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Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 3:46 pm
by bvanfossen
Hi All

I need to do my first visa run. Is it possible to stamp out of Cambodia, wait ten minutes and then stamp right back in?

I'm guessing no to the above. If i do need to stamp into vietnam will i be okay just arriving ( ive read where ppl say yes) or for sure do i need to book vietnam visa online or at Cambodian embassy?

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 4:36 pm
by bittermelon
Someone that knows better than me will probably give a better answer but pretty sure Vietnam doesn't have a visa on arrival. And you have to pay i think 60$ for a visa there, which makes it an expensive way to go about it. Bussing to the Koh Kong border and going into Thailand would be cheaper, though it involves a much longer return trip. Can't you extend your Cambodia visa at an agent?

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:22 pm
by cautious colin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Vietnam

Some countries do have a visa exemption for 15 days. If you are from the US you do need to get a visa. Can get one online now for a relatively small fee ($25).

There technically aren't visas on arrival, but I am sure if you pay enough you would be able to get one.

Official evisa website:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US ... uc-dien-tu

From website
Step 2: Pay E-visa fee (25 USD). Your application will be processed in 3 working days;

Step 3: Enter registration code, registration email and date of birth to check result in E-visa search menu. If being approved for E-visa, please print E-visa to enter/exit Vietnam.

* Note:

If there is any missing or incorrect/unidentified information, your application will not be accepted.

Confirmation of reading carefully instructions and having completed application

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:14 pm
by bvanfossen
cautious colin wrote: Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:22 pm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Vietnam

Some countries do have a visa exemption for 15 days. If you are from the US you do need to get a visa. Can get one online now for a relatively small fee ($25).

There technically aren't visas on arrival, but I am sure if you pay enough you would be able to get one.

Official evisa website:

https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US ... uc-dien-tu

From website
Step 2: Pay E-visa fee (25 USD). Your application will be processed in 3 working days;

Step 3: Enter registration code, registration email and date of birth to check result in E-visa search menu. If being approved for E-visa, please print E-visa to enter/exit Vietnam.

* Note:

If there is any missing or incorrect/unidentified information, your application will not be accepted.

Confirmation of reading carefully instructions and having completed application
Thanks for the info. I now need to decide if I'll run to Thailand or Vietnam.

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:26 am
by timmydownawell
You can also fly PP to KL for less than $60 return, if you catch a discount fare on AirAsia.

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:54 am
by hiway5
bvanfossen wrote: Mon Nov 05, 2018 3:46 pm Hi All

I need to do my first visa run. Is it possible to stamp out of Cambodia, wait ten minutes and then stamp right back in? YES. Lots do it at Ha Tien crossing.

I'm guessing no to the above. If i do need to stamp into vietnam will i be okay just arriving ( ive read where ppl say yes) or for sure do i need to book vietnam visa online or at Cambodian embassy?
Many people do an out and back at HaTien. No problem.
If you need a visa there are also consulates in Battambang, Siem Riep and S'ville.

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 11:24 am
by oasisbarhatien
There are now quite a few countries whose passport holders are allowed a 15day visa free entry to Vietnam.You can enter Vietnam at Ha Tien if you have a qualifying passport.If not,you can apply online for an E visa,and enter here at Ha Tien as well,if you only want a 30 day visa.For longer visas you need either an embassy issued visa or a pre-approved visa-Yes you can now enter Vietnam at a land border using the pre-approved visa scheme.

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:01 pm
by Pizzalover
Keep in mind that Thailand gives you only 2 land entries per year. Add to that the long drive from PP and the 10 USD trip to HCMC (one way) looks not bad at all.

No idea if you pay less for a ticket to Bavet and skip the visa service the bus company offers with the ticket. I imagine you can do that and pay less for the ticket. Then do you border run by walking across and back. Talk to a bus driver going to PP and job done. Be prepared for some money demands (5 USD ?) by the Cambodian officials for that next one month visa they will glue into your passport.

on the other hand, you might consider a day in HCMC. If you take a 6 or 7 AM departure you will be there by say noon or 1 PM. Still time to see a few places in the afternoon and you would have the next morning if you opt for a later bus back to PP. HCMC has lots to offer, the food is good, too.

