Backpacking Asia advice
Dec 31, 2012, 10:17 pm
#46
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Coming back from Bagan to Rangoon, I flew with Air Bagan...and even with those ellipses I'd fly in their props again.
Jan 2, 2013, 2:10 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 219
I hadn't heard of that one.
Last year I got a visa from the PNH embassy and realized, upon getting home, I petitioned for one day later than my flight. Went back to the embassy, told them that I screwed up, had $45 (for a new visa) in my pocket, and they fixed it there and then no charge.
Last year I got a visa from the PNH embassy and realized, upon getting home, I petitioned for one day later than my flight. Went back to the embassy, told them that I screwed up, had $45 (for a new visa) in my pocket, and they fixed it there and then no charge.
Jan 2, 2013, 2:58 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
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Posts: 17,263
Jan 4, 2013, 10:31 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 219
I read that having the looseleaf Vietnam visa can lead to problems when going to Laos from Vietnam - that you can be turned away, because the Vietnam border agent takes the looseleaf visa away, then later when entering Laos, the border agent doesn't let you in without seeing exit stamp on the Vietnam visa.
The stamping fee for single entry 30 day visa just went up from $25 to $45.
I called the Vietnam embassy in Washington, DC, today, and the total cost for single entry 1 month is $110 and 3 month $140 with 2 day processing time.
I hope to pick up the visa in Phnom Penh at a lower cost and avoid the hassle of mailing my passport.
Jan 4, 2013, 11:04 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
For the Indonesia section of my journey, I am now planning to fly into Jakarta and travel on train to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Banyuwangi, and then ferry it over to Bali, followed by a bus to Denpasar.
How easy is it to travel by train across Java? I know the journey has to be done in stages, but that's fine by me as I am planning to stop everywhere anyway (Yogya, Bromo etc).
How easy is it to travel by train across Java? I know the journey has to be done in stages, but that's fine by me as I am planning to stop everywhere anyway (Yogya, Bromo etc).
Chris
Jan 4, 2013, 11:47 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 219
My traveling partner (DW) wants to stop in Sihanoukville, so that sounds like a good idea. Curious do you remember what it cost and if it was stamp in the passport?
Jan 4, 2013, 11:55 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
Chris
Jan 5, 2013, 3:54 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
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How much did it cost, (including the stamping fee)? And was it a stamp in the passport or the looseleaf visa?
I read that having the looseleaf Vietnam visa can lead to problems when going to Laos from Vietnam - that you can be turned away, because the Vietnam border agent takes the looseleaf visa away, then later when entering Laos, the border agent doesn't let you in without seeing exit stamp on the Vietnam visa.
The stamping fee for single entry 30 day visa just went up from $25 to $45.
I called the Vietnam embassy in Washington, DC, today, and the total cost for single entry 1 month is $110 and 3 month $140 with 2 day processing time.
I hope to pick up the visa in Phnom Penh at a lower cost and avoid the hassle of mailing my passport.
I read that having the looseleaf Vietnam visa can lead to problems when going to Laos from Vietnam - that you can be turned away, because the Vietnam border agent takes the looseleaf visa away, then later when entering Laos, the border agent doesn't let you in without seeing exit stamp on the Vietnam visa.
The stamping fee for single entry 30 day visa just went up from $25 to $45.
I called the Vietnam embassy in Washington, DC, today, and the total cost for single entry 1 month is $110 and 3 month $140 with 2 day processing time.
I hope to pick up the visa in Phnom Penh at a lower cost and avoid the hassle of mailing my passport.
If you go there, make sure you ignore everyone outside (including the guard) and walk into the embassy proper. They have a psuedo-scam where tuk tuks/motos drop you at the guard house (40 meters north of the entrance) and the guard asks to see your passport and then tells you the cost for a visa. If you get dropped at the real entrance you have no problems. If you get dropped at the guard house ignore anyone talking to you (or hurl expletives if you feel inclined
) and walk south 40m to the real entrance where there is no guard.It sounds much worse than it is.
Jan 5, 2013, 1:27 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 219
I was originally considering going direct from Phnom Penh to Saigon, but your itinerary sounds better, Sihanoukville To Phu Quoc vi Ha Tien and then eventually to Saigon. I like the slower pace. Thanks for the idea.
Jan 5, 2013, 6:50 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
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For a really slow pace skip Sihanoukville and enjoy Kampot/Kep instead before heading on to Ha Tien.
Jan 5, 2013, 7:58 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
Phu Quoc is worth a look. Maybe the only beaches in VN that will be warm in the Winter. The boat I took out there a couple years ago, was just marginally seaworthy and it's a fairly long trip from Vietnam despite the fact you can spit on PQ from Cambodia. No paint or varnish and the engine conked out for 45 mins. I think the ferries have been upgraded and they have a hydrofoil from Ha Tien now. LINK: http://discoverphuquoc.com/bysea.html You can fly back to SGN cheaply as well.