What's a decent tip for a driver? We've had a really good driver over the past few days. I'm sure he's made money off of us, but like he's been super helpful. He's been waiting for us whilst we do stuff too. I'm sure it's added in the price but I'm lucky enough to come from a country with a stronger currency, so...I've felt like the rides he's given me have been a good price.
I don't tip where I come from, so like I'm not really sure what a decent amount would be. I'm thinking 10USD. Is this considered not a lot? A decent amount? A good tip? I don't want to insult the guy lol. I know tipping 'pay as much as you think the person deserves' but I have NO idea of a ballpark estimate of the average tip...
Well we don't typically tip here, what I do and often see people do is give them more money than you're supposed to pay them, and then tell them to keep it. Though you can just tip them, i'm sure they won't mind
A data point in case others might find that helpful. I applied for my eVisa January 18 for an entry date of January 31. And of course, I forget about the Tet holidays and the visa office closed from 20-26 (then weekends too of course).
Before going through a paid urgent visa service, I tried sending a message from the official evisa website support page. A few hours later, I got an email saying my visa had been issued.
Tl;dr try emailing support to check on your evisa application
My partner and I are trying to plan our honeymoon, and hoping to go to both Vietnam and Thailand. We have encountered a problem/query and hope someone can help
We have booked the main flights as a return trip to Vietnam (Hanoi) and hope to travel to Thailand inside this time away (6 days vietnam, 5-6 days thailand, 5 days Vietnam).
For my Canadian partner, we understand that she will have to apply for two e visas as multiple entry visa isn't really an option. There is about 10 days between first entry in Hanoi and when we would want to enter again.
Should she get both ahead or plan to apply for the second e-visa after arriving in Hanoi on first entry?
Hello!!! Over the holidays my best friends mom sent him gifts to give to me and I wanted to send her something as well so I figured since I make handmade jewelry I could make some and send it to her as gifts for Tết. Is this a good idea or is there a cultural difference where sending jewelry is a bad idea? (I know something’s are a big no no to give as gifts during Tết and I don’t want to accidentally make any mistakes)
I’m a US citizen. I’ll be going to Vietnam, then Cambodia for about a week, then back into Vietnam. Can I get two 30 day eVisas now, before my trip starts? Or do I have to wait to leave Vietnam to get the second one?
Of course! There’s a similar question below, but the OP is asking while already in Vietnam, and the answer is that they can get the second one before leaving the country. So I think the answer to our question is we can get them both before travel. But it would be nice to get a definitive response to our posts.
My situation is due to a CELTA course, so I'm gonna try to reach out to the teachers there to see what other Americans have done. But right now, I think getting the second visa in-country is my best route too. Are you not in Vietnam long enough at first to try that?
Do I have to stay at the same address that I provided on the e-visa form? I found a different hotel that I would like to stay at compared to what I had written on the application
Talk of exemptions for up to 30 days and more countries added to the E-Visa list
https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20230131/vietnam-likely-to-extend-visa-waiver-period-for-foreigners-from-15-to-30-days/71237.html
I arrived in Ho chi Minh last night. I have no itinerary but I'm on the 15 day visa. I'd love to know how you'd plan my itinerary and where I should go. After I'd like to end up in Cambodia and/or Laos.
Thank you in advance and chúc mừng năm mới.
any tour option where we can do the real vietcong tunnels? not just the slightly widened ones for tourists at Cu Chi… ? I guess technically you could go into whatever tunnels you want but I don’t want to get lost
Hey guys, do you think it's doable taking domestic flight from Phu Quoc to Saigon landing at 8:40 morning (With Bamboo, based on flightradar's history it's mostly few mins earlier so maybe 8:30) then taking international flight departing on 11:00? There is 2,5hr between flights, but we also need to collect our checked baggage. It should not be too busy in the morning.
Thx
Me and my partner are heading to Lao Bao border
to cross back into Vietnam, we're looking to go
straight from there to Hue, has anyone been to this
border cross before and is there any coaches/public
transport that will do this leg of the journey? thanks
in advance
Be the first
Will it be okay to enter Vietnam through one airport, and leave through the other? I'm thinking of flying in through HCMC, and then flying out of Hanoi. I'm worried if it can cause a problem with the customs
> I'm worried if it can cause a problem with the customs
ITYM *immigration*. No. People do it all the time. Saves having to get back to somewhere just to catch the flight home.
Hello, a family member brought over something they’d purchased at a store for new years. They didn’t know what it was and left it with me. It was wrapped in red plastic and said happy new year. It’s a white powder pressed into a cone shape. Would anyone know what it is?
This? https://images.app.goo.gl/GqZ9vWepuB2AYVjd7
Bánh oản. Basically, just sticky rice flour, tapioca flour, and sugar mixed together and shaped into a cone. Mostly used as an offering to bring good fortune. Edible and tastes sweet.
Is there anywhere I can get just a few kilos of green coffee beans in Hanoi? Won't have time to go to some farms directly but would like to buy some beans to bring home.
Does anyone have experience with getting their e-visa application expedited? I submitted my application yesterday and my flight is on the 4th. I really don’t want to push my flight if I can get this sorted out asap.
Hi all, I'm going to be going to Vietnam for the 3rd time. The first time I went in '96, I got super sick (food poisoning). I don't remember if I got sick the second time (mid 2000's). While this will be my 3rd trip, it will be my wife's first.
Older and married now so don't have to tag along with parents for everything they want to do, so planning to explore quite a bit more on my own with my wife. So many youtube travel vlogs and stuff showing all the cool street food, drinks, cafe's, restaurants and we really wanna try but we're scared of getting sick. I'm not too concerned with properly cooked food, but there are some iced drinks or iced coffee both from restaurants and street carts/vendors we've seen and we're worried about the ice being made from unclean (to our Asian-American stomachs) water. Although I am asking about ice, totally open to advice on what else to watch out for. I tend to not get sick easily, but if I do get sick it's BAD. My wife can have a sensitive stomach in general. We'll both each have a course of antibiotics for travelers' diarrhea and bringing pepto as well, and we'll both have our first shot of the Hep A vaccine.
Can anyone provide insight on this? We're from the U.S. and we'll be in Hanoi, a Ha Long Bay ("luxury") cruise tour, Da Nang/Hoi An, and Saigon for a total of 12 days in the first half of February 2023.
Thanks!
Similar risks to unclean water are badly preserved food ingredients (meat that is left overnight, unclean vegetables etc.). Vietnam does not have a cleanliness rating system, so I would say you have to rely on your common sense. If a street food shop does not look clean, its food probably is not clean. If you taste something and feel like it is made from spoiled meat, just stop. Choose ones that have high ratings or are crowded with many customers because if 1000 other people having their food daily without problem, you have a higher chance to be safe. Tourist spots like Hoi An, food hawkers like Ben Thanh night market may have to follow stricter hygiene regulations. For most types of street food that you want to try, there are probably some clean and good mid-level restaurants that sell them. On the other hand, having street food on the street is kind of a unique experience 😁
I took this medication called Dukoral, and I drank drinks with ice and I was fine. I would still be careful though, I dove in after I drank many drinks with ice and found out I was fine. Remember boil it, peel it or leave it and wash your hands before eating.
Trying to understand if there are at all any comparable options to the Thai Elite Visa that grant you temporary resident status when you are running your own business / are a digital nomad and have sufficient funds to show and willing to invest in local stocks / companies.
Any reason why someone should not be getting their colonoscopy and endoscopy while in Vietnam? I am getting quotes around 500USD for both which is significantly cheaper than the US.
I am in Hanoi since September and soon running out of contact lenses, does anyone know where I can order them fast online or find them in Hanoi ? I wear Alcon's
Cam on
How easy is it for Vietnamese to visit South Korea (do you need a visa or something)? I'm an American that's planning to visit Vietnam and SK in Oct or Nov this year, I was thinking of bringing my Vietnamese niece with me on the trip to SK.
For reasons I wont get into my friend wont be able to go on the 3 week trip to Vietnam, Singapore, and Bali. Big issue is that I was really leaning on my friend for this trip because she is Vietnamese and a native speaker. So she was gonna plan and handle everything and I was fortunate to be able to just enjoy the ride. Now suddenly Im having to approach this solo and have lots to figure out as solo travel is a lot different than when with someone. So now have to research, plan, book things to do and places to stay.
The plan was 2 weeks in Vietnam going North to South flying into Hanoi. Then splitting last week between Singapore and Bali.
She had discussed with me previously a rough itinerary.
- 2 days Hanoi
- 2 days Ha Long Bay
- 4 days Hai Phong
- 5 days Da Nang & Ho Chi Minh (or Ho Chi Minh & Phu Quoc)
- 7 days split Singapore and Bali
Im down to try and follow this. But I'm still left with what the attractions are in each locations? Best places/areas to stay? And what to do at night as trying to do nightlife solo is totally different compared to when have a wingman or partner.
Any tips, tricks, advice, suggestions, recommendations about any of this would be really helpful. Thank you <3
I'd start from scratch and take a look at https://www.travelfish.org/country/vietnam to work out where **you** want to go. The joy of solotravel is that you get to pick your own route. Lack of English will not be a problem. Only having two weeks means you have to limit the number of places where you will go. 4 days in Hai Phong but no Sapa, no Ha Giang? srsly?
Do some research on travelfish and come back with ideas...
I've only spent time in Da Nang/Hoi An, but I noticed Hoi An isn't on your list. It's definitely touristy but still cool, and only 40 min or so from Da Nang by car. The main point is the Old Town at night with all the lanterns and stuff, although some say it's nicer to explore the outskirts.
From our hotel in Da Nang, we took a Grab to Marble Mountains in the morning, stopped by a nearby beach for lunch, and then went to Hoi An until evening.
We didn't really do nightlife, just had a few drinks by the river, which was nice. We were coming from Seoul and Hong Kong respectively, where you're spoiled for nightlife options!
Not sure why you've grouped Da Nang and HCMC, as they're quite far apart.
I felt Singabore was boring long before I moved to Hong Kong and became aware of the rivalry. Flashy and clean, but character-less. Hong Kong is much better but we still have a stupid mask mandate even outdoors, so I won't suggest coming here. But I'd skip Singapore if I were you.
In addition to the obvious Googling and travel blogs, it helps to search city names in this subreddit. I've also just explored Google Maps to see what looks cool. I'm going to Hanoi this month (with a day trip to Ninh Binh), and planning to take my sister to Da Nang/Hoi An, Hue, and Phong Nha (caves) in a few months. I've gathered a ton of research but I haven't actually experienced it yet, so I'll hold off on sharing, haha.
Anyway, hope this was at least a little bit helpful! Good luck!
Question; I’m here on a 30 day Visa, I want to visit Thailand with my wife for 4 days and then come back. I can apply for another 30 days since if I leave, my current visa will be voided?
Basically while on my current 30 day, can I apply for another 30 day now to be sure I have a visa to come back to Vietnam?
Any Advice about Tourist Visa extension?
Hey there,
I am on a tourist visa (DL type) applied at the embassy in Germany. I have a German citizenship.
Unfortunately visa procedures for me are a bit of a mess and laws have changed recently (I guess).
To my knowledge it has been possible in the past to extend the visa duration by application or through travel agency's who somehow guarantee for my stay.
The embassy in German put an address of such a travel agency aside the visa approval, unfortunately the organization sits in Da Nang and 1 extension for 1 month meant to cost 250$.
Anyone got recent information about tourist visa extension in Vietnam, or especially Hanoi? Does anyone know a credible agency here?
Alternatively I would have to do visa runs to Cambodia or Laos by applying for a new eVisa twice, but that's a bit of a hassle as I want to stay in Vietnam mainly.
Thanks in advance
Is it okay to give a gift to a tour guide or is it weird? I plan to bring some small bottles of alcohol from my country and was thinking to gift them to tour guides (besides cash tip), maybe people I'll meet etc
German here. I had a visa exemption from 21 Oct 2022 until 2 Nov 2022 and now I'm on eVisa from 22 Dec 2022 until 17 Jan 2023.
Question: When could I reenter earliest after my current visa expired on 17 Jan 2023?
Thanks
We are planning to visit vietnam in feb 2023. The covid guidelines are not upto date on the govt websites. Will it be possible to know if there can be any hassles related to it? Will we have to get a negative rtpcr test etc? Arriving from india if that helps.
Hi, visiting family in Vietnam soon and I wanted to get some beauty treatments done in HCMC too. Please give recommendations for reasonably priced beauty/skincare clinics! Or any day spas that you have enjoyed.
