Trip reports forum

Help Itinerary 4 weeks Thailand/Laos/Vietnam/Malaysia

guybrush

newbie
Posts: 2

Hi everyone.
I have been reading a lot and I made a draft of what would be my 4 week travel to SEA (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam). I am going with my wife and we would like to taste local food, go to tradicional markets, experience nature and step over most amazing temples and cultural events.
Would you give me an advice of which places would you remove or replace (impossible to add anything I guess)?. I have not included Cambodia but I will be willing to.
You can see what I have planned here (PPT file)
Thank you!

#1 Posted: 25/1/2012 - 11:46
chinarocks

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 191

From what I can see you have 25 days and not even the full 4 weeks.

First off, I think what you are planning is crazy!!

Why not spend all of your time in Thailand? 3.5 weeks seems like a perfect amount of time to get to know it at a reasonable pace. Take a few flights too if you must. Thailand also has all of the criteria you list above in abundance.

As it is you will have some lovely photographs but you wont really get to see or feel anywhere properly. Not to mention the cost of such fast paced travel.

Just an opinion.

#2 Posted: 25/1/2012 - 11:54
busylizzy

under-employed
Posts: 1471
Located in:
Private message

And out of those 25 days, you have 9-10 days of travelling from place to place. Each time you move to between destinations, you will lose 1/2 - 1 full day - and I'm assuming you are flying several of the long haul trips?!.

Honestly, you should focus on having a quality time rather than aiming for quantity. I know when you have limited time you want to see as much as you can, but it can be quite tiring being on the move, and you actually will want to be able to spend a bit long in places just to absorb the local life a little bit.

Also - assume you are keen on big cities. You have allowed a fair chunk of time the the big cities: approx 11 days in KL, BK, HCMC alone. So you're not allowing yourself much time to see the small-town /rural side of life which is where you will gain a better appreciation of local culture, etc.

I would at least cut it back to 2 countries (and reduce your time in KL, which I'm not counting). Two suggestions to consider:

- Limit yourselves to Thailand and Laos, and skip Vietnam for now.

- If you still want to include Vietnam, skip out HCMC. It's an extra flight to spend 2 full days in a big city. Some people enjoy HCMC, but to me, it's just another big city and not as interesting as Bangkok.

Also - you plan to motorbike from Vientiane to LP? Have you looked into the feasibility to doing this? I assume you are planning on a one-way hire, riding yourselves as opposed to hiring a driver?

#3 Posted: 25/1/2012 - 12:53

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As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 4001

Both of the above are correct. Unless you are in contact with the enterprise, and Scotty can beam you from place to place, this is far too much movement.

#4 Posted: 25/1/2012 - 13:02

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Victory in Pattani
guybrush

newbie
Posts: 2

Thank you everyone... I will cut HCMC, reduce KL to 1 day (is where my plane take off from) and focus my trip un the Bangkok-Chiang Mai path and northern Vietnam.

#5 Posted: 26/1/2012 - 09:52
onimusha

longtail driver
Posts: 5

Posted from within Vietnam.

im living in HCMC, and i think your decision is right. HCMC has no where is interesting to visit

#6 Posted: 23/2/2012 - 08:15
chinarocks

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 191

"im living in HCMC, and i think your decision is right. HCMC has no where is interesting to visit"

Doing your city proud onimusha

#7 Posted: 23/2/2012 - 09:19
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 4001

Dao Sao Mai is in Hanoi. That alone is reason to visit. I would rather dance with her than go to Halong Bay any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

#8 Posted: 23/2/2012 - 10:31

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Victory in Pattani