Vietnam -thinking about escaping there for Songkran

[how241]

Hello,  does anyone have current info about traveling to Vietnam from Pattaya for 2 weeks, during the Thai Songkran ... I am a USA citizen and will travel with my Thai lady . She has a passport already .  I am on a retirement extension visa .   I know I will need a re-entry permit to keep my retirement visa valid.  Does the Thai lady need anything more then her passport ?   How about me ?  I was thinking about flying into Ho Chi Minh city .  Any suggestions on places to see as I have never been there . Thanks

[theoldgit]

Your Thai lady doesn't need a visa, just at least six months remaining on her passport.

 

As well as a re-entry permit you must have a visa (or pre-approval for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam.  Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay and you must have at least one blank visa page.

 

I would suggest that you ask the travel related questions in the appropriate travel section.

[Upnotover]

Good news is that Vietnam now has a real e-visa rather than the pre-approval letter/collect on arrival.  See here for all the info......https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt

[how241]

Thanks for the link  and info . Appreciate all the help.

[how241]

Do they accept Thai baht  or should I bring US dollars ?  Has anyone flown from   U-Tapao International Airport (UTP)  ,near Pattaya to Vietnam ?  That would be my first choice of airports with my second choice being  BKK( Suvarnabhumi Airport ).

Edited March 11, 2017 by how241

[siam2007]

6 hours ago, how241 said:

Do they accept Thai baht  or should I bring US dollars ?  Has anyone flown from   U-Tapao International Airport (UTP)  ,near Pattaya to Vietnam ?  That would be my first choice of airports with my second choice being  BKK( Suvarnabhumi Airport ).

 

 

you can change Thai Baht at the airport in HCMC as well as Hanoi at a surprisingly decent rate (unlike at Bangkok airports except for Superrich), as the rate is determined by the communist government and money changers have to abide by their rules. In downtown that is another story, usually only US$ affords good rates there. I would bring a mix of US$ and Thai Baht, if I were you.

There is no direct flight from UTP to SGN or HAN, but many from the two Bangkok airports. If you insist on flying out of BKK, Vietjet or Jetstar will be your best bet, but cheaper fares can be usually had when choosing THAI LION AIR from DMK airport, as their fares already include 20 KG of luggage. Be careful with NOK AIR as they recently dropped the free luggage allowance, which means that - same as with AirAsia - the actual fare will be a lot higher than what you see first.

It makes sense to check the fares of Vietnam Airlines too, as they sometimes offer surprisingly good return fares from and to Thailand (and free lugagge + meal included as well)

Fares in the first half of April are actually rather expensive though, Songkhran is peak season in Thailand, after all.

 

.

Edited March 11, 2017 by siam2007

[LongTimeLurker]

Chu Chi Tunnels, old presidential palace and a couple of war museums are the main things for tourists in and around HCMC. There's a couple of "theme parks" around, but Disneyland they ain't and are 99.999% local visitors.

 

A 3 day trip down the Mekong Delta is good, and you can take trips to Dalat, or travel independently depending on how much time you have. For beaches head to Vung Tao on the hydrofoil which can be done in a day trip, just make sure you have a booking to get back, or fly up to Da Nang (or train) and visit Hoi An while you're there.

 

Vietjet flies from Swampy (BKK) but the flights are often delayed in both directions.

 

USD accepted almost everywhere and easily changed, other currencies not so popular.

[how241]

Thanks  for all the info .  I appreciate everyone's help.