Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 355

WOMEN TRAVELLERS
While it always pays to be prudent (avoid dark lonely alleys at night), foreign women
rarely report problems in Vietnam. That said, you may receive unwanted (although usu-
ally pretty harmless) advances if travelling alone. Be aware that exposing your upper arms
(by wearing a vest top) will attract plenty of attention - local women rarely expose much
flesh.
East Asian women travelling in Vietnam may want to dress quite conservatively. Very
occasionally some ill-educated locals may think an Asian woman accompanying a
Western male could be a Vietnamese prostitute.
Most Vietnamese women enjoy relatively free, fulfilled lives and a career. The sexes
mix freely and society does not expect women to behave in a subordinate manner.
WORK
At least 90% of foreign travellers seeking work in Vietnam end up teaching English,
though there is some demand for French teachers too. Pay can be as low as US$7 per hour
at a university and up to US$20 per hour at a private academy.
It's best to arrange a business visa if you plan on job hunting.
VIETNAM VISA AGENTS
If you're flying into Vietnam it's usually easiest and cheapest to get your visa approved through an on-
line visa-service company. This system does not operate at land border crossings.
They will need passport details, and will email you an approval document two to three days later
(one day for rush service), which you need to print and bring with you to the airport. On arrival,
present the approval document and passport picture, then pay a stamping fee (US$45 for single-entry,
US$65 to US$95 for multiple-entry visas). Many travellers prefer this method since they don't have to
deal with bureaucratic hassles or give up their passport, and it's usually cheaper than using a Viet-
namese embassy based in the West.
Recommended companies include Vietnam Visa Choice ( www.vietnamvisachoice.com ) and Viet-
nam Visa Center ( www.vietnamvisacenter.org ).
Getting There & Away
Most travellers enter Vietnam by plane or bus, but there are also train links from China
and boat connections from Cambodia via the Mekong River.
Flights, car hire and tours can be booked online at www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings .
ENTERING VIETNAM