Surviving Vietnam - Part 2

So, now that all of your pre-trip admin is sorted out, you are ready to begin the adventure that is Vietnam. We forgot to add that you will need travel insurance. If you bought your tickets with a credit card, there should be an option to get travel insurance through their corresponding company.

At the airport:

Be sure to check-in online as soon as this option becomes available, otherwise you may get a crummy seat on the plane. Closer to the front is quite nice because everybody's aircons point backwards so the back of the plane can get quite chilly. Also, the food gets served from the front, so there may not be two options left by the time the trolley reaches you. Once you are at the airport, things can get a little rushed so make sure you have sufficient time. A great option is to get your check-in luggage wrapped in plastic before heading to the counter. This just helps to eliminate badies from getting their sticky fingers where they don't belong! Also, chances are that you will be one of the only people whose bag will be wrapped, making it easily identifiable on the other side.

You may need your visa approval letter for check-in, so have it in an easily accessible pocket with your ticket (make sure you have printed your tickets!) and passport. If you used a credit card to buy your ticket, have that handy too. If you checked-in online, the process is quite quick - they weigh your bags and give you your boarding pass.

If you are taking electronics or an expensive watch over with you, it's a good idea to declare them at the SARS office (near the check-in counters). This way, you can prove that you didn't buy them overseas and won't be taxed with import duties when you return to SA. To speed the process up, find the serial number for each of your electronic items and watch. Record them on a piece of paper along with what the item is - for the incredibly smart person on the other side of the counter. You may need to show them the item and its serial number too for their own peace of mind.

All that is left now are some quick good-byes (pro-longing them just make them harder), pass through customs and find the gate that you are leaving from.

The flight and landing:

The flight is a long one, so try to get comfortable. The over head compartments are not necessarily reserved based on proximity to your seat, so start looking for a space to put your hand luggage  before you get to your seat. Expect the person in front of you to recline their seat as soon as the plane has taken off, and return the favour to the person behind you - creating a ripple effect down the plane.

If you have a stop over, be sure to find out if they have shower facilities (Dubai does). It is really nice to have a shower, brush your teeth and get into clean clothes. So be sure to pack the relevant things into your hand luggage. If you pass through Dubai and your stop over is 4 hours or longer, you are entitled to a free food voucher. Just ask around and staff will point you in the right direction. (P.S. we are not sure if this applies to all airports.)

Once you have freshened up and had your free meal (if applicable), it is a good idea to find out where your next flight will be leaving from. Most international airports are massive, and you don't want to miss your flight because you couldn't find the gate!

Let's fast-forward to when you arrive in Vietnam. Nothing is explained, and very few people speak english, so asking for help could be a problem. You do not need to worry about your luggage just yet. There is a bun-fight to get visas stamped into passports, so have everything ready. That is, your passport, visa approval letter, 4cm x 6cm passport photos, US Dollars for the 'stamping fee' (the cost depends on the type of visa you applied for), a paper clip will be handy and a pen. You need hurry to the visa counter, because it gets hectic, fast. At the visa counter (when you have eventually fought your way to the front) get another form. Pens are not provided. Fill this out as close to the counter as possible, because getting to the counter once is hard enough. Doing it twice is just silly. Attach your photo to the new form (using the paper clip) and hand it in with your passport and approval letter.

Now you wait... and wait... and wait. If you have ever been to Home Affairs in SA, you would have experienced service like this so may be the most patient person/people there. However, if you are not from SA, this seemingly systemless 'process' could appear chaotic and overwhelming. Shouting at and criticising the officials is frowned upon and slows the process down even further, as a very irritable Russian man discovered when we arrived.

Eventually your name will be called out, you will be required to shove your way to the front again, and pay the stamping fee. You are then free to proceed through customs to fetch your luggage. This entire process took us roughly an hour. Once you have collected your bags, it is a good idea to convert a few dollars to dong. There are various stalls where you can do this - shop around a little, and see who provides the best exchange rate.

You are now ready to go! Leave the airport, be overwhelmed by the thick, humid heat and breath in that (what can only be described as uniquely Vietnamese fragranced) air. You will be bombarded by taxi drivers trying their best to rip you off. Do not fall for their conniving little games! It is a good idea to ask your hotel how much a taxi should cost from the airport before you leave. Also be sure to have the address written down somewhere. If you can find a Vinasun Taxi, they are the best. they are metered and the rates are fair.

Good luck!