Hello errryone,

So end of February I'll be flying into SEA. Was thinking about starting in Saigon and then I'd have ~50 days to make it to thai for songkran mid-april. OR start in thai, and then after songkran head down through cambodia and vietnam. Would it make better sense weather-wise to start in one place and end up in the other? Planning ~4-5 months for my trip total unless I love it, then I'll stay for a year.

I understand viet is cheaper than thai, more english, more girls that are intelligent and interested in you rather than a whore looking for a ATM machine bf.

Seems a bit more 'rugged' and grimey, which I like (last 4 years I've been travelling throughout latin america - all 3rd world).

I just feel so overwhelmed with the myriad of possibilities SEA has to offer and where to start. I get grossed out with 70 year old mongers walking around with 12 year old boys, whores are cool and I may dabble if no dates but it's not a focus, I normally skateboard ~everyday as a means of getting around town/ making local friends/ and filming tricks, like living as luxury as possibly for ~$2k/mo, go out a couple times a week but prefer either partying with the homies or taking girls out on dates (don't need uber dance clubs to have a good time). Skinny white kid from California if that makes a difference (don't THINK ppl hate americans there but not sure).

Any overall advice of where to go, where to settle, travel route suggestions, tips, etc?

complete noob to asia here :/

If they know enough english to ask where you're from they won't care, if they hate foreigners and don't speak english they'll be more likely to assume you're australian/british

today again,after 3 months,it broke the cable under the sea, i am with FPT and internet is so so so slow , can't even play poker, is ridicolous this situation,3 months ago when i arrived to vietnam was like that for over 2 weeks before they fixed it... do you guys know if i buy internet with other company the pen drive, will be any better,if yes, wich one you suggest ? over 21 mbps?

was wondering why my internet was ****ed all day, the 3g viettel sticks worked better on stars than my normal internet connection fwiw.

confirmed Vietel 3g usb dongle thingy works for Stars today. No slowness, no problems. Biz as usual.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...m-9962747.html

sharks eating cables, and we can't take fish anymore ahah but seriously they said how long is gonna take to fix everything?

3 weeks - a month+

=(

http://tuoitrenews.vn/business/25268...an-23-operator

By Jan 23 according to this article.

Hey guys, can anyone tell me how long it would take to get a Thailand tourist visa at the consulate in HCM?

I'm hoping to be able to get to the consulate Thursday morning and get it back Friday and fly back to BKK Saturday is feasible. If it takes 2 days would have to apply Wednesday But that's not ideal for me so just wondering if anyone has done this recently.

thanks

standard

Will be in Da Nang for the extended short term future. Just arrived today, my first time. If any of y'all are in the city and would like to get a meal/drinks PM me, I could sure use some local knowledge.

possible, most consulates have a turnaround of 1 day. drop it off in morning pick up afternoon next day

Pick up the next day was standard practice 4 months ago atleast.

Anyone recommend a basic hotel in HCMC for 20 bux or so for first couple nights?

Only preference is that its a decent location for a first timer that has done little or no research before arriving. haha

I'll be getting in late, so hopefully its easy to find. and if I can walk out the front door and chat of up some white people to find my way around then thats all I need.

Hi there, I've been living in Udon Thani Thailand for 5 years now, but I need a change of scenery.

Da Nang looks like the perfect place for me.
Not so touristy, many km of beaches and good drink and food options?
Russians and russian signs everywhere scares me off the idea of Nha Trang.
Russians has never done me anything wrong, but they like to stick to them self don't they...?

I have previously been on holiday to Hanoi and on a cruise in Ha Long Bay, but those two places aren't right for me to settle down.

I'm a 29 year old Norwegian who loves to socialize with coffee, beer, food etc when I'm not playing poker.
Or to be perfectly honest I usually binge drink for 2-3 days, and then leave the alcohol alone for at least a week, and concentrate on poker and working out.

How are you getting on in Da Nang, and where are you from?

I would have given you a PM, but I guess my account is too fresh?
Been inactive for years, so don't remember my old password.

I apologize to everyone if it wasn't ok for me to post this on this thread.

I'm a newbie on here, so if it wasn't clear this post was a reply to birraiolo(page 66).

add the bolded and you'll get along fine

Vodka?
I'm Norwegian, not Finnish!

Unlike in Norway vodka is affordable here

Haven't been to Da Nang, but I've heard it's nice. The food in Hue was great. I'm guessing the food in Da Nang would probably be similar. You should definitely spend a few days in Hue if you end up moving there.

Sounds good.
Will check out Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An.

Hey I am going to Vietnam soon and i need your opinion
I have booked a round-trip ticket for a five months i will get visa on arrival but the problem is that my validity can be only for 3 months (multiple entries not sure if it matters)
May i have a problem to get entrance to Vietnam /airplane(Qatar Airways) ?
Should i buy a cheap ticket to another country before visa expiration ?

I don't think you'll be asked about your return flight.

where are you from? visa on arrival is only available to a few countries. for other countries you need to apply online and have an acceptance letter with you when you arrive. i was asked to show the acceptance letter when checking in with qatar airlines in london.

I come from Poland I already have this letter According to that letter i need to leave Vietnam before 14 of march but my flight back to Poland will be in the middle of June

How it was with you? Did you had a return ticket booked before the end of validity of the letter, when you flew

Hi guys - former PS SNE.

This will be my 2nd extended stay in HCM (was here from Jan - Aug 2010). Will be here until end of August. I'm in the eCig business in the US (VaporXpress). I'm here to play poker, work a bit on sports arbitrage, but to also explore some business opportunities.

If anyone is business-minded and want to meet up to brainstorm some opportunities together, please let me know.