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airfaze
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My friend and i will be travelling Indo-China in early May, we are currently planning our itineary and not too sure if its the best route so far...
First. Our flight from KL will arrive in Bangkok, 8.30pm. From there, we will be crossing the Poipet / Aranyaprathet border into Siem Reap. (to visit Angkor Wat). After a few days there, we will be travelling down to a kampong near Phnom Penh to visit a orphange that i have befriended during my community service.
We will then travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chih Minh City and spend some time there. The ISSUE is here - From Vietnam, we are not too sure should be go onwards to Laos (we both have never been there) or head back to Cambodia, maybe to Sihanouville(via Koh Kong crossing), unwind and relax before back to Bangkok for our flight home. It seems like its a long way from Ho Chih Min City to the Vietnam/Laos Border, and we'r not too sure how to get there. Is it worth the miles to go all the way up to Laos? not forgeting that our return flight is in Bangkok.
We have not really decided on the duration of this trip...its largely dependent on budget and the right sufficient time to enjoy each destination.
We really hope somebody would give us some advice....
thanks alot!
#1 Posted: 29/3/2006 - 22:58
somtam2000
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HI Airfaze,
To head north from Saigon to a border crossing with Laos would take you north as far as at least Hue, which is a good 24 odd hours by bus from Saigon -- of course there are loads of places in between that you could break your journey at.
BUT, once you're in Laos you'll need to head south to reach Si Phan Don or head wayyyyy north to reach Luang Prabang.
If time is limited, I'd suggest seeing Saigon then returning to Cambodia and then either hitting the beaches or heading north from Cambodia into ar southern Laos and then Thailand.
Without an idea on how much time you're planning on spending in each country it is difficult to make specific recommendations.
#2 Posted: 30/3/2006 - 06:27
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airfaze
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Thanks for your advice, somtam! knocked some sense into me! haha
After doing a lil bit of research, we would really like to visit Laos...esp Laung Prabang. its lovely.
We intend to travel up to 4 weeks and is looking to visit Thailand, Cambodia (both siem reap & PP) and Laos.
As of now, we are lil bit confused with the route that we should take. This is what i have come up with. We will defintely be visiting Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and our return flight will be at bangkok.
Bangkok - Siem Reap (Poipet / Aranyaprathet border) - Phnom Penh - Laos (preferbly Laung Prabang) - Bangkok (for our return flight)
I need a lil bit of advice on this route. not too sure if its the best route.. should we head to Laos first from bangkok instead of Siem Reap? and how long does it take to travel from Laos back to Bangkok?
#3 Posted: 30/3/2006 - 22:25
somtam2000
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Hi Airfaze,
OK that is a lot of miles to cover in four weeks, but loads do it!
Here's a typical routing:
Bangkok -> Aranyprathet/Poipet -> Siem Reap
Seam Reap -> Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh -> Kratie
Kratie -> Four thousand islands (you're in Laos now ;-))
4,000 islands -> Vientiane (overnight bus trip, very long)
Vientiane -> Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng -> Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang -> Huay Xai (two day boat trip)
Huay Xai -> Chiang Khong (you're in Thailand now ;-))
Chiang Khong -> Bangkok
Most do the above trip in reverse as that was they're taking the Huay Xai to Luang Prabang boat downriver so it takes less time, though you can do it either way.
You may also want to take a look at our trip planners -- I'll be adding some for Laos in the next couple of days -- so many itineraries, so little time...
Hope that helps!
#4 Posted: 31/3/2006 - 06:40
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airfaze
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hey somtam, really appreciate your advice! just last few questions...
1) how long is the journey from four thousand island to Vientiane? a good 12 hours? i suppose thats about the same for Chiang Khong to Bangkok?
2) I read that you can actually have a faster journey from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai by taking speedboats?
3) It seems the month of May is a rainy season in Indo China and would it be of any hindrance to the route? is May a tourists' season?
#5 Posted: 31/3/2006 - 23:36
airfaze
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#6 Posted: 1/4/2006 - 10:29