Prepare a trip
Sep 20th, 2013, 01:48 AM
#1
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Prepare a trip
My wife entrusted me to book a trip for 2 people during 3 weeks. We aim to visit two countries but we don’t know which ones (China-Vietnam, Vietnam-Laos), travel by ourselves (for bumming abound as our youth) and book something with a travel. Does anyone have some comments for my 2 ideas?
China-Vietnam
Shanghai – Kumming - Lao Cai – Sapa – Hanoi - Hoi An – Hue - Nha Trang - Saigon during 3 weeks, is it too much crammed?
Kumming – Lao Cai alone in train? I read old bad reports about this train. Is it better now? Is it easy to pass the boarder?
Vietnam-Laos
Why services in Laos are more expensive than Vietnam and others Indochina countries? http://www.kensingtontours.com/tours/asia/laos .
For example accommodations. Prices from local travel agencies are more competitive. It’s more flexible too, there are shorts trips like this: http://www.vietnamstay.travel/laos-t...avel-laos.html .
To finish, there are some sea cruises in Vietnam? I mean a real sea cruise, not a local sampan?
Greeting,
China-Vietnam
Shanghai – Kumming - Lao Cai – Sapa – Hanoi - Hoi An – Hue - Nha Trang - Saigon during 3 weeks, is it too much crammed?
Kumming – Lao Cai alone in train? I read old bad reports about this train. Is it better now? Is it easy to pass the boarder?
Vietnam-Laos
Why services in Laos are more expensive than Vietnam and others Indochina countries? http://www.kensingtontours.com/tours/asia/laos .
For example accommodations. Prices from local travel agencies are more competitive. It’s more flexible too, there are shorts trips like this: http://www.vietnamstay.travel/laos-t...avel-laos.html .
To finish, there are some sea cruises in Vietnam? I mean a real sea cruise, not a local sampan?
Greeting,
Sep 20th, 2013, 06:37 AM
#2
I traveled from Kunming to Hanoi (via Nanning) by train in 2004. The mountain train that crossed the border to Lao Cai was taken out by a landslide a decade ago and is still not running. For how to do that route by sleeper bus see: http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#Kunming
I had no difficulty crossing the border on the Nanning-Hanoi route, and according to seat61 the train is much improved from when I did it. See: http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#Na...i%20by%20train
I rarely book anything in SEA through an agency. I book my hotels directly (or on arrival) and book local transport after I arrive. If you are looking at Luang Prabang it has become a tourist mecca in recent years and prices have risen accordingly (and you should book ahead).
I had no difficulty crossing the border on the Nanning-Hanoi route, and according to seat61 the train is much improved from when I did it. See: http://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#Na...i%20by%20train
I rarely book anything in SEA through an agency. I book my hotels directly (or on arrival) and book local transport after I arrive. If you are looking at Luang Prabang it has become a tourist mecca in recent years and prices have risen accordingly (and you should book ahead).
Sep 20th, 2013, 07:55 AM
#3
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I'd suggest you visit VN and Laos or just VN with three weeks.
Cruise in VN? Many people visit Halong Bay and stay overnight on a junk. I don't know of longer sea cruises. Of course, international cruise lines do have cruises that stop in one or more places in VN, but I don't think that is what you are looking for.
Cruise in VN? Many people visit Halong Bay and stay overnight on a junk. I don't know of longer sea cruises. Of course, international cruise lines do have cruises that stop in one or more places in VN, but I don't think that is what you are looking for.
Sep 21st, 2013, 11:56 AM
#4
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I agree to do Vietnam and Laos. China is just to big of a country to stick on with Vietnam. We did a two week trip to Vietnam and booked everything myself, which was not difficult.
Here is a link to my trip report with pictures:
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/catego...hristmas-2011/
Here is a link to my trip report with pictures:
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/catego...hristmas-2011/
Nov 15th, 2013, 07:24 PM
#5
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Yes, there are just local cruises in Vietnam (Mekong and Halong bay). Nothing about a longer national sea cruise or a national company.
There are international trips, it’s too long:
http://www.kensingtontours.com/tours...and-and-cruise
Travel during 3 weeks only in South-east Asia and add in my trip two local cruises: Mekong and Halong bay cruises.
http://www.vietnamstay.travel/vietna...ong-style.html
I was wondering about the Mekong? The development of the River is controversial (dams…). For a quiet and authentic trip, which is the best?
in Laos? http://www.luangsay.com/program_itin....php?ShowID=13 or from Saigon to Siem Reap? http://www.vietnamstay.travel/vietna...-holidays.html
Very easy to travel in South East Asia is easy.
There are international trips, it’s too long:
http://www.kensingtontours.com/tours...and-and-cruise
Travel during 3 weeks only in South-east Asia and add in my trip two local cruises: Mekong and Halong bay cruises.
http://www.vietnamstay.travel/vietna...ong-style.html
I was wondering about the Mekong? The development of the River is controversial (dams…). For a quiet and authentic trip, which is the best?
in Laos? http://www.luangsay.com/program_itin....php?ShowID=13 or from Saigon to Siem Reap? http://www.vietnamstay.travel/vietna...-holidays.html
Very easy to travel in South East Asia is easy.
