pattyroth

Thank you Lolazahra!!! Loved reading this and feel better prepared for our time in Siem Reap in October. Love that you had your kids so involved in giving. Very sweet and meaningful.

Iowa_Redhead

What a great report! Thank you for taking the time to write this.

Now this area is even more at the top of my list for a trip next year.

Judithlmsss

Hi there, I am a 63 year old woman living in San Francisco and planning a trip similar to yours,but alone, leaving 9/12/13 and returning 10/2/13.
First, I want to tell you how MUCH I enjoyed reading your posts..so full of amazing information. I 'm definitely doing the XO night tour of Saigon, thank you!
Any additional advice for me would be appreciated. Trying to decide what type of clothes to take, I'm thinking light sundresses?
Comfy shoes, covered up, it seems. Why do they care about that if they make you take them off???
Look forward to your reply, Judith.
PS I'm also taking Asiana, glad to hear you liked it, although my flight looks somewhat not full, maybe due to their recent crash here.

naddan

I have read many reports about Vietnam and it’s blatant.

The nightlife in Hoi An is more interesting than Hue, except, of course, have a drink next to the perfume River and go for a quiet walk, I don’t know what to do on the evening.

Every reports describes Hoi An like a living and breathing city:
as you have written: night market, delicious dishes, lanterns, music, performers, merchants…

Thank you

lincasanova

What a great report. Thank you so much for posting so many details to keep in mind should I ever go to Vietnam or Luang Prahang. We also are involved with the PLF in Siem Reap and understand your feelings about these people.

I will be forever grateful for the recommendation here to visit the foundation. We also stayed at the 7 Candles Guesthouse all week. It was a wonderful experience all around.

lcuy

Glad to see this topped again.

Lolazahra, I was back at Knar school in Sept/Oct. Did you leave behind those BIG Tulip dye kits, shirts and bandanas? We made good use of some of the shirts as somehow I ran short of the tiny sizes as I had younger kids this year. With all the dye, I was able to do more tie-dye with the dorm kids at Srayang, and still there is enough dye to do another few classes in the future. They (and I) appreciate your generosity.

zoso

Great trip report!

I hope u dont mind me telling u the truth about riding Elephants. As I only found out myself last year...

Elephants backs r not for riding!There back r full of bones no fat to protect them with the weight.Its all about money.
At the Elephant nature park in Chan Mai Thailand there r a couple of rescue Elephants with broken backs due to riding!! Very sad!!
Just trying to Inform!!!
Ellen

hanoiecotour

It is such an detailed post. It's great to know your experience

Lolazahra

Hi all. I haven't been back to this trip report for a while, but still filled with joy about Southeast Asia. Thanks for the recent comments.

Zoos, I did not know about the elephants. Of course, you always know that horses, donkeys, camels and any animal would probably not want to be ridden by humans if they had their choice. But if treated humanely, it is a source of transportation and livelihood for so many people all over the world. Cruelty to animals, of course, is an abomination and I don't think any of us on Fodor's would ever do anything cruel to animals should we have knowledge in advance. So I don't mind your comment and will do more research next time. Thanks.

Lcuy - yes I did buy the Tulip dye kits, bandanas and t-shirts! I'm so glad you used them. I can't wait to tell my kids as they purchased them. They will be thrilled. The fact that you were able to share it with another school is just fantastic. I just loved Ponleary, the school and the kids. Cambodia is lucky to have you. Thank you for your service.

Lincasanova - how lucky for you and them that you were able to spend so much time with extraordinary people and kids.

JudithLmsss - sorry I missed your questions. I hope you had a fabulous time! Did you do XO Tours?

I recently read and commented on a post about trip reports. It said people were not writing them as much. I hope this is not the case as they are so very valuable. I literally cannot imagine planing and finalizing a trip without reading them first and then asking questions. And I admit, I never wrote them in the past. But after asking a million questions to plan Namibia, a country I knew little about, I knew I had to write one to give back. Same for Southeast Asia. So I'm thrilled that anything I wrote was as helpful to someone as other reports have been to me.

MiamiBeachMomma

Lola -
Fabulous Report and info!! I just skimmed, but I know when Im deep in planning this will be a great resource!!

thursdaysd

Somehow missed this the first time round. Thanks for such a lovely report. Where are you headed next?

WWanderer

Thanks for the great report. We leave in 6 days for Bangkok, then Siem Reap and Luang Prabang. I can hardly believe we're doing this!

Richardlee

Great report ! I were in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh too and really much like Saigon. I have a night spent with A O show which I think you may have missed. Will come back some day for Saigon.

Thanks

tow01

Thank you for this detailed report. It’s very helpful.

ogz5

thanks for this very informative ummmm blog, it's as if I am experiencing the entire journey with you, hahaha so realistic that i can picture everything you said in my mind. I will definitely consider this Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia trip this coming December.

Lolazahra

Great. I think you will enjoy it immensely!

dgunbug

What a lovely and concise report. I somehow missd it last year, brings back fond memories and makes me want to add Laos to my bucket list. Thanks for sharing.

needmorevacation

Great report- good tips for my upcoming trip- thank you!

raelond

Lolazahra I just read this trip report and loved what you said about Cambodia getting under your skin like Africa. I hope my trip to Cambodia gets under my skin also, as this is exactly how I felt after my first trip to Africa. I also can't believe that the quote you have on your profile "I need Africa more than Africa needs me" is the same quote I have in my journal I wrote during my trip to Botswana.

antonio15

Although it was written in 2013, your trip report was a joy to read to me! Would love to see some photos though. My itinerary is also similar except we only spend a couple of nights at Saigon and will use the city as a base for Phu Quoc Island.