Reply with quote
Hello everyone:

I am currently on the JET program in Japan but was looking to travel to Vietnam this winter (New Year holidays). I did contact a tour agency and for 6 or 7 days, I was looking at about $700 not including international fights, visas, that sort of thing. Did include Saigon, Chu Chi, Nha Trang, My Lai, and couple of other places (included transportation within country and some meals I guess).

My ? is, "[b]Are these tours worth it or is it feasible/cheaper/more convienient to travel on your own as a backpacker (or is that even an option)?
Any thoughts on this and where to go/what is worth seeing would be appreciated. As a history teacher back in the States, sites involving the Vietnam War are especially interesting. Also, is it better to fly to Saigon or by bus from Bangkok via Phom Penh?
Thanks for the help!!!
Stay Genki
Dav
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desultude



Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 614
PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Hello everyone:

I am currently on the JET program in Japan but was looking to travel to Vietnam this winter (New Year holidays). I did contact a tour agency and for 6 or 7 days, I was looking at about $700 not including international fights, visas, that sort of thing. Did include Saigon, Chu Chi, Nha Trang, My Lai, and couple of other places (included transportation within country and some meals I guess).

My ? is, "[b]Are these tours worth it or is it feasible/cheaper/more convienient to travel on your own as a backpacker (or is that even an option)?
Any thoughts on this and where to go/what is worth seeing would be appreciated. As a history teacher back in the States, sites involving the Vietnam War are especially interesting. Also, is it better to fly to Saigon or by bus from Bangkok via Phom Penh?
Thanks for the help!!!
Stay Genki
Dav


First, the bus from Bangkok to Sai Gon via Phnom Penh will take your week and break your back. Fly to Sai Gon! Unless you want to see the rocky, muddy, pitted roads of Cambodia. Cambodia is worth a trip, don't get me wrong, but it is not the best way to get to a trip to Viet Nam.

If you want an air conditioned room everywhere you go in Viet Nam, it should cost you about $10 a day, less if you don't need A.C.

The air conditioned soft sleeper train from Sai Gon to Da Nang is $30-$40 ( I don't remember which). The plane is about $55. You are really extravagant if you spend more than $15 a day for food and booze. And that is extravagant. I spent $15 or less a day, including A.C. room, in Sai Gon last month.

You can also take the cafe open bus for dirt cheap to all of the points on your itinerary.

So, fly from Sai Gon to My Lai, bus to the local and close in places, stay in an air con room, eat well and drink heartily, go to tourist sites:
Seven Days:
Room $70
Flights $110
Buses, motos $40 (max)
Meals $105
admissions $50 (max)

An extravagant trip, including booze (not included on a tour) would cost you $375. What does the travel agency offer for $700? Companionship and guides? Okay, guides are available on local tours. The tour for the Cu Chi tunnels, with transport and guide should not be more than $8-10 MAX! As for companionship, there are westerners traveling to all of the sites you mention, and it is very easy to hook up with people.

Travel on your own, is my advise. I did it last month for over a month. I'm a single older woman, and had no problems and it was very cheap and fun.
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ellie



Joined: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi I live in Japan and I went down to Vietnam at Golden week for about 12 days. I got a flight into Saigon and out of Hanoi (on many airlines this is no extra) which I highly recommend to avoid backtracking. I took an australian group tour which was good fun and in the price range you are looking at but it is defintely feasible and cheaper to do your own thing. Personally I wanted the company. Internal trains and planes are very cheap and the 'backpacker buses' cost virtually nothing. Accommodation is cheap and of a much better standard than anywhere else I've been in south east asia.
whatever you do get a copy of Lonely Planet vietnam. It's a bible.
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Guest
PostPosted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:52 pm    Post subject: Desultude is right!! Reply with quote
I have traveled in Vietnam! Its a lot better to travel on your own! You can practically plan while you travel!, take your time, meet locals if you want........etc......

When you are in a tour group, you are under time constraints and its almost a chore.......takes the fun out of the trip!. Almost like you are working.

Vietnam is great!

have fun
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dtomchek



Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 135
PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hey everyone:

Thanks for the great advice...I have never liked the "tour" thing and it sounds like doing it yourself is a real possibility...any advice on where/how/easiest/cheapest way of getting a visa???

Stay Genki
Dave
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ellie



Joined: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
any travel agent in japan will do it but charge upwards of 10,000. I went to the embassy in tokyo, paid about Y3000 and it was issued on the spot. Dead easy. Japanese people dont need one so there is no queue! I think they do it by mail in a week if you send them a SAE. See http://www.vietnamembassy.jp/index_e.html
Note that you need to know your exact date of arrival.
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