The contrast of Vietnam and Myanmar is probably make your journey through these two beautiful countries very interesting. While Vietnam is very famous with Halong Bay, the rice terrace of Ha Giang and Mekong Delta, Myanmar on the less-known site boasts amazing array of landscapes with Shwedagon pagoda, Bagan temples, serene Inle Lake and stunning Mergui Archipelago.
To help you plan better your travel between Vietnam and Myanmar, Myint, a travel expert from Authentic Asia Tours offers some of his insider tips:
Visa Issue
Vietnam visa is now becomes very easy to obtain. You can get it within few days either through an embassy or a travel agency. Visa on arrival is available for those who have less time and this method allows you to get it online too.
Myanmar Government also allows travelers to get pre-arranged visa on arrival for those who travel by air. International airports such as Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Daw now accepts visa on arrival if you apply visa through the official government site.
Regional Flights
Direct flights are now available from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to Yangon. While Vietnam Airlines offers 4 flights a week on route Hanoi – Yangon, you will find more options on route Sai Gon- Yangon as Vietjet Air also joins this section ( cheap flight ).
If you travel to Myanmar from Vietnam or vice versa, please check the schedule to make sure you catch the flight on the set departure date.
Money and communication
Vietnam has good infrastructure for communication. It is a place where you can get free wifi in most of the hotels with good speed, international phone calls are available with reasonable costs. Yet Myanmar is still developing for this, so far ( 2016 – 2017) the internet is still slow and interruptive.
Please keep in mind that for both countries, it is better if you can bring cash to avoid the international transfer fee. Though ATMs and banks are plenty, you may have to bear 3-4% for each transaction.
Myanmar and Vietnam Tour Operator now offer many convenient procedures to help you deal with this issue and you even can book online for many services including hotels and transfer.
Travel Itinerary
For a glimpse of both 2 countries, Myint suggests you to spend around 14 days and put a beach at the end for ultimate relaxation:
Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Inle Lake – Yangon – Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay
Or : Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Yangon – Inle Lake – Bagan – Inle Lake
These itinerary captures perfectly the culture characters of both cities and rural life, reflecting the tradition of local in the most lively way.
For more adventurous travelers, a deeper look into the local life would be much more enjoyable :
Yangon – Kalaw – Inle – Mandalay – River Cruise – Bagan – Mt. Popa – Yangon -Hanoi – Bac Ha market – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh – Phu Quoc Island – Ho Chi Minh
Or: Ho Chi Minh –Hoi An – My Son – Hue – Phong Nha National
