GSB Vietnam 3 Adventure -- Memo #3
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Kien Pham
<kienpham@neverchange.com>Dec 9, 2025, 4:15:35 AM12/9/25
to GSB Vietnam 3, KP Support team
Friends and Classmates:
Below is a list of relevant topics for your trip preparation. If you have more questions, please send an email to KPsupp...@vnfoundation.org and we will respond to you and update this checklist if necessary. To note, we will post the evolving itinerary and this checklist online in a shared Google document that you can access anytime. Whenever we have an update on that posted Google document, we will alert you via an email. You are now authorized to become excited about our GSB Vietnam 3 adventure.
1. Vietnam weather: We will have hot tropical climate in the South including Saigon, Phu Quoc island, Rach Gia City and Can Tho City while the weather will be cool or cold in the North including Hai Phong City, Ha Long Bay, Sapa and Hanoi. As you surely have heard, recent repeated typhoons devastated central Vietnam so climate change is not a hoax to the Vietnamese people and they have stopped guaranteeing perfect weather to all visitors. Rest assured, though, we are not touching central Vietnam on this trip. You will have nice weather.
2. Physical Activities: Given the fact that all of us are card-carrying members of the AARP, extensive walking will be minimal and optional. Some of us are forever young; most of us are gracefully aged; and this Vietnam adventure is designed for most of us, myself included.
3. Clothes: You can really show off your sexy beachwear and your smart tropical casuals and your cool winterwear since we will be on the beach and in urban cities and in the mountainous highland. Bring layers of clothes, a hat and sunglasses. And of course, suntan lotion. Comfortable walking shoes are sufficient unless you want to trek around Sapa or climb caves in Ha Long Bay.
4. Luggage: It is best if each person brings a suitcase plus a carry-on. If you have more than that, please let us know in advance so we can notify local airlines and order the right number of color-coded luggage straps for you.
5. Medicine and vaccination: No problem bringing your regular personal medicine as prescribed by your doctors. There is a refrigerator in each hotel room for keeping medication. Check website of CDC, State Department and American Embassy in Hanoi for update guidance on vaccination. No need for malaria pills because we will be staying at 5-star hotels; bring mosquito repellent lotion or spray if you wish. Bring chewable Pepto-Bismol pills and consume 6 pinky pills per day as a preventive measure if your stomach is vulnerable. We will have travel health insurance for you in Vietnam but you should also inform your US health insurance that you will be traveling overseas so they can advise you on your policy coverage.
6. Vietnam visa: You can apply for an e-visa at website https://evisa.gov.vn/; If you need application guidance, watch this YouTube video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-jxaBWv_II and if nothing works, email your lifeline KPsupp...@vnfoundation.org and Ms. Thu Anh (aka TA) will help you. If you are going to Cambodia on this trip, we advise you to apply for a multiple-entry visa for Vietnam. IMPORTANT: When you receive your e-visa, please send a soft copy to KPsupp...@vnfoundation.org so we can provide a safety net for you in-country. You should also print out a copy of that e-visa to show the immigration officer at your arrival.
7. Flight information: As soon as possible, please email us your flight information. We need this information to arrange for VIP fast-track service at your arrival and departure. This is critical information for our preparation to collect everyone since you all will arrive on different flights. You don't want to wander around Tan Son Nhat Airport asking for Kien or Walt.
8. Cell Phone and WhatsApp: Please ask your home telco to activate international roaming for your phone and maybe you should purchase an international pass from your telco also. Wifi is free in all of our hotels. To provide a quick and easy central hub for our group communication, please download WhatsApp onto your cell phone and join our ready group called "GSB Vietnam 3". You can join the group via this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LYMQ1VSQcTA5X9YVY6vN0z. That is how you will receive the latest information and itinerary updates from all of us. You do not want to be left out of the next foot massage alert.
9. Cash: No need to bring loads of cash to Vietnam since credit cards are widely accepted. You can easily exchange USD into VND (Vietnam đồng) at all hotel reception counters. In many outlets, Apple Pay is also accepted. You will discover that Vietnamese people use mobile banking and e-payment extensively, much more than in the US.
10. Hotel beds: If you chose double occupancy, please tell us if you want one or two beds. If we don't hear from you, we will assume you want one big bed for both people.
