Alright. I've decided to be a tourist for three weeks in Cambodia and Vietnam before finally going home. I'm in Chiang Mai, Thailand right now, hold a US passport, and need to get some clarification on visas.

Vietnam visa: According to my research (i.e., using the search function to find all recent discussions about SEA visas, plus visiting a few not-so-helpful official sites), I see that I need to get a tourist visa for Vietnam before I get there. Wonderful, I'll do that. My question is, how should I do it? I balk at the thought of putting my precious passport in the care of the Thai postal system, so does anyone know where it is best for me to go in person to get it done? I would prefer some place in Chiang Mai, but I have tentative plans to go to Chiang Rai and probable plans to stop in Bangkok, and unless I reverse my tentative route, I will also be in Siem Reap (and possibly Phnom Penh--I haven't decided. If anyone has any opinions on if it's worth a short visit, I'll gladly hear them) before Vietnam, so I could potentially do it in any of those places, also. Anyone know about how long it will take in person?

Cambodia: I've heard that you can get Cambodian visas the day of arrival, right at the border. I plan on flying in: can I get it there at customs? Or should I get the Cambodian one in advance, too (in which case, the same questions on where I can get it in person apply)? My brother is flying over from the US (into Bangkok) and traveling with me: should he get a visa for Cambodia in advance also (he'll, of course, get his Vietnam one in the States)?

Finally, are there any warnings about the valid dates of my visa? Will it start when I get there, or do I have to specify my arrival date?

Thanks so much!

I think you can get an e- visa by email these days - check here:
http://www.vietnam-immigration.org/why- ... ?Itemid=83

When they email it back to you print it off and have 2 photos ready for when you land.
This acts as an approval letter and then you can get the visa stamp on arrival. But you have to be flying in.
(more info on how it works here: http://www.myvietnamvisa.com/faqs.html )

Otherwise you have to visit the Vietnamese embassy in Bangkok, address is:
83/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330


You can also get e-visa for Cambodia here- http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/vindex.aspx

Getting a visa on arrival in Cambodia is very easy and straight forward. I was told to bring some photos and US$20, but didn't need to the photos and they take digital ones anyhow when you arrive (at Siem Reap, anyhow).

But do be wary of them trying to tell you it costs more than $20! I had heard about this scam before I arrived so was prepared. The guy tried to tell me it was xxx baht for a visa (the equivalent of $30 US) but I argued the point for 2-3 mins, waving the $20 that I had out and ready to go. He eventually conceded.

($20 was in 2008 - I assume it hasn't changed but it would pay to check the official rate online).

If for some reason the e-visa thing doesn't work, and you are heading to Bangkok, you can get both Cambodia and Vietnam pretty easily. There are about 1000 visa service people just begging for your business.

PC

There is NO official government web site for obtaining visas in VietNam - just enterprising, high priced characters. YOU CAN ONLY PICK-UP PRE_ARRANGED VISAS AT AIRPORTS - not land gateways.

You are far better off getting your VietNam visa in Cambodia.

The friendliest, quickest consulate around. Even on Sundays, it only takes a few minutes.
Vietnam Consulate - Sihanoukville
Ekareach Street, Group 11, Mondule 1, Khan Mittapheap
Preah Sihanouk, Tel: 034 933 724

VietNam Consulate - Battambang
Road No. 03 – Battambang province – Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel/fax : )53-952 894
E-m: lsqvnbat@camintel.com

Embassy of Vietnam
Nº. 436, Preah Monivong
12301 Phnom Penh,
Tel: 023 726 284
Cell: 012 901 440

Just goto any tourist agnecy in Chang Mai and they should be able to sort out your visa for Vietnam. Ive done things like that all the time and always got my passport back.

Cambodia just rock up and you will be fine.

any tourist place in bangkok will get you a visa for vietnam. it takes 3 days or 1 if you really want to pay for it.

in cambodia, u get one at the border. 20 bucks....unless u come overland via thailand then it is 35 b/c that's just the bribe they want and your stuck paying it!