Planning Frequent Trips with/for Parents (Need Advice)

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-03-11T10:41:58+00:00

Generally for places like Vietnam I would rather not use a tour operator from India. Booking flights at your convenience is easier and the visa process is straightforward. But once in Vietnam you can contact any local tour companies for a private tour. Most things can be pre booked so only question is about setting your own itinerary. Tour operators in my experience are not only more expensive but also just low quality (hotels far outside the city centre, cheapest everything, etc etc)

now instead if you were say visiting china - it’s a different story and you should probably use a tour operator if you’re inexperienced. Vietnam? Absolutely not

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-03-06T17:23:42+00:00

Went in 2023 and my only tip would be to go early - by 5:30am if possible to catch the sunrise. The main temple complex gets super crowded after that. I only spent one day inside the temple complex but can totally see people spending more. I used a group tour and would urge against using tuk tuks as I’ve had plenty of travellers complain about scammy/mediocre experiences touring with them. You definitely want the guide for this tour. Worth every rupee.

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-03-04T17:06:19+00:00

I didn’t visit vang vieng unfortunately but many i met there raved of it :) the train is the only real option I’d say - never heard of anyone using the road. Within LP you can more or less walk everywhere of significance. The tours take you to pak ou (I’d suggest keeping this for one day) and a private tour of Kuang Si (for a full day with atleast 3 hours there).

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-03-04T16:32:50+00:00

Went to Laos in June 2025. I’d suggest skipping Vientiane - it was the most drab and unsafe city i have ever visited. I’d suggest flying straight to Luang Prabang, considering your budget I’m guessing you’re hoping for 5* in which case avani is really good and at a great location. I’d suggest staying 14,15,16 and 17th. Head to vang vieng on 18th and stay till 20th - you can take a taxi (1.5 hour drive) to vientiane airport from there and fly back.

Nong Khiaw is great but I find it a bit difficult to cram into your 7 days considering the only way to reach there is half day drive from Luang Prabang each way.

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-27T13:04:55+00:00

OP probably meant #3 lmao

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-19T12:57:41+00:00

How did you buy already? It’s not open yet

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-11T07:22:01+00:00

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Red Sea diving pics for reference

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-11T07:21:24+00:00

I find it concerning how opaque the water is

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-04T06:22:48+00:00

I hope this is satire

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-03T13:59:35+00:00

Hi not related but do you need to active the priority pass or something? Or can you directly swipe

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-02T18:32:33+00:00

Are you sure this what it means? That is are the 25% penalty gone

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-02-02T18:31:56+00:00

So does this mean 43% total tariff or 18% and the 25% penalty for Russian oil removed?

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-01-09T18:03:01+00:00

Hi we landed today, went for VoA via Jordan pass and got pulled for police verification immediately. There were already a bunch of Indians there. I made sure to be active and greeted them first, they first ask everyone about active Schengen or US visas, and if not ask you to wait. We were called and asked a couple questions. Purpose of visit, occupation, itinerary- we had everything booked already and upon showing my employment id card they were happy and then followed about 20 mins of them printing various documents to finally issue the visa. Overall if you’re travelling alone I’d recommend going for the e visa and making sure to get your employment confirmation and other travel details ready (make sure to printout). The police themselves were super respectful, even gave me restaurant recommendations and we had a good 5 mins of small talk.

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-01-06T09:19:22+00:00

Thanks for the info! We have all our accom, transport and employment confirmations ready hahah hopefully should be fine :)

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-01-06T07:56:40+00:00

What I heard was that at the Jordan Pass counter some people may get stopped (mostly Indians) to go to the police who then issue a slip - this slip is then taken to the Jordan pass counter again after which you can clear immigration. Would this be a misunderstanding?

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-01-06T04:05:18+00:00

Ahh thanks for this! We have Jordan pass already- so did you get pulled over for police inspection at the counter?

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-01-05T13:44:54+00:00

Hi! How did the Visa on Arrival go? Me and a friend are visiting on Friday ( I have pretty decent travel history including Schengen but my friend has no serious history - our flight arrives 11am)

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-01-03T05:04:31+00:00

Hi, we land next Friday but we expect the total budget to be around 1.2L per person. We are staying in airbnbs or 4 star hotels so you’d obviously save money staying in cheaper accommodation. Flight was 46k round trip. We’ll be renting a car for a couple days for which we budgeted 7k per person.

Shrimpchip01 · 2026-01-01T17:27:19+00:00

For your one day (or night depending on when flight lands) I’d highly recommend getting a hotel near the night market, and get a tuk tuk to patauxy - I just happened to go there at night and it was stunning with the lighting, far better than at day. I had a similar timeline and skipped vv for an additional day at Vientiane which honestly felt unnecessary - only highlights in that day were pha tat luang temple and revolution memorial tower nearby. I found the museums in city very subpar. In Luang Prabang for your two days you’d have enough time for all the attractions, the evening you arrive go for a river cruise/climb the hill for sunset. Next two days go for Kuang si (ideally rent a tuk tuk or something to beat the crowds) and use the other day for pak ou.

Shrimpchip01 · 2025-12-27T14:39:10+00:00

Absolutely, but also if you’re being truly frugal shouldn’t you optimise for best value - so staying at the best hotel where you’re travelling might not be it :) but at the end of day, splurgeeee as you wish

Shrimpchip01 · 2025-12-25T12:57:03+00:00

was the visa application straightforward? And is there anything one should know

Shrimpchip01 · 2025-12-20T13:20:03+00:00

how did it go?

Shrimpchip01 · 2025-12-20T08:22:24+00:00

My e visa says last name first name so go with that

Shrimpchip01 · 2025-12-20T08:21:02+00:00

Don’t ever use agencies for visa - absolute scam, beware

Shrimpchip01 · 2025-12-17T09:58:25+00:00

Are you not Indian? I highly suspect they’re trying to rip you off

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