11. Food Meals and drinks: Please send us a note if you have dietary restrictions. We will not eat dogs, cats or snakes on this trip. We drink coffee, tea, bottled water and fresh coconut juice any time of the day. There will be plenty of snacks and tropical fruits for you. If Vietnamese phở noodles and bánh mì sandwiches are your thing, then my heartfelt congratulations. You have made it to heaven.
1. Vietnam weather: We will have hot tropical climate in the South including Saigon, Phu Quoc island, Rach Gia City and Can Tho City while the weather will be cool or cold in the North including Hai Phong City, Ha Long Bay, Sapa and Hanoi. As you surely have heard, recent repeated typhoons devastated central Vietnam so climate change is not a hoax to the Vietnamese people and they have stopped guaranteeing perfect weather to all visitors. Rest assured, though, we are not touching central Vietnam on this trip. You will have nice weather.
2. Physical Activities: Given the fact that all of us are card-carrying members of the AARP, extensive walking will be minimal and optional. Some of us are forever young; most of us are gracefully aged; and this Vietnam adventure is designed for most of us, myself included.
3. Clothes: You can really show off your sexy beachwear and your smart tropical casuals and your cool winterwear since we will be on the beach and in urban cities and in the mountainous highland. Bring layers of clothes, a hat and sunglasses. And of course, suntan lotion. Comfortable walking shoes are sufficient unless you want to trek around Sapa or climb caves in Ha Long Bay.
4. Luggage: It is best if each person brings a suitcase plus a carry-on. If you have more than that, please let us know in advance so we can notify local airlines and order the right number of color-coded luggage straps for you.
5. Medicine and vaccination: No problem bringing your regular personal medicine as prescribed by your doctors. There is a refrigerator in each hotel room for keeping medication. Check website of CDC, State Department and American Embassy in Hanoi for update guidance on vaccination. No need for malaria pills because we will be staying at 5-star hotels; bring mosquito repellent lotion or spray if you wish. Bring chewable Pepto-Bismol pills and consume 6 pinky pills per day as a preventive measure if your stomach is vulnerable. We will have travel health insurance for you in Vietnam but you should also inform your US health insurance that you will be traveling overseas so they can advise you on your policy coverage.
6. Vietnam visa: You can apply for an e-visa at website https://evisa.gov.vn/; If you need application guidance, watch this YouTube video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-jxaBWv_II and if nothing works, email your lifeline KPsupp...@vnfoundation.org and Ms. Thu Anh (aka TA) will help you. If you are going to Cambodia on this trip, we advise you to apply for a multiple-entry visa for Vietnam. IMPORTANT: When you receive your e-visa, please send a soft copy to KPsupp...@vnfoundation.org so we can provide a safety net for you in-country. You should also print out a copy of that e-visa to show the immigration officer at your arrival.
7. Flight information: As soon as possible, please email us your flight information. We need this information to arrange for VIP fast-track service at your arrival and departure. This is critical information for our preparation to collect everyone since you all will arrive on different flights. You don't want to wander around Tan Son Nhat Airport asking for Kien or Walt.
8. Cell Phone and WhatsApp: Please ask your home telco to activate international roaming for your phone and maybe you should purchase an international pass from your telco also. Wifi is free in all of our hotels. To provide a quick and easy central hub for our group communication, please download WhatsApp onto your cell phone and join our ready group called "GSB Vietnam 3". You can join the group via this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LYMQ1VSQcTA5X9YVY6vN0z. That is how you will receive the latest information and itinerary updates from all of us. You do not want to be left out of the next foot massage alert.
9. Cash: No need to bring loads of cash to Vietnam since credit cards are widely accepted. You can easily exchange USD into VND (Vietnam đồng) at all hotel reception counters. In many outlets, Apple Pay is also accepted. You will discover that Vietnamese people use mobile banking and e-payment extensively, much more than in the US.
10. Hotel beds: If you chose double occupancy, please tell us if you want one or two beds. If we don't hear from you, we will assume you want one big bed for both people.
11. Food Meals and drinks: Please send us a note if you have dietary restrictions. We will not eat dogs, cats or snakes on this trip. We drink coffee, tea, bottled water and fresh coconut juice any time of the day. There will be plenty of snacks and tropical fruits for you. If Vietnamese phở noodles and bánh mì sandwiches are your thing, then my heartfelt congratulations. You have made it to heaven.
Special note on alcohol: You can order alcohol at restaurants and hotels and you can pay for it with your credit card or cash. To keep costs down, alcohol consumption is not included in the tour package.
12. Final Payment: Walt will send you a reminder to make final payment prior to December 30th per our signed agreement with the local tour operator.
