marlac

We have the last 2 wks in Feb. 2011. We were thinking of flying into Hanoi, 2 days there, on to Sapa for 2 or 3 days. Over to Halong Bay, 1 night, then to Cat Bu Island, 1 night. Back to Hanoi. Take flight into Danang, taxi into Hoi An, 2 days there. Maybe taxi to Hue with a stop off at Bach Ma Mountain. We love wonderful nature hikes/trekking. We wanted to visit Angkor Wat. Any tthoughts on when we should do that during our 2 wks or if we should? There is four of us traveling (50's), enjoy nature, good food. Gee, the days add up. Would so appreciate comments or advise. This is our first trip to Vietnam.

Kathie

How many days will you have on the ground in Asia? Count your time carefully and consider that getting rom one place to another takes time. If you plan for two night at one location, that is only one full day.

If you want to visit Angkor, consider that it takes three full days just to visit the "major" temples. If you are really interested in the temples, you'll want more time there. We spent a week and could have used even more time. Do your research so you know how much time you'll need there. Dawn Rooney's book, "Angkor: A guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples" is the gold standard for Angkor Guides.

Visiting Angkor is strenuous, lots of walking and climbing and it is hot, hot hot. You'll want to be out visiting temples at sunrise, take a few hours off at mid-day to rest and cool off, then back out to the temples until sunset. There are dozens of accessible temples, you won't see them all. You will need a car and driver to see the temples, and many people like to have a guide.

If you go to Cambodia in the middle of your VN trip, you'll need a double-entry visa for VN, which must be arranged in advance.

Angkor is changing rapidly, due to the number of visitors. If you are interested in going, I'd recommend you go now.

Travel in this part of the world is best done slowly. Count up your days and see if you cna fit all of that into your time frame.

marlac

Wow, your reply was very helpful! Hot, hot, hot scares me a bit. (I feel like a wimp). Ground days in Asia will be 11 days. You already have given me something to think about. If we do decide we want to do that (Angkor) would you advise to fly to Siem Reap and "do Angkor first & then off to Hanoi? I wonder if we had to choose between Sapa and Angkor what would be better? I know it is all so relative to what we like!

KimJapan

With 11 nights, you could do Hanoi (3), Halong Bay overnight cruise (1), Hanoi (1), Sapa (3 or 4), and one other stop. Sapa needs at least 3 nights because it's either an overnight train to and from, which would be unpleasant two nights in a row, or an all day train to and from which would eat up all of your sightseeing time.

For your other 3 nights you could fly to Siem Reap or another city in Vietnam, depending on your interest. I really like Siem Reap as a town, and the temples of Angkor are a must see IMO. Some people say one day of temples is enough, but there are so many and all are different and interesting. In addition to temples there are waterfalls, Tonle Sap, ultrlight rides, a hot air balloon, horses, elephants, 4-wheel motorbike tours, bicycles, silk farm, school visits, spa, cooking class, dance performances, shopping... Recently we spent 17 nights in Siem Reap and were not bored. Actually, we didn't want to leave.

marlac

I am having so much fun reading the replies! I've never done this. I find it so helpful. We are probably some of those type of people that say one day of temples is enough actually. I did not know there was so many other type of activities to do on Siem Reap.

lcuy

Kim- Did you do a trip report? I always love reading yours.

I'll be in Siem Reap for two weeks this month volunteering with Ponheary. Where did you find horses?

TravelSenseAsia

You will get confused after 3 days visiting temples, but 3 days are still the minimum time you should spen in Siemreap. I visited the Banteay Srei and Thousand of Lingas up on the mountain, it is beautiful, the whole river bed is carved with lingas. And it's a break from all the temples in Angkor.

if you want to go to Hue, then fly Hue to Danang, and then transfer to Danang through Hai Van pass. the train ride at this part is beautiful.

Kathie

Apparently you get confused, TravelSense, but not everyone does.

Banteay Srei isn't up on the mountain, though it's an hour outside of Siem Reap.

KimJapan

You can easily stop at Bantey Srei on your way yp Phnom Kulen, up the mountain, where the 1000 Lingas are. It makes good sense to do it that way and is a fantastic day out if you also bring a picnic lunch (or buy lunch from the restaurant up there) and a swim in the natural pool at the base of the waterfall. Great day.

Lucy, no report. Me, Teaghan and her friend Kaori spent our time in two schools teaching summer school. We stayed at Seven Candles, same as last year, and were sorry to leave. Every year we add more time there. Are you staying there? It really is great.

KimJapan

Oh, horses at the Happy Ranch.

lcuy

Thanks Kim. Yes, we are staying at Seven Candles. I'll be with my 22 yr old daughter. I'm guessing we'll be busy, but love to go horseback riding, and try to in each country we visit!

sf7307

<<<if you want to go to Hue, then fly Hue to Danang, and then transfer to Danang through Hai Van pass.>>>

Fly from Hue to Danang -- that makes no sense -- it's only 60 miles from one to the other.

Kathie

Yup, another piece of bad info from this person advertising their website.

Thu_Ha

Marlac, you can look at this Itinerary:

Hanoi - Sapa - Halong - Hue (and overland by car to Hoian, passing Danang, you can stop to visit Danang) - then Siemreap (there is direct flight from Danang to Siemreap by Silk Air, on Monday and Friday, if not, you fly Vietnam Airlines 1 stop in Saigon)