Hi Guys,

 

My METV is expiring soon and I am planning on a Trip to one of the neighbouring countries for new Tourist visa. I have been to Vientiane a couple times so I'm looking for new suggestions, I have heard that Vietnam and Penang are both easy to apply but would like to know more.

 

Thanks 

Vietnam and Hong Kong are good choices, especially (for Vietnam) if you are entitled to visa exempt entry). Yangon is also OK, except for the need for a Myanmar visa. Penang is not quite as good as it was in the past. If you already have a couple of tourist visas from Vientiane in your passport, I would personally suggest you avoid using them again unless prepared for a possible red stamp that will make future visa applications harder until you change your passport.

Penang - you'll need proof of a ticket out and an address you're staying at in Thailand but that aside you can use an agent (I'd personally recommend Jim's) to get it all done for you. One of the easiest places to get it sorted and George Town itself is a great place to visit, particularly if you've never been before but I'd go back again tomorrow. 

I've done my last two visa trips to Saigon.  The Thai consulate is very quiet and the people there very nice.  One important thing is they only accept USD for payment so make sure you have enough.  

I recommend you book flight and hotel on AirAsiago.com    My last trip cost 4774 THB for the return flight (BKK-SGN-BKK) and two nights in a hotel in the city center (District 1).    The hotel was a bit basic but for that price and for only two nights I wasn't that bothered, besides I spent most of my time out drinking with friends as I know lots of people living in Saigon.

On 11/16/2017 at 2:30 PM, BritTim said:

Vietnam and Hong Kong are good choices, especially (for Vietnam) if you are entitled to visa exempt entry). Yangon is also OK, except for the need for a Myanmar visa. Penang is not quite as good as it was in the past. If you already have a couple of tourist visas from Vientiane in your passport, I would personally suggest you avoid using them again unless prepared for a possible red stamp that will make future visa applications harder until you change your passport.

Good point on the visa exemption for Vietnam, although it only applies to certain nationalities.

List shown here for reference - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Vietnam#Visa_exemption