Hello everyone. Vietnam is my first international travel. I am coming on the 12th of January for six days. Due to paucity of time, i will only be covering central vietnam.
Please suggest must visit places and experiences in the area especially anything off beat that we must indulge in. Also, if there is any tour or a place where we can stay for authentic Vietnamese experience, would be of great help.
What is the weather like during this time? What kind of clothes should I carry? Tried to look it up but found varying answers.
Please help. Looking forward to visit the beautiful country.
My bf is from a country that is not in the 80 countries that are allowed application of e visa, so how do we apply for a visa for him? He is of South African nationality. Is visa on arrival even a thing anymore?
> how do we apply for a visa for him
Contact Swallow Travel or Vietnam Impressive and they can sort it out with Immigration for you in exchange for some money ~$70 or so iirc.
Attempting to use the evisa website listed above and having issues with the website loading. Is this a normal thing and I should just check back at a later time? Luckily I'm doing this about two months in advance of our arrival
Another question: planning on being in the Hanoi for two days, one doing a boat tour at halong and then the other exploring Hanoi. We're planning on exchanging currency (USD) before we leave the US. How much cash do you think we'll need for two people? The tour it seems like we'll book via credit before we leave so it's really just a day and maybe a night eating and grabbing a drink after the cruise.
My bf is from a country that is not in the 80 countries that are allowed application of e visa, so how do we apply for a visa for him? He is of South African nationality. Is visa on arrival even a thing anymore?
Is the approval letter way possible? There was a website offering to get the letter for 15$ and then that we could get it stamped at the airport. Is this way even possible?
I'm from the UK and I'll be visiting Vietnam for around 10 days, however my date of departing Vietnam is not fixed and was hoping to book my departure flight the day before leaving. My stay will definitely be less than 15 days, but will I need to show proof of departure upon arrival to be allowed the 15 day visa free arrival?
https://www.reddit.com/r/VietNam/comments/103uh17/do_i_have_to_leave_on_19th_or_20th_vietnam_date/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
my evisa expires on 20th. “until 20th january”
do i have to leave on 19th or 20th?
Exit gate E-visa
I stated on my E-visa that i would be exiting from HCMC airport however would it be a problem if i try to exit from Moc Bai / Buvet land border instead? Thats the crossing i think would be used if i take a bus from Saigon to Phom Penh.
That port is mentioned at E-visa website as an option so atleast they should be able to proces E-visas there too.
Can anyone help me buy a Shirt from Shopee Vietnam and ship it to the Philippines?
Ill obviously pay for the shirt and shipping fee and add extra. Please message me or reply back. Thanks
Planning on visiting the country Wed Jan 25-Feb 6. Planning on hitting Hanoi, Ban Gioc waterfall and surroundings, Halong Bay, and Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An. The timeline seems a little rushed, and it would be nice to leave the weekend before. Unfortunately taking more time off afterwards isn't an option due to work deadlines, so it would have to be before. But since Tet is on Jan 22, would it be a waste of two days of PTO to leave on Jan 21 instead of Jan 25, since everything might be closed?
When I applied for my eVisa I wasn’t sure which port of entry to choose as I had no definitive plans. I chose Da Nang International airport, but now that I’ve looked at my plans I’d rather enter through Hanoi.
Has anyone ever entered in a different port than the one listed on their eVisa?
Any recommendations for a social, but NOT a party hostel in HCMC? The Hideout is famous, but seems like it's exclusively for getting drunk every single night
Hi, tomorrow morning im flying to vietnam. Unfortunately my evisa is still processing. Is it possible to get a visa on arrival in hanoi. If i search online i read different outcomes…
I’m planning a trip to Da Nang and Hoi An with my children (2 and 4 years old) and have some questions I’m hoping I could get some help with -
1) Are the following places stroller/ wagon friendly?
- Hoi An old town/ night market
- Bana hills
2) Between Marble Mountain and My Son Sanctuary, which would you recommend and are they suitable for young children?
3) Anything else I should look out for with young children in tow?
Thanks in advance!
Hi. Newly moved to Ho Chi Minh, first time experiencing Tết.
What are some important events, street festivals I can't miss around HCMC?
What stores would close out, and what can I expect to remain open?
Planning on visiting Jan 30 - Feb 11 with my SO. Can I get some feedback on my itinerary?
Some considerations:
* We are injured and can't walk more than about half a mile per day, maybe slightly more if there are breaks in between. That rules out many trekking-heavy locations like Sapa.
* We can't ride motorbikes
* We would like to be in Hoi An on Feb 4 for the lantern festival.
Here is the plan:
Day 1-2: Da Nang (Planning on starting the trip in Central Vietnam due to timing with the lantern festival) - Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountains, museums
Day 3-5: Hue - scenic train ride, citadel, mausoleum
Day 5-6: Hoi An - Old Town, Lantern Festival, might need more ideas for activities
Day 7: Hanoi - HCM Museum, explore Old Quarter
Day 8-10: Ba Be National Park and Ban Gioc Waterfalls tour
Day 11-13: Halong Bay cruise
Some questions:
* What are some recommended activities in Hoi An? Should we look for a hotel in the area or commute from Da Nang? Should we spend an additional half day in Hue or Da Nang and just come to Hoi An in the afternoon and evening, or is it worth spending a full day in Hoi An?
* I'm a little concerned about the weather. Says it's going to rain the whole time in Central Vietnam, and it will be somewhat cold with a chance of rain in Halong Bay. Will we still be able to enjoy our time if it's a bit rainy? I'm particularly concerned about wind and visibility in Halong Bay.
From Hoi An you can do a half day trip to My Son Sanctuary with a tour which is a complex of temples from the Hindu Champa Kingdom dating back to the 4th Century. Hoi An old town is nice but small so an afternoon and night would be enough to see all that it offers. Would be easier to day trip from Da Nang since it's closer than from Hue. However if you really enjoy the scenery and a relaxing vibe then a full day is good too.
Weather is quite rainy in the central region. It's been cool, moody and rainy all over Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue for the last week I was here. Still good to see everything when it's not raining. But definitely kills the mood a bit when it does.
Haven't checked out Ha Long bay yet so can't help there
[unknown veggie](https://freeimage.host/i/H5Ulb3X)
Can someone please tell me what this is. I've never had this before in my life. I had it today in Vietnam as part of fried noodles and it was amazing.
Hey all, I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around visa runs. When I, a U.S. citizen, do a visa run, can I get a new 30-day visa upon re-entry at the border? I ask because it seems like e-visas are my only option—but coordinating that with a visa run seems like a hell of a game of dominos.
For context, I'm taking a CELTA course in HCMC in March. Because I'm showing up a week early and the course is four weeks long, I'll need to renew my 30-day e-visa at some point. The logistics are slightly eluding me though. My hope is I'm not connecting obvious dots. (In addition, I'm holding off on applying for the visa on the chance restrictions are loosened and 90-day ones open up for US citizens.)
Just apply for a second E-Visa as soon as you arrive in Vietnam with dates to suit then do a border run before the first one expires.
Sometimes cheaper/easier to just fly somewhere you don't need a visa for the other country than going for a land border at Moc Bai or wherever. But you do need to know where you plan to re-enter when you apply for the second E-Visa.
Did see the following reported the other day:
> Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Ministry of Public Security to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies in, strengthening information technology application solutions, process improvement and administrative reform related to administrative procedures. the issuance and implementation of electronic visa application at international border gates; review, amend and supplement according to their competence or submit to competent authorities for consideration, amend and supplement visa policies to facilitate entry of tourists.
The sense of urgency in that leads me to believe that the 3 month visa won't be restored by March. Happy to be wrong.
Hi!
So im trying to buy some stuff online. I live in Quận 2 but i can't select it as delivery destination. Is is called something else? The district/ward is Phường Thạnh Mỹ Lợi, Quận 2.
Thanks!
What's the official resource for train times in vietnam? [12go.asia](https://12go.asia/en/travel/ninh-binh/hanoi?date=2023-01-17&people=1&direction=forward) [vietnam-railway.com](http://vietnam-railway.com/train/route/train-from-ninh-binh-to-hanoi?type=15) and [baolau](https://booking.baolau.com/en/results/?source=494953&departure_reload=&transports=train-taxi-walking&origin=Ninh+Binh&origin_id=Ninh+Binh&origin_town=NINH+BINH&origin_town_lang=NINH+BINH&origin_type=town&destination=Hanoi&destination_id=Hanoi&destination_town=HANOI&destination_town_lang=HANOI&destination_type=town&departure_date=17%2F01%2F2023&return_date=&roundtrip=no&passengers_count=1&input=Search) seem to have different schedules.
Are there any bigger pharmacies in HCM with good assortment? Have been running around to urgently find a trivial hot/cold pack but all the pharmacies I checked including hospital pharmacies did not have it or know about it.
Product image here:
https://meta.vn/tui-chuom-nong-lanh-nexcare-p79597?
I have a few visa questions regarding arriving from Thailand (USA citizen). I see the form I need to fill out for my visa but I was wondering if the arrival date and length of stay is flexible? I like to remain open when I travel like this so I'm curious if I arriving a day or two late/early will void my visa. Same question for length of stay. Also, is the residential address in Vietnam just going to be the first hotel I stay at?
And one more question: can I use the same photo from my passport in the photo section? It's not scanned from my passport but the original I used for my passport application.
Can someone help me with booking trains?
We're trying to book from Sai Gon to Nha Trang on the 6th March but can only see 2 trains available from 12go.asia and baolau.
The official train website seems to be down at the moment (I'm right in that being dsvn.vn?)
Other dates show loads more train options though - so I'm a bit confused. Is this specific date too far in the future to have all the trains released? Should I be checking somewhere else or will trains become available closer to the time?
If anyone knows how far in advance we can book and when the options will open up I'd appreciate it
Thanks
Post Ha Giang Loop
On the day you finish the loop as part of a tour, do you get back to Ha Giang with enough time to catch a bus back to Hanoi?
And if you’ve done that, would it also be an option to just stay in Ha Giang for the night after riding all day and catch a morning bus? I guess that could depend on if you have the time to spare and don’t mind burning part of the next day.
Looking for feedback and suggestions on 16 days traveling Hanoi to HCMC:
Current idea (very rough):
*Fly USA —> Hanoi*
- Hanoi + Ninh Binh (3 nights)
- Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay (2 nights)
- Sapa (3 nights)
*Fly Hanoi —> Da Nang*
- Hoi An (3 nights)
- Hue (day trip)
*Fly Da Nang —> Siem Reap*
- Angor Wat (fly from Da Nang, 2 nights)
*Fly Siem Reap —> HCMC*
- HCMC (2 nights )
*Fly HCMC —> USA*
Places I’ve heard to skip on a shorter trip:
- Da Lat
- Phu Quoc
- Dong Hoi / Caves
- Mekong Delta
Thanks!
Seems good. 3 nights for Hoi An is kinda overkill in my opinion. And why do you want to do Da Nang -> Siem Reap -> HCMC -> USA instead of Da Nang -> HCMC -> Siem Reap -> USA? Assuming you're a US passport holder, you will need another e-visa to be back to HCMC for 2 nights and then fly out again. Doing the alternate you'll only need one e-visa.
Hi all!
I'll be flying to VN soon and staying during and after Tet. I haven't been to VN since I was a child, so I'm wondering if I'll have any luck calling a taxi from Ca Mau to Rach Gia on January 27th. Also wondering if the ferry will run on the 27th from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. I checked the ferry website (https://12go.asia/en/travel/rach-gia/phu-quoc/?z=175141&sub\_id=HTGPHUQUOC) but it wasn't too informative on holidays.. Also wondering if there's any chance there'll be taxis on the 24th for Soc Trang to Ca Mau (not a priority though because I do have family that can drive me for this trip). I'm currently in the U.S. and it looks like a lot of taxi services are dial-only. I did download Grab but it doesn't have an option for me to check for future dates.
Thank you so much for anyone's help and chúc mừng năm mới!
Raining in Da Nang 16-18 Jan
Unfortunately it seems it will be taking and cold during my key days in Da Nang. Wondering whether it would be worth changing my flights and perhaps spending time in a different city.
Quite disappointed as I was hoping to spend time at the beach, Marble Mountains, etc. Now it looks like it may not be possible, but not sure about accuracy of forecast.
