archerlalu

we will start our southeast Asia from Hong Kong to Bangkok on the 19th of this month. we know our period of traveling is too ambitious since we only have 11 days to see laos-vitenam-and cambodia.

we have our flights from Bangkok to Bali on july1 for a week then head to Singapore for few days then head back to Hong Kong on the 22nd of July.

does anyone here been to Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia?OR any routes so we wont waste time like going back to one to another? We know it is not possible to see the beauty of each country has to offer but we want to just taste the hang of it.

we need yo be in bangkok on july 1, can you please help us the best itinerary. Will we start from bangkok to cambodia then to vietnam (SAIGON-HUE-HANOI) THEN TO LUANG PRAHBANG THEN TO VIENTIENE, FROM VIENTIENNE BANGKOK???
OR bangkok-vientiane-luang prahbang-hanoi-hue-saigon-phnom pehn-siem reap then bangkok???
We really appreciate your expertise on this aspect. can you recommend the best and possible route/itinerary?
We consider to fly either bangkok-vientinne or bankok to hanoi? or along the way either from laos to vietnam or vientine to bankok. But want to experience overland within these territory, like laos-vietnam or any suggestions? Any flight or airline who offers best budget deal.

WE TRULY APPRECIATE ALL SUGGESTIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS. we know many may criticize and laugh at us since the traveling period is a very very short time. WE accept all comments, but this time we truly appreciate those who can supply and help us with this travel.
Hope you could state the very important landmarks from each country. WE are not beach lovers, (though we consider one in laos). Just the landmarks, seeing the capital, slow boat to mekong delta river, angkor wat, luang prahbang, vientienne, saigon, hanoi most likely. BUS/TRAIN IS OKAY as long as we could catch our flight from bangkok to bali onjJuly 1.
Try to consider this as your itinerary, for those been to these countries, hope you could provide the best itinerary.
Very sincerely

Again, a big thanks for your attention and prompt reply on this matter.

archerlalu

BY the way, for the 11 days, please do not consider bangkok for days to stay. Been in bangkok twice. So bangkok is just our gateway.

Thanks

Scotters

When do you arrive in Bangkok. This will help in suggesting in what direction you should go first. I would plan to eliminatipn Vientiene and Phnom Penh and possibly the Mekong Delta as you will not have enough time

Kathie

You only have 11 days and you list Saigon, Hue, Hanoi, Siem Reap, Phnom Pehn, Luang Prabang and Vientiane - 7 destinations, plus your two gateway cities of Hong Kong and Bangkok.

You don't have time to visit all of those places, let alone take ground transportation. You'll need to fly, and you'd be wise to choose just one palce in each of the three countries. That way you'll get a taste of the place rather than just seeing the insides of airports (or buses).

If it were me (and it isn't) I'd choose Hanoi, Siem Reap and Luang Prabang. It will take a most of a day to get from one place to another, but you can have three or four nights in each place in 11 days. Three nights is only two full days and that's the shortest I'd consider staying anywhere.

Scotters

I meant to say what time do you arrive.

archerlalu

hi scotters and kathie, we will be arriving on june 19, at 2 pm. For 11 days only vietnam, laos and cambodia. I hope you could help more. Scotters maybe you could help more just like your best considered itinerary. I ask my friend to drop Laos and concentrate with cambodia and Vietnam but wanted to see even a ady or two to see vientinane and luang prahbang ...i really anxious. I tried fodors, lonely planet's and rough guides. Each of them recommends different intineraries for a two months and beyond, so we are abit shattered now.
YOu guys could also give us the best attraction from each country so we can consider ASAP, not for a beach stuff we will see one in Bali, though.

All your comments are welcomed. Again, iknow it is tough and so time-limited. That is all we got for holidays, comapared people can stay longer period. In this case, one time deal...seeing more places...ang may never happen to visit agian....i hope you guys understand...


again we count on your comments and recommendations!

dogster

Hi archer:

If you mix and match these itineraries, you'll see how it can be done. If you are rich, get these people to book it for you.

Trying to book this yourself will be a nightmare unless you know what you are doing - which you don't. Trying to do this on the cheap will be a nightmare. Trying to do this without a guide in each place will be a nightmare. You have to plan your itinerary like a military campaign.

http://www.abercrombiekent.com/trave...=dsp_itinerary

http://www.abercrombiekent.com/trave...x.cfm?tid=4455

http://www.abercrombiekent.com/trave...=dsp_itinerary

In these three itineraries is almost ALL the information you need. Just be practical. Put the three itineraries side by side and move the pieces around. Have fun working it out tonight.

dogster

use this instead for the second link:

http://www.abercrombiekent.com/trave...erary&tid=4455

archerlalu

hi dogster:

I am truly impressed with your choices of itineraries. Too straight and yet kinda feel relaxed; and having more time catching our breath.

