Best place to visit from Manila

Can't beat Singapore, I can highly recommend it.

I believe that if you want to fly direct to Vietnam you will have only 2 options, HCMC and Hanoi. Firstly I would advise you to check the weather because it can vary considerably depending on where you are and this will obviously depend on what month your trip is panned for.

You will find French colonial architecture in both HCMC and Hanoi and lovely food, good clean restaurants and coffee shops. The coffee in Vietnam is by far the best I have ever tasted (I spent a few nights in HCMC and 10 nights on a separate occasion in Da Nang.

HCMC is a big city split up into several districts and I stayed in District 1 which was fairly central and I had a pleasant time although compared to Bangkok I do not think there is that much to see. The Saigon Skydeck is worth visiting for panoramic views of the city from the observation deck and the the Central Post Office is a lovely building. There are 2 so called Walking Streets, one is what you would expect, bars, street entertainment, hostels, restaurants and seedy massage parlours but the other is where you will find the statue of Ho Chi Minh and the central area is for walking only with water fountains, some lovely buildings and some street entertainment and music in the evenings.

All that said if the choice was between HCMC and Hanoi, I would probably choose Hanoi because it is possible to do a one day organised trip to Halong Bay from there and 5 to7 days may be a wee bit too long just to stay in HCMC or Hanoi. Now if you would consider getting a connecting flight I would definitely consider Da Nang. There you have the city and lovely beaches to relax and so much to do and see around and near the city. Hoi An is less than 1 hour away and the ancient city of Hue is also possible to visit. Nearer to Da Nang you will find Ba Na Hills, a beautiful scenic day out and also there is the Giant Lady Buddha and surrounding area with beautiful gardens and a fantastic view of Da Nang.

Once again please remember to check the weather for your destination for the month you will travel.  For Vietnam I would advise you to check out the recent You Tube videos by Gio In The Philippines. He has just done a tour of some of the country including the 3 cities I mentioned.

Last thing - Vietnam is much cheaper than the Philippines for accommodation, food and getting around, something Gio mentions in a couple of his recent videos and I think they have now made changes to their visa policy so nationals of a lot of countries can get 90 days now without leaving (for a cost I think). I can see Vietnam becoming even more popular with Ex Pats now only a visa run is required every few months.

Seoul in South Korea is also worth consideration.

@Cherryann01

that was really helpful. Thanks! I don’t mind connecting flights if I’m familiar with the airport or it’s one airline with a short layover. Long fly days really wear me out. Im 69 so I do remember so much news about Hanoi HCMC and Da Nang in the early 70’s.

@FindlayMacD

Thanks! I wondered about that, I’ll check it out.

Just got an email from Cebu Pacific saying from 7 December they are starting a new route 3 times a week flying from Manila to Da Nang. (Direct).

@Cherryann01

I wonder if they will be serving egg coffee in flight? 😃

@Michaelm54

Can a Balikbayan visa be re issued if you leave the country for 7 days. I thought it was at least a year

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum.

Only my understanding is that to avail/renew your Balakbayan visa you will need to return with your wife to gain another 12 months.

An add on if you are here over 12 months you will need to convert to a visitor visa or during the 12 months apply for a 13a visa.

OMO.

Cheer, Steve.

Hi Steve

I am only 3 months into my Balikbayan visa, so after say 10 months my wife and I leave the country for a short holiday, am I able to get another 1 year Balikbayan visa on our return.

    Hi SteveHi SteveI am only 3 months into my Balikbayan visa, so after say 10 months my wife and I leave the country for a short holiday, am I able to get another 1 year Balikbayan visa on our return.        -@richardjinks710

My understanding yes but I am nor ever will avail that type of visa, perhaps other more astute members that avail the program can give their thoughts and experience.

Just what I have read over the many years on expat sites, seems its simply leave and return with your Filipina wife, make sure you have the correct docs.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

Steve

Just weighing my visa options up. Built a house here so intend to stay full time. Will.look at 13A visa as well.