Travel to Vietnam, Folding Bikes and Visas

Shanghai Expat Forum Index » Hot Topics Forums » Travelers and Travel Issues

Author

Message

praxis

Newbie

Joined: Dec 23, 2006
Posts: 2
Location: Lianyungang, Jiangxu Province
Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 23, 2006 - 05:34 AM
Post subject: Travel to Vietnam, Folding Bikes and Visas

Ah, Spring Break is fast upon us, and S.E.Asia beckons. Currently, I teach in Lianyungang, and the cold is getting to me (little is heated because we are on the wrong side of the "heat line"). Gets real cold in the class rooms. I digress.

I am looking to ship to Vietnam, hopefully with my folding bike, The bike, BTW, is a high end DAHON. So far its been pretty much indestructible, and it folds up and goes under almost any bus (or in any train). The central-south coast of Vietnam (and Mekong delta) is beckoning.

First problem: anyone know how a Canadian in China can get a visa to Vietnam? What are people in Shanghai doing?

Anyone have any experience touring Vietnam, especially with a folding bike?

Anyone interested in forming a small group to go and tour?

About me. I am in my mid-50s, and am in good shape (I bike a fair bit). My idea for the trip is half sightseeing, half vacation (planning to do more than just look at the beaches). My thought on biking is to keep it to under 50 k per day, use buses (or sometimes even taxis) for long or difficult stretches, and try to remain flexible. I'd like to see the major city, but want a vacation and not an Asian tour forced march.

Any information would be helpful: I should be free by January 10th, so the clock is ticking. Anyone interested let me know.

Regards

John S

indyshiu

Raver

Joined: June 28, 2005
Posts: 465
Location: In NYC til January
Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 23, 2006 - 12:32 PM

Can't help with your other questions, but you can get a visa by sending your passport to the Vietnamese consulates in either Beijing or Guangzhou. Vietnam airlines in Shanghai helps travelers do this, I think. Alternatively, you can contact a travel agency in Vietnam to help you apply for a "Visa On Arrival". If you are approved, they will fax you a letter to show the airline check-in counter that you have a visa waiting for you when you arrive. This will get you on the plane. Then you get the actual visa/stamp (whatever it is) when you get to Vietnam.

praxis

Newbie

Joined: Dec 23, 2006
Posts: 2
Location: Lianyungang, Jiangxu Province
Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 23, 2006 - 05:31 PM

Thanks Indyshiu,

I am just a bit wary of sending my passport anywhere. Perhaps I will have to bite the bullet. I've heard about the "Visa on Arrival"; I just was unsure whether it was legit or not. It may well be the the fastest and cheapest option if it is legitimate.

Thanks again for the advice

John S.