South East Asia Advice

Tibulus

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to SE Asia with a friend for a total of 7 weeks. We are arriving in Bangkok on the 12 November and departing Bnagkok on the 3rd January.

The only two definite thing at presents are:
1) we are spending the from the 23rd Dec to the 1st Janurary in Koh Phangan

2) Want to visit Vang Vieng.

We are both in our mid twenties, not over constricted by budget but not flush either. Are looking to experience a mix of the best nightlife and top scenery. Also having a particular interest in sports and adventures.

I have a number of questions that a number of your experienced travelers may be able to help me with.

a) Could anyone suggest a route?

b) What is the best/easiest way to get from Koh Phangan to Bangkok leaving on the 1st for a flight on the 3rd.

c) What sports have people undertaken, read alot about diving in Kho Tao.

d) Is is overly ambitious to try to fit in Vietnam and possibly Cambodia with Thailand and Laos in 7 weeks?

e) Could anyone recommend accommodation in Koh Phangan, was considering getting house/apartment/shed as we will be there for a week around Christmas time

Any and all replays are greatly appreciated.

Tipperary animal lover

If I was you I'd stay on ko samui much more to do and easy boat ride to koh phangan, I think 6/7 days to long on the island, if your going for the full moon party(the days leading up to the full moon are better not as crowded as the main day) just arrange a boat over from samui, you'd want to be arranging some place to stay now.... Christmas and n year is the time all the Europeans and ozzies arrive on top of all the backpackers.... You can fly down from Bangkok to samui again book in advance or take the train down To suratthani and get ferry over to samui, Cambodia and Vietnam well worth seeing, if I was you I'd ......
Fly from Bangkok to Hanoi(make sure you have visa on arrival sorted) spend the next 2 1/2-3weeks travelling hanoi to Saigon, Hanoi-halongbay-hoi an-nha trang-Saigon(book tour for Mekong delta), head to Phnom penh(lovely city and dirt cheap) arrange boat to Siem reap(Angkor watt) and head back to Bangkok and unto samui. Vietnam and cambodia so so cheap food and beer really cheap. Hope this helps and happy travels

solerina

I spent nearly 4 weeks in Vietnam this year and feel that I only saw a small fraction of it (which was amazing)....I would recommend you stick to Thailand and either Laos or Cambodia....you wouldnt do justice to Thailand or Vietnam to try and include both in such a short amount of time !!

A route you could take would be...fly BKK to Hanoi, go to Sapa, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, HCMC, Mekong Delta on to PP....Siem Reap and Angkor Temples before going back to Thailand !! You would need over 4 weeks to do this however !!

This takes in the major tourist stops in Vietnam but leaves out lots of great places.

Batigol309

Hey

I was in SE Asia for 4 months last year...awesome place.

Definitely would recommend Vietnam too but as others above said you wont do it justice by rushing it. I would recommend spending majority of time in Thailand..loads to do and easy to get around. As well as Ko Tao, Koh P - check out the other side too - Andaman Coast - Krabi, Rai Leh (rock climbing), Ko Phi Phi (more diving)

Definitely go up North too - Chiang Mai is cool and loads to do from jungle treks to Muay Thai, ziplining, become a monk, look after elephants etc. Pai is close too and is good for a few days. Some other places I visited which were really good were Ayattuya (spelling??) and Kanchanaburi (visit waterfalls - great day).

Pretty easy to get around SE Asia by bus and also have a look at AirAsia - ridiculously cheap flights which will save you a load of time - you will miss out on some "interesting" bus experiences that way though...

It will be class!