South East Asia

Explorer90210

Hello all I am planning a trip to South East Asia next summer and I want to hear from you guys on similar trips you may have taken.

I was thinking of going from start of July to mid August for about 7 weeks. Is this the best time to go and is this the optimal length of time to go for?

Can anyone do me a sample travel plan as I'm completely lost on the must-do places. That would really be appreciated with details like how long to stay in each place.

How much spending money would be needed for about 7 weeks?

Also, since it will be a group of lads going the obvious questions arises: how much is the booze and what is the girls situation like i.e. are their many of them and are they up for a laugh (other travellers like no weird Thai ladyboys or something!!)?

Any other info would be great!!

Jugs82

Can anyone do me a sample travel plan as I'm completely lost on the must-do places. That would really be appreciated with details like how long to stay in each place.

Thailand

Land Bangkok (3/4 days) - down to the Islands (Samui, Phan ngan) 4/5 days - back to Bangkok (1 day) - Up to Chiang Mai (3/4 days) -

Laos

boat to Luang Prabang in Laos (takes 3 days, but is an experence ) stay Luang Vng Prabang 3nights - Vang Vien 2/3 days for tubing - Vietianne (capital) 2 nights

Cambodia

- bangkok 1/2 days - (fly air asia) Phnom Penh 3/4 days - Siem Reap (Angkor Temples) 2/3 days - back to Phnom Penh 1 day

Vietnam

- Saigon (HCMC) (Class city) - 4/5 days - Nha Trang (beach resort, beautiful) 3 nights - Hoi An 2/3 days (get your tailored clothes) - hue (1/2 nights - do motorcycle tour) - Hanoi 3/4 days - do halong bay trip - bangkok (air asia again) and get your flight onwards

Its takes time travelling through places but there are mostly night buses in Thailand & Vietnam. If your short on time, take Laos out and go straight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh instead of Chiang Mai (chiang mai is great for a few days by itself though)

Get Vietnamese visa in Bangkok or Phnom Penh but try be accurate with your entry date so you wont be rushing through

Wasnt in Malaysia or Indonesia but heard they are brill, was in Burma up until 2.5 months ago but wouldnt advise going at the moment

How much spending money would be needed for about 7 weeks?

€2500 should be grand - dont worry about beer costs - its drt cheap and keeps on getting cheaper once you leave bangkok.
In Vietnam, you can sit on the side of the road drinking fresh beer (beer hoi) for around 20c a pint - its lovely too

I travelled with my GF so cant comment on women but from lads i meet and hung around with when over there, its easy to initiate conversations and sure who knows what can happen from there

Have a ball lad and if you need any advice PM me

mac123

I went to thailand laos cambodia and vietnam for about 3.5 months this year. it was fairly busy all summer and the weather was grand. if you can go for longer than 7 weeks id recommend it!! it beats being at home. i spent 2.5 weeks in cambodia, a month in vietnam, 3 weeks in laos and the rest in thailand, about 6 weeks i think! i spent a total of €3300 over the summer so about 150 a week should be enough. it all depends on the kind of rooms ur staying in and the food you eat. the stall food is cheap and nice and fan rooms do the job just fine! oh and if your planning on doing a lot of partying then laos and south thailand...especially koh phangan are a must.there are plenty of backpackers around so there shouldnt be any trouble on the women side of things as long as you make an effort!! if u want any more info or details just pm me and il help you out!