12. Final Payment: Walt will send you a reminder to make final payment prior to December 30th per our signed agreement with the local tour operator.
If we miss any topic here, please send an email to Walt and Kien and KPsupp...@vnfoundation.org. Many thanks. Below is the latest updated itinerary. We will continue updating this itinerary over the coming weeks to refine our Vietnam adventure.
ITINERARY OF GSB VIETNAM 3 (updated on December 8th, 2025)
ITINERARY OF GSB VIETNAM 3 (updated on December 8th, 2025)
Important: Unless there is a compelling reason, we will start daily tour activities at 9 AM or later. You will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Overnight at Melia Hotel.
Monday, February 2nd, 2026
Flight arrivals in Ho Chi Minh City. VIP Fast-track pick-up at Tan Son Nhat Airport by Vietravel Agent and transport to New World Saigon Hotel.
Check-in and free time.
Overnight at New World Saigon Hotel.
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Personal time.
Noon: Welcome lunch with speaker on Vietnam overview, at New World Saigon Hotel.
Afternoon: Sightseeing tour around Ho Chi Minh City.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at New World Saigon Hotel.
Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Visit Cu Chi Tunnels (Optional).
Lunch: Local restaurant (Optional).
Afternoon: Personal time.
Dinner: At Son Thuy restaurant with Ao Dai fashion show.
Overnight at New World Saigon Hotel.
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast, Hotel check out and transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for Phu Quoc island.
Flight to Phu Quoc Airport: 1 hour long departing at 1 PM.
Afternoon: Check-in at InterContinental Phu Quoc Resort and Personal time on hotel beach.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at InterContinental Phu Quoc Resort.
Friday, February 6th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Island Day Tour (Optional).
Lunch: At hotel (Optional).
Afternoon: Sightseeing tour.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at InterContinental Phu Quoc Resort.
Saturday, February 7th, 2026
Saturday, February 7th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Hotel check-out.
Boat trip to Rach Gia City: 2 hours long, departing at 1:30 PM
Afternoon: Hotel check-in and local tour in Rach Gia City.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at Saigon Rach Gia Hotel.
Sunday, February 8th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Hotel check-out
Bus trip to Can Tho City: 2 hours long, departing at 10 AM.
Lunch (Optional). Sheraton Hotel check-in.
Afternoon: Personal time and Relaxation.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at Sheraton Can Tho Hotel.
Monday, February 9th, 2026
Early Morning: Boat trip to Floating market. Breakfast on board.
Lunch: At hotel (Optional).
Afternoon: Shoe factory visit (Optional).
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at Sheraton Can Tho Hotel.
Tuesday, February 10th, 2026
Early Morning: Hotel check-out and transfer to Can Tho Airport.
Flight to Noi Bai Airport: 2.5 hours long, departing at 9:30 AM.
Lunch: Private welcome at Van Tri Golf course.
Bus trip to Hai Phong City: 2 hours long, departing at 2 PM.
Afternoon: Hotel check-in in Hai Phong City and Local tour.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at Melia Hotel.
Wednesday, February 11th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Hotel check-out.
Departing hotel at 8 AM for a 90-minute bus trip to Ha Long Bay with stopover at the famous Den Mo pagoda.
Cruise ship: Boarding at 11:30 AM and room check-in.
Lunch: On board.
Afternoon: Ha Long Bay tour.
Dinner: On board.
Overnight on luxury cruise boat.
Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Personal time.
11 AM: Disembark cruise boat and Travel by bus to Hanoi, with possible visit at local primary school.
5 PM: Rest stop at Apricot Hotel in Hanoi to refresh and dinner at Apricot Hotel.
10 PM: Boarding overnight train to Sapa.
Overnight in private train cabins.
Friday, February 13th, 2026
Early Morning: Hotel check-in and Breakfast at MGallery Sapa Hotel.
Morning: Visit Fansipan Mountain.
Lunch: Local restaurant (Optional).
Afternoon: Bus tour to ethnic village.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at MGallery Sapa Hotel.
Saturday, February 14th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Hotel check-out.
9 AM: Boarding for long bus ride to Hanoi.
Dinner: ParkCity Hanoi Clubhouse with local students.
8 PM: Apricot Hotel check-in.
Overnight at Apricot Hotel.
Sunday, February 15th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Personal time.
Lunch: Local restaurant (Optional),
Afternoon: Sightseeing tour in Hanoi.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
Overnight at Apricot Hotel.
