Southeast Asia forum

Hi gillj, glad you like the site!

So you've got around three weeks by the sounds of it. I'd make the following suggestions:

Use Hanoi as a base to visit Ha Long Bay and Sapa. That takes care of a week.

With the remaining two weeks, you could fly Hanoi to Luang Prabang, then overland to Vientiane (via Vang Vieng ) then fly or bus it to Pakse (jumping off point for the 4,000 Islands. There goes the second week.

Then you've got say three days in the islands, then overland to Attapeu for the overland crossing back into Vietnam via the Bo Y crossing (see the Visa and border crossing FAQ for details). That will leave you in Qui Nhon from where you can strike north to Hoi An and Da Nang .

That last bit is a bit of a push in the time you have, but with a bit of fine tuning on the first two weeks you should be able to pull it off.

If you want to slow down, then save 4,000 islands for another trip, spend more time in Luang Prabang, perhaps with trips north to Muang Ngoi and Nong Kiaow then use one of the more northern border crossings back into Vn.

Note, you will need a either a new or multiple entry Vietnam visa for when you re-enter.

I'd say Luang Prabang is a must see -- especially if you've not been to Laos before -- but a couple of days is sertainly better than nothing. As you say lots to see both north and south.

Cheers