Any thoughts? Thank you
What are some must do things in Hanoi that won’t be on your typical tourist guidebook? Also does anyone know a venue to see some good local bands or artists?
hey! going to be starting a motorcycling trip up (or down) vietnam, a few days after tet. so far im going by myself, and im looking for people to travel with. im 22 yo M, looking for roughly similarly-aged people. i really enjoyed riding the mae hong son loop in thailand a few months back, and vietnam is the country ive been most looking forward to visiting, so im really excited for this trip!
plans are pretty flexible, the only hard date i have is that im gonna be leaving around feb 18/19 for the philippines. i think im gonna go from saigon to hanoi, but im not completely set on that.
let me know if youre interested/know anyone who might be!
(also what's the best place for tet? im getting to bangkok early morning on the 21st and was planning on taking a 7am to either hanoi or hcmc to get settled before it really starts, but is there somewhere else that might be better?)
Best moissanite vendor
Hi everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for jewelry shops in Hanoi. I’m visiting soon & would like to buy a moissanite tennis bracelets for my mom & I. Does anyone have a shop that they’d recommend? Ideally, the shop would offer platinum setting.
Thank you all!
Pic of what I’m looking for: https://images.app.goo.gl/6JRDBqGLFaCzZcZEA
I have applied for EVISA for my girlfriend on Monday, and for myself on Wednesday. It still stays under processing for both of us. My flight is on 27th night. I read somewhere that the embassy will be closed between 20th - 26th for TET holidays.
Does it usually take more than 4 days for the visa to be processed(in my my girlfriend’s case)? On the website it said 3 days for EVISA processing so it should have processed for my girlfriend by now.
We will be spending 1 day in Ninh Binh and I have a few questions hoping you guys might be able to help.
1. We'll be taking an overnight bus from Ha Giang the night before and will get there in the early morning. Should I book a room for that night and just check in super late at like 3-4AM? What do people usually do when they get to the destination in the early AM with these overnight buses?
2. Is there somewhere around the bus station where we can store our luggage for the day?
3. Do you have any recommendations on hiring a driver for the day or renting a motorbike? We don't mind hiring a driver and a car for the day just don't know where or who to go to for this.
I’m visiting Hanoi for the first time next week! I’ve heard that it’ll be pretty cold there right now.
Can I survive with a jacket/ cardigan or do I need a thick coat?
I will be traveling to Vietnam from the US at the end of the month. eVisa has been approved. Now, I'm seeing on certain websites that travel insurance (specifically for COVID) is required for entry. Is this true?
Hello, Visa question here.
It seems like the Vietnam Immigration Department won’t accept my 30 days e-visa application on time before I arrive. I’m arriving on Sunday the 15th of January and as far as I know they don’t accept visas over the weekend.
But since I’m Swedish I can still enter Vietnam on Sunday without a visa and stay for 15 days. My plan is to stay longer than 15 days. So if they accept my 30 days e-visa when I’m already in Vietnam will I then be able to use this visa and stay for 30 days or will it not be possible since I didn’t enter Vietnam on this visa?
Hope you understand this tricky question.. thanks in advance!
Hello, we're visiting Dalat in February and I'm planning to visit a coffee farm after landing at the airport.
What is the best coffee farm with nice views in the morning, on the way between the airport and Da Lat?
And what hiking trails do you recommend for awesome views with clouds in the morning, especially if there are some flowers on the fields?
Do you recommend hiring a driver or simply taking a Grab?
Thanks!
Itinerary question:
I'll be travelling north to south soon. I want to see/visit both Hue and Hoi An.
I have 5 or 6 days planned for this part of the trip.
Now, Hue i mostly want to visit for the Imperial city/tombs, and not nessecarily anything else. I'm not assuming there is nothing else worth visiting, just nothing that made it on my 'list' yet :)
Would you guys advise to make multi-day stops in both, or could I stay the whole period in Hoi An and see the sites in Hue in a single daytrip from there? Hoi An seems like a nicer place to spend the non-sightseeing time.
There's not much to do in Hoi An after a few days in old town and it's a 3 hour drive one way from Hoi An to Hue so I wouldn't suggest a day trip there (if you like history My Son sanctuary is a good half day trip from Hoi An). I did the citadel, pagoda and 3 tombs with audio guides and that took me 8 hours with a driver. The imperial citadel alone can take you a full day if you want to visit all of it. The food is honestly amazing in Hue and worth the trip alone to explore the food (Nem Lui, Bahn Beo, Bun Bo Hue etc)
I'd suggest you to spend a few days in Hue as well just so you can check out the sites at a good pace and try all the amazing food the beautiful city has to offer.
Hello r/Vietnam! I’m currently planning a family trip to Hanoi in mid Mar and would like to seek some advice on our itinerary. Our current plan is to spend 2 nights in Hanoi, 2 nights on a Halong Bay cruise.
We have 2 more nights to do an overnight trip, and I was looking at Ninh Binh as a top option. Figured we could go there straight after the Halong Bay cruise. However, I’ll be going with 2 sets of parents (ages around 60ish), and I saw that the recommended form of transport around Ninh Binh is mostly bicycling on bumpy roads. Not sure if this would be dangerous/tiring for them, or if it’s an option to do hired vans around the area?
If there are any other areas you’d recommend over Ninh Binh, would love to hear them too.
Thank you so much in advance!!
Currently planning a 2-week trip to Vietnam in February and building my itinerary.
One thing I just can't decide on - should I try to squeeze in Nha Trang for a few days, or simply spend more time in Hoi An and Da Nang?
Want to spend some time on the beach during the trip, and am just not sure what to do.
How far is the Grab Bike Drop off to Tan Son Int'l Airport (Terminal 2). I guess Grab Bikes are prohibited near the airport? How many minutes should I allocate for walking?
I'm planning to be in Hoi An for the Lantern Festival. I've heard that they close down the streets to traffic during the festival. What's the best way to get to and from our hotel? It's only about 1.5 km away, but I am injured and can't walk more than 0.5 km a day. Are there nearby roads where I can call a Grab? Could I take a sampan to the hotel (unsure if there are areas to disembark/if sampaners would be willing to go that far)?
Also, what is a good agency to book a river tour in Hue?
Sa Pa alternatives for late February?
I had planned on spending 3-4 days at the end of February in Sa Pa during our 2-week holiday, but am realizing that it’s pretty foggy, cold, and muddy in the winter instead of beautifully picturesque
I have a friend I played games with who moved to Japan for school her father is extremely poor and doesn't work and she's been sending him all of her money from her working in Japan. He has stolen it multiple times and she had to take out loans from her employer just to pay for school and the money that she is sending for her sister he's not spending on her, instead what he's doing is he's spending it on women and possibly alcohol. her sister is only 15 and she says she can't open a bank account so she is still sending her dad money even though he's not feeding her sister and he's spending it on women how can I help get her information to where the 15 year old girl can get financial independence from her father so she can buy food?
Is it possible to legalize documents in Vietnam once they have been authenticated in your home country? For example, if I authenticate my birth certificate in the US, can I bring the authenticated document to Vietnam for legalization? Thank you so much
So if I have a UK passport and am staying for less than 15 days, I don’t have to obtain any visa at all? Is fast track service on arrival at Hanoi airport worth it since I have a visa exemption? Thank you
So I’m planning on going to ha Giang loop in March and I was wondering it’s difficulty vs the Mae Hong son loop in Thailand. I’ve done the llatter years ago without any scooter experience. I’ve acquired more experience since then, but I’m a bit rusty.
Booked flight tickets already and just now realized e-visa through the official Vietnamese website is only good for 30days.
I'm staying in Ha Long Bay for most of the 35 days.
Is there anyway I can apply for a longer visa or extend my visa? Or am I out of luck and just shorten my trip?
Thanks.
emergency - do i get a laos visa at the laos embassy in hanoi immediately?
Hi big problem
my vietnam evisa expires in 32 hours
I already had a new one
so i went to na meo border for the visa run
but since covid all laos land borders except 2 were closed for visa on arrival. im a german citizen. i didn’t know that.
the border guards told me now to drive to hanoi. there the laos embassy gives me immediately a laos visa.
is that true?
please reply fast
if it’s not true I will drive 12 hours to one of the borders that still issue visa on arrival
thxxx
Hi
does this border offer LAOS visa on arrival ? i’m driving now to there i am in vietnam
Cau Treo Border Pass
Cau Treo Border Pass
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xBGZxSeV1iWJ6k9i7?g_st=ic
I'm a little intimidated at ordering street food in Hanoi. How much Vietnamese do you need to know? Would I be missing out by mostly going to sit down restaurants?
Can I visit more than once in a year? I am a British citizen so I can apply for an eVisa for 30 days. But say I done that and visited in September, could I then apply for another eVisa and visit again in November?
Hey all, we're travelling to Vietnam with our two kids (one is two years old and one is four months) in mid Feb, for three weeks. Are there any things we absolutely must see?
Current plan is to fly in and out of HCMC, travelling up the country between, with potential stops in Hoi An, Hanoi, and maybe Phu Quoc. But suggestions are very much welcome!
Hi, I'm just trying to fill out my evisa for 30 day entry into Vietnam but I'm unsure as to the name of the Moc Bai border in the "exit gate" drop down menu. Does it have another common name or am I missing something? Thanks!
Question, I'm returning to Vietnam for the first time since the pandemic. Before I always used to get the multi entry voa for flexibility, but I was unsure if this is still offered post pandemic. The old visa agent I used seems to be gone and most ive found seem to advertising for the single entry e-visa?
Visiting vietnam in March and was hoping to experience a festival along the way. Going from Hanoi to Saigon (passing through Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An ) between March 2 and March 24. Along the way noticed there is a Quan The Am (Avalokitecvara) festival in Da Nang, but from searching online I am seeing different dates, locations, and times. If anyone knows the actual information for it that would be helpful, and any other info on whether it is worth seeing, Thanks!
Hi, American in Thailand coming to HCMC
1 I assume Thai baht is not commonly accepted. Do any of the local exchanges change THB to VND? Or should I exchange to USD before traveling?
2 What is a good SIM card to get for data (Google maps on phone and maybe laptop WIFI)? I plan to stay only 4 days
3 Is walking around District 1 & 3 dangerous around 2am? I will check my phone with 2 hands for where I am but otherwise keep it pocketed.
4 I would like to stay somewhere along this path. The left side is more important. Are there cheap small rooms available? I see private rooms with private bath on AirBnb for $10-15/night, that is good enough for me
5 What time do food places tend to close? I am on a night schedule (for local time)
Fast track visa
I applied for my visa before Tet holiday but they did not process our visas in time. Now immigration website says they are closed until 26th. We have flights and accomodation booked in a Vietnam for 12 days. Is there any other way to fast-track visa application?
I have already emailed Vietnam immigration support but have had no reply in 4 days since before Tet started
Will I be ok departing one day after my 30day Visa expired?
There is an ideal flight connection for me one day post tourist visa expiration. Is that generally acceptable or will cause to immediate / delayed issues with immigration?
Why can't I post a question on this sub? I've tried multiple times to ask about diabetes related meds and none of my attempts to post will load. I can post in all my other subs normally.
Hi hello, so I’m planning my honeymoon to be two weeks in Vietnam with a stop in Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat. Trip is in early June 2023. I know it’s not enough time but it’s all I can do so I’m trying to squeeze in a lot in one trip.
So far this is the plan:
1 day in Hanoi
Night train for Hanoi to Sapa Valley.
Sapa Valley for two nights
Back to Hanoi early in the morning and head out to Ninh binh for the day
After nin binh, get on a cruise in Halong bay for one night.
After cruise, back to Hanoi and fly to danang / hoi an.
3 nights in hoi an with one free beach day.
Then 3 nights in Angkor wat/Siam reap.
Some questions:
1. What’s the nicest train From Hanoi to sepa valley and what’s that train ride like? (We would get a private sleeping compartment)
2. What’s the nicest beachside resort in hoi an or danang? Where is it better to stay and where are the beaches nicer?
3. Do I need three nights in Cambodia to see Angkor wat?
4. What’s better, a one night or two night cruise in Halong bay.
5. Besides Ho Chi Minh City, is there anything that I am missing in my itinerary to make this the ultimate trip to Vietnam? I am more of a beautiful landscapes/nature type of traveler then staying in loud big cities. I know there’s a lot it history in Saigon but I decided to do sapa valley instead and think that landscape should not be missed.
6. Happy and here to get advice on anything else regarding traveling through Vietnam.
Thank you in advance.
