Is it worth going to somewhere in SE Asia for 2 weeks?

Ferris_Bueller

Hi all, basically wondering the above. I'm a teacher and have summers off, partner is not however so her holidays are at a premium. She reckons 2 weeks-ish is the most she could take off at a time. We have been on umpteen holidays around Europe to the point where nowhere is really jumping out as a 'big holiday', but we feel that once you are going further than Europe the 2 week timeframe becomes very tight.

Basically my question is, would it be worth going to somewhere such as Thailand or Vietnam for two weeks in July or August, or is it simply not long enough for the amount of time you would spend travelling? Baring in mind there are no direct flights from Ireland and if we wanted to travel internally in that timeframe, we are likely talking internal flights too. Don't want to spend half the holiday in an airport or wrecked from the travel either. Also wary that this may not be the best time of year to visit this part of the world (rainy season it seems like) would this be another reason it may not be worth it?

Open to suggestions if anyone has other places that may be better to visit at this time of year, but unfortunately don't think the time can be extended much beyond two weeks sadly.

John_Rambo

I'd jump at Vietnam for two weeks and I'm probably older and more decrepit than you. Of all the places I've been it sticks out as a holiday of a lifetime.

retalivity

July and August is off season in Thailand/Vietnam, it'll be pretty wet. Id say 2weeks is borderline too shirt, it'll take at least 15hrs to bangkok, say, so you are losing 1.5 days going over and back. If its your first time and trying to go to many places/islands, it nay be stressful constantly moving. If youre going to 2-3 spots it may be more manageable

whomadewho

Ive visited every country in se asian except for the Philippines. Would recommend visting all of them. You could easily spend a month or 2 in every country but 2 weeks would be enough to see the main attactions in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Sumatra and Java in Indonesia.

Buddy Bubs

2 weeks will still be a good holiday, just prioritise where you want to go and what you want to see. Maybe stick to 1 country and keep traveling at a minimum

89897

2 weeks with a good plan will do Thailand and Vietnam. You can do alot of your travel and moving overnight in sleeper trains and night flights so you get more from the day time. Worth looking into taking time over a bank holiday to get more time it gives 17 days as opposed to 14 and still only 10 days leave taken.

Ferris_Bueller

Cheers for the replies, I'm pleasantly surprised that it sounds like it would be worthwhile! We've never been to Asia and have wanted to go for so long but have kept putting it off for this reason but starting to feel the chance to go for longer might never come. In future if we got to go for a longer stint I think I'd do Vietnam and Cambodia. So Thailand would possibly be the one I'd do for two weeks. Maybe something like Bangkok, Chiang Maí and then fly down to the south somewhere? Haven't looked into the specifics yet.

Would the weather in July make it a bad idea or would it be fine aside from some heavy downpours every now and then? Reading mixed bags online.

Its a mixed bag, can be hot and humid and then it can downpour out of the blue be prepared to have to wade about in knee deep water. Usually clears quickly enough after the showers.

If you plan to get about a bit I used G-Adventures in the past takes the hassle out of arranging everything, might be worth looking at their website for inspiration even if you plan and booking everything yourself.

geecee

I often travel to Thailand on a 2-week trip, usually try to fly out on the 22.05 Thursday Emirates flight to maximise the use of my annual leave days.

11 days annual leave gets me 16 nights in Thailand which is plenty. Don't forget you gain 6 hours on the way home, so a Sunday 09.55 morning flight gets your OH home at 20.10 so gets your OH home plenty early for a good night's sleep before work in the morning

Too short

i did 3 weeks in Nam and regretted not staying longer.

maybe Bali would be ideal for 2 weeks

dory

The ideal above of leaving on a Thursday night is good. I was going to suggest using both weekend to travel, and still have 12 days in the middle to enjoy the country. Yes, it's short but if its all you have you'd be mad not to. Would she mind if you stayed longer? Lots of people I know have non teaching spouces but they don't mind travelling home alone and letting the teacher enjoy the travelling.

