Getting To And Around Vietnam

Ancient temples, pagodas, sandy beaches, and quaint little fishing villages could be the ideal portrayal of a vacation for some. On the other hand, there are those would like to experience a bit of nightlife with some fine wining and dining too. Since variety is said to be the spice of life, travelers to Vietnam are sure to have a variety in this magnificent country which is a potpourri of Asian cultures.

Once you have your passport in order and have decided on a Vietnamese vacation, visit the website of the Vietnamese Embassy and fill in your application for a travel visa at least a couple weeks before your flight. Tourist visas cost anywhere from $45 upwards, depending on the length of your stay and the number of times you wish to enter and leave the country. You will need to attach 2 passport size photos along with your visa application and send it along with your application to the Embassy. Citizens of certain ASEAN countries do not require any entry visa.

While your visa is in process, this is the best time to make a travel itinerary of your tip. If you are flying in from the US, you need to be aware that there are no direct flights, which are normally routed through countries such as China, Honk Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the two popular cities to fly into from other locations.

A scheduled visit to a doctor is definitely on the cards, for vaccinations for yellow fever, hepatitis A and B and typhoid. In your medical kit, carry malaria tablets, especially if you are visiting villages and other rural areas in Vietnam. Although vaccinations are not mandatory for entry into Vietnam, it is always better to be safe than sorry and end up falling ill instead of enjoying your time on the sandy beaches or magnificent countryside.

This would be a good time to get online get to know about the country, its culture, history, and places you would like to visit. An experienced travel agent can help plan a well organized trip to Vietnam. Enquire about accommodation and sightseeing packages, and travel arrangements that can be made between local destinations in Vietnam. There are several online tour guides to help you with this.

Getting around Vietnam is easy since the country has an efficient and affordable transportation network. Domestic travel by air could cost about $70 or more between Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, while you could travel by bus for around $10-$15. There are airports in all major cities including Hanoi, Da Nang, Da Lat, Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Sa Pa, and more. Traveling by road can be an altogether different experience. Vietnam does boast of a few 'super-highways' and well maintained roads in major cities. However, be prepared for thousands of scooters, cyclists, cars, and animals as well. In a way, this is what makes road travel a great experience. And, there is always the choice of buses, cars for hire, and tourist buses to get you around the cities.