Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SarcasmKills]

Ok.. here's the situation...

I'm planning on going to Vietnam next week...

I plan on flying into HoChiMin and flying out of Hanoi 4-5 weeks later...
My travelling partner bailed on me (cheap ba$tard) so it looks like I'll be going solo.. I've never been and have NO clue what to expect.. and I don't think a Lonely Planet can answer all my questions

I just have some questions for some Vietnam veterans..

1. How easy is it to travel from HoChiMin to Hanoi... Of course I'd like to stop at some places on the way, but what is the transportation system like? Main reason I ask is that I want to make sure I can make my flight out on time..

2. . How easy is it to do sidetrips to Cambodia or Laos? I heard that I can get a Cambodian visa at the border, but how about Laos? Any recommendations

3. Places to stay, easy to find?

4. Since I'm only going for 4-5 weeks is that enough time to see everything? should I maybe concentrate on one area alone (ex. fly in and out of Hanoi?)

I'm positive I'll have some more questions...

Any recommendations as to what to/not to see or what to/not to do would be greatly appreciated!

[discostar23]

Ok I'm not an expert on Vietnam or anything but I have been planning a trip in September for a couple of months.

A friend of my girlfriend's went two times in the last two years and here is what she had to say....

traveling- easy (I couldn't tell you about cambodia or laos sorry) But she said its quite cheap and easy to get around. There is a beach about an hour away from hochi and it cost her something like 5 american dollars for a taxi ride. She said there is also lots of buses which are cheaper .

accomindation- She said she got a room for $2.50amer. a night. Hot water and A/C included.

As far as I can gather everything is cheap there. even cheaper then here. So as long as you have enough money the world is your oyster.

[Paji eh Wong]

You can get from HCMC to Phnom Phen in about 6 - 10 hours. If you're going to Cmabodia, you should try to get a visa in advance, because you'll get baksheeshed at the border. If you get the chance, you need to see Angkor Wat, and spend 3 or more days. Consider flying if you have the money. Happy trails.

[SarcasmKills]

[jajdude]

I haven't yet been there either, but my little bit of reading tells me it's just as well to take a plane from HCM to Hanoi. Several days on a train doesn't sound like much fun. OK, nice sight seeing. How about sleep and other things?

Or maybe you could take a train for a day? I don't know where is good to go to. Ha Long Bay up north, rent a boat? sounds good. Hue sounds nice.

I'm pretty sure there are lots of cheap places to stay, and nice places to visit even near the big cities. A month isn't a long time for a country like Vietnam I suspect.

Have you looked at the Vietnam discussion board? And www.mekongesl.com may help as well.

When you going sarcasmkills? I'm leaving next Friday 16th. Not sure of time yet. Could call travel person to check.

Gimme a shout if ya want some sort of at least short-lived companion. I will be looking for work there.

Have a good one.

[qt_pi]

I spent a month backpacking thru Vietnam in 2002. Thus this info might be a little out of date. I travelled from Hanoi to HCMC using both bus, train. I would definately try to take a train on most journeys (when i was there they were just starting to lay sealed roads on some of the larger journeys) Equals to a bumpy ride in a bus. But 4 weeks will be enough to see quite alot of the country. I spent a week afterwards in Laos, beautiful country. So here is my opinions;
1. Extremely easy. Book into any of a dozen places offering buses between cities. Take a train, most run atleast once a day. All can be booked easily if you are staying in the backpacking areas.
2. Well as i did it after I had finished my trip in Vietnam I'm not positive, but there were quite a few people that were able to get visas at the borders. I think it depends on the country.
3. Places to stay plentiful and cheap. Never paid over US$10 a night for a double.
4. I think in 4-5 weeks you will have enough time to see the whole country. I would check with visa's though, when i went I was only able to get a 30 day visa. But it could have changed.

Anyway have a wonderful time it is a wonderful country.

[Paji eh Wong]

[the eye]

getting to te Cambodian border..... there are small and large tour buses, and the roads are decent. but its true about the nickel and diming. also, the border guards pull their own tricks by chrging you for taking your 'entry photo', without using film. they will also charge you for the 'paper' when you fill out forms at the border. make sure you notice their gold watches and jewelry.....it made me livid.

travel inside Cambodia is challenging. rural roads are clay at best and they are extremely rough and tumble. the bus drivers in
Cambodia dont hesitate to take on these roads with full vigor....

it took 9 hours of bone rattling torture to get from PnomPhen to the border. the seats had no head rest, and the bus had no air conditioning. the seats seem like they were made for children...and i am by no means considered to be a large person.
after about 5 hours, the heat and shaking was making me quite ill. i was cramped in a tiny seat with no way to lean back and relax.

we blew out 2 tires in the middle of nowhere because of high speed on the chewed up road.
to cross rivers(which are many), you have to be ferried across by a primitive contraption.

because there are many waterways, boat travel is also an option. however, people i met there were disappointed with even the main route between Pnom Phen and Angkor. The boat was 2 hours slower than advertised, and it spewed exhaust fumes on the deck and cabin.

[Carla]

Oh, don't forget money for the exit fees. Is it just me, or is it only the "communist" countries charge you at the last minute to leave?