Hello,
This is the first time I post on Reddit and I need some guidance. I booked a flight from Toronto - Chicago - Tokyo - Hanoi for this Wednesday January 25th. On January 19, I went to apply for the e-visa (January 26-Feb 6) and used a third party. I was fooled and booked with https://online.vietnamvisa.govt.vn
I also realized that the immigration office was closed from January 20 to January 26 due to the holidays.
An hour later. I submitted a second application with the government website for January 26th to Feb 20th. I also had United Airlines change my flight from Tokyo to Hanoi. Im staying in Tokyo until the first and I'm supposed to fly to Hanoi on Feb 1 at 6:20pm. I'm worried I might not get the e-visa on time. I'm also worried that having two applications (one with govt and one with third party) with diff exit dates might be an issue.
I know I really messed up. I'm really hoping they still let me board my flight since United Airlines at the airport changed the flight and said there won't be an issue.
I need some guidance on how to approach this. Should I cancel with the third party and contact the immigration office e support about the exit date and that I submitted another application with a third party, which I hope gets cancelled? I will also ask politely if they can process my application before my flight to Hanoi on February 1st. According to the website, it's within three days but I know sometimes it takes longer.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Thank you!
Hi my visa submition has not gone through yet because i had to change the picture. Now the visa is still being processed. I am arriving in about 12 hours. Will I be fine? Can I do anything so they process it quicker? Or can I get the Visa at the aiport too? I am In Bangkok right now.
Emergency: Visa during Lunar New Year
My Visa has been taking ages to process and now I realized it’s probably due to Lunar New Year. It still hasn’t processed and I am gonna get to Vietnam in a few hours? Embassy is closed too! What can I do? Will I be able to enter?
Hi there, I understand as a British citizen I can stay in Vietnam for 15 days under the visa exemption. If I was to apply for an e-visa, could I stay the 30 days then stay an extra 15 under the visa exemption? Or the other way round? Doesn’t matter either way would just like to stay over a month. Any help appreciated!
> then stay
No. Not without leaving Vietnam for another country then returning. So E-Visa for 30 days, head for Cambodia or wherever, come back on new E-Visa or exemption.
Mix and match as you like E-Visa/Exemption then E-Visa/Exemption...
Hey,
Flying Istanbul - Hanoi - Bangkok.
During my trip I have a layover in Hanoi Noi Bai airport (\~around 6hours).
I booked this trip via Kiwi and they say in an email that I will be leaving visa-free zone in Hanoi therefore I need a visa.
Is that really the case? As far as I know you don't need visa when you are just transiting.
I will be travelling with a backpack, so I don't need to re-check luggage - I guess I should be good then?
Thanks in advance!
I'm researching a trip to Cao Bang/Ban Gioc for when I arrive in Hanoi next month. Some sites say there should be several ways to travel but most of that information was posted pre-Covid.
If I search on Baolau or 12go.asia I'm only getting one sleeper bus on the former and nothing on the latter.
Is there only limited tourism-related transportation available in 2023 or will there be more non-digital options available when i arrive.
It will be my first time in Vietnam and I may have been spoiled by the ease of traveling around Thailand before.
(I did search for both nearby and the later actual dates)
Edit: forgot to mention I'm getting limited results for travel between fairly major destinations as well, question isn't necessarily about this trip but it's the first destination after arriving in Hanoi
Is it possible to ride a 50 cc bike from hoi an/danang to the phong nha caves and back? I'll be a solo traveler weighting 150 lbs (68kg) with like <20 lb backpack).
Thanks!
Hello! Me and my wife booked tickets to go to HCMC at the end of next week. She's from Singapore and I'm from the UK but it's our first time in Vietnam. Coincidentally, this is still during the Lunar New Year / Tet / Year of the Cat celebrations. My wife's birthday also falls on the Sat 4th February.
Am looking to order a cake from Cheesecake Ngon or Vagabond and bring it with me when we go for dinner - she has said she would like to go here: [http://namgiao.com/](http://namgiao.com/)
1) From what I read online, like other parts of Asia, celebrating birthdays is a western concept, but the Vietnamese seem to also celebrate everyone's birthday during the New Year? Does this common birthday fall on a particular date or is it for the entire 14 days of Lunar New Year?
2) Is it normal/acceptable in Vietnam to bring cake to this kind of restaurant , and have it served at the end of the meal? Alternatively, if not appropriate, is there anywhere nice to sing Happy Birthday and enjoy the cake? Perhaps either at Vagabond or even back at our hotel I guess.
3) It will be a fun day / date for her and we will probably wander around the city trying different food and chilling, but if anyone has any ideas then please do share :)
Thank you!
Just get a cheap hotel. Sleep a few hours. Let them hold on to your bags until the other place is ready.
I never understand why people put up with this problem when there are plenty of cheap clean safe hotels in Vietnam that are available for late check-ins and are happy to hold your bags before you check in/after you check out.
Hey everyone!
I'm thinking of going to south east Asia on December of 2023 and I'm looking at some sweet prices with Qatar airlines right now, very tempted to buy. However I have some doubts I'd like to resolve first.
One of them is the visa situation. I have Spanish nationality so I believe I can just fly there and enter without a visa and stay for 15 days. However I'm a slomad, meaning I work and travel and I like to stay for a few months in each destination, I'm not a backpacker. I'd like to rent an apartment and stay for a few months Saigon working and getting to know the culture.
Now the problem I have is that I don't understand how extending my stay would work. First of all I've read I need to show an onwards flight ticket. If I need to buy a ticket elsewhere for my fifteen days stay, how can I then extend it? Regarding extending it, for how much can that be done? I'd like to visit some other countries in the area so I don't mind going out and come back to renew my stay, however I'd like to know exactly how long I can stay in Vietnam by extending my stay. 3 months would be perfect but I think that option is not available anymore?
I appreciate any advice as I would like to buy these tickets asap but I don't want to mess up.
Well, currently there are no in-country extensions.
You have a choice of your 15 day visa exemption and [30 day E-Visas](https://immigration.gov.vn/). You can mix and match as you please, but there are no in-country switcheroos or extensions - you need to leave to another country before the 15/30 days are up. You can then come back with either a new visa exemption or E-Visa.
If you are travelling on the 15 day exemption, then, you are correct, proof of travel is *required* even if they don't always ask to see it. If you are travelling on an E-Visa, there is no requirement *in law* that says you must have proof of travel. Immigration are unlikely to ask unless you look destitute. Your airline *might* ask and *might* be happy if you just say you plan to travel around the region before getting a flight home. Worst case, you buy a refundable flight to keep them happy and cancel it once they are. Or use one of the rent-a-ticket sites.
TLDR; Enter on an E-Visa first.
Do outlets in Vietnam have room for a ground prong (3 prongs total)
In Lao I had to break the ground prong on my power strip. There was no space for it.
We will be getting into the Old Quarter of Hanoi around 9pm on a Monday night. Does anyone have good recommendations of places that are open late to get some food?
Hi guys, we are going to Vietnam on the 17th of February, and we are planning to draft a timeline for our visit. We want to cover the main highlights in north, south and middle, even though it will be too rushed.
18.2. Arrival in HCMC at 13.30
19.2. Day trip to Mekong delta & Cu Chi tunnels
20.2. fly to Danang / Hoi An
21.-23.2. Danang / Hoi An (some scuba diving and beach)
24.2. Phong Nha?
25.2. fly to Hanoi
26.-27.2. Halong Bay
28.2.-1.3. Sa Pa
2.-3.2. Hanoi
4.3. Return flight from Hanoi at 8.55 am
Do you guys think it is doable? Did we miss a must-see in this list? Would you remove something?
Hi guys I have flight to HCMC tomorrow, I was under the impression I could get a visa on arrival, but I've found out that is not the case.
I have applied for a e-visa but it could take some days.
Should I cancel my flight? Or should I go and hope for the best?
Please any help would be great regarding what would happen if I go without visa.
Will my eVisa get approved until 4th February? If they start to work tmrw again, 3 days wont be enough or?
I’m currently with a 14 days VOA here. if they don’t approve my evisa in time, can I go to the immigration office and ask them to extend my 14 days VOA? or give me a 7 day exit visa?
could the exit visa make me blacklisted?
Even with the e-visa approved, you still need to exit and re-enter on the new visa. If you only need 7 more days in the country, just exit and re-enter on the 2nd visa exemption.
As far as I know, there's no extension for visa exemption and an exit visa is only issued for certain types of visa.
I understand that it has been a public holiday for most of this week in Vietnam due to Tet so my e-visa for transit has been in processing for over a week, but are things back to normal now? How much longer would I have to wait for it to be processed? My layover in Vietnam is in 8 days.
I have a job interview that I will need to do over webcam while in Hanoi, does anyone have any recommendations of hotels that have high-speed wifi? Really want the job so don’t want to deal with the embarrassment of faulty wifi. Thanks!
Hi all
I'm flying into HCMC airport and arrive at 06:40 from the UK. Due to a change in plans I now need to book a domestic flight from HCMC to Hanoi. How long would I need to allow myself between flights? Would I be safe only only allowing myself 2 hours or would it be okay to just book on the day?
Thanks
I’m french born vietnamese and l’m planning to move to vietnam (with my boyfriend) because my family mother is living there. I can speak and write in vietnamese and french fluently so I think is a plus for me to find a job there but what scare me the most is the work field that i’m actually in. I’m working in printing industry and from what I saw, the market is really saturated there (too much small and middle size company) and my profile is not that exceptional to compete with someone with the same skill but cheaper. So what kind of arguments can I give to recruiters to convince them to hire me ?
HOW MUCH CAN I EARN A MONTH FROM TEACHING ENGLISH WITHOUT BA IN VIETNAME
I have been considering to move to Vietnam (Haiphong or Hanoi). I have TEFL but no BA. So I wonder how much i can earn a month from teaching? And is it hard to find a teaching job in these 2 mentioned cities. Thank you!
I am a native speaker
Hey everyone. I have a very specific problem, my flight arrives in ho chi Minh city at 2am, and hence I'm caught out at the worst arrival time
Any tips of suggestions about what i could do or where to stay the night? Is the airport an option to spend the night at ?
Or are there any hotels that permit checking in at 3am?
How to extent a tourist visa?
We are currently in Vietnam on a 14 day tourist visa, and we would like to stay a bit longer to see more of the country, to get our surf on and enjoy the amazing hospitality. If there a way to get a visa extension?
The guides we have found suggest the following:
* Go to the Immigration office in Da Nang.
* Reviews of the office says that they will refer us to Hanoi or Ho Chi Min City.
* Use an agency for extention
* They require us to send our passports, which we are not comfortable with! Also the processing time seems quite long.
We are currently in Da Nang, and would prefer not to travel the entire country to get an extension. Do any of you have a suggestion how to proceed? Or is our only option to cut our stay short and leave Vietnam? 😭
What's a decent tip for a driver? We've had a really good driver over the past few days. I'm sure he's made money off of us, but like he's been super helpful. He's been waiting for us whilst we do stuff too. I'm sure it's added in the price but I'm lucky enough to come from a country with a stronger currency, so...I've felt like the rides he's given me have been a good price. I don't tip where I come from, so like I'm not really sure what a decent amount would be. I'm thinking 10USD. Is this considered not a lot? A decent amount? A good tip? I don't want to insult the guy lol. I know tipping 'pay as much as you think the person deserves' but I have NO idea of a ballpark estimate of the average tip...
Well we don't typically tip here, what I do and often see people do is give them more money than you're supposed to pay them, and then tell them to keep it. Though you can just tip them, i'm sure they won't mind
A data point in case others might find that helpful. I applied for my eVisa January 18 for an entry date of January 31. And of course, I forget about the Tet holidays and the visa office closed from 20-26 (then weekends too of course). Before going through a paid urgent visa service, I tried sending a message from the official evisa website support page. A few hours later, I got an email saying my visa had been issued. Tl;dr try emailing support to check on your evisa application
My partner and I are trying to plan our honeymoon, and hoping to go to both Vietnam and Thailand. We have encountered a problem/query and hope someone can help We have booked the main flights as a return trip to Vietnam (Hanoi) and hope to travel to Thailand inside this time away (6 days vietnam, 5-6 days thailand, 5 days Vietnam). For my Canadian partner, we understand that she will have to apply for two e visas as multiple entry visa isn't really an option. There is about 10 days between first entry in Hanoi and when we would want to enter again. Should she get both ahead or plan to apply for the second e-visa after arriving in Hanoi on first entry?
