I am thinking about visiting Shanghai, China and would like to add an orthodox journey from Shanghai to Vientiane possibly by bus or train or whatever mode (but plane) if it won't cause me too much trouble.
Thanks
Train or bus really. The Mekong ends in a waterfall, so you can't take a boat up there to Vientiane, lol.
There are two main ways to get a visa to Vietnam is applying online for a Visa on Arrival through a travel agent. You will get your Visa Approval Letter (or Visa Pre-approved Letter) after 2-3 working days (normal) or 1 working day (urgent).
The first way, All you have to do is just to fill in
The second way, go to Vietnam Embassies, Consulates. in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore
Getting a Vietnamese visa from Vientiane, Laos.
Visit Vietnamese embassy in Vientiane, Laos
It is pretty easy to get a Vietnamese visa in Vientiane, Laos through Vietnamese embassy. As many comments from travelers, the Vietnam embassy in Vientiane is pretty good. However, the fee is quite expensive, the price is around USD 50 (~477,455 Lao Kip), and it may take 3 days to process.
Address: Thatluang Rd., Vientiane, LAO PDR
Phone: (856) 2141 3409; 2141 3409; 2141 4602;
Consular Section:2141 3400
+ Fax (856) 2141 3379; 2141 4601
+ Email dsqvn@laotel.com & lao.dsqvn@mofa.gov.vn
You can also get visa to Vietnam through travel agencies, and the price is much cheaper ranging..
Vietnam visa in Bangkok, Thailand
Visit Vietnamese embassy in Bang Kok
83/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
+ Tel. 66 (0) 2 251 5836-8
+ Fax. 66 (0) 2 251 7203
E-mail: vnemb.th@mofa.gov.vn
Office hours: Monday – Friday: 08.00-11.30 Hrs. and 13.30-16.30 Hrs.
You are required to provide 1-2 passport size photos and the cost was about 1500 Baht. Normal process takes around 2-3 days, if you need an express one (1 working day), then you have to pay a little bit more.
Vietnam visa in Cambodia
It is easy to get your visa to Vietnam in Cambodia at hostels, travel agencies, or Vietnamese consulates.
Visit Vietnamese embassy in Cambodia:
Embassy of Vietnam
436 Monivong Blvrd, Phnom Penh
Tel: +855-23 362741 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +855-23 362741 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: +855-23 427 385, 362 314
Tips from other travelers
From many travelers' experience, it is much more convenient to obtain your visa in Vietnamese consulate in Sihanoukville, because visa will be issued in Sihanoukville. The process takes only 5 minutes and costs around 30USD.
Address: 310 Ekreach- Khan Mittapheap – Sihanouk City
Phone : 349 33 669
Fax :349 33 669
Email:TLSQSIHA@camintel.com
Vietnam visa in Singapore
Visit Vietnamese embassy in Singapore:
Singapore: 10 Leedon Park • Phone: (65)462-5938
You just complete the forms and return them to the Embassy in Singapore for processing. It will take about 4/5 days to get it processed and the fee is around £24. If you want an urgent one, you have to pay slightly more e.g £30 for 3/4 days etc.
Next year, when I am 17 I am going to Thailand/Lao for a fortnight. I'll be visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Khong, Mekong River, Pak Beng, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. I currently live in the UK, and all my vaccinations are up to date. Which vaccinations will be essential for my journey? Sorry if I've not provided enough information, we only have a rough itinerary so far. If you need more, ask.
If all your vaccinations are up to date prior to leaving then you will not have any problems here. But better advise is to let your doctor tell you that. Hep A and B are important to be up to date. See you doctor not us expects here.
We are on a tight budget, will be coming from Bangkok via train to the Thai/Lao border. We have heard that Luang Prabang is worth a visit. Are their any boats that can take you from Vientiane to Luang Prabang? We've heard so many conflicting stories. One thing we know, flying is out of the option because of the tight budget.
Luang Prabang is awesome, it's definitely worth a visit. If you don't have money for a speed boat or flight a bus is your only option:-(
The slow boat for 12 hours would be miserable, no way I would do it. The slow boats weren't very comfortable and you would be going against the current.
It's just that I have the chance to go to one of these countries for 3 weeks and can't decide which to go to?! I know, such worries...lol.
Was thinking of going to Udon Thani or Chiang Mai in Thailand or Vientiane in Laos or Phnom Penh (possibly Siem Reap too) in Cambodia? Any ideas?
The biggest determining factor is of course money, the costs in each of these places!
Laos & Cambodia can be combined for a 3 week holiday,and certainly worth it,Thailand has become a bit expensive.
