planningtravel

I've travelled to all the countries in the region except Vietnam and Burma. I've check availibility using FF miles and there are seats for Rangoon, HCMC and Hanoi on dates that work. This would be before the Lunar New Year and I'd be back home when the Lunar New Year holiday takes place.

I'm debating which of the two countries to visit. I will have a maximum of 12 days in the country. Vietnam has always appealed, but I've never got round to visiting. Mainly, due to the need to process a visa in advance (I'm not certain if that's changed). Vietnam sounds like a much easier country to visit than Burma. However, Vietnam sounds like it's commercialized and perhaps I can visit before it's "spoilt", or is that wishful thinking in 2016.

I'd prefer to travel independently, and call all the shots myself (ie, book individual hotels, flights, etc). I know Burma is developing at a rapid pace, but I'm wondering if I can indeed book flights/hotels, etc online and bypass the need to deal with a local tour operator.

In Vietnam, I would visit Hanoi (including an overnight in Halong Bay), Hue and HCMC (and the Cu Chi Tunnels as a day trip).

In Burma, Yangoon and Bagan are of primary interest. As I doubt I'd return to Burma I'm inclined to visit Mandalay and Inle Lake too.

I'd like to hear from people who have visited either country recently. I'd like to book my flights while FF seats are available then organize the land portion of the trip.

Any advice on the main difference between the two places will be appreciated. Thank you.

Kathie

These are very different countries and you'll need to make your decision based on your interests. VN is fully on the tourist track now - actually has been for years - but still has interesting less developed areas. Burma as only recently become more accessible, so has some of the growing pains of a country only recently opened to tourism (They had to disallow climbing some of the temples in Bagan because a French tour group sponsored a party - dancing and drinking - inside one of the temples). Yes, Burma is a bit more complex in terms of travel - you may need to contact an agent to get your internal flights, and, depending on your price range, booking trough a local agent may save you money on hotels. Actually, even in VN, a local agent may be able to get you better hotel prices. You can travel independently easily in both countries.

Both countries require a visa in advance. VN has a long-established system whereby you can get a visa approval letter via a local travel agency - good only for entry via air. Burma now offers a similar system, but only get your approval though the government website.

VN is the land of scams. They have no concept of intellectual property. So if a hotel called "Prince" becomes popular, there will suddenly be 3 more, then 10 more of the same name - sometimes next door to each other. Likewise there are zillions of unrelated travel agencies of the same name. They see this as good business. We get more spamming of these boards from VN travel agencies than any other commerce concern. You just need to be aware of these issues, it shouldn't impact your travel.

In Burma, you have enough time to visit the big 4 - Yangon, Bagan, Inle, Mandalay. Burma is a place that rewards good preparation. I read at least a dozen books before my first trip there, have read dozens more since.

adrianlopez

Actually, 2 countries are best place to visit but Vietnam on Jan will have rain and humid. I think you shoudl travel Burma.
Happy travels!

crellston

A link to weather conditions in Vietnam. "http://www.selectiveasia.com/vietnam-holidays/weather/January - contrary to what the previous post suggests, Jan is a decent time to visit most of the country.

Vietnam has a well developed travel/toursism infrastructure making it easy to get around independently. Parts of the country are "commercialised" but far less so than say Thailand. Is it spoilt? Absolutely not. We spent three months there last year and would restore in a heartbeat.

Places to avoid the worst of the tourism excesses are Halong, Hoi An and the beach resorts of Mui ne, Nha Trang. Plenty of other places to visit 12 days is not a lot of time. I would probably split that between Saigon and Hanoi and add in a couple of side trips to maybe the Mekong delta and Ninh Binh.

Some photos and more info on our blog @ http://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/

It is very easy to travel independently in country. Accomodation is cheap, food is both cheap and excellent. If you do need to book a tour ( say Halong or teh Delta) this is easily done as and when required but, as you are limited on time it would probably work best I'd you booked in advance, at least for some places.

LancasterLad

I'd go to Vietnam again during any month of the year. You soon adapt to the prevailing weather conditions, and set your pace and itinerary accordingly. Unbeatable vfm.

Got our Visa Approval Letter using this website...

http://vietnamvisapro.net/

...which was straightforward, and all done without leaving my keyboard.

chichichicago

We visited both countries in January. Vietnam in 2003...not very touristy then. We had great weather so January not an issue. Compared to Burma...I didn't think there was a ton to see. We went to Hanoi, Halong Bay ( it was foggy so couldn't see much ...it requires a clear day) Hue, Hoi An, HCMC. None of the sites were crowded or touristy back then. there was an outbreak of bird flu which probably dissuaded some as well.If I recall correctly foreigners could not rent cars then - not sure if that has changed. It was a good trip - but there are very few memorable sites. I much preferred Burma. (I did a trip report on this site but we went several years ago.) Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay were all interesting memorable places to see. We didn't care much for Yangoon however. Without rereading my trip report I think we cut our trip shorter by a day.

As Kathie pointed out...they are very different trips but guessing you would end up enjoying either.

LancasterLad

We covered Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay - Pwin oo Lwin - Kalaw - Inle Lake - Kalaw - Yangon by hiring a car/driver/guide for the duration.

Had a wonderful time. It was great not having to mess around with internal flights running to a dubious schedule. Being able to stop as and when for photo opportunities or something to eat in a very rural village was priceless. Shame the battered old Toyota Corolla had no suspension or A/C!

planningtravel

Thanks for the replies. I'm inclined to visit Burma at this time since Vietnam will be easier to visit for most months of the year. I have no clue when my next trip to the region will be. I see Vietnam as more of a year round destination than Burma.