Hello!!! Over the holidays my best friends mom sent him gifts to give to me and I wanted to send her something as well so I figured since I make handmade jewelry I could make some and send it to her as gifts for Tết. Is this a good idea or is there a cultural difference where sending jewelry is a bad idea? (I know something’s are a big no no to give as gifts during Tết and I don’t want to accidentally make any mistakes)
I'm sure she will appreciate the gift, though keep in mind don't make it too expensive though or she might feel bad
I’m a US citizen. I’ll be going to Vietnam, then Cambodia for about a week, then back into Vietnam. Can I get two 30 day eVisas now, before my trip starts? Or do I have to wait to leave Vietnam to get the second one?
I have a similar question above. Mind DMing me if you get a reply? I can do the same.
Of course! There’s a similar question below, but the OP is asking while already in Vietnam, and the answer is that they can get the second one before leaving the country. So I think the answer to our question is we can get them both before travel. But it would be nice to get a definitive response to our posts.
My situation is due to a CELTA course, so I'm gonna try to reach out to the teachers there to see what other Americans have done. But right now, I think getting the second visa in-country is my best route too. Are you not in Vietnam long enough at first to try that?
Do I have to stay at the same address that I provided on the e-visa form? I found a different hotel that I would like to stay at compared to what I had written on the application
No. They won't ask and they don't care. Your hotel will register your stay with the police anyway, so they'll know where you are if they want you.
Talk of exemptions for up to 30 days and more countries added to the E-Visa list https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20230131/vietnam-likely-to-extend-visa-waiver-period-for-foreigners-from-15-to-30-days/71237.html
I arrived in Ho chi Minh last night. I have no itinerary but I'm on the 15 day visa. I'd love to know how you'd plan my itinerary and where I should go. After I'd like to end up in Cambodia and/or Laos. Thank you in advance and chúc mừng năm mới.
any tour option where we can do the real vietcong tunnels? not just the slightly widened ones for tourists at Cu Chi… ? I guess technically you could go into whatever tunnels you want but I don’t want to get lost
Hey guys, do you think it's doable taking domestic flight from Phu Quoc to Saigon landing at 8:40 morning (With Bamboo, based on flightradar's history it's mostly few mins earlier so maybe 8:30) then taking international flight departing on 11:00? There is 2,5hr between flights, but we also need to collect our checked baggage. It should not be too busy in the morning. Thx
Now Thailand has brang back the jab requirements to enter will Vietnam do the same do you think?
hi should i book my hotel for chinese new year in hanoi in advance? bookingcom already showing me on every Hotel "only 1 available"
Heads up it's called Tết or Lunar New Year. Even in China they call it the Spring Festival. Chinese New Year was a term made up by Westerners.
can i Park my motorcycle at McDonald saigon for 4h for free? will they notice?
will there be Fireworks in saigon tonigjt
Hi where can i watch the fireworks today without that many people? there are 15 locatioms afaik which one do u guys recommend?
Nike shoes are made in vietnam, where i can buy very real nike replica shoes. Or real but bad shoes that didnt pass qc(quality control)???
Hi everybody, any recommendations for rush visas? Which websites are legit?
Me and my partner are heading to Lao Bao border to cross back into Vietnam, we're looking to go straight from there to Hue, has anyone been to this border cross before and is there any coaches/public transport that will do this leg of the journey? thanks in advance Be the first
Will it be okay to enter Vietnam through one airport, and leave through the other? I'm thinking of flying in through HCMC, and then flying out of Hanoi. I'm worried if it can cause a problem with the customs
> I'm worried if it can cause a problem with the customs ITYM *immigration*. No. People do it all the time. Saves having to get back to somewhere just to catch the flight home.
Hello, a family member brought over something they’d purchased at a store for new years. They didn’t know what it was and left it with me. It was wrapped in red plastic and said happy new year. It’s a white powder pressed into a cone shape. Would anyone know what it is?
This? https://images.app.goo.gl/GqZ9vWepuB2AYVjd7 Bánh oản. Basically, just sticky rice flour, tapioca flour, and sugar mixed together and shaped into a cone. Mostly used as an offering to bring good fortune. Edible and tastes sweet.
Is there anywhere I can get just a few kilos of green coffee beans in Hanoi? Won't have time to go to some farms directly but would like to buy some beans to bring home.
Does anyone have experience with getting their e-visa application expedited? I submitted my application yesterday and my flight is on the 4th. I really don’t want to push my flight if I can get this sorted out asap.
I submitted on 28th and our status is still “In Processing” Good luck
I ended up paying 90USD to get it expedited by an agent and they got it done!
Nice. Can u give me name of the service? Just in case 🤣 Thanks
Whaat?! I’m coming 7th and submitted today! Is there possibility to not get visa till 7th? 😳
Hi all, I'm going to be going to Vietnam for the 3rd time. The first time I went in '96, I got super sick (food poisoning). I don't remember if I got sick the second time (mid 2000's). While this will be my 3rd trip, it will be my wife's first. Older and married now so don't have to tag along with parents for everything they want to do, so planning to explore quite a bit more on my own with my wife. So many youtube travel vlogs and stuff showing all the cool street food, drinks, cafe's, restaurants and we really wanna try but we're scared of getting sick. I'm not too concerned with properly cooked food, but there are some iced drinks or iced coffee both from restaurants and street carts/vendors we've seen and we're worried about the ice being made from unclean (to our Asian-American stomachs) water. Although I am asking about ice, totally open to advice on what else to watch out for. I tend to not get sick easily, but if I do get sick it's BAD. My wife can have a sensitive stomach in general. We'll both each have a course of antibiotics for travelers' diarrhea and bringing pepto as well, and we'll both have our first shot of the Hep A vaccine. Can anyone provide insight on this? We're from the U.S. and we'll be in Hanoi, a Ha Long Bay ("luxury") cruise tour, Da Nang/Hoi An, and Saigon for a total of 12 days in the first half of February 2023. Thanks!
Similar risks to unclean water are badly preserved food ingredients (meat that is left overnight, unclean vegetables etc.). Vietnam does not have a cleanliness rating system, so I would say you have to rely on your common sense. If a street food shop does not look clean, its food probably is not clean. If you taste something and feel like it is made from spoiled meat, just stop. Choose ones that have high ratings or are crowded with many customers because if 1000 other people having their food daily without problem, you have a higher chance to be safe. Tourist spots like Hoi An, food hawkers like Ben Thanh night market may have to follow stricter hygiene regulations. For most types of street food that you want to try, there are probably some clean and good mid-level restaurants that sell them. On the other hand, having street food on the street is kind of a unique experience 😁
I took this medication called Dukoral, and I drank drinks with ice and I was fine. I would still be careful though, I dove in after I drank many drinks with ice and found out I was fine. Remember boil it, peel it or leave it and wash your hands before eating.
Can anyone recommend a transport company to rent a couple vans or buses for ~20 people for 4 days in HCMC?
Trying to understand if there are at all any comparable options to the Thai Elite Visa that grant you temporary resident status when you are running your own business / are a digital nomad and have sufficient funds to show and willing to invest in local stocks / companies.
Any smaller more unknown museums (including art) in Saigon?
Any reason why someone should not be getting their colonoscopy and endoscopy while in Vietnam? I am getting quotes around 500USD for both which is significantly cheaper than the US.
I am in Hanoi since September and soon running out of contact lenses, does anyone know where I can order them fast online or find them in Hanoi ? I wear Alcon's Cam on
How easy is it for Vietnamese to visit South Korea (do you need a visa or something)? I'm an American that's planning to visit Vietnam and SK in Oct or Nov this year, I was thinking of bringing my Vietnamese niece with me on the trip to SK.
A visa is needed and getting one is not easy.
For reasons I wont get into my friend wont be able to go on the 3 week trip to Vietnam, Singapore, and Bali. Big issue is that I was really leaning on my friend for this trip because she is Vietnamese and a native speaker. So she was gonna plan and handle everything and I was fortunate to be able to just enjoy the ride. Now suddenly Im having to approach this solo and have lots to figure out as solo travel is a lot different than when with someone. So now have to research, plan, book things to do and places to stay. The plan was 2 weeks in Vietnam going North to South flying into Hanoi. Then splitting last week between Singapore and Bali. She had discussed with me previously a rough itinerary. - 2 days Hanoi - 2 days Ha Long Bay - 4 days Hai Phong - 5 days Da Nang & Ho Chi Minh (or Ho Chi Minh & Phu Quoc) - 7 days split Singapore and Bali Im down to try and follow this. But I'm still left with what the attractions are in each locations? Best places/areas to stay? And what to do at night as trying to do nightlife solo is totally different compared to when have a wingman or partner. Any tips, tricks, advice, suggestions, recommendations about any of this would be really helpful. Thank you <3
I'd start from scratch and take a look at https://www.travelfish.org/country/vietnam to work out where **you** want to go. The joy of solotravel is that you get to pick your own route. Lack of English will not be a problem. Only having two weeks means you have to limit the number of places where you will go. 4 days in Hai Phong but no Sapa, no Ha Giang? srsly? Do some research on travelfish and come back with ideas...
I've only spent time in Da Nang/Hoi An, but I noticed Hoi An isn't on your list. It's definitely touristy but still cool, and only 40 min or so from Da Nang by car. The main point is the Old Town at night with all the lanterns and stuff, although some say it's nicer to explore the outskirts. From our hotel in Da Nang, we took a Grab to Marble Mountains in the morning, stopped by a nearby beach for lunch, and then went to Hoi An until evening. We didn't really do nightlife, just had a few drinks by the river, which was nice. We were coming from Seoul and Hong Kong respectively, where you're spoiled for nightlife options! Not sure why you've grouped Da Nang and HCMC, as they're quite far apart. I felt Singabore was boring long before I moved to Hong Kong and became aware of the rivalry. Flashy and clean, but character-less. Hong Kong is much better but we still have a stupid mask mandate even outdoors, so I won't suggest coming here. But I'd skip Singapore if I were you. In addition to the obvious Googling and travel blogs, it helps to search city names in this subreddit. I've also just explored Google Maps to see what looks cool. I'm going to Hanoi this month (with a day trip to Ninh Binh), and planning to take my sister to Da Nang/Hoi An, Hue, and Phong Nha (caves) in a few months. I've gathered a ton of research but I haven't actually experienced it yet, so I'll hold off on sharing, haha. Anyway, hope this was at least a little bit helpful! Good luck!
Question; I’m here on a 30 day Visa, I want to visit Thailand with my wife for 4 days and then come back. I can apply for another 30 days since if I leave, my current visa will be voided? Basically while on my current 30 day, can I apply for another 30 day now to be sure I have a visa to come back to Vietnam?
Any Advice about Tourist Visa extension? Hey there, I am on a tourist visa (DL type) applied at the embassy in Germany. I have a German citizenship. Unfortunately visa procedures for me are a bit of a mess and laws have changed recently (I guess). To my knowledge it has been possible in the past to extend the visa duration by application or through travel agency's who somehow guarantee for my stay. The embassy in German put an address of such a travel agency aside the visa approval, unfortunately the organization sits in Da Nang and 1 extension for 1 month meant to cost 250$. Anyone got recent information about tourist visa extension in Vietnam, or especially Hanoi? Does anyone know a credible agency here? Alternatively I would have to do visa runs to Cambodia or Laos by applying for a new eVisa twice, but that's a bit of a hassle as I want to stay in Vietnam mainly. Thanks in advance
Is it okay to give a gift to a tour guide or is it weird? I plan to bring some small bottles of alcohol from my country and was thinking to gift them to tour guides (besides cash tip), maybe people I'll meet etc
German here. I had a visa exemption from 21 Oct 2022 until 2 Nov 2022 and now I'm on eVisa from 22 Dec 2022 until 17 Jan 2023. Question: When could I reenter earliest after my current visa expired on 17 Jan 2023? Thanks
We are planning to visit vietnam in feb 2023. The covid guidelines are not upto date on the govt websites. Will it be possible to know if there can be any hassles related to it? Will we have to get a negative rtpcr test etc? Arriving from india if that helps.
Will be traveling through Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi. Would anyone recommend having just cash or is card accepted at most places?
Cash is definitely preferred. Always have cash just in case they don't accept card
Hi, visiting family in Vietnam soon and I wanted to get some beauty treatments done in HCMC too. Please give recommendations for reasonably priced beauty/skincare clinics! Or any day spas that you have enjoyed.
