Travel

Travel Note

Vietnam Travel Tips

STEPS FOR OBTAINING A 30-DAY SINGLE-ENTRY EVISA 1. Visit this website; https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt. This is the only official government website. All others only look official but are run by tourist agencies. 2. Upload your passport data page image and a passport photo (straight looking without glasses). 3. Pay the $25 USD fee by credit card. 4. You will be emailed a registration code which you can use to check the status of your eVisa. 5. Wait 3 working days for processing. 6. Once approved, print your e-visa, and remember to pack it in your carry-on luggage! BE PREPARED FOR THE HEAT The climate of the entire country is considered to be mild tropical or subtropical. Be sure to check the weather in every city that you plan on visiting in Vietnam prior to departing so that you can plan (and pack) accordingly. GET A CREDIT/DEBIT CARD WITH NO INTERNATIONAL FEES It’s pretty rare to find ATMs in Vietnam that will dispense more than 3,000,000 VND (~$130 USD), and many will only give you 2,000,000 VND (~$85 USD) at a time. Plus, you’ll be charged a transaction fee each time you use one that will range from $1 – $5 USD with the additional 2.5% or more for foreign transaction fee. And it’s pretty rare to find restaurants, bars, or shops that take a credit card. Vietnam is mostly cash-only in many places, outside of hotels. Be sure to check with your bank prior to departing to ensure that they refund international ATM charges. Also, check to make sure they don’t charge international fees. And make sure to exchange some cash too. Here are the 3 top things that I think it's important to prepare for the trip. Please click View to see more travel tips!

Flight

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Before booking flight tickets to Vietnam, please make sure that you have your passport in hand. You will need your visa, but this can be obtained up to 30 days before you expect to depart to Vietnam. Choose your destination as Ho Chi Minh City (SGN - Tan Son Nhat Intl.) We recommend booking flights on Expedia, ideally at least 3 months ahead of time. The flight to Vietnam is normally about 16 hours long, but the total travel time can be 20-30 hours long depending on where you are departing from, and your connections. If you departs from an International airport, it usually takes 1 stop at another country's airport. This can be Tokyo, Japan, or Taipei, Taiwan, or even Seoul, South Korea. Please make sure you book the flight that has the layover time at least 2 or more hours, so you have time to make the connecting flight.

Hotel

Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection

This hotel is where we are having the wedding ceremony. So it would be more convenient for you to commute to the wedding. However, it is not located in downtown area so if would like to explore the city, it will be 20mins travel to downtown. Price per night: $200-$250/night

Hotel

Sherwood Suites

This hotel is located closer to the center of Ho Chi Minh city. If you are going to be in Ho Chi Minh a few days before the wedding, it is better to stay close to the city so you can explore things around. Also, it would take about 15-20mins to the wedding venue (Landmark 81). This hotel costs about $60-$80/night.

Hotel

Signature by M Village Lê Thánh Tôn

Another hotel is closer to the center. It will take about 15-20mins (with traffic) to Landmark 81. It would be a great hotel to stay if you don't want to stay at the Landmark hotel. Price: $80/night on Agoda website.

Rental Car

Download GRAB App

There is no need to rent a car. It is better to use app booking for a ride. You should book a ride through this app rather than a taxi . Grab works just like Uber. Simply download the app on your phone and find a driver anytime you need a ride. You can load your credit card info or opt to pay cash for each ride. You’ll rarely pay more than $2 to get around the city. You’ll save yourself a ton of time, money, and hassle if you use Grab during your visit to Vietnam – trust us! Please download the app Grab by clicking the View button below!