Visas in Asia

idontknowmyname

Hey guys,

I'm heading to Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bali- do I need visa's for all of these?

I've seen the recent posting about the thai consulate in Ireland, I'm going for about 28 days to Thailand- do I still need a tourist visa and what about all the other places?

How do I get visa's?

jabberwock

You get a one month tourist visa when you arrive in thailand, or you can apply beforehand for an extended three month one if you need it. As far as I know both Bali and malaysia are the same you'll get a visa stamp at any border crossing or at the airports. For Vietnam you have to have a visa before you get there or they won't let you in. It's easy to get though, either apply to the vietnam embassy in dublin before you go (takes about a week) or perhaps easier you;ll pass a million tourist travel agencies everywhere in Thailand you can arrange visa's for you for a nominal fee. (just make sure you like the spot you are in when arranging them!! I got stuck for 10 days in Bangkok while arranging visa's to cambodia, laos and vietnam!) While I'm on the subject if you are spending time in aisa don't miss out on Laos it a wonderful spot for backpacking and still relatively untouched and cheap.

I have no Idea about Hong Kong. When I was there I didn't need a visa but it was a british colony then since it has been returned to the chinese you may now need a visa.

Darren

You don't need one fro HKG

idontknowmyname

Thanks for the info- I want to do a huge tour of asia cause it's so cheap, I could spend 170 euro on accommadation for a month in vietnam and stay in pretty good hostels.

What are cool places to go to in Laos? If I did that, I could save air miles cause could travel from Vietnam across Laos then into Thailand. I'm travelling solo and am female, anxious but looking forward to it

MazStar

When in Laos you have to go to Luang Phrabang- really pretty relaxed place and Vang Vieng for tubbing (floating down a river in a tyre with people selling yum Beer Laos at the side of the river) and for chilling out. I wouldnt recommend Vientenne, for a capital city I thought there was'nt much to see or do there.

I flew from Vientienne to Hanoi (Vietnam) as I thought the land crossing was a bit long (22 hrs on a bus). Crossing from Thailand into Laos I took the slow boat down from North Thailand to Luang Phrabang, so you could do it in reverse. It took 2 days with a stop overnight. Was good fun and met loads of people on the trip.

Accomodation in Vietnam cost about $10 a night and that was for nice decent places.

jabberwock

You'll find everyone does the same route in Laos, Vientienne (the capitol), Vang vienne Backpacker haven filled with lazy days floating down the river on giant rubber tyres (make sure you get one thats properly inflated!!) and luang phabang in the north beautiful temples and mountains. If you have time i reccommend you go and see the nam nung (sorry spelling) lake between Vientienne and vang vienne you can stay in a guest house on an island in the middle of the lake. also the very north is beautiful if you like trekking and mountain climbing and very few backpackers bother going that far as you take the slow boat to thailand from luang prabang.

I spent 5 months travelling over there about 5 years ago when I was 21. I was a single girl travelling on my own and never had any problems. The people are so lovely. You'll have the time of your life and I wish you luck although I am very jealous.