westcoastUSA

(Excuse the cross-post, not sure whether this goes here or in the VNM forum). I'd like to enter Laos overland from Vietnam, crossing the border by bus at the Phu Kuea Border Checkpoint to visit the Bolaven plateau. I'm coming from southern Vietnam. E-visas and visa-on-arrival aren't valid at this bordergate, so I need to apply for a tourist visa from the Lao consulate in HCMC. Does anyone know the process (required documents, cost and processing times)? Or does anyone know what the process used to be, pre-evisas? The consulate responded once over email (cglaohcm(at)gmail.com, fyi) but has gone silent now. Any tips appreciated!

I'd like to enter Laos overland from Vietnam, crossing the border by bus at the Phu Kuea Border Checkpoint to visit the Bolaven plateau. I'm coming from southern Vietnam. E-visas and visa-on-arrival aren't valid at this bordergate, so I need to apply for a tourist visa from the Lao consulate in HCMC. Does anyone know the process (required documents, cost and processing times)? Or does anyone know what the process used to be, pre-evisas? The consulate responded once over email (cglaohcm(at)gmail.com, fyi) but has gone silent now. Any tips appreciated!

I've seen a couple old posts about this, but wondering if anyone has experience getting sertraline (Zoloft) in Vietnam. It appears they sell it but it may be really expensive (I'd be trying to get 150 mg/day, FWIW). I would of course also be grateful if someone can just ask their pharmacy or doctor about it. TIA!

Hello all! I'll be coming to Hanoi from Chiang Mai soon and in the market for a secondhand iPhone — SE 2020, 11, XS or XR. Does anyone have a sense of whether these would be cheaper in TH or VNM? SE 2020s are around 200-250 USD here. Thanks in advance!

Hello all! I've just attempted to apply online for a VOA letter for a 3 month tourist visa and it sounds like the government may not be issuing any VOAs anymore. Does anyone know if there's a way to get a 3 month tourist visa at the moment? One website (vietnam-visa.com) said they can't do any VOA letters right now. The max stay on an evisa is 1 month, so that won't do it — FYI I'm a US citizen, will be coming from Thailand. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Hi all! I'm coming to Chiang Mai for a bit in April/May (used to live there) and will be getting a place to stay for <1 month this time. There's a block of great looking apartments in Chang Khian that I've always wanted to check out—Srisuwan Mansion/ศรีสุวรรณแมนชั่น—and wondering if anyone maybe lives there or has ideas on how to look for a short rental there. I'd be looking for a weekly/daily rate (รายสัปดาห์/รายวัน). If it turns out they're nice I might look at a proper lease (or buying??) in the future. A very specific and random request, I know — any suggestions appreciated!

Hey all — I'm flying out of BKK to head back to the US on August 21 in the evening and need to find a way to get to Bangkok from Chiang Mai (Muang). If anyone else is trying to get down there around the same time, would be great to share a car rental/van/private ride and split the cost — I realize the COVID risk sitting in a vehicle w/someone but we'd all have tested negative, mask up, etc. Unless someone finds a flight/bus/train. Reach out if you're interested! Edit: Seems like there might be flights — would appreciate any insight on what the chances are that those'll actually fly.