If you have more time and dont need to be back at work asap: You could go very cheap to Vungtau as long as it is not Friday or Saturday (Arrival at VT). Very nice beach, few people, dirt cheap hotels, decent food, fresh air, no Chinese in sight (when I was there last year). Nice break from PP.

As for buses to HCMC/Bavet, take a company that charges 10 USD. Giant Ibis is nicer but then you have those tourist girls talking 6 hrs BS. Unless you bring a headset it will be torture. Mekong Express is as bad as the cheaper companies. I have made good experiences with the 6 AM Capitol van service and their 7 AM bus service. Best might be to simply take the bus company closest to your place and you might avoid the transfers to and fro home.

Ha Tien: Transfer to and fro to Ha Tien border from Kampot pretty much equals the ticker price PP-HCMC, add to that the Kampot transfer and you will be spending quite a bit more.

There is a third option for a crossing slightly northeast of Ha Tien but the road is bad. Prices would be cheaper than Ha Tien and perhaps also Bavet.

In case you opt for Thailand: Avoid Koh Kong border as the Cambodian staff there is the perhaps most corrupt of all. They insist on payment in Thai baht and take a very decent cut for themselves. I know that there are reports and advice how to avoid it. So do your reading.

Poipet: If you take the first bus, 6 AM, you will be there around 2 PM and still hit some border traffic. But not too much. Be fast and you can make it to a 3.30 PM departure (last bus company on the right hand side down the main road, take a motorbike, fare 7.50 USD). This ride will get you into PP by 1.30 AM depending on traffic, weather, accidents, whatever.
Attention: if you opt for a 12.30 noon bus from PP, you will need to rush to make it across the border into Thailand. No chance to make it back same day though. Aranyaprathet is 6 kms and a 60 baht tuktuk ride away with much better and cheaper accommodation than Poipet and the food is anyhow in a different league. If you go by daytime it is a cheap 10-20 baht songtaew ride to Aran.

If you miss the 3.30 bus, your next option is a 7.30 night bus and those later until about 9.30. Plenty of them.

Morning buses to PP leave until roughly 11 AM or noon. Not sure. So you could take an overnight bus to Poipet and return with a morning bus and be back around 7-8 PM. Not a nice trip but doable if necessary.

PROBLEM: The Thai officials are certified bastards. They have the habit of asking for onward airline tickets out of Thailand, at least 500 USD (or equivalent) in cash, and a hotel reservation. If you have a lot of Thai stamps they might simply refuse you anyhow. The officials do not like border runners from Thailand. I had serious issues last month and was lucky to have that airline ticket plus enough cash. The lady did not take it nicely when I replied to her cash questions, which currency she would prefer, baht, usd or euro.

In sum, if you qualify for a visa waiver for Vietnam, go there.

EDIT: I forgot to mention a major attraction of Poipet! On the Thai side, just north of the border market BIG C has opened a Supercenter. It is an excellent option for small household appliances (much cheaper than PP) and other supplies that often cost double or more in PP. If you bring a large backpack the shopping might easily pay for the bus tickets.

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:46 am
by bvanfossen
Thanks everyone for their info. Double thanks to pizzalover

I believe I'm going to go through Vietnam the following weekend. I might as well get their stamp in my passport.

Re: Vietnam Visa Questions

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:08 am
by Clemen
Seems like you have decided but just thought I'd throw this in. The train from Phnom Penh to Poipet is free until December 31st, including if you want to take a moto.
And my experience of the borders at Poipet and Koh Kong are quite different. I've had no problems at Koh Kong, always very polite, invited me into their aircon office to fill out paperwork. Poipet twice they tried to tell me the visa price was $10 more than the official price.