One Week for Vietnam/Cambodia
 

I know, it's crazy, but it's what we got. I'd like to focus on northern Vietnam/Hanoi and then go see Angkor Wot.

Is this doable? What would some recommended itineraries be?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions...

We are doing a quick trip that will result in 2-3 nights in Siem Reap and 3 or 4 in Hanoi (along with 3 in Luang Prabang). So I think it is very doable but it will depend on how you do your air routing. If flying into Bangkok, probably heading to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) first would be best. We worked out our itinerary to allow us to fly into Bangkok and then we will depart for home directly from Hanoi. The first thing is to see what days any airlines fly and make your plans from there. We always do short trips as my husband has his own business so we find many quality vacations from 7 to 12 days throughout the world. We just see as much as we can and save the rest/relaxing for when we get home.

Many folks on this board will say only do 1 place....but I think you can see both Hanoi and Angkor Wat in 1 week (does that include 2 weekends?I'm assuming you're trying to only take 1 week off of work?).

From your email, I'll assume you're in NYC. Take the Thai air non-stop to Bangkok, which connects directly with a flight to Hanoi (also on Thai). If you left on a Sat. at noon, you would be in Hanoi on Sunday evening. Mon, Tues, Wed in Hanoi. Thurs Am fly Hanoi to Siem Reap (there are direct flights...try expedia). All day Thurs, all day Friday, all day Sat...catching Bangkok Air evening flight to Bangkok, connecting to midnight flight to NYC....you're back in NYC early Sunday morning with Sunday to recover.

Sounds a little rushed but totally doable to me!

as a PS to my post above, my husband would say do 4 days Hanoi and 2 days Angkor Wat...he had his fill of the temples in about 1.5 days.

How many days on the ground do you actually have?

With a week (even if it is a long week) expect that you will sample Hanoi and Angkor. It takes a full three days to see just the major temples of Angkor. Gauge you level of interest. Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor, is an excellent preparation for the temples.

I spent a week at Angkor and a week in Hanoi. I could have used more time at Angkor, as there were a number of remote temples we did not get to visit as well as a few of the local minor temples. For me, a week in Hanoi with a day trip to the Perfume Pagoda was the right amount of time.

Get yourself a good guidebook for Hanoi and see what strikes your fancy.

Photos of both places (and many more) www.marlandc.com

I think you're mad but you can probably pull it off if you really want to.

My suggestion: 1 week in Hanoi, visit Halong Bay and Sapa

or

1 week in Cambodia, visit PP and Siem Reap, possibly Battambang or Sihanoukville.

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