I'm really new to this forum so forgive me if this question has appeared elsewhere(I did try my best to go through as many as possible!)

I currently live in NY and am flying to Singapore to pick up my mom and bring her on a short Indochina "escapade". We'll kick off the trip in Hanoi then head to Luang Prabang and finally Siem Reap. I have a couple of questions -

1) Should I get a guide in Hanoi or it's best to explore on my own?
2) Air or bus from Luang Prabang? Can't seem to find much information about the latter...Does anyone have the latest price for a one-way airfare from Hanoi to Luang Prabang?
3) Has anyone encountered any trouble travelling from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap? I've read some horror stories about travelling with a US passport (despite having a Vietnam visa...)

I plan on travelling from Dec 2 - Dec 12 (11days, 10 nights). Any comments? Is it too tight a duration? Should I allocate more time and in what proportion? Thanks everyone!

Start with a map and a guidebook.

First, you really have too little time to go to Singapore, Hanoi, and Luang Prabang in 11 days - four different countries and complex air connections. Traveling overland, you'd spend all of your time in transit.

"Has anyone encountered any trouble travelling from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap? I've read some horror stories about travelling with a US passport (despite having a Vietnam visa...)" I have to say I'm really confused about this question. What having a VN visa has to do with traveling between Laos and Cambodia escapes me. As someone traveling with a US passport, I've had no difficulty traveling anywhere in SE Asia.

You do need a visa in advance for VN (can't get it on arrival) and if you'll be transiting back through VN, you'll need a double-entry visa. You also need a visa for Cambodia and a visa for Laos. VN visa, single entry is $65, Laos is $30, Cambodia is $20.

While you can fly from Singapore to Hanoi, there are no non-stop flights from Hanoi to Luang Prabang. You'd have to transfer planes in Vientienne. There are flights between Luang Prabang and Siem Reap some days of the week, other days you'll have to transfer planes somewhere. Then you'll need to fly to wherever you are catching your plane back home (Singapore?). The air fares will be rather expensive as there is only one carrier flying many of these routes.

You'll need a minimum of three to four full days (not counting travel days) in each location to get any sense of the place. By my count, that means a three week trip.

There is no real need for a guide in Hanoi. You can easily explore on your own. No need for a guide in Luang Prabang either. But in Siem Reap, you'll need a car and driver (at a minimum) and perhaps a guide as well. A three day temple pass is US$40, a car and driver about US$25 per day, a guide another $25-30 per day.

Vietnam Airlines and Lao Airlines both now have direct flights from Hanoi to Luang Prabang.

Jane, I did a search on this, and found no non-stops in December. Is this a new flight? Is it seasonal? The source I use (ita) may not show Lao Air, but any VN Air flights should be shown.

Kathie, You are correct. According to Amadeus.com, only Lao Airlines has non-stop flight from Hanoi to LP--but both airlines fly non-stop from LP to Hanoi. I'm flying LP to Hanoi in October so I assumed both airlines flew non-stop both ways. I booked on-line at Lao Airlines website--really easy to use.
Jane

Thanks for the clarification, Jane. It is true that a lot of the flights among Luang Prabang, Siem Reap and other cities fly only one direction non-stop, as many are circular routes, and many fly only on some days.

imo, you are doing way too much in 11 days....

could you meet your mother in SR or LP? or hanoi....i think i would only do 2 places...

SR takes 3-4 days just to see the basics....LP is good for 4 days also....then you have at least 2 travel days....voila

It seems to be seasonal. Vietnam Airlines has non-stop flights most days of the week from Hanoi to LP, as well as in reverse, in October, but not November and December.

You mentioned possible bus from LP to Siem Reap. This is impracticable due to your time constraints. Also its a long way! All three countries have a lot to offer and I feel you are going to be rushed. I'd suggest dropping one country off the list and plan another trip in the future.

While you need to get a Vietnam visa in advance its fairly painless to get one for Laos and Cambodia on arrival.

There is a daily direct flight between Hanoi and Siem Reap either by Vietnam Airlines during the summer months or Lao Airlines from November to March. Flight times vary according to what day.

http://www.laoairlines.com/

Sorry Siem Reap should have read Luang Prabang in above.

