I am very excited about my second trip to SE Asia this year but also very torn about where to go!

I was struggling with trying to find enough time in just over 3 weeks so I added a week. Now I have 31 nights. Would you please help me decide where to spend this time?

On my last trip I spent:

6 nights in Bangkok
2 on Ko Phi Phi
3 on Railay, Krabi
3 in Chiang Mai
2 in Chiang Dao
4 in Siem Reap

This trip was perfect for us - not rushed or bored.

These are the places I plan on visiting during my Oct/Nov trip:

Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Pai
Luang Prabang
Vientiane
Nong Khai

I am considering adding Hanoi to my trip since I have extra time.

Would you recommend I do this or just divide my extra days between my current destinations?

Hanoi seems like such a cool place but I don't want to spread myself to thin.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

Nong Khai is really just a place you pass through on your way to Vientiane. Although there are some somewhat interesting things around there, I don't think they're even worth spending the night there to see.

Personally, I kind of like Vientiane, but if you only spend 3 nights there you'll have more than enough time to see everything there is to see. Likewise Pai, there are some very interesting temples in MHS, and you may want to spend a day rafting, but I would get very bored there after 3 or 4 days.

I'd say you had time for Hanoi. It's a bit different from the other stops on your trip.

I found Hanoi much more interesting than Vientiane. 2 days would be plenty in Vientiane....especially if cutting days there would allow you to add Hanoi.

Yes, I think adding Hanoi is a good idea. As others have noted, you have a couple of places on your list that do not require much time.

Did you know that APEC is meeting in Hanoi in November? Do check the dates. If you can avoid the actual meeting time it will help.

Thanks for the info! I didn't know that, Kathie! Good point to try to avoid Hanoi during that time!

I really want to relax on this trip, taking some time to just chill out in a cool town. Since I will be traveling alone I thought that Pai and Nong Khai would be ideal places to meet up with some other travelers.

I will outline the amount of time I had planned for each place:

5-6 nights total in Bangkok (Stayed 6 in Feb)

3 nights Chiang Mai (Stayed 3 in Feb but one whole day recovering from stomach flu)

3-4 Pai

4-5 Luang Prabang

2 Vientiane

2 Nong Khai

I was considering flying between LP and Vientiane but I have heard that the scenery is stunning along the 9-12 hour drive (lots of buses get flats, apparently). I know that Vang Vieng is a bit of a backpackers haven but I have also read about how beautiful it is. Is it worth a night or two to break up the long bus ride?

I was also considering heading north of Luang Prabang into Muong Ngoi and doing a bit of hiking around that area. Has anyone done that?

Another option is to include a beach location for 4 nights.

I am still considering Hanoi.

Any other thoughts on this itinerary?

My choice of a place to chill out and relax and be able to meet other travelers would be Luang Prabang. We spent a week (maybe it was 6 days) there and loved every minute. The town itself is lovely and there are lots of out of town things to do as well.

I haven't been to Vang Vieng, but over on Thorntree it is the leading contender for "place most spoiled by travelers."

Agree with Kathie about LP - I think I spent 8 nights there last time, just relaxing. Breakfast in the Scandinavian Bakery is a good time to meet people.

I've been to VV, and the Thorntree posters are right. The scenery is good - think mini-Guilin - but back in 2001 it was already overrun with young backpackers, probably worse now.

Hanoi would be a good contrast to LP, although I last time I was there (2004) the old town seemed overfull of motorbikes. Ideally you would have time for a night on a boat in Halong Bay.