Six Week Trip in Vietnam and Thailand

[jugarporlaplaya]

Hello Backpackers

Comments

[prakriti]

Three weeks in Vietnam with stops in Saigon, Dalat, Nah Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Sapa, and Halong Bay.

I spent 3 weeks in vietnam and didn't accomplish nearly this much. You might be packing in a bit much, especially if you're planning on taking the bus or train. That said, we were on our honeymoon, so backpacking, but slower. Unless you're planning on getting some clothes made, you could probably skip Hoi An. Its lovely, but a bit of a tourist trap. You could also do just a one day Halong Bay trip, but Halong Bay is so amazing that I'd recommend a 2 night trip if you can swing it.

[jugarporlaplaya]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm worried we are packing in too much, but I also don't want to miss anything really worthwhile. Ugh. Saigon doesn't really sound all too appealing, but it makes sense to head there from Siam Reap. Hoi An sounds nice, but I do want to avoid things that are very touristy (although, I know that's impossible to do completely).

[prakriti]

I really enjoyed Saigon and wished we had more time there. We started in Hanoi and worked our way south, so by the time we got to Saigon, I was read for a bit of a city scene. There are some really amazing museums there and the food is excellent.

[sunsetscreamer]

You need more than a few days in Cambodia. Cambodia is amazing! The pearl of the region, much much cooler (and cheaper i might add) than Thailand or Vietnam. In fact, if I had to go back again, I'd spend all 3 weeks in Cambodia

[jugarporlaplaya]

Thanks for the helpful information. I know, I'd love to see more of Cambodia. Problem is, we really only have these six weeks and my boyfriend wants to meet up with friends in Thailand and I want to see where my dad was stationed in Vietnam. I wish we had more time..ugh!

[tabletopphantom]

I traveled overland from Bangkok to Siem Reap in March of 2008. The only reason it went so smoothly is because we did our research and arrived prepared. I'm not sure if you planned on doing the overland route, but if so I would definitely check out this site: http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-overland-bkksr.htm The traveler's reports were especially helpful

[jugarporlaplaya]

You are brave! I plan to get some malaria pills based upon the recommendations I've received here and from friends (although, some of my friends never used theirs in Cambodia). I want to buy a DSLR for the trip. What kind do you have? Thanks for that heads up. Phnom Penh was originally part of the plan, but with our 6-week schedule I've been scaling back. Definitely going to have to tweak this itinerary!

[art_lurker]

ug, my vietnam/cambodia blog is fried right now and i havent had time to fix it...
http://edandmel_travel.livejournal.com

cambodia - E-visa. totally.
flights - Jet Star. awesome.
phnomh penh is breathtaking.

I also have the email and phone number of a fantasticly wonderful Tuk Tuk driver in Siem Reap who can meet you when you get there and hook you up with a safe and reputable driver if you choose to go to Phnomh Penh.

melissastanley727 yahoo com

[jugarporlaplaya]

Thank you! That's really helpful. I will e-mail for that information, should we decide to include Phnom Penh. Did you fly between Cambodia and Vietnam on Jet Star?

[art_lurker]

no, that was our only Vietnam Air flight, it was scary and we wont fly with them again. other people have said ok things about Vietnam Air but we had a bad experience..*shrug* That flight was siem reap to hanoi. From Saigon to Siem Reap we took a bus (meekong express?) and spent a night with friends in Phnom Penh. we're going back this year to see that city again because one night is nowhere near enough! this year we are going to a wedding in saigon, then to laos / thailand, then back to cambodia, and then ending in vietnam for the Moon Festival. if i'm lucky i can swing a stop-over in tokyo for dinner on the way home, but i dont wanna push my luck ;)

[jugarporlaplaya]

God, I'm envious! Unfortunately, my boyfriend has to be back for work after six weeks, otherwise I would spend more time and see Laos. It sounds so amazing. I'm also feeling more and more like I should do the overland trip from Siam Reap to Phnom Penh, before heading into Vietnam. Man, I HATE (hatehatehate) flying but I love traveling, so it's a big deal that I'm making the trip over to Asia. Hopefully there are no unsettling flights..eek! PS. I was reading your journal a bit - can't believe you ate the fertilized duck egg!

[lean968]

I was in Thailand and Cambodia in November. I didn't get down to the beaches in Thailand, but I highly recommend northern Thailand. Chiang Mai was a little boring for me because I'm not really into shopping, but it was still a nice city. My favorite place in Thailand was a little village a couple hours north of Chiang Mai - Pai. I also loved Kanchanaburi in Thailand, although it was a little touristy. I flew from Bangkok to Siem Reap, and getting a visa at the airport was the easiest thing I've ever done in my life. It only took a couple minutes - no bribing and no questions asked. In Cambodia we went to Siem Reap/Angkor Wat (Angkor Wat was cool but I didn't really like Siem Reap much), Battambang, Kompong Chhnang, and Phnom Penh. I liked all these places but didn't love them. The people everywhere we so friendly, though. For vaccinations, I got a Hep A booster, TDAP, and Typhoid. I also used Malarone for my malaria pills. None of this was required but it was recommended. I had no problems with the Malarone at all - would

[jugarporlaplaya]

Thanks. I've heard mixed things about Chiang Mai (that it's touristy, dull), but I'm hoping to get in a cooking class and some hiking, as well as visit an elephant sanctuary while in northern Thailand. Can I do these things in Pai? Do you mind if I ask how much you spent on vaccinations?

[lean968]

You can definitely do those things in Pai! There may be fewer companies to choose from, but there are still all the same options. We (my boyfriend and I) did a 2 day trek and rode an elephant (although it was just a ride, didn't really get to interact with the elephants). Meanwhile my boyfriend's mom stayed in Pai and did a cooking class at Let's Wok with T. It has a website but I can't seem to find it, so I'll look it up in my journal when I get home if you're interested. T is the guy who runs it, and he's really awesome and has an adorable dog. I know there's at least 1 other cooking school in Pai too. There are also other outdoorsy things you can do. We really wish we would've stayed longer so we could've gone rafting

[jugarporlaplaya]

Thank you so much! I'd love to get that website, if you can find it. $550 is a lot, but definitely reasonable for the peace of mind/stomach :-)