Help me plan our first trip to Southeast Asia!
Feb 15th, 2020 | 07:30 PM
#102
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,860
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Glad that you're having a great time even with the health issues and the Wuhan virus situation.
I agree as to having a plan B/C/D if possible. I remember years ago when I was all set to go to Bangkok, but then the Yellow Shirt protestors took over the international airport and shut it down and many were stranded. It had recently reopened by the time I was to fly there, but I wasn't taking a chance as I couldn't chance it possibly happening again and thus be stuck there and not get home in time to go back to work. So, I went into Plan B mode and in a short period of time, flew off to Argentina instead which was a trip that had been planned for that upcoming summer instead of December/January. By the time I got home from Argentina, Thai Air had refunded me 100% of my airfare.
Happy Travels!
I agree as to having a plan B/C/D if possible. I remember years ago when I was all set to go to Bangkok, but then the Yellow Shirt protestors took over the international airport and shut it down and many were stranded. It had recently reopened by the time I was to fly there, but I wasn't taking a chance as I couldn't chance it possibly happening again and thus be stuck there and not get home in time to go back to work. So, I went into Plan B mode and in a short period of time, flew off to Argentina instead which was a trip that had been planned for that upcoming summer instead of December/January. By the time I got home from Argentina, Thai Air had refunded me 100% of my airfare.
Happy Travels!
Feb 16th, 2020 | 01:38 AM
#103
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 0
Sorry to hear of how your plans were adversely affected and that you had to bite some losses but its great to hear your plan "B" and how you made the best of it.
Upset tummies do happen. I had a day recently of raging "Delhi Belly" with emesis and diarrhea but it was short lived. What was puzzling is we ate only home cooked, drank bottled water that had then been boiled so who knows how it happened but that's life. Thank God it wasn't more.
You do seem to be making the best of it! Bravo!
Larry
Upset tummies do happen. I had a day recently of raging "Delhi Belly" with emesis and diarrhea but it was short lived. What was puzzling is we ate only home cooked, drank bottled water that had then been boiled so who knows how it happened but that's life. Thank God it wasn't more.
You do seem to be making the best of it! Bravo!
Larry
people overlook the most common cause of transmission of viruses & bacteria, that is hand to mouth.
Your own hands touch a lot of unpleasant stuff during day's tourism and it isn't hard to see how you can infect yourself with either a virus or bacteria.
Feb 16th, 2020 | 02:03 AM
#104
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,748
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Thank you.
Feb 18th, 2020 | 07:39 PM
#105
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
It was not 20 quarantined in Danang, but 12, including 7Chinese and 1 Czech. All have been released. As of today, 16 cases of the virus in Vietnam, proportionally LESS than in France (12 cases out of 66 million inhabitants) than in Vietnam (97 million). INFINITESIMAL risk, the Viet Government took strong measures starting end of January, including banning all flights between China and Vietnam starting 1 February (later lifted for Hong Kong flights), a very courageous decision considering that, in 2019, there was 1.5 million Chinese tourists in the country.
Feb 24th, 2020 | 07:47 PM
#106
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 341
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Latest news about Corona, and only good ones, from the today's newspaper Le Courrier du Vietnam : the 16 cases in Vietnam ot out of the hopital, no new case since 15 days and the article adds (I quote) : "European tourists continue to flock to Vietnam"
Apr 6th, 2021 | 11:14 PM
#107
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 341
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The latest Corona news from Vietnam are ; very few new cases, immediately taken care of ; no new deaths since mid-2020 (35 victims).and people living in Vietnam can travel throughout the country . On another side, the borders are still closed to foreign visitors (they were closed on 22 March 2020) except diplomats and officials, experts, investors, and skilled workers , many touristy-sites hotels are closed, ; in Hanoi, all the best restaurants are closed except 2 or 3, some for good, because of high rent . There are talks about the Government opening the borders to vaccinated foreign tourists in September, but absolutely nothing certain.
Apr 9th, 2021 | 09:35 PM
#108
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
The latest Corona news from Vietnam are ; very few new cases, immediately taken care of ; no new deaths since mid-2020 (35 victims).and people living in Vietnam can travel throughout the country . On another side, the borders are still closed to foreign visitors (they were closed on 22 March 2020) except diplomats and officials, experts, investors, and skilled workers , many touristy-sites hotels are closed, ; in Hanoi, all the best restaurants are closed except 2 or 3, some for good, because of high rent . There are talks about the Government opening the borders to vaccinated foreign tourists in September, but absolutely nothing certain.
Apr 10th, 2021 | 01:21 AM
#109
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,278
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I think the main problem will be going to multiple countries and meeting all their visitor regulations.
