Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia itinerary input, please
 

Greetings knowledgeable & experienced Fodorites!

I am keen to book my travel to for the month of February, to Viet Nam, Laos, & Cambodia, especially as my holiday coincides with the Viet Nam New Year holidays of Tet (Tet Eve is 09 Feb, with holiday days through to 14 Feb), which requires extra advance booking of travel.

I have done my research, including in these forums, drafted an itinerary, and invite any input, suggestions, and recommendations, prior to my bookings.

fyi, I am an active 50-something, who travels solo for a month, twice per year.

I anticipate comments that I could reduce my time in Hanoi, so allow me to elaborate: There are 2 main reasons I have allowed a large number of days there:
1. The Vietnamese New Year of Tet poses some travel and availability challenges, as well as opportunities for some additional local experiences - I decided that I would enjoy in being in Hanoi for Tet Eve & the subsequent holiday days of Tet, and being in this city would minimize the interferences with transportation, etc., while optimizing exposure to a local cultural event.
2. Having travelled in China, Tibet, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand, there are certain locales that I have most preferred; reading travel info and travellers’ forums, I expect that Hanoi will be of particular interest to me.
But I am open to any input in this regard. I have arranged the itinerary to be in Hanoi for Tet, but, if there are other suggestions, then the itinerary can be adjusted. Would anyone suggest that I travel from Hanoi to Hue Hoi An before all of the Tet holidays are concluded?

Please note the questions regarding flights versus trains / overnights trains / buses / boats; Despite the reported vagaries of internal air travel in Viet Nam, and and the economic advantage of overnight trains, I’m not sure that I wish to risk the less than ideal rest that may result. Unless the daytime trip is worth the scenery. I love to be on (and/or have views of) the water, so any boat transportation is most desirable, but only if reliable and efficient (and desirable).

Looking forward to any suggestions - all constructive input welcome!
Thank you.

Wednesday 30 January 2013:
Fly Toronto to Bangkok
Arrive early 01 Feb

(I spent a week in Bangkok 2 years ago)

01 February:
Fly Discovery Pass Leg #1
BKK to VTE ($200+)

Vientiane - 3 days, 3 nights (01 to 04 Feb)

04 February:
Fly Discovery Pass Leg #2 *OR* BUS to Luang Prabang?
VTE to LPQ ($120+)

Luang Prabang - 3 days, 4 nights (04 to 08 Feb)

08 February:
Fly Discovery Pass Leg #2 or 3
LPQ to HAN ($120+)

Hanoi - 6 days, 7 nights (08 to 14 Feb)

Tet Eve = Sat 09, Tet holidays = Sun 10 to Thurs 14 Feb

14 February:
Fly (inexpensive, or Train - 10 hours) to Hue or Danang?
(Hanoi to Hue: 4 flights per day on Vietnam Airlines, $76-85)

Hue - 1 day, 2 nights (14 to 16 Feb)

16 February:
Travel Hue to Hoi An

Hoi An - 2 days, 3 nights (16 to 19 Feb)

19 February:
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (inexpensive, or Train = 14 hours)
(5 flights per day on Vietnam Airlines, ~$126)

HCMC (Saigon) - 3 days, 4 nights (19 to 23 Feb)

23 February:
Land (or boat?) travel to Pnomh Penh (HCMC 4 hour drive to PP)

Pnomh Penh - 2 days, 3 nights (23 to 26 Feb)

26 February:
Bus (or boat?) to Siem Reap (7 hours by bus)

Siem Reap - 3 days, 4 nights (26 Feb to 01 Mar)

01 March:
Fly Discovery Pass Leg #3 or 4
REP to BKK ($120 +)

Bangkok (01, or 01 to 02 Mar)

01 or 02 March:
Fly Bangkok toToronto

A few comments:

Overland travel is time consuming. Unless there is some specific reason to go overland, I'd recommend flying VTE to LPQ, LPQ to Hanoi, Hanoi to Hue, Hoi An to HCMC, and PP to Siem Reap. The boat from PP to Siem Reap is one of those things that sounds better than it is in actuality.

I won't argue with your week in Hanoi, we spent a week there years ago and very much enjoyed it - so much to see and do. And the city retains some of it's old architecture, both colonial and pre-colonial.

Personally, I'd find a way to add a day to Siem Reap, but that is a matter of personal preference.

Have a wonderful trip!

I could be happy spending a week in Hanoi any time. If you are interested in food, you will have the time to take a half-day cooking course, either hands-on or a street-foods tour, offered by several schools. There are also some fun brewpubs to entertain the thirsty.
The advice above concerning air travel is worth serious consideration. Internal flights are easy and economical with several competitors on the routes, led by the efficient Vietnam Airlines http://www.vietnamairlines.com/wps/portal/vn/welcome/

best to fly on vietnam air for those internal flts... hue can have weather problems preventing flts..

perfect amt of time in hanoi--i'm jeleous and you will love it..

salana hotel in vientianne.. i just spent time there..

i think the trip is well thought out and perfect!!

Looks good. However, I am a big fan of overland travel rather than flying, so I would cut out some flights. You are not short of time.

Specifically: I have taken the train from Hanoi to Hue, Hanoi to Danang and Danang to Saigon. The southern route is more scenic than the northern, but longer. I have slept on those trains, the one I had trouble with was the Hanoi to Sapa train.

I have taken the boat ride to PP and recommend it. I would also recommend taking the bus from PP to SR.

These days I would fly Vientiane to LP, but I think the overland route is worth doing once. The scenery is very good.

The more time in Hanoi the better, although if you are into boats you should consider Halong Bay. I would allocate more time to Hue than Hoi An, but I am not a shopper. You could also drop a day from Vientiane if you need it somewhere else, possibly SR, I think you have allocated the minimum time necessary there.

Great looking itinerary - I agree with Kathie about adding a day to SR if you can.