Monday, February 16th, 2026 (Tet New Year's Eve)
Morning: Breakfast and City tour.
Lunch: Local Restaurant (Optional).
Afternoon: Personal time.
Dinner: Local restaurant.
10 PM: Special Apricot Hotel rooftop event to welcome Year of the Horse with City fireworks.
Overnight at Apricot Hotel.
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
Morning: Breakfast and Hotel check-out. Departure for USA for some travelers.
Noon: Flight departure for the rest of travelers to Ho Chi Minh City for Airport Hotel rest and Flight connection to USA.
Thank you for visiting Vietnam!
END
Kien Pham
Imperfect Servant of the People
VN Mobile and WhatsApp: +84-98-5656-566
"You make a living by what you get and a life by what you give"
Sorry if you see typos. This email comes from a blind man on mobile device!
Kien Pham
Imperfect Servant of the People
VN Mobile and WhatsApp: +84-98-5656-566
"You make a living by what you get and a life by what you give"
Sorry if you see typos. This email comes from a blind man on mobile device!
Alan Colner
<colner.alan@gmail.com>Dec 18, 2025, 9:47:58 PM12/18/25
to Kien Pham, GSB Vietnam 3, KP Support team
Hi Everyone-
I'm trying to click through to the Visa website link in the first line of paragraph 6 (https://evisa.gov.vn/) buy it doesn't respond at all. Any suggestions?
Alan
--
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Walt Spevak
<wspevak@gmail.com>Dec 18, 2025, 9:57:04 PM12/18/25
to Alan Colner, Kien Pham, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
I find that it takes somewhere between 5 and 10 seconds for the screen to appear. Prior to that it’s blank and looks like it’s not working. Perhaps try again and see if it comes up for you after a bit more time.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gsbvietnam3/CAC%3DOBdfd1-cnJyraTUAGsDPW852jxNGTEnqGvTqYrFVzEhg9Bw%40mail.gmail.com.
Alan Colner
<colner.alan@gmail.com>Dec 18, 2025, 10:06:43 PM12/18/25
to Walt Spevak, Kien Pham, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
Unfortunately, I'm getting an ongoing blank white screen.
Walt Spevak
<wspevak@gmail.com>Dec 18, 2025, 11:30:41 PM12/18/25
to Alan Colner, Kien Pham, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
Goodness. Not sure what is going on.
I typed in the shorter evisa.gov.vn and that worked.
I'm using Chrome as a browser.
When I type in Vietnam National Electronic Visa as a search term I receive the usual search results page with sponsors on top. If I scroll down past the 4-5 sponsor results I see the evisa.gov.vn site, click on it and the page comes up (after 5-10 seconds of a blank page)
Kien Pham
<kienpham@neverchange.com>Dec 19, 2025, 12:03:23 AM12/19/25
to Walt Spevak, colner.alan@gmail.com, GSB Vietnam 3, Support team KP
Maybe the Vietnamese website knows Alan is using a laptop made in China! :-)
Hello Alan. Try to use another computer in another location to see if you can get through. If not, we go to Plan B. Tell us that Plan A did not work, then Ms. TA will give you guidance to obtain a visa from the VIetnamese Embassy in Washington. The Vietnamese Ambassador knows that we are visiting Vietnam and has appointed a staff person to stand by as our lifeline.
Where are you residing now? Maybe a local visa agent can take care of this routine matter for you and wife.
Let us know, kp
Kien Pham
Imperfect Servant of the People
VN Mobile and WhatsApp: +84-98-5656-566
"You make a living by what you get and a life by what you give"
Sorry if you see typos. This email comes from a blind man on mobile device!
Dan Scherlis
<danscherlis@gmail.com>Dec 19, 2025, 8:38:39 AM12/19/25
to Kien Pham, Walt Spevak, colner.alan@gmail.com, GSB Vietnam 3, Support team KP
Worked for me (https://evisa.gov.vn/ did), after some minutes of blank screen.
Trying the next day might give you better luck.
Also try clearing your browser cache, or using a private/incognito window.
(Or: all of the above )
Once it deigns to load at all, it'll be more responsive. And it will eventually load for you. Honest.
Dan
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gsbvietnam3/db3da236-bbf7-4366-b616-3792174619e9%40neverchange.com.
