SE Asia April, Indonesia vs Laos + Vietnam
Nov 11th, 2017, 12:12 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SE Asia April, Indonesia vs Laos + Vietnam
Trying to decide between a trip to Vietnam/Laos or Indonesia this coming April. We will have about two weeks. Budget is quite liberal on the luxury side of things as coming off a very long stretch of work. Traveling from Vancouver, mid 30s.
If going to Vietnam would like to see Hanoi ha long Bay or Bai Tu Long, possibly Sapa, then finishing in Luang Prabang in Laos.
In Indonesia would likely do a combination of Java, Bali. I haven’t looked into this as much beyond Borobudur, volcanoes.
So far my impression is that food is better in Vietnam, but nicer hotels in Indonesia perhaps more exotic adventure in Java? I’ve heard reports that Vietnam can be very hectic, if on a generous budget is Indonesia much less so (I’m not talking private jets or anything of course, say $750/day).
We've been to Thailand (not huge fans or chang mai or bangkok), cambodia (really enjoyed siem reap) and Singapore (visiting friends, no desire to return)
Will likely do both at some point in our lives so perhaps the better question is which is better in April? From what I can see Vietnam and Indonesia would be fine but less ideal for Laos?
If going to Vietnam would like to see Hanoi ha long Bay or Bai Tu Long, possibly Sapa, then finishing in Luang Prabang in Laos.
In Indonesia would likely do a combination of Java, Bali. I haven’t looked into this as much beyond Borobudur, volcanoes.
So far my impression is that food is better in Vietnam, but nicer hotels in Indonesia perhaps more exotic adventure in Java? I’ve heard reports that Vietnam can be very hectic, if on a generous budget is Indonesia much less so (I’m not talking private jets or anything of course, say $750/day).
We've been to Thailand (not huge fans or chang mai or bangkok), cambodia (really enjoyed siem reap) and Singapore (visiting friends, no desire to return)
Will likely do both at some point in our lives so perhaps the better question is which is better in April? From what I can see Vietnam and Indonesia would be fine but less ideal for Laos?
Nov 11th, 2017, 02:01 PM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My experience has been that there are nicer hotels in Indonesia, and I liked the food better there too.
Although it was a while ago, I didn't find much luxury in Vietnam outside of Hanoi. Actually lodgings were rather basic outside of Hanoi.
I would rank the quality of lodgings in Laos (Luang Prabang) as being somewhere between Indonesia and Vietnam.
Overall, I haven't been to Java and Bali was just OK for me (too crowded), but I did enjoy Luang Prabang. Vietnam was interesting (Sapa) but also very busy.
Although it was a while ago, I didn't find much luxury in Vietnam outside of Hanoi. Actually lodgings were rather basic outside of Hanoi.
I would rank the quality of lodgings in Laos (Luang Prabang) as being somewhere between Indonesia and Vietnam.
Overall, I haven't been to Java and Bali was just OK for me (too crowded), but I did enjoy Luang Prabang. Vietnam was interesting (Sapa) but also very busy.
Nov 11th, 2017, 03:24 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personally, I'd choose Indonesia. Borobudur is amazing. I have a trip report see from a Java trip several years ago: https://www.fodors.com/community/asi...n-to-jogja.cfm In addition to Central Java, we Also visited Eastern Java, a much less visited area. Take a look at our photos from the trip: http://www.marlandc.com/Java-2012
A combination of Java and Bali would be excellent.
A combination of Java and Bali would be excellent.
Nov 11th, 2017, 04:49 PM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
April is a good month for Java and Bali. Generally fine weather and not too crowded. The Ubud Food Festival will take place from April 12-15, featuring top chefs and food professionals mostly from Indonesia and Australia, but also from other parts of Southeast Asia. It's a wonderful event if you like that sort of thing. If not, avoid Ubud at that time.
If you choose Bali you should spend some time at the beach (I'd suggest Petitentget) and some time in the Ubud area. In Java you have Central Java -- Borobudur, Prambanan and Yogyakarta -- and East Java for the Mt. Bromo complex. You'll want to fly into Yogya, fly to Surabaya for Bromo, then fly to Bali. Look at AirAsia for domestic flights.