You also need to confirm that the countries you intend to visit are permitting visitors from your country. This may change as Covid figures in your home country change and the viral strains change.
I would thoroughly recommend subscribing to your home country's "Vaxport" system.
You also need to confirm that the countries you intend to visit are permitting visitors from your country. This may change as Covid figures in your home country change and the viral strains change.
I would thoroughly recommend subscribing to your home country's "Vaxport" system.
Apr 19th, 2021 | 02:07 AM
#110
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
A few questions:
The flight I am interested in flies from LAX- Hong Kong (Cathay) for a stop over of 1:15 before the next flight to Hanoi. Will this be enough time? Do you have to go through customs once again?
If I obtain a 30 day Visa for Vietnam but actually end up staying 32 days what do I need to do?
Thanks!
The flight I am interested in flies from LAX- Hong Kong (Cathay) for a stop over of 1:15 before the next flight to Hanoi. Will this be enough time? Do you have to go through customs once again?
If I obtain a 30 day Visa for Vietnam but actually end up staying 32 days what do I need to do?
Thanks!
Apr 19th, 2021 | 11:32 PM
#112
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,773
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Unless you are on a single ticket with carryon only or checked through bags only when you will just stay in the transit area and not go through customs, that is not enough time. Even then, I feel it is unlikely any airline will sell you such a ticket with such a short connection. Staying over for a couple of nights in HK will solve your Vietnam visa issues. If not, why not get a 3 month visa and avoid any problems. Either way, it is extremely unlikely that Vietnam will be allowing tourists to enter this year and if they do, it will likely involve some element of quarantine.
Jul 26th, 2021 | 03:30 AM
#113
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
We are a Senior couple planning our first trip to Southeast Asia. Our plan is to spend up to a month in the region which would include Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. We live in NYC and can either fly out of there or since we are planning to being in Los Angeles after our trip we can start in LA. I have many questions before I begin to make our travel plans and hope that you can help me in making our decisions regarding an itinerary.
1. We are planning to spend the month in February in the region. Is this a good time to be there?
2. Best to fly from NYC or LAX? Which city do you suggest we fly into for a stopover?
3. Which airline would you suggest we use?
4. Is it too ambitious for us to see all 4 locations in a month and if so which one would you cut out/
5. Can you suggest an itinerary regarding where to start and finish our travels?
6. Will we need specific Visas and/or vaccines before entering these locations?
7. Would you suggest a Tour company, local guides and if so offer any suggestions?
While I have already begun my initial research into the locations I have always found it helpful to start with Fodor's in planning all of my trips. It would be most helpful to hear about your experiences, suggestions even if it is offering advice on only one of these questions.
Thanks!
1. We are planning to spend the month in February in the region. Is this a good time to be there?
2. Best to fly from NYC or LAX? Which city do you suggest we fly into for a stopover?
3. Which airline would you suggest we use?
4. Is it too ambitious for us to see all 4 locations in a month and if so which one would you cut out/
5. Can you suggest an itinerary regarding where to start and finish our travels?
6. Will we need specific Visas and/or vaccines before entering these locations?
7. Would you suggest a Tour company, local guides and if so offer any suggestions?
While I have already begun my initial research into the locations I have always found it helpful to start with Fodor's in planning all of my trips. It would be most helpful to hear about your experiences, suggestions even if it is offering advice on only one of these questions.
Thanks!
4) Definitely too ambitious in my opinion. I have spent over 300 days in VN and about 100 in Thailand and I still have not seen nearly as much as I would like.
5) To suggest an itinerary we would need to know your interests and what you want from this trip. SE Asia ticks all the boxes for scenery inland and coastal, history, wildlife, architecture, food, nightlife...
6) I have always preferred to travel alone, you can do what you want when you want that way.
Jul 26th, 2021 | 04:14 AM
#114
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
One month for 4 those countries ? You must be kidiing . This si no USa ! Very few superhighways, regular roads for the main touristic sites, etc. Moreover, you are dreaming. considering the teh covid situation in South-East Asia ; Thai land has tightened the screws and so have Cambodia and Laos; we are confined in Hanoi, Saigon is closed, all the tourists sires are closed, and so are most hotels and decent restaurants. Some of the MUST SEE (Tam Coc and Hoi An in Vietnam, Angkor Temples in Cambodia? the Royal Palace in Bangkok, etc.) ) are under complete confinement also, . Anyway, right now, none of those countries deliver an entry visa, so the problem is solved !.
Aug 29th, 2021 | 06:14 AM
#117
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,748
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Aug 30th, 2021 | 05:00 AM
#118
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,278
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It is often worth updating these threads as others may find it on a search....so it isn't just the OP that benefits.
Aug 30th, 2021 | 05:04 AM
#119
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,736
Likes: 7
