I rely so much on Fodorites' advice and I need it bigtime for this trip. Beginning mid to late October, we will have about 4-5 weeks to travel in SEAsia. Two constraints: be in BKK for about 5 days that includes Nov 13 (Loy Kratong) and be home in time for Thanksgiving (home by Nov 25).
I'm thinking 12 days Vietnam, concentrated in the North (Hanoi,Hue, Hoi An, Halong Bay, 10 days in Malaysia, staying on the western side because of the weather (KL, Ipoh?, Cameron Highlands, Penang and one beach resort). I think BKK MAY have to be in the middle to fit things in. I'd really appreciate suggestions and comments. Vietnam is a must, open to another country besides Malaysia, but have been to Laos, Cambodia, Bali, Java, Singapore. Thanks!

It should be a wonderful trip! Of course, all of us want to see so many places and the first part of my trip planning is always cutting half the places I want to go. It looks like that may be your task as well. Your VN itinerary looks very do-able in 12 days, as you are basically covering two areas: Hanoi and Halong Bay is one, Hue and Hoi An is the other.

For Malaysia, I see 5 stops on your list for 10 days - way too many! Think about what you want to do/see/experience in Malaysia to help you pare down the number of destinations. I think three stops are probably tops for your 10 days in Malaysia. Actually, the west coast of Malaysia is prety rainy in October. We were there in November and it rained hard every afternoon for an hour or two. It didn't impair our enjoyment of Georgetown, and it meant we got a great price at the E&O.

Kathie, your trip reports have been a great help. VN is a must, I thought Malaysia would be best because of the weather (after BKK would put it in mid November)- -we are open to alternatives. I really prefer a more relaxed approach. That's why I loved our trip to Bali and Java - - a week at a villa in Bali, 3 nites at Amanjiwo, 2 nights in Seminyak...but between the weather and wanting to see new places, it is hard to figure out where to go.

I don't want to discourage you from Malaysia, there is much to see and do there. I'm warning you about the weather, but that doesn't mean don't go. Of course, being from Seattle, I'm accustomed to rain, so it doesn't stop me.

Of course, we loved Georgetown and the E&O and I heartily recommend it. And Langkawi gets great reviews for beach. There is a non-stop flight from Bangkok to Penang, and it's maybe 15-20 minutes from the airport to the E&O. Someone recently posted about a ferry from Georgetown to Langkawi. So logistically, it would be an easy trip. Given what you've done before I think you'd really like it.

Another option (still with some rain in Sabah) would be Malaysian Borneo, Sabah and/or Sarawak. I expect you've read my trip report on that fabulous trip.

We're headed to Nepal in October/November as half of our annual trip to SE Asia. There are good air connections from Bangkok.

ttt

Having a rough time with the site this morning, my replies don't seem to be posting. Actually, I'm open to perhaps northern India or Bhutan(hadn't thought of Nepal), or Hong Kong. I would like to coordinate with the best weather for travelling, so I might have one set of choices if we do mid-Oct to mid-Nov, but I could possibly change the timing and begin in November and go through early December. I'm just not familiar enough with the microclimates in various places to figure out where to go besides VN and BKK. HELP!

Take a look at www.weatherbase.com

Yes, I've done that many times but I just can't seem to find an optimal combination. That's why I thought the west coast of Malaysia might have better weather in mid November but it looks iffy. We travelled to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia in late Oct/November twice before and had great weather, but looking at weatherbase doesn't give me much comfort! Where do you think the weather is "best" this time of year? DH really wants to go to Hong Kong, so that's an alternative.

Hi, I'm from Malaysia. IMHO, weatherbase.com is a tad off as far as local weather is concerned. The country is divided into mainland peninsular and Borneo side, and affected by what's brewing over Indian Ocean and South China Sea. It's not easy to lump micro-weathers all around the country and collectively call it "Malaysian weather". Mind you, whether monsoon or not, Cameron Highland rains every afternoon. I've written a fair bit about local weather here ... http://malaysiaupclose.wordpress.com...r-mood-swings/

Also, if you're thinking of combing KL-Ipoh-Cameron-Penang, have a look at this http://malaysiaupclose.wordpress.com...nt-travellers/

Enjoy planning. It's part of the adventure.

Those insights on the weather are very helpful- thanks

Hanoi is worth a 3 days stay. Hue is 2 days and Hoi An is 4 days (nice beach, cycle around 20 minutes passing the rice paddies out of Hoi An town). For Halong bay, it's worth to book an overnight trip (sleep on board). Enjoy your trip, dear!

The Malaysian side of Borneo is very interesting and weather may be on your side. We were there in mid-Oct. 2 years ago and it was fine.
In KL I might suggest you do not waste time going to Frazier Hill unless you are really into birds and even then it's just o.k. The tripto Cammeron Highlands is a bit less than 3 hours so I assume you plan an overnight there. If weather is good it is very interesting though the trip there is quite boring.You might find 4 days in KL just about enough. Three full days could do it. Then spend the rest on the peninsula if you decide to go for the diving and snorkeling. But with iffy weather snorkeling and even diving can stir up the clarity of the water.

Thanks for picking up this thread again. I have been stalled and still need advice. Here is what I have to date, but I am unhappy about moving around so much and would love comments:
Oct 27, lv DC arrive Hanoi (thru BKK) Oct 28
Oct 28- Nov 1 Hanoi: MAYBE one in Halong Bay on a junk
Nov 2-3: Hue
Nov 4-5: Hoi An (or should I skip one?)
Nov 6-7: HCMC (I originally wanted to skip this but DH insists)
Nov 8-13: BKK (be there for Loy Kratong)
Nov 14-20: Langkawi and Penang (OR should I go to one of the Thai islands)
Nov 21-22: drive towards KUL (should I skip this part and give more time to other places, just fly to KUL?)
Nov 23-25: KUL (incl day trip to Malacca)
night of Nov25: lv KUL, fly home thru BKK

It is a month of travel, but still, 9 different hotels is alot.DH wants good food, I want to soak up the culture, be outdoors, some shopping. You can see from my earlier post where we've been. I would prefer Borneo but DH won't agree, still unsure about Malaysian peninsula. THANK YOU!!

Yes, 9 different hotels is a lot. There won't be much time for rest on this trip!

A couple of thoughts... I'd skip the drive from Penang to KL and just fly. That will enable you to spend more time in a couple of places.

What is your agenda for Penang and Langkawi? Are you just looking for beach or do you want to spend some time in Georgetown? If you are mostly looking for beach. you could certainly substitute a Thai island. If you want to spend time in Georgetown, then do go to Penang/Langkawi.

If you could cut just one stop, it would make it an easier trip, but it sounds like your husband has his heart set on seeing all of those places.

Too many places in too little time. Skip Malaysia and focus on thailand.
Pass on Hue.