THE REGION: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam explorer

Where to go?

This is the big one! Travelling throughout the region, you'll touch on the highlights of all four countries, including Bangkok and Sukhothai in Thailand, Luang Prabang and Four Thousand Islands in Laos, Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and of course, Saigon, Hoi An and Hanoi in Vietnam.

For those set on seeing all four countries, this is a good route to take as it has a minimal amount of backtracking. If you cross from Laos to Vietnam by one of the more central crossings on the panhandle (such as Lao Bao or Lak Sao), you will need to do some substantial backtracking legs in Vietnam if you want to see the entire country.

There's a load of travel involved in a circuit like this -- particularly if you decide to do the whole trip overland. If you're a bit short of time or just can't face getting on another bus, look into flying some of the legs.

Remember this is just a guide -- often the best trips are the ones you make up yourself!

Trip length

If you're willing to fly a few routes and skip out some of the lesser-known spots, you could cover all four countries in as little as two weeks, but we'd say that was a really bad idea -- unless your idea of a holiday is to be on the move just about every day. Realistically a comfortable minimum to do the following route, with stops at all the designated towns, would be at least five to six weeks. With longer stays in a few spots and perhaps with a few extra add-ons, eight to ten weeks would be a comfortable pace of travel. If you decide to add in the South of Thailand (not covered on this trip plan) add in another two weeks. Thailand and Vietnam in particular are skipped through in this trip -- one could easily spend far longer in each country.

Sample plan

1) Bangkok -> Ayutthaya (ruins, historical interest)
2) Ayutthaya -> Sukhothai (via Phitsanulok) (ruins, historical interest)
3) Sukhothai -> Chiang Mai (trekking centre, temples)
4) Chiang Mai -> Chiang Khong (riverside town, day trips, crossing to Laos)
5) Chiang Khong -> Huay Xai (riverside town)
6) Huay Xai -> Pakbeng (riverside town, half-way point to Luang Prabang)
7) Pakbeng -> Luang Prabang (temples, riverside town, scenic)
8) Luang Prabang -> Vang Vieng (scenic, backpacker scene)
9) Vang Vieng -> Vientiane (capital city, temples, riverside city)
10) Vientiane -> Tha Khaek (riverside town, caves, scenic)
11) Tha Khaek -> Savannakhet (riverside town, national parks, colonial architecture)
12) Savannakhet -> Pakse (riverside town, daytrips)
13) Pakse -> Champasak (ruins)
14) Champasak -> Four Thousand Islands - Don Khong, Don Dhet & Don Khon (scenic, waterfalls, backpacker scene)
15) Four Thousand Islands -> Kratie (riverside town, dolphins)
16) Kratie -> Phnom Penh (capital city, colonial architecture, scenic)
17) Phnom Penh -> Siem Reap (Angkor Wat, backpacker scene)
18) Siem Reap -> Battambang (riverside town, rural daytrips, ruins)
19) Battambang -> Phnom Penh
20) Phnom Penh -> Saigon (museums, nightlife, daytrips)
21) Saigon -> Mui Ne (beaches, sand dunes)
22) Mui Ne -> Nha Trang (beaches, boat trips)
23) Nha Trang -> Hoi An (riverside town, shopping, tailoring)
24) Hoi An -> Hue (Imperial capital, temples, trips to DMZ)
25) Hue -> Hanoi (capital city, colonial architecture, shopping)
26) Hanoi -> Ha Long Bay (stunning scenery)
27) Hanoi -> Sapa (trekking, minority groups, scenic)

Save some time

Aside from knocking off destinations, the best way to save time it to fly some of the legs.
One day: Skip any one town

Take a sidetrip

Wow, well the potential for sidetrips is almost endless -- take a look at our trip-plans for the individual countries to get some ideas.

Combine trip plans

If you want to fit in some island time in Thailand, check out our Thailand islands and more islands trip plan, otherwise refer to any one of the specific country plans for more ideas.

Sample Trip Times (in hours)

To help you work out how you'll get around, we've listed the trip durations for the various forms of transport available. Note that with the exception of flight times, these are average trip times, so no hate mail if you take the slow train.

More trip planners

THAILAND: Isaan taster - just a sample of the northeast of Thailand:
Not everyone has the luxury of a month to explore northeast Thailand, so here's a short trip you could cover in as little as a few days. You'll get to see national parks, Khmer ruins and finish off with some sleepy Mekong River scenery. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: Isaan explorer - get to know the northeast of Thailand:
National parks, ancient Khmer ruins, lovely Mekong river vistas and the wonderful Isaan food -- we hope you like it spicey! ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THE REGION: Southern Laos, Southern Vietnam and Cambodia:
For those set on getting an experience in Laos, Vietnam and Laos, but with only limited time, a trip like this is a good choice, as while you miss the north of both Laos and Vietnam, you save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent getting from A to B ... detailed trip plan itinerary

VIETNAM: Southern Explorer:
This trip concentrates on the south of Vietnam, with a taste of Mekong Delta and beaches thrown in. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

VIETNAM: Top to tail:
Long and thin, Vietnam is well suited to a short trip like this -- just don't forget just how long it really is! ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Southern explorer -- experience laid back southern Laos:
Southern Laos sees far few backpackers and independent travellers than the north of the country, so if you're looking for less touristed destinations and a more "authentic" experience, then this trip could be for you. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Northern explorer -- head for the hills:
This takes you through the popular tourist towns of Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, but also gives you ample time to see some of lesser-visited Laos. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Snapshot -- one week explorer:
The trip that just about anyone who has been to Laos has done at one time or another. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: Jungle and islands - Islands and more islands:
A trip to Thailand isn't complete without at least a little down time on the islands, and this 3-4 week holiday has plenty of island time. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

CAMBODIA: One month adventure:
If you want to really see much of what Cambodia has to offer, a month long exploration of the country will allow you ample time to see the most interesting destinations in the country. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

CAMBODIA: Two week explorer:
This two week trip gives the traveller to Cambodia a good mix of ruins, beaches and culture. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

CAMBODIA: One week explorer:
Most first-time travellers to Cambodia opt for a trip like this -- the bulk of the time spent exploring Angkor Wat and a quick trip to the capital Phnom Penh. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: A one-week holiday that will have you back for more:
A trip like this is suitable for those who have just a week in Thailand but still want a bit of sun along with the culture. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: Northern explorer - two weeks in northern Thailand:
You could spend six months in northern Thailand and not experience all it has to offer, but even with just two weeks you can still have a great experience. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: Mountains and Islands - a two week sampler:
Most first-time travellers to Thailand opt for a trip like this -- we certainly did. Striking north into the hills and then relaxing on the beach is, for many, the ultimate first-time Thai experience. ... detailed trip plan itinerary