This is the best way to check the weather http://www.dogeweather.com/

It give accurate weather forecasts based on your IP address. Keep in mind if your IP address is virtual you'll receive an accurate weather forecast of wherever your virtual address is, and won't help you one bit to prepare for the day.

Maybe you've already figured it out, but...

I've used myvietnamvisa.com and it works fine. The way it works is they'll send you an invitation letter which you then show at the airport and pay an additional 'stamp fee'. Only issue is that they process multiple people at once and then send everyone the same invitation letter, with everyone's details like passport number, planned entry date into Vietnam, etc. so don't use this method unless you want to share your details with some random people.

Also, this method ONLY works if you're flying into Vietnam, not if you're crossing a land border.

^^^ thanks. I'll probably end up going with the website option. Saves me trying to sort it out while on the road.

Is it easy to open an account in Vietnam without work permit? What are the requirements? Which bank got full internet banking with possibility for transferring international too?

Quite easy. When I opened an account with HSBC (3 years ago), they required 2 forms of picture ID. They accepted my passport and my US driver's license. IMO HSBC is the best option in Vietnam. They do have good Internet banking as well and I've had no problems sending or receiving bank wires to/from other countries.

Was anyone in Da Lat? How is the nightlife there?

Da Lat was built by the French and has a colonial architecture-romantic flavor to it, which is why the Vietnamese love to take holidays over there. Meaning, it is more a Vietnamese touristic area than a foreigner one (prices are consequently cheaper). It is a charming place, but would not go over there for the nightlife. Nha Trang is where you want to go to have fun.

Is there anywhere to get poker books in HCMC? I'm mostly looking for No Limit Hold'em Theory and Practice and any good books for MTTs

Thanks for the reply, however I need to open an account in one of these banks:
Asia Commercial Bank,
Sacom bank,
Exim Bank,
Vietcom bank,
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam

Any experience with any of these and can i open it on a 30 day tourist visa?

You can find these books on ebooks.

I know, but I prefer real books because I get distracted too easily with ebooks, and I think its easier to look at charts in physical books when I'm playing online.

looking for spot to go for about a year, not interested in tourist/sex traps. am interested in nice/luxury appt. home. with quality electricity and internet. preferably beach destination. ive read through the entire thread, seeing nha trang, mui ne, china beach, lang co. which of those would be the best for quality services?

and any websites/ rel estate agents that have properties in those ares would be of help.

Not interested in tourist traps but want somewhere in Vietnam where you can rent a luxury apartment near the beach.

meant more specifically not looking for an area filled with sex bars and old russian pervs

and a place that is tourist-vaca only is unlikely to offer many apartments for long term rent or quality internet(something like a high mb business line)

Nha Trang would be perfect, imo, as you have a good choice of restaurants to choose from, nightlife, solid internet connection and an ample selection of appartments. I do not think you will find a hard time to find a decent pad close to the beach. As far as sex tourism, it is really not as prevalent in Vietnam then say, Thailand, Cambodia or the Philippines (and outside of your casual freelancers and 1 bar, Nha Trang is not packed with them).

sounds about right, any website or realtor you know of? im only getting vacation rental websites on google search

Nah, I rented long term in a sweet hotel last winter : 15$/night (monthly), very spacious, 2 king size beds, bathtub, flat screen tv, fridge. The suite at 22$/night had a Jacuzzi and balcony. But it should be fairly easy to find something on the spot.

The best way to find an apartment, imo, would be to befriend a local. So if you know anyone from there, or just find someone on Cupid or DIA, become friends, and ask for their help.

Which mobile phone company have reliable internet in Nha Trang and Saigon? Is Viettel the most reliable?

my girlfriend convinced me to do 2 weeks of vietnam on our asia trip.

which are the most beautiful places the country has to offer? anything between hanoi and saigon is possible

what is the most amazing thing we could do when we are there in the beginning of may? and what is the best way to travel from city to city besides domestic flights?

all help is greatly appreciated!

I would definitely recommend staying away from vietnamese banks and go for an international one instead.

Nice to see many poker players in Vietnam. I'm a poker player & local in HCMC. If anyone needs any information, do not hesitate to contact me. Add me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vnexpress.net (inbox me ''2+2' forum'' first before adding because i do not accept the unknown person)

we have home game & tournament game in HCMc too, gonna invite if u interested in it

sure thing, Viettel has good customer service and the most reliable provider for anyone

actually there is no poker table in casinos in Vietnam, even in HCMcity 5-star-hotel or Ho Tram MGM. hopefully poker will be available soon in Crowne Da Nang. I saw pictures from Winfred Yu, CEO of poker king club in Macau, he went there last year and it is hoped that he could help to make it available for foreign people there: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...9200153&type=1

Based on what?

I went to EximBank today and they told me I could only get a salary account without residency in Vietnam. But I guess it is different rules in different branches like in Thailand. So I will try some other branches and banks tomorrow.

making my plans for open ended trip...

specific visa im looking for? want to do 3 months plus. Have U.S. and mexican passport, dont know if that affects type of visas i can get.

All of the business class seats im finding have 6 and 12 month stay maximums, wtf is that? economy doesnt seem to have this limitation and multiple airlines are all saying the same type of fare rules.

I should be fine with just a neteller/skrill card, but ill be fcked like a cambodian ladyboy if i lose it? dont need local banks in above situation?
any atms allow you to withdrawal in USD, to avoid neteller xchange fees?

flights from hanoi/hcmc to nha trang? even just small companies using cessnas etc. Cant stand multihour busrides.

hanois nightlife still has curfew@ 10ishpm?

thanks.