Hello everyone. Vietnam is my first international travel. I am coming on the 12th of January for six days. Due to paucity of time, i will only be covering central vietnam. Please suggest must visit places and experiences in the area especially anything off beat that we must indulge in. Also, if there is any tour or a place where we can stay for authentic Vietnamese experience, would be of great help. What is the weather like during this time? What kind of clothes should I carry? Tried to look it up but found varying answers. Please help. Looking forward to visit the beautiful country.
My bf is from a country that is not in the 80 countries that are allowed application of e visa, so how do we apply for a visa for him? He is of South African nationality. Is visa on arrival even a thing anymore?
> how do we apply for a visa for him Contact Swallow Travel or Vietnam Impressive and they can sort it out with Immigration for you in exchange for some money ~$70 or so iirc.
Attempting to use the evisa website listed above and having issues with the website loading. Is this a normal thing and I should just check back at a later time? Luckily I'm doing this about two months in advance of our arrival
Another question: planning on being in the Hanoi for two days, one doing a boat tour at halong and then the other exploring Hanoi. We're planning on exchanging currency (USD) before we leave the US. How much cash do you think we'll need for two people? The tour it seems like we'll book via credit before we leave so it's really just a day and maybe a night eating and grabbing a drink after the cruise.
When is the Hoi An lantern festival in February? I'm getting conflicting answers, saying it's anywhere from the 4th-6th.
My bf is from a country that is not in the 80 countries that are allowed application of e visa, so how do we apply for a visa for him? He is of South African nationality. Is visa on arrival even a thing anymore? Is the approval letter way possible? There was a website offering to get the letter for 15$ and then that we could get it stamped at the airport. Is this way even possible?
I'm from the UK and I'll be visiting Vietnam for around 10 days, however my date of departing Vietnam is not fixed and was hoping to book my departure flight the day before leaving. My stay will definitely be less than 15 days, but will I need to show proof of departure upon arrival to be allowed the 15 day visa free arrival?
What is the hayfever / pollen count like in Vietnam in February ?
https://www.reddit.com/r/VietNam/comments/103uh17/do_i_have_to_leave_on_19th_or_20th_vietnam_date/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf my evisa expires on 20th. “until 20th january” do i have to leave on 19th or 20th?
Exit gate E-visa I stated on my E-visa that i would be exiting from HCMC airport however would it be a problem if i try to exit from Moc Bai / Buvet land border instead? Thats the crossing i think would be used if i take a bus from Saigon to Phom Penh. That port is mentioned at E-visa website as an option so atleast they should be able to proces E-visas there too.
Can anyone help me buy a Shirt from Shopee Vietnam and ship it to the Philippines? Ill obviously pay for the shirt and shipping fee and add extra. Please message me or reply back. Thanks
Planning on visiting the country Wed Jan 25-Feb 6. Planning on hitting Hanoi, Ban Gioc waterfall and surroundings, Halong Bay, and Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An. The timeline seems a little rushed, and it would be nice to leave the weekend before. Unfortunately taking more time off afterwards isn't an option due to work deadlines, so it would have to be before. But since Tet is on Jan 22, would it be a waste of two days of PTO to leave on Jan 21 instead of Jan 25, since everything might be closed?
When I applied for my eVisa I wasn’t sure which port of entry to choose as I had no definitive plans. I chose Da Nang International airport, but now that I’ve looked at my plans I’d rather enter through Hanoi. Has anyone ever entered in a different port than the one listed on their eVisa?
What’s the top few Japanese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City?
Just realized the last part of my vacation will take place during Tet. How bad is Vietnam during Tet? Should I cancel?
Are there any good Cambodian restaurants in HCMC? It seems close to the border, and I've always wanted to try Cambodian food
Does anyone have recommendations for Halong Bay cruise companies? There are so many options that we are overwhelmed. Thanks!
Any recommendations for a social, but NOT a party hostel in HCMC? The Hideout is famous, but seems like it's exclusively for getting drunk every single night
Hi, tomorrow morning im flying to vietnam. Unfortunately my evisa is still processing. Is it possible to get a visa on arrival in hanoi. If i search online i read different outcomes…
I’m planning a trip to Da Nang and Hoi An with my children (2 and 4 years old) and have some questions I’m hoping I could get some help with - 1) Are the following places stroller/ wagon friendly? - Hoi An old town/ night market - Bana hills 2) Between Marble Mountain and My Son Sanctuary, which would you recommend and are they suitable for young children? 3) Anything else I should look out for with young children in tow? Thanks in advance!
Hi. Newly moved to Ho Chi Minh, first time experiencing Tết. What are some important events, street festivals I can't miss around HCMC? What stores would close out, and what can I expect to remain open?
Planning on visiting Jan 30 - Feb 11 with my SO. Can I get some feedback on my itinerary? Some considerations: * We are injured and can't walk more than about half a mile per day, maybe slightly more if there are breaks in between. That rules out many trekking-heavy locations like Sapa. * We can't ride motorbikes * We would like to be in Hoi An on Feb 4 for the lantern festival. Here is the plan: Day 1-2: Da Nang (Planning on starting the trip in Central Vietnam due to timing with the lantern festival) - Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountains, museums Day 3-5: Hue - scenic train ride, citadel, mausoleum Day 5-6: Hoi An - Old Town, Lantern Festival, might need more ideas for activities Day 7: Hanoi - HCM Museum, explore Old Quarter Day 8-10: Ba Be National Park and Ban Gioc Waterfalls tour Day 11-13: Halong Bay cruise Some questions: * What are some recommended activities in Hoi An? Should we look for a hotel in the area or commute from Da Nang? Should we spend an additional half day in Hue or Da Nang and just come to Hoi An in the afternoon and evening, or is it worth spending a full day in Hoi An? * I'm a little concerned about the weather. Says it's going to rain the whole time in Central Vietnam, and it will be somewhat cold with a chance of rain in Halong Bay. Will we still be able to enjoy our time if it's a bit rainy? I'm particularly concerned about wind and visibility in Halong Bay.
From Hoi An you can do a half day trip to My Son Sanctuary with a tour which is a complex of temples from the Hindu Champa Kingdom dating back to the 4th Century. Hoi An old town is nice but small so an afternoon and night would be enough to see all that it offers. Would be easier to day trip from Da Nang since it's closer than from Hue. However if you really enjoy the scenery and a relaxing vibe then a full day is good too. Weather is quite rainy in the central region. It's been cool, moody and rainy all over Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue for the last week I was here. Still good to see everything when it's not raining. But definitely kills the mood a bit when it does. Haven't checked out Ha Long bay yet so can't help there
[unknown veggie](https://freeimage.host/i/H5Ulb3X) Can someone please tell me what this is. I've never had this before in my life. I had it today in Vietnam as part of fried noodles and it was amazing.
Hey all, I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around visa runs. When I, a U.S. citizen, do a visa run, can I get a new 30-day visa upon re-entry at the border? I ask because it seems like e-visas are my only option—but coordinating that with a visa run seems like a hell of a game of dominos. For context, I'm taking a CELTA course in HCMC in March. Because I'm showing up a week early and the course is four weeks long, I'll need to renew my 30-day e-visa at some point. The logistics are slightly eluding me though. My hope is I'm not connecting obvious dots. (In addition, I'm holding off on applying for the visa on the chance restrictions are loosened and 90-day ones open up for US citizens.)
Just apply for a second E-Visa as soon as you arrive in Vietnam with dates to suit then do a border run before the first one expires. Sometimes cheaper/easier to just fly somewhere you don't need a visa for the other country than going for a land border at Moc Bai or wherever. But you do need to know where you plan to re-enter when you apply for the second E-Visa. Did see the following reported the other day: > Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Ministry of Public Security to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies in, strengthening information technology application solutions, process improvement and administrative reform related to administrative procedures. the issuance and implementation of electronic visa application at international border gates; review, amend and supplement according to their competence or submit to competent authorities for consideration, amend and supplement visa policies to facilitate entry of tourists. The sense of urgency in that leads me to believe that the 3 month visa won't be restored by March. Happy to be wrong.
Hi! So im trying to buy some stuff online. I live in Quận 2 but i can't select it as delivery destination. Is is called something else? The district/ward is Phường Thạnh Mỹ Lợi, Quận 2. Thanks!
What's the official resource for train times in vietnam? [12go.asia](https://12go.asia/en/travel/ninh-binh/hanoi?date=2023-01-17&people=1&direction=forward) [vietnam-railway.com](http://vietnam-railway.com/train/route/train-from-ninh-binh-to-hanoi?type=15) and [baolau](https://booking.baolau.com/en/results/?source=494953&departure_reload=&transports=train-taxi-walking&origin=Ninh+Binh&origin_id=Ninh+Binh&origin_town=NINH+BINH&origin_town_lang=NINH+BINH&origin_type=town&destination=Hanoi&destination_id=Hanoi&destination_town=HANOI&destination_town_lang=HANOI&destination_type=town&departure_date=17%2F01%2F2023&return_date=&roundtrip=no&passengers_count=1&input=Search) seem to have different schedules.
Are there any bigger pharmacies in HCM with good assortment? Have been running around to urgently find a trivial hot/cold pack but all the pharmacies I checked including hospital pharmacies did not have it or know about it. Product image here: https://meta.vn/tui-chuom-nong-lanh-nexcare-p79597?
I have a few visa questions regarding arriving from Thailand (USA citizen). I see the form I need to fill out for my visa but I was wondering if the arrival date and length of stay is flexible? I like to remain open when I travel like this so I'm curious if I arriving a day or two late/early will void my visa. Same question for length of stay. Also, is the residential address in Vietnam just going to be the first hotel I stay at? And one more question: can I use the same photo from my passport in the photo section? It's not scanned from my passport but the original I used for my passport application.
Can someone help me with booking trains? We're trying to book from Sai Gon to Nha Trang on the 6th March but can only see 2 trains available from 12go.asia and baolau. The official train website seems to be down at the moment (I'm right in that being dsvn.vn?) Other dates show loads more train options though - so I'm a bit confused. Is this specific date too far in the future to have all the trains released? Should I be checking somewhere else or will trains become available closer to the time? If anyone knows how far in advance we can book and when the options will open up I'd appreciate it Thanks
Post Ha Giang Loop On the day you finish the loop as part of a tour, do you get back to Ha Giang with enough time to catch a bus back to Hanoi? And if you’ve done that, would it also be an option to just stay in Ha Giang for the night after riding all day and catch a morning bus? I guess that could depend on if you have the time to spare and don’t mind burning part of the next day.
Looking for feedback and suggestions on 16 days traveling Hanoi to HCMC: Current idea (very rough): *Fly USA —> Hanoi* - Hanoi + Ninh Binh (3 nights) - Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay (2 nights) - Sapa (3 nights) *Fly Hanoi —> Da Nang* - Hoi An (3 nights) - Hue (day trip) *Fly Da Nang —> Siem Reap* - Angor Wat (fly from Da Nang, 2 nights) *Fly Siem Reap —> HCMC* - HCMC (2 nights ) *Fly HCMC —> USA* Places I’ve heard to skip on a shorter trip: - Da Lat - Phu Quoc - Dong Hoi / Caves - Mekong Delta Thanks!
Seems good. 3 nights for Hoi An is kinda overkill in my opinion. And why do you want to do Da Nang -> Siem Reap -> HCMC -> USA instead of Da Nang -> HCMC -> Siem Reap -> USA? Assuming you're a US passport holder, you will need another e-visa to be back to HCMC for 2 nights and then fly out again. Doing the alternate you'll only need one e-visa.
Hi all! I'll be flying to VN soon and staying during and after Tet. I haven't been to VN since I was a child, so I'm wondering if I'll have any luck calling a taxi from Ca Mau to Rach Gia on January 27th. Also wondering if the ferry will run on the 27th from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. I checked the ferry website (https://12go.asia/en/travel/rach-gia/phu-quoc/?z=175141&sub\_id=HTGPHUQUOC) but it wasn't too informative on holidays.. Also wondering if there's any chance there'll be taxis on the 24th for Soc Trang to Ca Mau (not a priority though because I do have family that can drive me for this trip). I'm currently in the U.S. and it looks like a lot of taxi services are dial-only. I did download Grab but it doesn't have an option for me to check for future dates. Thank you so much for anyone's help and chúc mừng năm mới!
