Hi Everyone!

My wife and I are heading back to Vietnam for Christmas. We would appreciate any recommendations of travel (contact info) agents that any of you use/have used in your trips to Vietnam and/or Southeast Asia.

Thanks to all who reply and we hope all is well with everyone!

STL_HCMC

sunlighttravel.com

Try http://uttours.com/, great deals. If you do, ask to talk to CJ, he knows more about travel to Viet Nam than anyone. Good luck.

What a nice time, I wish if I could do as you are doing now.

Have a nice trip.
Hien

Try www.cheaptickets.com
They tend to use multiple carriers in one itinerary to lower cost. I don't mind that, but some people find that less appealing. And you do have to take care of your visa separately. But sometimes you can find fares lower than what the average travel agent quote you.

nah,, it will cost you more. Goto one of the Asian Travel Agency, they get you better discount, plus they will take care of your Visa for you.

CK&Tydi,

Can you recommend an Asian Travel Agency?

STL_HCMC

I think he's talking about going through an agent who specializes in Asia travel...e.g. not Travelocity or Orbitz. If you give Uttours.com a try, they also include your visa in with the cost of travel. That was one of the benefits that took me to them. Ive used them 5 times now. I actually really enjoy them because they offer an open return ticket option, which allows me to go home when I feel like it, not when I'm told to (no penalties). I use to always want just one more week with my wife, not to leave so early, ya know. Good luck on your travels. Whatever company you go through, make sure the Visa is included, it makes it a hell of a lot easier on ya.

it is now May and you are talking about Christmas? Always good to plan ahead i guess. If you are from around here i'd have you go to an Vietnamese travel agency but from where you live, there is none? Try to google it!

Yes -- it is now May
Yes -- we are traveling to Vietnam for Christmas!
Yes -- we believe it is good to plan ahead

Appreciate your advice to 'google it', but the point of the post was to gather recommended travel agent info that others use/have used. Thanks for your input.

STL_HCMC

yeah, you can try Dallas, TX ... December after the 5th or so, price probably around $1,300-$1,400 for a round trip economy ticket ... I can ask my cousin if you need some agents ...
or you can try Chicago's agent
* Dakao Travel: 773-769-0944
* Vina Travel: 773-xxx-xxxx (will let you know later...)

STL_HCMC,

You are correct. It's always good to plan ahead. One should never wait until the last minute to purchase airline tickets.

Since you have plenty of time, I just wanted to raise a point. Sometimes the best possible price now may not be lower than the best possible price sometime in the future, as long as that "sometime" is not too close to your departure date. Keep looking out for ticket prices, but be in no rush to purchase. After a while you'll have good knowledge of the pricing, and you'll know when a good deal comes up.

Best,
sealedkiss

update....

* Dakao Travel: 773-769-0944
* Vina Travel: 773-271-1873

Sorry i didn't know you wanted to use an agent outside of your local area. Anyways, i have a cousin who is a travel agent, she said they get their hands on blocks of tickets whenever they can at discount prices (therefore they can sell it to you for cheap) and this usually occurs about 2 months prior to date of departure. I believe the prices are lower if you travel before December 5th or 9th, depending on which airlines you use.

Hello HCMC_Arkansas

Please keep us posted how much you paid, just curious?

I always fly Korean Air because they fly nonstop to Asia from Washington DC (only 1 stop to VN) I pay extra for the convenience.

Does anyone have travel/flight ticket advice for bringing my wife's mom to USA for a visit?

Good Luck

Will do, patricks. I guess it is now Arkansas_HCMC!

Still haven't booked tickets yet. Have looked at flying Korean Air and Asiana. Have never transited in Seoul. What is it like to have that long non-stop to Korea and then turn around for another 5-6 hour flight to HCMC? I've always flown Cathay Pacific and enjoy having only a 2 hour flight from Hong Kong to HCMC.

Keep us posted on your wife's mom coming to the USA. I've got a travel agent contact in HCMC. Has she received a visitor visa yet? We too would like to do this in the future.

STL_HCMC (a.k.a. Arkansas_HCMC)

It's actually only about 4 hours and after your flight to Seoul it will seem like a short hop. It's a bit bumpy though.

Thanks, dalegg. Four hours doesn't seem too bad at all. In your experience, which airline did you fly through Korea? Have a preference, one over another?

I've heard of a free tour of Seoul for Asiana passengers with a long transit/stopover. Anyone confirm/experience this?

Appreciate the follow-up!

STL_HCMC

That's correct. I flew Asiana everytime and I loved it. The crew like to keep us entertained on the long stretches across the Pacific by putting on little musicals. From LA to Vietnam there was only about an hour lay over before boarding to HCMC, but on the way back when you have that 8 hour layover, they offer a tour through Seoul or a stay at a downtown hotel that serves a pretty nice buffet. I did the hotel twice and the tour once. The only problem with the tour is that you're doing it after a red eye flight and I don't sleep well on airplanes.

One thing to note is that with only a Vietnamese passport they will not let travelers out of the airport unless they have a valid visa for Korea. I don't know how that applies to your situation but you should check into this if you are planning on leaving the airport.

Ive always been lucky to have lived in Seattle. I have only used EVA for my travels to Viet Nam. The flight originates in New Jersey, then stops in Seattle, then to Taiwan. I always feel sorry for those poor souls that started there travel on the east coast. About the 12 hour layover in Korea...though I never experienced it, my parents have. Supposedly, if you take the hotel, once you're finally out of customs, traveled to the hotel, checked in...you have about 4 hours of rest before you have to reverse that whole process, check in for international flights is three hours, plus the hour long, traffic filled drive to the airport. Ive often considered doing Asiana, and, if I did, I would definitely take the tour...though, I drug myself pretty well on oversea flights, sleeps not a problem.

Hi STL_HCMC,
Sorry for the long delay. I am sure you have your tickets by now. Well just to let you know I went with Christopher travel in Morgan Hill CA. Have a great trip and wonderful time with your wife and her family.

Bruce & Han

$1170 Visa included, China Airlines from JFK, include bus shuttle from Philadelphia and surrounding area. 70lbs luggage x 2 per person.
Leaving 2 weeks before Tet and 1 week after Tet 2008

Viet Tin Travel in Philadelphia.

PM if you need contact info.

Luxuries of living in/near a large gateway city! We're trying to find flights out of XNA, the regional airport in Northwest Arkansas.

Got travel info from Mike. Thanks, Chuck!

STL_HCMC

check this http://www.asaptickets.com/, the price quoted seem great to me.

Did you fly with their service yet?
Thanks

I found this about asaptickets ... http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX?14@11...eA^0@.eecdeae/0

Thanks for the heads up, Thanh. I was suspicious when looking at this website too.

STL_HCMC

STL_HCMC

My guy can handle tickets ANYWHERE in the US the the lowest cost. You don't have to be in Philly to get the price brother Call him up and get it started. This guy is one of the better ones out there. How about a travel agent who keeps telling you: "Save money on this, cut cost on that, you don't need that from that particular airlines, all you need is a comfortable flight and get to VN FAST, at the lowest cost!" He never up sells the package to me, telling "you don't need it" hahaha that's what I like about him.

Good luck!

I use a Vietnamese Travel agency in Minneapolis. A couple times I gave them a dates and they booked me a flight only to call back a day or two later saying they found something cheaper. They take care of Visas for you also.

havent deal with them yet. just a forward from one of my friend. our plan to Vn is next year, after the got the GC, renew my pasport and baby be deliveried