Mary Ann Eddy
<mae922@gmail.com>Dec 19, 2025, 8:41:29 AM12/19/25
to Dan Scherlis, Kien Pham, Walt Spevak, colner.alan@gmail.com, GSB Vietnam 3, Support team KP
My problem was accessing pic small enuff. Local geek store solved the problem but it took 15 mins and $43. All good and done!
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gsbvietnam3/CABCGb5KFJRECGqXzrqJAT5XwYYqchj179uQrcrJS%3DVDSc0oYhA%40mail.gmail.com.
Walt Spevak
<wspevak@gmail.com>Dec 19, 2025, 9:01:26 AM12/19/25
to Mary Ann Eddy, Dan Scherlis, Kien Pham, colner.alan@gmail.com, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
no tech wiz here and when I saved pics as .jpeg files they were small enough
Steve Krausz
<skrausz2@gmail.com>Dec 19, 2025, 11:41:48 AM12/19/25
to Walt Spevak, Mary Ann Eddy, Dan Scherlis, Kien Pham, colner.alan@gmail.com, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
All
I also was having difficulties with the site crashing on me. I’ll keep trying today and see if I have any luck.
Steve
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gsbvietnam3/6FC524DF-9B67-43F1-A7DE-C2C1536D53A0%40gmail.com.
EGreenwall
<egreenwall@talcottholdings.com>Dec 19, 2025, 2:27:15 PM12/19/25
to Steve Krausz, Walt Spevak, Mary Ann Eddy, Dan Scherlis, Kien Pham, colner.alan@gmail.com, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
Are we embarrassed yet?
Publicly and on the internet memorialized for all time, at least half of you cannot figure out how to use a computer. Probably all voted for Joe Biden. I understand.
Can’t wait to see all of you.
E
To view this discussion visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gsbvietnam3/CAPg7%2BjYhyApMpuOd-ryihsbHSFJpEsFFbnMszzgzp2bRUhXk0A%40mail.gmail.com.
Dan Scherlis
<danscherlis@gmail.com>Dec 19, 2025, 2:40:46 PM12/19/25
to Steve Krausz, Walt Spevak, Mary Ann Eddy, Kien Pham, colner.alan@gmail.com, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
The site isn't crashing; it's staggeringly slow. I suspect a server-side cache glitch.
(But you might get lucky and catch it in a responsive moment, in which case you should certainly take it as a reflection on your own abilities.)
Try submitting the URL, then taking a leisurely lunch, and then seeing how it looks.
Dan
Robert Crane
<rbtcrane@rbtcrane.com>Dec 19, 2025, 4:25:57 PM12/19/25
to Dan Scherlis, Steve Krausz, Walt Spevak, Mary Ann Eddy, Kien Pham, colner.alan@gmail.com, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
Steve and Alan,
I initially had trouble with the online visa system when I was using the Chrome browser. When I switched to Microsoft Edge I was able to complete the visa application although the response time was slow.
Bob
From: gsbvi...@googlegroups.com <gsbvi...@googlegroups.com>
On Behalf Of Dan Scherlis
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2025 2:41 PM
To: Steve Krausz <skra...@gmail.com>
Cc: Walt Spevak <wsp...@gmail.com>; Mary Ann Eddy <mae...@gmail.com>; Kien Pham <kien...@neverchange.com>; colne...@gmail.com; Vietnam GSB <gsbvi...@googlegroups.com>; Support team KP <kpsupp...@vnfoundation.org>
Subject: Re: GSB Vietnam 3 Adventure -- Memo #3
The site isn't crashing; it's staggeringly slow. I suspect a server-side cache glitch.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/gsbvietnam3/CABCGb5KY18pf%3Dc5kQuUR4QDmmCnip9upWRmPmDQn%3DpkjjK%2BekQ%40mail.gmail.com.
Alan Colner
<colner.alan@gmail.com>Dec 19, 2025, 4:30:12 PM12/19/25
to Robert Crane, Dan Scherlis, Steve Krausz, Walt Spevak, Mary Ann Eddy, Kien Pham, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
Many thanks to everyone for your suggestions. My weekend project. We need to work hard to get this Visa. If all else fails, I'll knock on Ephraim's door and he'll get the job done!
Walt Spevak
<wspevak@gmail.com>Dec 19, 2025, 6:09:33 PM12/19/25
to Alan Colner, Robert Crane, Dan Scherlis, Steve Krausz, Mary Ann Eddy, Kien Pham, Vietnam GSB, Support team KP
Maybe there are some former DOGE consultants vacationing in Florida for the holidays. I hear they are good with computers.
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