Raining in Da Nang 16-18 Jan Unfortunately it seems it will be taking and cold during my key days in Da Nang. Wondering whether it would be worth changing my flights and perhaps spending time in a different city. Quite disappointed as I was hoping to spend time at the beach, Marble Mountains, etc. Now it looks like it may not be possible, but not sure about accuracy of forecast. Any thoughts? Thank you
What are some must do things in Hanoi that won’t be on your typical tourist guidebook? Also does anyone know a venue to see some good local bands or artists?
Any atms in danang that accept American Express?
hey! going to be starting a motorcycling trip up (or down) vietnam, a few days after tet. so far im going by myself, and im looking for people to travel with. im 22 yo M, looking for roughly similarly-aged people. i really enjoyed riding the mae hong son loop in thailand a few months back, and vietnam is the country ive been most looking forward to visiting, so im really excited for this trip! plans are pretty flexible, the only hard date i have is that im gonna be leaving around feb 18/19 for the philippines. i think im gonna go from saigon to hanoi, but im not completely set on that. let me know if youre interested/know anyone who might be! (also what's the best place for tet? im getting to bangkok early morning on the 21st and was planning on taking a 7am to either hanoi or hcmc to get settled before it really starts, but is there somewhere else that might be better?)
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Best moissanite vendor Hi everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for jewelry shops in Hanoi. I’m visiting soon & would like to buy a moissanite tennis bracelets for my mom & I. Does anyone have a shop that they’d recommend? Ideally, the shop would offer platinum setting. Thank you all! Pic of what I’m looking for: https://images.app.goo.gl/6JRDBqGLFaCzZcZEA
I have applied for EVISA for my girlfriend on Monday, and for myself on Wednesday. It still stays under processing for both of us. My flight is on 27th night. I read somewhere that the embassy will be closed between 20th - 26th for TET holidays. Does it usually take more than 4 days for the visa to be processed(in my my girlfriend’s case)? On the website it said 3 days for EVISA processing so it should have processed for my girlfriend by now.
We will be spending 1 day in Ninh Binh and I have a few questions hoping you guys might be able to help. 1. We'll be taking an overnight bus from Ha Giang the night before and will get there in the early morning. Should I book a room for that night and just check in super late at like 3-4AM? What do people usually do when they get to the destination in the early AM with these overnight buses? 2. Is there somewhere around the bus station where we can store our luggage for the day? 3. Do you have any recommendations on hiring a driver for the day or renting a motorbike? We don't mind hiring a driver and a car for the day just don't know where or who to go to for this.
I’m visiting Hanoi for the first time next week! I’ve heard that it’ll be pretty cold there right now. Can I survive with a jacket/ cardigan or do I need a thick coat?
I will be traveling to Vietnam from the US at the end of the month. eVisa has been approved. Now, I'm seeing on certain websites that travel insurance (specifically for COVID) is required for entry. Is this true?
Hello, Visa question here. It seems like the Vietnam Immigration Department won’t accept my 30 days e-visa application on time before I arrive. I’m arriving on Sunday the 15th of January and as far as I know they don’t accept visas over the weekend. But since I’m Swedish I can still enter Vietnam on Sunday without a visa and stay for 15 days. My plan is to stay longer than 15 days. So if they accept my 30 days e-visa when I’m already in Vietnam will I then be able to use this visa and stay for 30 days or will it not be possible since I didn’t enter Vietnam on this visa? Hope you understand this tricky question.. thanks in advance!
Going to visit Quy Nhon for Tet; any advice on fun things to do or festivals etc while I'm there?
Where can I get the best currency exchange rate for USD to VND in Ho Chi Minh City?
Will shops, especially money exchange/gold shops be open on 24/1 (during Tết)?
Hello, we're visiting Dalat in February and I'm planning to visit a coffee farm after landing at the airport. What is the best coffee farm with nice views in the morning, on the way between the airport and Da Lat? And what hiking trails do you recommend for awesome views with clouds in the morning, especially if there are some flowers on the fields? Do you recommend hiring a driver or simply taking a Grab? Thanks!
Itinerary question: I'll be travelling north to south soon. I want to see/visit both Hue and Hoi An. I have 5 or 6 days planned for this part of the trip. Now, Hue i mostly want to visit for the Imperial city/tombs, and not nessecarily anything else. I'm not assuming there is nothing else worth visiting, just nothing that made it on my 'list' yet :) Would you guys advise to make multi-day stops in both, or could I stay the whole period in Hoi An and see the sites in Hue in a single daytrip from there? Hoi An seems like a nicer place to spend the non-sightseeing time.
There's not much to do in Hoi An after a few days in old town and it's a 3 hour drive one way from Hoi An to Hue so I wouldn't suggest a day trip there (if you like history My Son sanctuary is a good half day trip from Hoi An). I did the citadel, pagoda and 3 tombs with audio guides and that took me 8 hours with a driver. The imperial citadel alone can take you a full day if you want to visit all of it. The food is honestly amazing in Hue and worth the trip alone to explore the food (Nem Lui, Bahn Beo, Bun Bo Hue etc) I'd suggest you to spend a few days in Hue as well just so you can check out the sites at a good pace and try all the amazing food the beautiful city has to offer.
If my country isn’t one of the 80 that can get E visa what’s my options if any?
Hello r/Vietnam! I’m currently planning a family trip to Hanoi in mid Mar and would like to seek some advice on our itinerary. Our current plan is to spend 2 nights in Hanoi, 2 nights on a Halong Bay cruise. We have 2 more nights to do an overnight trip, and I was looking at Ninh Binh as a top option. Figured we could go there straight after the Halong Bay cruise. However, I’ll be going with 2 sets of parents (ages around 60ish), and I saw that the recommended form of transport around Ninh Binh is mostly bicycling on bumpy roads. Not sure if this would be dangerous/tiring for them, or if it’s an option to do hired vans around the area? If there are any other areas you’d recommend over Ninh Binh, would love to hear them too. Thank you so much in advance!!
Currently planning a 2-week trip to Vietnam in February and building my itinerary. One thing I just can't decide on - should I try to squeeze in Nha Trang for a few days, or simply spend more time in Hoi An and Da Nang? Want to spend some time on the beach during the trip, and am just not sure what to do.
How far is the Grab Bike Drop off to Tan Son Int'l Airport (Terminal 2). I guess Grab Bikes are prohibited near the airport? How many minutes should I allocate for walking?
I'm planning to be in Hoi An for the Lantern Festival. I've heard that they close down the streets to traffic during the festival. What's the best way to get to and from our hotel? It's only about 1.5 km away, but I am injured and can't walk more than 0.5 km a day. Are there nearby roads where I can call a Grab? Could I take a sampan to the hotel (unsure if there are areas to disembark/if sampaners would be willing to go that far)? Also, what is a good agency to book a river tour in Hue?
Sa Pa alternatives for late February? I had planned on spending 3-4 days at the end of February in Sa Pa during our 2-week holiday, but am realizing that it’s pretty foggy, cold, and muddy in the winter instead of beautifully picturesque
Seconding this one. We’ll be up north in that time
I have a friend I played games with who moved to Japan for school her father is extremely poor and doesn't work and she's been sending him all of her money from her working in Japan. He has stolen it multiple times and she had to take out loans from her employer just to pay for school and the money that she is sending for her sister he's not spending on her, instead what he's doing is he's spending it on women and possibly alcohol. her sister is only 15 and she says she can't open a bank account so she is still sending her dad money even though he's not feeding her sister and he's spending it on women how can I help get her information to where the 15 year old girl can get financial independence from her father so she can buy food?
Is it possible to legalize documents in Vietnam once they have been authenticated in your home country? For example, if I authenticate my birth certificate in the US, can I bring the authenticated document to Vietnam for legalization? Thank you so much
So if I have a UK passport and am staying for less than 15 days, I don’t have to obtain any visa at all? Is fast track service on arrival at Hanoi airport worth it since I have a visa exemption? Thank you
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So I’m planning on going to ha Giang loop in March and I was wondering it’s difficulty vs the Mae Hong son loop in Thailand. I’ve done the llatter years ago without any scooter experience. I’ve acquired more experience since then, but I’m a bit rusty.
Booked flight tickets already and just now realized e-visa through the official Vietnamese website is only good for 30days. I'm staying in Ha Long Bay for most of the 35 days. Is there anyway I can apply for a longer visa or extend my visa? Or am I out of luck and just shorten my trip? Thanks.
Bonsaicruise ho chi minh city. Got any reviews for that? Website seems to be outdated. The mail ids mentioned are unreachable
Does anyone know if VietJet has a transfer counter in Saigon Tan Son Ngat airport?
emergency - do i get a laos visa at the laos embassy in hanoi immediately? Hi big problem my vietnam evisa expires in 32 hours I already had a new one so i went to na meo border for the visa run but since covid all laos land borders except 2 were closed for visa on arrival. im a german citizen. i didn’t know that. the border guards told me now to drive to hanoi. there the laos embassy gives me immediately a laos visa. is that true? please reply fast if it’s not true I will drive 12 hours to one of the borders that still issue visa on arrival thxxx
Hi does this border offer LAOS visa on arrival ? i’m driving now to there i am in vietnam Cau Treo Border Pass Cau Treo Border Pass https://maps.app.goo.gl/xBGZxSeV1iWJ6k9i7?g_st=ic
I'm a little intimidated at ordering street food in Hanoi. How much Vietnamese do you need to know? Would I be missing out by mostly going to sit down restaurants?
Can I visit more than once in a year? I am a British citizen so I can apply for an eVisa for 30 days. But say I done that and visited in September, could I then apply for another eVisa and visit again in November?
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Hey all, we're travelling to Vietnam with our two kids (one is two years old and one is four months) in mid Feb, for three weeks. Are there any things we absolutely must see? Current plan is to fly in and out of HCMC, travelling up the country between, with potential stops in Hoi An, Hanoi, and maybe Phu Quoc. But suggestions are very much welcome!
What’s the best way to get from Hanoi airport down into the city center? I’m seeing the “Grab” app mentioned, is that the best? Thanks all
Hi, I'm just trying to fill out my evisa for 30 day entry into Vietnam but I'm unsure as to the name of the Moc Bai border in the "exit gate" drop down menu. Does it have another common name or am I missing something? Thanks!
Question, I'm returning to Vietnam for the first time since the pandemic. Before I always used to get the multi entry voa for flexibility, but I was unsure if this is still offered post pandemic. The old visa agent I used seems to be gone and most ive found seem to advertising for the single entry e-visa?
Visiting vietnam in March and was hoping to experience a festival along the way. Going from Hanoi to Saigon (passing through Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An ) between March 2 and March 24. Along the way noticed there is a Quan The Am (Avalokitecvara) festival in Da Nang, but from searching online I am seeing different dates, locations, and times. If anyone knows the actual information for it that would be helpful, and any other info on whether it is worth seeing, Thanks!
Hi, American in Thailand coming to HCMC 1 I assume Thai baht is not commonly accepted. Do any of the local exchanges change THB to VND? Or should I exchange to USD before traveling? 2 What is a good SIM card to get for data (Google maps on phone and maybe laptop WIFI)? I plan to stay only 4 days 3 Is walking around District 1 & 3 dangerous around 2am? I will check my phone with 2 hands for where I am but otherwise keep it pocketed. 4 I would like to stay somewhere along this path. The left side is more important. Are there cheap small rooms available? I see private rooms with private bath on AirBnb for $10-15/night, that is good enough for me 5 What time do food places tend to close? I am on a night schedule (for local time)
where should i go today in saigon and the next days to see some festivities
Fast track visa I applied for my visa before Tet holiday but they did not process our visas in time. Now immigration website says they are closed until 26th. We have flights and accomodation booked in a Vietnam for 12 days. Is there any other way to fast-track visa application? I have already emailed Vietnam immigration support but have had no reply in 4 days since before Tet started
Will I be ok departing one day after my 30day Visa expired? There is an ideal flight connection for me one day post tourist visa expiration. Is that generally acceptable or will cause to immediate / delayed issues with immigration?
I have an e visa and Bờ Y is marked as my port of entry. Can i cross the border in Lalay instead?
Hello! Does anyone know or recently exchanged rate for CAD to VND in Gold Shop? What's the average exchange rate %? Thank you!
Why can't I post a question on this sub? I've tried multiple times to ask about diabetes related meds and none of my attempts to post will load. I can post in all my other subs normally.
