Tournament FAQ
Below we have compiled a short list of questions and answers to help you enjoy a smooth and worry-free tournament experience and stay in Vietnam.

GENERAL VIETNAM INFO


Q: This is my first time in Ho Chi Minh City. What should I expect?

Ho Chi Minh City (AKA Saigon) offers a full range of modern amenities, while maintaining its unique local flavor. The city boasts excellent shopping & dining, with a growing club & bar scene.  The city has many interesting cultural sites, and serves as a hub for fascinating tours throughout south and central Vietnam. Transportation by taxi is convenient and inexpensive (~US$0.80/km).  A wide range of quality hotels are available that suit the needs of everyone from backpackers to businessmen. Ho Chi Minh City has several modern medical facilities, and boasts excellent public security.

Q: Are there any discount airlines that fly to Vietnam

Yes, there are several. Try looking for flights on Tiger Airways, Air Asia, Jetstar, Cebu Pacific or Lion Air for discount fares that can run as low as US$100 round-trip.

Q: Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

Not if you are a citizen of another ASEAN country.  Citizens of a few other countries can also visit for a short time without a visa – a recent list included South Korea, Japan, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, but please check before you go, since regulations can change.   Others will need a 30-day tourist visa.  You can apply at a Vietnam embassy or consulate in your home country, or arrange to get a visa on arrival.  In some countries, "visa on arrival" means you just show up and pay a fee at the airport; but for Vietnam, your visa on arrival must be pre-approved. It's easy to do with the help of a travel agency in Vietnam, and takes as little as one week.  The cost is about US$50, half for the travel agency, and US$25 paid in cash to the immigration authorities at your arrival airport.  Overall, the visa on arrival process will generally cost less than applying to an embassy or consulate.  Handspan Adventure Travel is one local agency that can provide visa-on-arrival services.

Q: Do I need any special shots, etc.?

In our experience, getting shots or taking pills (malaria, etc.) may be more trouble than it's worth. Vietnam has a very low incidence of tropical diseases, especially within the urban areas.  Unless you have had prior health issues, or plan to be travelling extensively through the countryside, consider shots a luxury precaution rather than a necessary preparation to come to Vietnam.

Q: What else can I see / do around Saigon?

Saigon is a perfect jumping off point for exploring the Mekong River, one of the largest rivers in the world. Handspan Adventure Travel offers a number of tour options for tournament players.

Slightly farther out is the delightful, laid-back beach resort area of Mui Ne, five or six hours travel from HCMC by bus, train, or hired car.  If you want to organize a full tour of Vietnam, internal flights on Vietnam Airlines are frequent and reasonable in cost.  It's easy to jet off to the historic cities of Hue and Hoi An in central Vietnam, Nha Trang for the best deal in the world on scuba certification, Phu Quoc for remote beaches, or Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa in the north.

TOURNAMENT INFO


Q: How much is the registration fee?

This year's tournament fee has not been set, but will probably be similar to past years. (Payment in USD is very much appreciated.) This fee covers all of the following:
• One of the most beautiful Ultimate fields in Asia (very inviting to lay-out).
• Beautiful view from brand-new grandstand for the final - new !!!
• Brand new 5 star rest room and showers (inside the sport hall) - new !!!
• Delicious lunch for both days.
• Delicious energizing afternoon meal for both days - new !!!
• A 175g Ultra Discraft official disc.
• A premium-best-you-ever-worn ZONE brand jersey.
• A shoe bag.
• Unlimited fruit for both days.
• Unlimited water for both days.
• Free flow of beer for both days.
• Shampoo and shower gel for both days (available at the command center) - new !!!
• Soft drinks for both days (served during lunch and until gone)
• Shuttle bus from city center to fields on both days (taxi will be at your own cost)
• Soft-drinks or beer coupon for registration party and Saturday night party.

Q: What is the tournament format?

Mixed (four men, three women as default, but variable with agreement of both captains.)  Play according to WFDF rules at http://www.wfdf.org/index.php?page=rules/index.htm.  (Please take time to review the rules before the tournament.)  Round robin on the Saturday, followed by seeded single elimination brackets on Sunday.

Q: How do I get to the fields from downtown?

A tournament bus will travel once each day from the central city to the fields, and back at day's end.  Schedule and pickup point are still to be determined, but the bus will probably depart from the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker neighborhood where many players stay.  Getting there on your own is also easy.  Below is a summary of your local transportation options:

Taxi: One of the easiest means to get around town, and reasonable in price compared to other countries.  It will cost you about 80,000 VND (US$4) to get to the RMIT fields from the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker district, and slightly more from other parts of the city center. Taxis cruise the streets in large numbers, so finding one is rarely difficult. Reputable companies, with competitive rates and no meter hassle, include Mai Linh (white, green, or sometimes silver), Vinasun (white), Vinataxi (yellow), Savico (blue), Petrolimex (white), PetroVietnam (silver), Hoang Long (yellow and green) and Happy Taxi (silver).  (Some other taxis will sometimes have fast meters or refuse to use the meter, so use others cautiously. Beware of Mai Linh and Vinasun mimics -- cars with very similar markings but not quite.)

Xe om: A cheaper means of transportation is a "Xe om" or a motorbike taxi, which are to be found on almost every corner. Just give directions, negotiate the price, and and off you go.  From the city center to the RMIT field will cost you approximately 40,000 VND/person (about $2).

Please note, when traveling by taxi or xe om, be sure that the driver knows exactly where you want him to go.  Otherwise, he may just make a wild guess and you will find yourself on a longer-than-expected joy ride!  Most local drivers do not recognize "Arr-Emm-Eye-Tee" when spoken, though a few will know "ah-mit". You will have better luck asking for "Nguyen Van Linh (the avenue), Quan (pronounced more like Qung) bai (district 7)."  Click here for a map and directions to the fields.

Motorbike / Bicycle: For the adventurous, you can rent a motorbike or bicycle from hotels on the Backpacker streets (Pham Ngu Lao, De Tham, Bui Vien).  Be sure to wear a helmet, and drive at your own risk!  Traffic is heavy and aggressive (especially at rush hour), with a lot of unwritten rules.  Prior experience riding in Asian cities is helpful for survival.

Q: How will the weather be for the tournament?

Late December is the middle of the cool and dry season -- the best time of year in southern Vietnam, weather-wise, and a delightful time to visit.  Our tournament forecast calls for clear blue skies, a light breeze, and a daytime high temperature of about 24° to 28° C (75° to 82° F).  Nights are typically cool, with temperatures ranging from about 19° to 23° C (66° to 73° F).  Despite the pleasant temperatures, however, the UV rays can be quite intense, so be sure to wear sunscreen!

Q: I don't have much Ultimate experience.  Can I still participate in the tournament?

Absolutely. This year's tournament will feature players of all ability levels, including a healthy crop of rookies.  If this is your first tournament, then you will certainly feel at home with the friendly, fun atmosphere of Vietnam Ultimate.

Q: I'm still not sure if I can come. How late can I sign up for the tournament?

Registration will remain open until December 15, unless we reach capacity.  Last year the tournament filled up in November.