Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

Vietnam/Cambodia - what to do with extra day

Search

Vietnam/Cambodia - what to do with extra day

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 08:55 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Vietnam/Cambodia - what to do with extra day

Looks like our 12 day Vietnam / Cambodia vacation will be extended by 1 day to 13 days total.

Here is my current 12 day itinerary:
Day 1 - arrive Hanoi 9:30 am (last day of Tet Holiday)
Day 2 - Hanoi city tour
Day 3 - Hanoi to Halong Bay. Overnight on a junk.
Day 4 - Halong - Hanoi to Hue - (early evening flight to Hue)
Day 5 - Hue - tour area
Day 6 - Hue to Hoi An - stopping on way in Danang and Marble Mountain.
Day 7 - Tour and shopping in Hoi An for the day
Day 8 - Hoi An - Danang for morning flight to Saigon (city tour)
Day 9 - Mekong Delta Excursion
Day 10 - afternoon flight to Siem Reap
Day 11 - Angkor Wat
Day 12 - Siem Reap - morning boat trip - fly out in the afternoon.

My travel agent has suggested a stop for one night in Phenom Penh before going to Siem Reap.

Question - Is that enough time to see Phenom Penh or would our extra day be better spent somewhere else? Is there something else, or somewhere else that we should consider?

We are experienced (young 50's) travelers and want to see as much as possible since we will likely not be able to see these beautiful countries again for a while.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
JoAnneMM is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 09:28 AM
  #2  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
one more day for sure at temples--AW
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 09:39 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I was thinking that an extra day in Siem Reap might be a good use of my extra day.

Was just concerned that I might be missing something in Vietnam that I didn't know about.
JoAnneMM is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 01:05 PM
  #4  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
You are missing almost everything in VN as you are moving so fast.
Kathie is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 01:10 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
That seems like a lot of moving around for 12/13 days... I would definetly add a day to Angkor, 2 is still too few in my opinion, but better than zero. Is it possible to just make this a Vietnam trip? You could add time to Saigon.

I agree with adding PP, I very much liked it and think it is important to the recent history of the country, but I don't see where you would have time.

If you want to keep all of the cities, I'd add the day to Angkor.
needmorevacation is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 01:31 PM
  #6  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,943
Likes: 0
Too much moving around...
I'd skip about half these destinations, and would definitely not add in another!

Why did the TA suggest PP? And how will you get from there to Siem Reap? 5 hours in a bus or taxi? Or 3 hours hours going by air (including airport time)?

I'd fly directly to Siem Reap from Saigon and have time to actually soak in some of the many interesting things to see there.
lcuy is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 02:39 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I agree ... going to PP doesn't seem to make any sense.

An extra day in Siem Reap looks like the best option.

Thank you !!
JoAnneMM is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 06:52 PM
  #8  
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Agree you are moving so fast you won't be able to see anything. I'd skip Halong bay entirely and spend the time in Hanoi, one of my favorite cities. The extra day in siem reap is advisable. I'd also skip the Mekong delta and spend the day in Saigon instead. Less is more IMO.
dgunbug is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2015 | 11:11 PM
  #9  
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
If you really are eager to see things, I think that visiting Phenom Penh for a day would be nice just to see the Killing Fields. However, I agree with some of the other comments that you should spend the extra day somewhere like Siem Reap. It is a nice place to relax! Also, seeing the temples of Angkor can take up to three days if you really want to see some of the more off the beaten track temples. My boyfriend and I spent one day taking a tuk-tuk to all of the famous ones and went back a second day on bicycle to see the lesser known ones. It was amazing because at some points, we were the only ones touring these beautiful temples.
shannonbullman is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kiki2
Asia
7
Nov 30th, 2015 06:09 PM
Grumbo
Asia
9
Mar 6th, 2009 01:36 PM
xephalon
Asia
7
Jan 16th, 2009 12:20 AM
hkmessick
Asia
6
Jan 21st, 2007 07:03 PM
butch
Asia
7
Sep 5th, 2005 03:25 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -