Backpacking in Asia from February 2013

kmmh58

Hi,

I am planning a trip, hope to have it booked by Christmas. So far it looks like this: (dates are adjustable once we get to Vietnam.)

Japan from 7/2 - 13/2 (Tokyo & Osaka)
China from 13/2 - 22/2 (Beijing, Xi'an & Hong Kong)
Vietnam from 23/2 - 08/3 (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang & Ho Chi Minh City)
Cambodia from 08/3 - 15/3
Thailand from 15/3 - 12/4
Malaysia from 12/4 - 19/4
Singapore from 19/4 - 26/4

As you will probably notice I have a plan for the 1st three countries after that no defined plan.

Can anyone offer constructive suggestions for the remaining 4 countries? We are quite flexible but we will like to see the main attractions in each of the countries. We will be staying in hostels or cheap accommodation throughout.

Tipperary animal lover

Hi, as your finishing vietnam in the south(hcmc) I'd get a bus or boat to Phnom Penh head to Siem reap by boat, get a cheap flight to Chang mai-Bangkok-hua Hin-ko Samui- phuket-ko phiphi-krabi do this all by train, train into Malaysia for langkawi-Penang- KL-Melaka-Singapore.
I'd only spend 2 days(max 3) in Singapore not much there very expensive and much better places along the way to spend your time.

kmmh58

Tipperary animal lover wrote: »

Hi, as your finishing vietnam in the south(hcmc) I'd get a bus or boat to Phnom Penh head to Siem reap by boat, get a cheap flight to Chang mai-Bangkok-hua Hin-ko Samui- phuket-ko phiphi-krabi do this all by train, train into Malaysia for langkawi-Penang- KL-Melaka-Singapore.
I'd only spend 2 days(max 3) in Singapore not much there very expensive and much better places along the way to spend your time.

Hi,

So in Cambodia only see siem reap and Phnom Penh?

Thanks for the reply, I'll take it inboard your suggestion about Singapore. Is there anywhere else you would suggest to visit?

Tipperary animal lover

kmmh58 wrote: »

Hi,

So in Cambodia only see siem reap and Phnom Penh?

Thanks for the reply, I'll take it inboard your suggestion about Singapore. Is there anywhere else you would suggest to visit?

If you want to see more of the temples/sites this is what we did Phnom Penh boat upto siemreap for Angkor watt over land to preach viheare down to koh ker and back to Phnom Penh, you could also take in Cambodias seaside city of sihanoukville but as your gonna be in nha trang and the Thai islands I'd give it a miss, we always travel through Asia(heading back to Vietnam in march) and use budget hotels etc, vietnam and Cambodia you can find some great places for little €, Thailand you'll have to look a little bit harder as its a wash with westeners some times you see more farang than Thais which is sad!!!
Make sure to eat the street food just use your common sense.

Batigol309

As above have said I wouldnt spend a week in Singapore...maybe 3 days max...food there is great and the zoo is cool too.

In Malaysia try and get to Perhentian Islands...they are amazing...you can snorkel with reef sharks and turtles there. Malakka is nice and Penang has unbelievable street food if you into that.

In Cambodia I would recommend Kampot and Kep...really nice little towns. Oh and if you are interested in betting on the rain...go to Battambang...funny place.

I would extend your time in Vietnam too....there is so much to see and I was rushing it having 4 weeks....on of my favourite places

kmmh58

Thank You both for those suggestions. I will take them inboard.

Just a quick question regarding Visas for Vietnam. Did you apply for one from e embassy in the uk?

Tipperary animal lover

When flying in to vietnam I use myvietnamvisa.com for visa on arrival works out more than €100 cheaper per person than going through the London embassy, if by land eg Cambodia I've got it in Phnom Penh you can get it sorted all in one day there. But I see your coming through china are you flying from Hong Kong or getting the train into Vietnam?
Visa on arrival is only available if flying into Vietnam, it's a very easy painless way to do it and you don't have to send your passport any where. Have a look at that site myvietnamvisa.com. If not happy go through the London embassy.

seven_eleven

Japan will be pretty cold in February I imagine, so wrap up/research the weather. Also, I would visit Kyoto over Osaka, but if you can visit both it would be nice.

Read this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056696321

solerina

I would include Sapa (in Vietnam) and leave out Hue....Sapa is stunning and Hue is pretty dull to be honest (it will be cold in Sapa and the views may not be what they could be but I thought it was an amazing place). Only benefit of going to Hue is if you want to go via the Hai Van pass to Danang/Hoi An.

Theresalwaysone

North Vietnam will be pretty bad weather wise that time of the year you get there. Bring some warmish clothes.