The third one may work for us and I am glad you have included top sights and activities. Really appreciate in responding to my request.

Just an add up, have you been to Vientiane, Laos? If so, any attractive sights to consider, just in case. I have read that a bus trip from Vientiane to Luang Prabang via Viang Veng is one hell of bus trip adventure and not to be missed. Is it so?

Thank you very much!

Others may want to add more, feel free to suggest.

Cheers!

dogster

lol - they're not MY itineraries, I think Abercrombie and Kent would be very unhappy if anybody said that. You have very little time. You really do need to get someone to do this for you, I suspect. So, if their prices look good to you - use them - you can solve this in one phone call and relax.

They are much more expensive than others, but they deliver.

I'm glad you find something there that might suit. You seem keen on Vientiane but I'm not sure why. To me it's the least interesting place on your list. I don't think you have time to hop a bus, but you could spend an afternoon there by flight. But I don't really think it's as big a deal as the other places. Trust me - you'll see a lot of stuff without Vientiane.

Good luck my friend. Let us know how this works out.

Smeagol

I actually really liked Vientiane, however as time is short and you want to cover A LOT of ground i would save it for another day.

archerlalu

Thanks dogster and Abercrombie and Kent. If you read this one, thank you.

Smeagol, also for the comment, cheers mate!

For Scotters, he'd asked me when will I be in Bangkok? He may have something very very important to share. Still waiting for interjecting comments.

Again peeps, thanks and still open for run down sidetrips.

rhkkmk

i think the whole idea is NUTS!!!

in 11 days i would go to 2 places or maybe 3, preferably in the same country like thailand OR vietnam

Scotters

Here is a suggested itinerary but excludes some places you had mentioned due to lack of time

June 19 Arrive 14.00 and catch the Bangkok Air flight at
18.50 to Siem Reap. There is a flight at 15.00 that
you might make providing your bags can be checked
through to SR from your original flight. Cost $223

20-21 Siem Reap

22 Siem Reap to Phnom Penh – early morning bus ($12)
or taxi ($50-60), taking around 5 hrs. Explore
sights in afternoon

23 Fly Phnom Penh to Saigon in early evening by
Vietnam Air. Leaves at 19.30. Cost $190

24 Saigon – sightseeing

25 Day tour of Mekong Delta

25 Fly Saigon to Hanoi by Jet Star Air (discount
airlines) in late evening. Cost around $62

26-27 Hanoi

28 Fly to Luang Prabang - Vietnam Air Leaves 9.00
Cost $184

29-30 LP

31 Fly to Bangkok - Bangkok Air. Leaves at 14.20.
Cost $269. Depending when your flight leaves for
Bali on July 1 there is a morning flight with Lao
air from LP at 7.55 getting in at 9.35.

sf7307

I see some of you have said that of all the places mentioned you might leave out Vientiane. What about Phnom Penh - is it worth a day or more if you're going to Siem Reap (probably from HCMC)?

Kathie

Scoters has managed to fit in most of your requested places in your allotted time. He did include Phnom Penh on the 23rd. He omitted Vientiane and Hue.

But pause and consider if you'll enjoy this. You'll spend a goodly amount of your time in transit. You'll spend no more than two days in any place, and only one day in several. This is barely a taste of any of these places.

Smeagol

I have to say i totally agree with Kathie, but then it's not my holiday. You will hardly SEE anything but if that's your travel style then i hope you have a great time and don't forget to let us all know how you got on.

silverwool

I also agree with Kathie. Asia is slow. My advice would be to take your time and savour the experience. Travel less and see more. However, I'm not you so I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy yourself.

archerlalu

hi everyone,

we are still working on our plans. We all consider your suggestions and comments. Will let you know once we fixed it.

Again, our big thanks to all who made such fair and direct comments especially to scotters, kathie and dosgters.

Of course to Fodor's site.

travellerni

Taking into account packing/checking in and out of hotels plus transport to and from airports/actual flying time your original idea seems like an endurance test.

I've been everywhere you want to visit but I did it on 3 separate journeys.

The best of the best. Siem Reap, luang prabang and Hue. I think you could also use Vietnam Airlines for all your flights.

Whatever you choose you should stay a minimum 2 nights anywhere you go. Siem reap is easily a 3 nighter and Luang Prabang is 3 as well. Hue 2.

We stayed in Luang Prabang for 5 days and my wife was upset when we arrived she thought it was going to be boring etc. At the end we both did not want to leave, it was magical but it creeps up on you. Doing fast tick box travelling is never my preference but everyone has different needs.

Bangkok and Vientiane can safely be left out of the itinerary. Most people seem to prefer Hanoi to Saigon and I wouldn't disagree.