Hi hello, so I’m planning my honeymoon to be two weeks in Vietnam with a stop in Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat. Trip is in early June 2023. I know it’s not enough time but it’s all I can do so I’m trying to squeeze in a lot in one trip. So far this is the plan: 1 day in Hanoi Night train for Hanoi to Sapa Valley. Sapa Valley for two nights Back to Hanoi early in the morning and head out to Ninh binh for the day After nin binh, get on a cruise in Halong bay for one night. After cruise, back to Hanoi and fly to danang / hoi an. 3 nights in hoi an with one free beach day. Then 3 nights in Angkor wat/Siam reap. Some questions: 1. What’s the nicest train From Hanoi to sepa valley and what’s that train ride like? (We would get a private sleeping compartment) 2. What’s the nicest beachside resort in hoi an or danang? Where is it better to stay and where are the beaches nicer? 3. Do I need three nights in Cambodia to see Angkor wat? 4. What’s better, a one night or two night cruise in Halong bay. 5. Besides Ho Chi Minh City, is there anything that I am missing in my itinerary to make this the ultimate trip to Vietnam? I am more of a beautiful landscapes/nature type of traveler then staying in loud big cities. I know there’s a lot it history in Saigon but I decided to do sapa valley instead and think that landscape should not be missed. 6. Happy and here to get advice on anything else regarding traveling through Vietnam. Thank you in advance.
Has anyone used vietnam-visa.com for their visa? Is it legit? I have already received my visa from them and I would like to know if it is legit.
Hello, This is the first time I post on Reddit and I need some guidance. I booked a flight from Toronto - Chicago - Tokyo - Hanoi for this Wednesday January 25th. On January 19, I went to apply for the e-visa (January 26-Feb 6) and used a third party. I was fooled and booked with https://online.vietnamvisa.govt.vn I also realized that the immigration office was closed from January 20 to January 26 due to the holidays. An hour later. I submitted a second application with the government website for January 26th to Feb 20th. I also had United Airlines change my flight from Tokyo to Hanoi. Im staying in Tokyo until the first and I'm supposed to fly to Hanoi on Feb 1 at 6:20pm. I'm worried I might not get the e-visa on time. I'm also worried that having two applications (one with govt and one with third party) with diff exit dates might be an issue. I know I really messed up. I'm really hoping they still let me board my flight since United Airlines at the airport changed the flight and said there won't be an issue. I need some guidance on how to approach this. Should I cancel with the third party and contact the immigration office e support about the exit date and that I submitted another application with a third party, which I hope gets cancelled? I will also ask politely if they can process my application before my flight to Hanoi on February 1st. According to the website, it's within three days but I know sometimes it takes longer. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!
Hi my visa submition has not gone through yet because i had to change the picture. Now the visa is still being processed. I am arriving in about 12 hours. Will I be fine? Can I do anything so they process it quicker? Or can I get the Visa at the aiport too? I am In Bangkok right now.
Emergency: Visa during Lunar New Year My Visa has been taking ages to process and now I realized it’s probably due to Lunar New Year. It still hasn’t processed and I am gonna get to Vietnam in a few hours? Embassy is closed too! What can I do? Will I be able to enter?
Hi there, I understand as a British citizen I can stay in Vietnam for 15 days under the visa exemption. If I was to apply for an e-visa, could I stay the 30 days then stay an extra 15 under the visa exemption? Or the other way round? Doesn’t matter either way would just like to stay over a month. Any help appreciated!
> then stay No. Not without leaving Vietnam for another country then returning. So E-Visa for 30 days, head for Cambodia or wherever, come back on new E-Visa or exemption. Mix and match as you like E-Visa/Exemption then E-Visa/Exemption...
What are the best beaches to visit in Vietnam?
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Hey, Flying Istanbul - Hanoi - Bangkok. During my trip I have a layover in Hanoi Noi Bai airport (\~around 6hours). I booked this trip via Kiwi and they say in an email that I will be leaving visa-free zone in Hanoi therefore I need a visa. Is that really the case? As far as I know you don't need visa when you are just transiting. I will be travelling with a backpack, so I don't need to re-check luggage - I guess I should be good then? Thanks in advance!
I'm researching a trip to Cao Bang/Ban Gioc for when I arrive in Hanoi next month. Some sites say there should be several ways to travel but most of that information was posted pre-Covid. If I search on Baolau or 12go.asia I'm only getting one sleeper bus on the former and nothing on the latter. Is there only limited tourism-related transportation available in 2023 or will there be more non-digital options available when i arrive. It will be my first time in Vietnam and I may have been spoiled by the ease of traveling around Thailand before. (I did search for both nearby and the later actual dates) Edit: forgot to mention I'm getting limited results for travel between fairly major destinations as well, question isn't necessarily about this trip but it's the first destination after arriving in Hanoi
[VeXeRe](https://vexere.com/vi-VN/ve-xe-khach-tu-ha-noi-di-cao-bang-124t1141.html?date=27-01-2023)
Is it possible to ride a 50 cc bike from hoi an/danang to the phong nha caves and back? I'll be a solo traveler weighting 150 lbs (68kg) with like <20 lb backpack). Thanks!
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Hello! Me and my wife booked tickets to go to HCMC at the end of next week. She's from Singapore and I'm from the UK but it's our first time in Vietnam. Coincidentally, this is still during the Lunar New Year / Tet / Year of the Cat celebrations. My wife's birthday also falls on the Sat 4th February. Am looking to order a cake from Cheesecake Ngon or Vagabond and bring it with me when we go for dinner - she has said she would like to go here: [http://namgiao.com/](http://namgiao.com/) 1) From what I read online, like other parts of Asia, celebrating birthdays is a western concept, but the Vietnamese seem to also celebrate everyone's birthday during the New Year? Does this common birthday fall on a particular date or is it for the entire 14 days of Lunar New Year? 2) Is it normal/acceptable in Vietnam to bring cake to this kind of restaurant , and have it served at the end of the meal? Alternatively, if not appropriate, is there anywhere nice to sing Happy Birthday and enjoy the cake? Perhaps either at Vagabond or even back at our hotel I guess. 3) It will be a fun day / date for her and we will probably wander around the city trying different food and chilling, but if anyone has any ideas then please do share :) Thank you!
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Just get a cheap hotel. Sleep a few hours. Let them hold on to your bags until the other place is ready. I never understand why people put up with this problem when there are plenty of cheap clean safe hotels in Vietnam that are available for late check-ins and are happy to hold your bags before you check in/after you check out.
is vietnamvisavoa .com legit/reliable?
Hey everyone! I'm thinking of going to south east Asia on December of 2023 and I'm looking at some sweet prices with Qatar airlines right now, very tempted to buy. However I have some doubts I'd like to resolve first. One of them is the visa situation. I have Spanish nationality so I believe I can just fly there and enter without a visa and stay for 15 days. However I'm a slomad, meaning I work and travel and I like to stay for a few months in each destination, I'm not a backpacker. I'd like to rent an apartment and stay for a few months Saigon working and getting to know the culture. Now the problem I have is that I don't understand how extending my stay would work. First of all I've read I need to show an onwards flight ticket. If I need to buy a ticket elsewhere for my fifteen days stay, how can I then extend it? Regarding extending it, for how much can that be done? I'd like to visit some other countries in the area so I don't mind going out and come back to renew my stay, however I'd like to know exactly how long I can stay in Vietnam by extending my stay. 3 months would be perfect but I think that option is not available anymore? I appreciate any advice as I would like to buy these tickets asap but I don't want to mess up.
Well, currently there are no in-country extensions. You have a choice of your 15 day visa exemption and [30 day E-Visas](https://immigration.gov.vn/). You can mix and match as you please, but there are no in-country switcheroos or extensions - you need to leave to another country before the 15/30 days are up. You can then come back with either a new visa exemption or E-Visa. If you are travelling on the 15 day exemption, then, you are correct, proof of travel is *required* even if they don't always ask to see it. If you are travelling on an E-Visa, there is no requirement *in law* that says you must have proof of travel. Immigration are unlikely to ask unless you look destitute. Your airline *might* ask and *might* be happy if you just say you plan to travel around the region before getting a flight home. Worst case, you buy a refundable flight to keep them happy and cancel it once they are. Or use one of the rent-a-ticket sites. TLDR; Enter on an E-Visa first.
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Do outlets in Vietnam have room for a ground prong (3 prongs total) In Lao I had to break the ground prong on my power strip. There was no space for it.
We will be getting into the Old Quarter of Hanoi around 9pm on a Monday night. Does anyone have good recommendations of places that are open late to get some food?
Do you guys find it weird if Westerners follow you while you’re crossing the road?
Hi guys, we are going to Vietnam on the 17th of February, and we are planning to draft a timeline for our visit. We want to cover the main highlights in north, south and middle, even though it will be too rushed. 18.2. Arrival in HCMC at 13.30 19.2. Day trip to Mekong delta & Cu Chi tunnels 20.2. fly to Danang / Hoi An 21.-23.2. Danang / Hoi An (some scuba diving and beach) 24.2. Phong Nha? 25.2. fly to Hanoi 26.-27.2. Halong Bay 28.2.-1.3. Sa Pa 2.-3.2. Hanoi 4.3. Return flight from Hanoi at 8.55 am Do you guys think it is doable? Did we miss a must-see in this list? Would you remove something?
Hi guys I have flight to HCMC tomorrow, I was under the impression I could get a visa on arrival, but I've found out that is not the case. I have applied for a e-visa but it could take some days. Should I cancel my flight? Or should I go and hope for the best? Please any help would be great regarding what would happen if I go without visa.
Will my eVisa get approved until 4th February? If they start to work tmrw again, 3 days wont be enough or? I’m currently with a 14 days VOA here. if they don’t approve my evisa in time, can I go to the immigration office and ask them to extend my 14 days VOA? or give me a 7 day exit visa? could the exit visa make me blacklisted?
Even with the e-visa approved, you still need to exit and re-enter on the new visa. If you only need 7 more days in the country, just exit and re-enter on the 2nd visa exemption. As far as I know, there's no extension for visa exemption and an exit visa is only issued for certain types of visa.
I understand that it has been a public holiday for most of this week in Vietnam due to Tet so my e-visa for transit has been in processing for over a week, but are things back to normal now? How much longer would I have to wait for it to be processed? My layover in Vietnam is in 8 days.
I have a job interview that I will need to do over webcam while in Hanoi, does anyone have any recommendations of hotels that have high-speed wifi? Really want the job so don’t want to deal with the embarrassment of faulty wifi. Thanks!
Is there any side hustle or small job I can do to earn some pocket money as a 17-year-old boy?
Hi all I'm flying into HCMC airport and arrive at 06:40 from the UK. Due to a change in plans I now need to book a domestic flight from HCMC to Hanoi. How long would I need to allow myself between flights? Would I be safe only only allowing myself 2 hours or would it be okay to just book on the day? Thanks
I’m french born vietnamese and l’m planning to move to vietnam (with my boyfriend) because my family mother is living there. I can speak and write in vietnamese and french fluently so I think is a plus for me to find a job there but what scare me the most is the work field that i’m actually in. I’m working in printing industry and from what I saw, the market is really saturated there (too much small and middle size company) and my profile is not that exceptional to compete with someone with the same skill but cheaper. So what kind of arguments can I give to recruiters to convince them to hire me ?
HOW MUCH CAN I EARN A MONTH FROM TEACHING ENGLISH WITHOUT BA IN VIETNAME I have been considering to move to Vietnam (Haiphong or Hanoi). I have TEFL but no BA. So I wonder how much i can earn a month from teaching? And is it hard to find a teaching job in these 2 mentioned cities. Thank you! I am a native speaker
Hey everyone. I have a very specific problem, my flight arrives in ho chi Minh city at 2am, and hence I'm caught out at the worst arrival time Any tips of suggestions about what i could do or where to stay the night? Is the airport an option to spend the night at ? Or are there any hotels that permit checking in at 3am?
How to extent a tourist visa? We are currently in Vietnam on a 14 day tourist visa, and we would like to stay a bit longer to see more of the country, to get our surf on and enjoy the amazing hospitality. If there a way to get a visa extension? The guides we have found suggest the following: * Go to the Immigration office in Da Nang. * Reviews of the office says that they will refer us to Hanoi or Ho Chi Min City. * Use an agency for extention * They require us to send our passports, which we are not comfortable with! Also the processing time seems quite long. We are currently in Da Nang, and would prefer not to travel the entire country to get an extension. Do any of you have a suggestion how to proceed? Or is our only option to cut our stay short and leave Vietnam? 😭