Can you get a train from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok?

Is there a bus from Bangkok to Vietnam?

Ugh, Bangkok to Vietnam. Bus? Nineteen hours?! My butt would be numb. Thirty to sixty-five dollars though, not bad. I wonder what the seats are like. Reclining? Hopefully. Last time I took a long bus ride, my back was killing me. I need to check if there are any overnight buses. That would be better. Sleeping upright is pure torture.

Seriously considering flying. Faster, obviously. But way more expensive, probably. Maybe three or four times the bus price? I need to check flight prices on Skyscanner. Gotta compare. Gotta.

Then there's the whole border crossing thing. Visa? Passport? Passport's fine, renewed last year. But the visa... I should look that up online. Vietnam visa requirements. Argh, so much admin. It's always the admin that kills me.

Remember that time I got stuck at the Cambodia border? Total nightmare. Long lines. Grumpy officials. Never again. Hope the Vietnam border is smoother. I really need to print out my itinerary. Always a good idea. Better safe than sorry. I’ll do that later...

Speaking of later, what time’s my dentist appointment? Gotta call and reschedule. Oh, and I need to buy cat food too. Whiskas? Or Friskies? Friskies is cheaper but Whiskas is better quality. Hmmm… decisions, decisions.

Back to the Bangkok-Vietnam trip: Bus is cheaper but slow. Flight is faster, more expensive.Visa is essential! Damn it, I forgot to check bus schedules! Gotta do that now. Probably leaves early morning. Maybe I should just fly.

Can I go to Vietnam from Thailand by bus?

Vietnam via Thai bus? Buckle up, buttercup! Prepare for a 20-hour odyssey, give or take, wallet lighter by $30-$70. Think of it as a budget backpacking adventure.

So, a bus. Not a chariot, or a private jet. A bus. It sounds like a rom-com pitch, doesn't it? But a 4h 6m trip? Including... transfers? Maybe they're counting interdimensional portals. Or teleportation devices I wish I had!

The bus origin? Hmm, good question. Imagine: a nondescript corner, maybe. Possibly near a noodle stand. Or, ya know, search online! I need a vacation.

Can I enter Vietnam with bus?

Entering Vietnam by bus requires advance planning. Forget about visa on arrival if you are crossing a land border. Only e-visas are accepted.

Learned this firsthand, uh, the hard way you could say. Last spring, I attempted a bus crossing, US passport in hand, ready for Southeast Asian adventure. Nope!

• E-visa is a must: Secure it online before you travel. Don't learn it like I did, stranded at the border.
• Land borders differ: Policies can vary. Always double-check the specific crossing you are using.

Border crossings and visa policies are oddly specific. Plus, they can change rapidly; it's worth checking the latest rules. Remember last spring when the rules... anyway. Some borders are pickier than others, too.

Do I need an exit flight to enter Vietnam?

No, you generally don't need an exit flight when entering Vietnam if you're using an e-visa.

Vietnam's visa policies have become more streamlined. The e-visa system, in particular, doesn't usually necessitate proof of onward travel, isn't that neat?

• E-visa advantage: The primary benefit is the waiver of the onward ticket requirement.

• Customs discretion: While not typically requested, immigration officials could technically ask. It's rare, from what I see.

• Other visas: Visa types not of e-origin will need an exit plan ready.

It's a gamble. Remember, policies shift, so double-check the official regulations before your trip.

One time, while visiting Ha Long Bay with my family in 2023, I saw someone get held up because of a passport issue; scary thought! I mean, better safe than sorry, eh? This could cause problems.