Vietnam and Cambodia
 

My partner and I are travelling to Vietnam in May for 9 nights, flying into Ho Chi Minh and flying out of Siem Reap. We haven't decided how long we will need in either location so have only booked those two flights. We are pretty keen travellers and can manage to squeeze a great deal into a days travels. We'd like advice on how long you think is a good time to spend in HCMC, if maybe we should include another Vietnamese destination, or perhaps Phnom Penh before Siem Reap? Also how long would be enough in Siem Reap - assuming we see Angkor Wat in a day and a half, is there much else to see around the town itself? Thanks in advance for your help!!

It's probably too late....but you should check out www.pandaw.com

The 7 night cruise from HCMC to Siem Reap is marvellous.

Angkor in a day and a half?? It takes three full days just to see the major temples, and there are dozens more well worth your time if you have any interest in the temples. If the temples at Angkor are only worth a day and a half of your time, I'd say don't go.

Nine days in SE Asia isn't much. If you spent all nine days in VN, you could choose another location in addition to HCMC. If you opt for HCMC and Siem Reap, 9 days will barely cover it.

You might also consider a visit to schools in the Siem Reap area and donating supplies. Take a look at www.theplf.org

If by seeing "Angkor Wat" in a day and a half you mean the whole temple complex, you are way short! Look for a copy of Dawn Rooney's "Angkor", and decide how many of the ten groups of temples you want to visit before deciding how long you need in Siem Reap. Most people plan three as a minimum - I did two and a half the first time, and then realized I needed to go back for a second visit.

I would suggest going from HCMC to Phnom Penh by boat (www.sinhcafevn.com or Delta Adventure tours will take you on a tour of the delta plus a transfer to PP). After a couple of days in PP you can take a bus or taxi to Siem Reap. this way you'll get to see some of the countryside as well as the cities.

I'm not particularly fond of HCMC, but you could spend a day visiting the Cu Chi tunnels and the Cao Dai temple, and another on the sights of HCMC itself.

I agree with everything ThursdaySd said....I was able to see HCMC in 2 full days and some of that was spent with downtime. I did the Cu Chi tunnel and Cao Dai temple tour...which was a whole day.

The Mekong Delta was my highlight in South Vietnam. I took the boat from there to Phnom Penh and loved it.

Keith

Thankyou all for your replies - this was why I asked the question!! I had taken advice from my dad who loves HCMC and goes several times a year - but as my partner and I are quite experienced travellers I was worried that a couple of days there was going to be plenty for us! Thanks for all your advice!

2 days is enough for HCMC. You need at least 3 days in Siem reap. I would spend the rest of the time in Hanoi -- a much more interesting city than Saigon

Thanks gloria - do you recommend anything else to do in Siem Reap other than the temples?
Do you think 2 days HCMC, 3 days Hanoi, 3 days SR? We are willing to pay for internal airfares if it means we get to see more. I would hate to be stuck in HCMC for 4-5 days and be bored with it.

Have you read any of the trip reports about Siem Reap? Of course, the many dozens of Khmer temples are the biggest attraction. You can go out to Tonele Sap (people either think it's a highlight or a waste of time), Artisans d'Angkor, the market... Also, many people have done school visits and donated money/supplies.

Read some reports, and check out www.theplf.org

Thanks Kathie, I had read that the biggest attractions were the temples, but I thought there may have been something else if we were getting 'templed' out and needed a break!! I think we would be interested in visiting and donating to a school in the area, so I will look into it !! Thanks again!

Enjoy!