$750 goes a long way in Indonesia. Luxury choices are limited in Java (major exception: Amanjiwo!) but plentiful in Bali. I like The Legian in Seminyak (which is actually in Petitenget), Uma Ubud in Ubud town, and Como Shambhala outside of Ubud.
I'd consider Vietnamese food one of the world's great cuisines. Indonesian food is variable -- good, but not great, although there are several notable restaurants in Bali with terrific chefs who put a sophisticated twist on local ingredients. Look at Locavore, Hujan Locale, Sarong for example. Java isn't a food destination, but makes up for it in other ways.
If you choose Bali you should spend some time at the beach (I'd suggest Petitentget) and some time in the Ubud area. In Java you have Central Java -- Borobudur, Prambanan and Yogyakarta -- and East Java for the Mt. Bromo complex. You'll want to fly into Yogya, fly to Surabaya for Bromo, then fly to Bali. Look at AirAsia for domestic flights.
$750 goes a long way in Indonesia. Luxury choices are limited in Java (major exception: Amanjiwo!) but plentiful in Bali. I like The Legian in Seminyak (which is actually in Petitenget), Uma Ubud in Ubud town, and Como Shambhala outside of Ubud.
I'd consider Vietnamese food one of the world's great cuisines. Indonesian food is variable -- good, but not great, although there are several notable restaurants in Bali with terrific chefs who put a sophisticated twist on local ingredients. Look at Locavore, Hujan Locale, Sarong for example. Java isn't a food destination, but makes up for it in other ways.
Nov 11th, 2017, 11:37 PM
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have had some really good food all over Indonesia but Vietnam wins the food contest hands down! So much variety and around every corner there is a tasty treat waiting!
As far as hotels are concerned, there are some fantastic places in Vietnam that are not really on the mainstream radar but I don’t think any are in the places that interest you. The best Hanoi has to offer is arguably the Metropole but it probably could not compete with 5* elsewhere in Asia.
In Indonesia, Java has some amazing sights to, Borobudur, Bromo, Ijen to name but a few, but I can’t say that it was especially easy travel nor that there was much by way of luxurious places to stay ( not that we were looking). There just aren’t the lux hotels in the places you would want them to be. Near Ijen we stayed in possible te worst hotel we have experienced since living in Sierra Leone but it was all there was..
Some detailed info and photos of our time in both Indonesia and Vietnam on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com
As marmot suggests, there is some world class accomodation in Bali - perhaps rough it TIL there and then REALLY splash out!
As far as hotels are concerned, there are some fantastic places in Vietnam that are not really on the mainstream radar but I don’t think any are in the places that interest you. The best Hanoi has to offer is arguably the Metropole but it probably could not compete with 5* elsewhere in Asia.
In Indonesia, Java has some amazing sights to, Borobudur, Bromo, Ijen to name but a few, but I can’t say that it was especially easy travel nor that there was much by way of luxurious places to stay ( not that we were looking). There just aren’t the lux hotels in the places you would want them to be. Near Ijen we stayed in possible te worst hotel we have experienced since living in Sierra Leone but it was all there was..
Some detailed info and photos of our time in both Indonesia and Vietnam on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com
As marmot suggests, there is some world class accomodation in Bali - perhaps rough it TIL there and then REALLY splash out!
Nov 12th, 2017, 06:37 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Java also has some world-class accommodations, near Borobudur and in Eastern Java (Malang and Surabaya, for example. I don't know of any such accommodations near Bromo or Ijen. but they may exist.
Nov 12th, 2017, 10:13 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A couple quick questions
thinking will skip Jakarta, I might not be able to get flight to Yogykarta on same ticket as overseas flights, but domestic flight seems pretty cheap if I miss it can just book next one? Bad strategy? Will be flying out of Bali to Australia to visit friends then direct home to Vancouver.
Yogykarta to Malang area, better to fly or overland? Same question Banyuwangi to Bali (with ferry)...
thinking will skip Jakarta, I might not be able to get flight to Yogykarta on same ticket as overseas flights, but domestic flight seems pretty cheap if I miss it can just book next one? Bad strategy? Will be flying out of Bali to Australia to visit friends then direct home to Vancouver.
Yogykarta to Malang area, better to fly or overland? Same question Banyuwangi to Bali (with ferry)...
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
caralin
Asia
11
Mar 15th, 2013 07:17 PM
