Laos vs Cambodia vs Vietnam?

crisco10

Hey,

Going to Thailand for 7 weeks this summer. hoping to pop into one or two of the other countries for about a week. We would prob be going there from the the islands of thailand (phuket area) and going for about a week-ish.

Just wondering what you fellow boardies experiences have been of each of these countries?

I have been flicking around the forum and opinion does some quite personal but I suppose what I would like to know is what kind of things are there to do in these countries that you could do in a week or two..For example is there anything else to do in Laos other than the tubing on the river?

Appreciate your opinions and experiences on this....

Cheers,

crisco10

breadmonkey

I don't think it would be worth your while going to any of those places for just one week. Too much hassle for too little return imo.

I probably wouldn't even go to Laos for two weeks because it takes so long to get anywhere. Cambodia I haven't been to. Vietnam would maybe be worth doing for 2 weeks.

RATM

If you've only time to go to one place then I wouldn't miss Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Its simply one of the highlights of all of SE Asia and it would be a shame to miss it. You can easily fly from Bangkok if you want to save time.

Carroller16

Vietnam is quality. make sure to visit Vung Tau and HCMC

preddy

Im flying into Thailand on the last leg of my RTW trip we have 2 months to use in Aisa. Taking out maybe a month around Thailand.

Can you get to Malaysia Veitnam and Cambodia via Trains or will we have to fly?

I dont think you need that long but thats just me few days in each city is enough for sight seeing, but then again thats just me!

Jugs82

Can you get to Malaysia Veitnam and Cambodia via Trains or will we have to fly?

Malaysia - Thailand - yes, you do it by train

Cambodia, no trains as far as i know! Best off flying from Bangkok IMO, road trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap/Phnom Penh is an 'experience'

I have been flicking around the forum and opinion does some quite personal but I suppose what I would like to know is what kind of things are there to do in these countries that you could do in a week or two..For example is there anything else to do in Laos other than the tubing on the river?

Laos - amazing country but i agree with a previous poster, one or even two weeks is not enough time as it does take time getting from A to B. That said there is plenty more to do than tubing down a river.

The 4000 islands in the south are great - Don Det is amazing while on the way from the capital to the south - Pakse and Champasak are 2 great places to spend a few days - Champasak has lots of old temple ruins, great scenery & is really laid back and relaxing

Luang Prabang in the north is a beautiful city and worth a week or so on its own

Given your time restraints - id recommend heading into Cambodia and seeing Angkor Wat and the Capital and head back to wherever your flying out from, from there as the airasia flights are v.cheap from Phnom Penh to all the major international hubs - Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpar

Also, another consideration may be spending time in Northern Thailand around Chiang Mai, do some trekking, rafting, drinking - really cool place

mac123

breadmonkey wrote: »

I don't think it would be worth your while going to any of those places for just one week. Too much hassle for too little return imo.

I probably wouldn't even go to Laos for two weeks because it takes so long to get anywhere. Cambodia I haven't been to. Vietnam would maybe be worth doing for 2 weeks.

im not sure when you were in laos but iv just come from there, and i was there a year ago aswell. i didnt find it any slower than cambodia or vietnam transport wise anyway.
personally if i had a week id go to vang vieng and luang prabang and i definitely think its worth it and very doable in a week. id probably skip vietiane though!

breadmonkey

mac123 wrote: »

im not sure when you were in laos but iv just come from there, and i was there a year ago aswell. i didnt find it any slower than cambodia or vietnam transport wise anyway.

Really? As I said, I haven't been to Cambodia so I can't comment on that but certainly Vietnam was much, much faster. They have trains for one thing!

Larianne

Vietnam is a great country but to see all the good bits you'd need at least 3 weeks.

I think Cambodia is a good option from Thailand. You can either fly or get the dreaded bus across. Siemp Reap and the temples at Angkor wat are a must. It just is amazing. Get a 3 days pass and take your time as it gets VERY hot! I didn't like Penom Phenh. But that is where you go to fire the guns and see the Killing Fields. But I don't think you would be missing much. There's not much else to do in Cambodia.

I haven't been to Laos myself but heard the tubing down the river is excellent but that there's nothing much else to do there. The people are very very poor and the capital city ain't much either.

Research these places on thorn tree forum, travelfish.org and other websites and see what interests you.