Mischief Queen

I'm planning to go to Vietnam to meet up with a mate who's backpacking and was wondering if anyone has done this from Abu Dhabi and what they did about visas. I've heard that there are companies who organise visa on arrival - but also that there have been problems with fraudsters who take your cash and when you get to Vietnam there's no visa waiting for you. Has anyone used one of these services? Alternatively has anyone organised a visa through the embassy here? Any advice hugely appreciated!

Madam Medusa

don't know about going via AD, but when we went to vietnam years ago you just got the visa at the airport, no issue at all...

it's a fantastic place, btw...

MM, xx

coffindodger

Have you spoken to the Embassy in the UAE regardsing visa's ???

Mischief Queen

Yeees - I did speak to the embassy first before posting!!

Was looking for advice from people who'd done it - as the visa on arrival is easiest and cheapest (provided you don't get scammed and arrive to find no visa waiting...). Wasn't sure how common the scammers were/who to avoid etc so decided not to take the risk and get it sorted before I go. If anyone's interested... the Vietnam Embassy is in Mushrif (just before Pepsi factory) and they'll do your visa for 150Dhs (3 days) or 300 Dhs (1 hour). You need a NOC from your employer to go through the embassy (not if you do visa on arrival!?!), the obligatory 2 passport photos, completed form, passport copies, and the kitchen sink. This is for a British passport holder. Think Scandies and a couple of other nationalities get visa waiver so can just turn up - not brits . Still we're pretty lucky just waltzing into most countries in the world unannounced - can't complain!

MM - where did you go when you went? Am flying into Hanoi and out of HCMC - anywhere to avoid/head for?

lionheart

Have you tried searching/posting on the Far East forum?

the troubadour

You can also go into the thorn tree that is the lonely planet site which gives info for back packers any where in the world.
Vietnam is a highly popular destination,as is all of South East Asia so you will find lots of things which may assist you on your travels.
Enjoy.

Mischief Queen

Fab - thanks all!

cappuccino

My 2 cents worth re Vietnam - fantastic country, friendly people and relatively new tourist industry.

Best places we visited began with letter 'H' - Hanoi, Hoi An (great for bespoke tailoring), Halong Bay (overnight boat trip), Hue (ancient city - fab vege lunch in the nunnery), Ho Chi Minh City.

I can't wait to go back again.

We crossed into Vietnam from Laos with a few problems at the border. I remember that one of the passports they questioned cos they said the photo didn't look like the owner! A few 'dongs' later and they let her in. Don't cough or sneeze near the officials cos they cart you off to see the medical inspector is my other bit of advice

Oh and enjoy your 'ba ba ba' (3 3 3 ) beer and 'Fanny' ice cream

Madam Medusa

it's all great...hanoi (go to the water puppet show) and ho chi minh (make sure you go for drinks at the rex hotel rooftop bar, it's where the us army were stationed and is totally surreal!), from there also you can do the cu chi tunnels, and the cao dai temple, in addition to the war musuem, markets etc...half way between is hue, which is on the perfume river, and is lovely, you can get a boat to take you along the river and then get a motorbike to an abandoned temple (can't remember what it was called but all the locals will know)...

haven't done the beaches but they are meant to be amazing...

it was dirt cheap when we were there, with fabulous food, but this was many years ago so i bet it's changed somewhat now...

MM, xx

Andy Mok

Car
Due to the chaotic traffic (no traffic rules and (motor)bikes everywhere) it’s not advisable to drive a car yourself.

You are better off with a car and driver.

Motorbike or bike
A lot more flexible and it is the common Vietnamese transportation. Prices are usually 5 US$ for a day on a motorbike, 1 US$ for a bike. Check quality before you depart.

Visa: Use visa on arrival – get your passport stamped at Vietnam airport for saving time. You will need 2-3 days for normal service and 1 day for urgent service.