Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Procedures for extending a visa vary from country to country. In some cases, extensions are quite com-
plicated, in others they're a mere formality. Remember the most important rule: treat visits to embassies,
consulates and borders as formal occasions and look smart for them.
You do not need to show an onward ticket to obtain a visa or enter the countries of the Mekong region,
even though some do have such rules on the topic.
Volunteering
There are fewer opportunities for volunteering than one might imagine there would be in a region that re-
mains predominantly poor. This is partly due to the sheer number of professional development workers
based here, and development is a pretty lucrative industry these days.
The other avenue is professional volunteering through an organisation back home that offers one- or two-
year placements in the region. One of the largest is
Voluntary Service Overseas
(VSO;
www.vso.org.uk
)
in
the UK, but other countries have their own organisations, including:
US Peace Corps
(
www.peacecorps.gov
),
VSO Canada
(
www.vsocan.org
)
,
Australian Volunteers International
(
www.australianvolunteers.com
)
and
Volunteer Service Abroad
(VSA;
www.vsa.org.nz
).
I-to-I
(
www.i-to-
i.com
) runs volunteer tourism and gap-year programs. The UN also operates its own volunteer program; de-
tails are available at
www.unv.org
.
Other general volunteer sites with links all over the place include
Women Travellers
While travel in the Mekong region for women is generally safe, there are several things visitors can do to
make it hassle free.
Keep in mind that modesty in dress is culturally important across all Southeast Asia. Causes for commo-
tion include wearing the ever-popular midriff T-shirt that inadvertently sends the message that you're a pros-
titute. At the beach, save the topless sunbathing for home rather than this conservative region of the world.
This is particularly important when travelling from Thailand to Cambodia or Laos. Thailand may be very
Westernised with an 'anything goes' atmosphere, but Cambodia and Laos are much more traditional. Walk-
ing around Angkor or Luang Prabang dressed like you are going to a full-moon party won't impress the loc-
als.
There's no question about it: solo women make inviting targets for thieves, and countless female travel-
lers have been the victim of bag-snatching incidents and worse in places like Phnom Penh. Women should
be on guard especially when returning home late at night or arriving in a new town at night.
While physical assault is rare, local men often consider foreign women exempt from their own society's
rules of conduct regarding members of the opposite sex. Use common sense about venturing into dangerous-
looking areas, particularly alone or at night. If you do find yourself in a tricky situation, try to extricate
yourself as quickly as possible - hopping into a taxi or entering a business establishment and asking them to
call a cab is often the best solution.
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