ridecat

Hi all,

First, thanks to all who post here, there's a lot of real valuable info here..

This for a first-time trip to SE Asia. Coming from Hong Kong so jet lag will not be an issue. I'm thinking this is trying to do too much, and I know we will only see a little of what each area has to offer, but we want to get a flavor of different areas so we know where we might want to spend more if we come back for another vacation. Let me know what you might change in light of your experiences in the region.

Thanks!!!

1. 4 nights in HCMC
2. 3 nights in Siem Reap
3. 4 nights in Chiang Mai
4. 4 nights at the beach, likely Phuket or Krabu area.

Kathie

It takes three full days just to see the major temples at Angkor, so I'd cut a day from Chiang Mai and move it to Siem Reap. (4 nights = 3 full days)

When is your trip? This is important to determine which beach area is best for you.

No time in Bangkok?

ridecat

The trip is early November. We are flying out of Bangkok so might spend a day there, but unlikely. Long story there

Thanks for your reply!

Kathie

Early November my still be rainy on the Andaman Sea side of Thailand, but should be moving toward better weather. The later in November you go to the beach there the better. Other options include Hua Hin, which will have good weather even in early Nov.

crellston

Your itinerary basically looks fine to me but you haven't really given much idea of what interests you. If temples really interest you then, I agree with Kathie, add an extra night at the expense of CM. However, when I visited last year ( for the third time in 20 years) I was horrified at how over run with tourists it had become. Two days showing my in laws around was more than enough for me. Although, to be fair, they, as first time visitors were really impressed.

Chiang Mai is a nice compact city ( at least the old city in the centre is). Lots of wats to explore and superb northern Thai food that the rest of the country doesn't do too well. If it were me, I would consider renting a car getting out into the countryside. Chiang Dao is nice ( but v. Quiet) an extra day or two would enable you to drive the "Mai Hong Sorn loop" and really experience the north..

I love HCMC and spent several week there last year. Unless you are a twenty something backpacker, avoid Pham Ngu Lao as suggested above. Lots to see in the city also, I certainly wouldn't consider adding Dalat or, especially, Nha Trang. Hanoi is a contender with Saigon for the most interesting city in Vietnam and, having spent a lot of time in both, I still find it difficult to decide which I like the most. But Hanoi should perhaps figure somewhere in your considerations.

LancasterLad

We topped and tailed our trip last October in Saigon, and quite enjoyed our 6 nights around Pham Ngu Lao. As well as being a bit of a backpacker ghetto, there's also a lot of local life to be seen and heard, and we really enjoyed the people and traffic watching with a bottle of Saigon Green Label to hand. Some of those undersized plasic chairs need replacing, as I collapsed a couple as I sat down!

Also enjoyed 5 nights in Dalat. You need a few days to get under the suface, and look for it and there's ample to do. The Crazy House is definitely a wacky experience.

crellston

"Some of those undersized plasic chairs need replacing, as I collapsed a couple as I sat down!" welcome to the club! I manage to destroy one or two on our last trip!

Are you going to be posting a TR on Nicaragua? It's on the list for the trip after this one. Would be very interested to hear how you get on.

ridecat

Thanks for all the info! As to what we are interested in, I'd say food! I've found what looks to be a cool street food tour in Saigon. In Chiang Mai, I was thinking we'd take a cooking class. It looks like a lot are offered in that area. We always like ~half day bike tours, but am someone concerned with the bike - car safety issue (as I am in the U.S.), I'm a little hesitant, so will rely on the bike tour company to pick a safe route. I did see a day bike trip outside of Saigon that looks cool.

Kathie

If you are interested in food, there are food tours in HCMC and Hanoi, but also in Bangkok. Chiang Mai is a good place for a cooking class, but you will also find them everywhere - even at the beach.

There are also bike tours everywhere. Like you, I would be cautious about the tours as traffic - especially motorbike traffic - is so terrible in Hanoi and HCMC.

Are there any specific questions we can help with?

huelongtravel

Spending 4 nights in HCMC (2 nights in HCMC and 2 nights in Mekong Delta) is great.