Hi Everyone.

Thank you so much for all your replies! I guess I wasn't too clear but my time spent in Singapore is actually outside the 11 days. I live in NY but my mom is in Singapore so I'm actually going there for a couple of days first (to get over the jet lag and all) before taking her to Hanoi. So the 11 days is just counting Hanoi-Luang Prabang-Cambodia.

However, it seems from all the posts that even without Singapore, that doing all three will be quite a squeeze especially if my main purpose for the trip is to relax. Also, the more I read about Vietnam, the more I want to explore the surrounding areas of Hanoi like My Son, Hue, Hoi An, etc.

It does help that your time in Singapore is aside from the 11 days for Hanoi, Luang Prabang and Siem Reap. If you can add a couple of days, it would help, as you really are trying to cram very interesting locations into very little time. Even an extra day, so you could spend 4 nights in each location would help. Remember that 4 nights in a location is really just three days for exploring the area. If you main purpose for this trip is to relax, then choose two locations to visit.

"the more I read about Vietnam, the more I want to explore the surrounding areas of Hanoi like My Son, Hue, Hoi An, etc. " Note that these places are not in the area around Hanoi.

...and for what it's worth, regarding hiring a guide in Hanoi, I don't feel that's necessary -- it's kind of small, and easy to figure out on your own.

That said, I used a service on my first trip there called "Hello Hanoi", which is staffed by volunteers. In return for them serving as tour guides, you agree to help them speak and improve their english. They are generally high school / college age. I had two guides, a girl in high school and a guy in college. They were helpful taking me to see the main sights, but my main benefit was having a chance to talk with interesting people who lived in Hanoi and weren't in the tourism business. I had a fascinating conversation with the guy about how young Vietnamese view the Vietnam war, which is ancient history for someone of that age.

If you think you and your mom would enjoy that kind of experience, I'd recommend looking into it. Otherwise, Hanoi is small enough, and written about enough, to explore independently.

i have a flight from hanoi to lp in feb that's on VN airlines, direct.

Are you sure its not with Lao Airlines in Febuary. VN air website shows no flights in that month.

Should I book all my domestic flights prior to my trip? Or wait till I get there and walk in to a travel/airline agency?

Again everyone, thanks for all the advice!

If your itinerary qualifies for Bangkok Air's Discovery pass, buy in advance (as you cannot buy it in Asia).

Looking at when you are ytraveling, this is high season, and flight into and out of both Siem Reap and Luang Prabang are often booked full. I'd buy tickets as soon as you have a firm itinerary.

The price for a Vietnam Visa has increased to $75, at least here in NYC and takes about a week.

Am picking mine up today.

I just booked a trip from Hanoi--LP--SR--Hanoi for late next month (October). I waited until I got to Hanoi to book this flight, but I have been in Hanoi for about a month. There seems to be only one flight per day for this route...so knowing what I know now, I would book your tickets once you know your schedule. These flights are EXPENSIVE!!! I contacted a local agent recommended on this board first and received a quote. Then I checked online with Expedia. Expedia undercut the agency by about $50 per ticket. I went to a hole-in-the-wall agency in Hanoi and they undercut Expedia by about $30 per ticket...but I had to pay a 3% charge because I used a visa card. So knowing all this....my advice is to book your tickets now online and be done with it.

You also have to arrange hotels....that isn't a big deal on the internet. Use Ponheary in SR...LP hotels are pretty tight right now, but I was able to book a new place that gets great reviews on TripAdvisor. Once my trip is complete, I will report on this board.

I also did a DIY trip to Sapa the same way. Found a wonderful sounding boutique hotel in Sapa (4 rooms) and will be staying for 3 nights. They will arrange local guides for me. I also hauled myself over to the Hanoi Train station (via local bus) and booked my own train tickets. This was a challenge...but can be done. Best if you take a native speaker. But I blundered around and have 2 tickets, soft sleeper with AC for $36 each roundtrip to Sapa. Again, I will report on this trip once it is over.

But again, knowing what I know now...book your hotels ahead of time. The really nice ones get full quickly.

just my two cents!