-=al=-

It's a little short but with some planning it would be great. I'd jump at the chance to go back there even for a week! But yeah, 2 weeks minimum for a trip over there, you just get into the swing of things by then. Just be realistic about the planning and enjoy it

Ferris_Bueller

OK cheers everyone. Think we will go ahead with it! Partner might be able to extended it to 12 days off work so could work out as 16 or 17 days total.

Would anyone have any advice as to how to allocate days in each area? Without having done much research yet, Bangkok, Chiang Maí and then some island/islands would be lovely. I think the Koh Samui/Koh Phangan side seems to have better weather that time of year.

Purple Mountain

Why not go to middle Asia like the Emirates?

retalivity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119894661#Comment_119894661

Because its an expensive plastic kip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119894625#Comment_119894625

Ive only ever gone south, so cant talk for chiang mai.

Phuket is nice away from patong, which is just dirty/seedy, places like kamala, kata/ron have nice beaches. Krabi, specifically rai leh and khao lanta have the best beaches on the south coast of the mainland. Been a long time since i was in samui and that end, but koh tao was always the best for beaches, diving etc, and had a decent nightlife, although if you are young and partying you probably want to go to chaweng beach on samui or haadrin on koh tao!

WishUWereHere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119894625#Comment_119894625

Hi

Im only seeing this thread now. Personally, I found Koh Samuel a dump. Also while going north to CM is a good choice, I would not recommend if if You want to go to the islands in the limited time you have. I would B personally stay in BKK for 3 days max. Then get the overnight train to Hat Yai & make you’d way to Tarutao. I think this is the most beautiful area of all in Thailand. It’s a long long way from BKK, but worth the effort, specially if You like a less commercial experience. Li Pe is also just further on. Someone mentioned Krabi? Again highly recommended.

I don’t want to flatten Your enthusiasm but you are very limited going only for 2 weeks.

yagan

If only for two weeks I'd actually favour Vietnam over Thailand. Both are fascinating but I reckon the limited time might suit just a couple of weeks based in Ho Chi Ming/Saigon with day trips will give a great variety in sights and tastes.

Thailand is fantastic but you'll feel cheated with two weeks whereas two weeks in south vietnam is far more compact.

John_Rambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119896560#Comment_119896560

Agreed. Start South, head North, immerse yourself. I'm jealous.... the food, the sights, smells & sounds of Hanoi. You're going to really enjoy it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119894661#Comment_119894661

Why not go to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre?

Ferris_Bueller

Thanks for all the replies here folks. I've gone from thinking it's probably not doable to now planning full steam ahead to visit Thailand in the summer. Partner could possibly stretch it to a few extra days but we would be looking at something along the lines of 5 days in Bangkok, 5 in Chiang Mai and 5 in Koh Samui/Koh Phangan. Think that would tick all our boxes in terms of cities, culture, food but also a relaxing time on an island.

To the poster who suggested Vietnam - would love to visit there even more so. But will save that for when I can have a proper go for about a month.

Dubai or Middle East holds very little appeal to me. Maybe I will visit someday as a stopover to elsewhere but it does not seem like somewhere I would enjoy.

yagan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119913350#Comment_119913350

Excellent stuff.

Most importantly remember to keep hydrating from the start. You'll love the food.

beachhead

With such a short time I would go for Vietnam.Half and half in Saigon and Hanoi.Food is excellent and it's cheaper than Thailand.Thailand is more commercialised.Also,dipping into your pocket is much more common in Thailand.as in you rich European give me money.The rainy season is not a problem for a short holiday.It will for a few hours,stop and dry out quickly or rain for a hour several times a day.It varies.You'll hear about landslides,roads,houses washed away.The locals cope with it.Fly to the Gulf-Etihad,Emirates,Qatar or Turkish Airlines thru Istanbul.

happyoutscan

If I may wade in here.

I'd suggest taking in an itinerary a few of us did a few years back.

We flew to Kuala Lumpur for a family occasion.

*From here we flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia for 2 nights. Visited Angkor Wat (must see).

*Fly to Luang Prabang in Laos for 4 nights. So much to enjoy here: Kuang si falls, Mount Phelosi, night market, temples, located on the Mekong cruise to Pak ou cave (?).

*Fly to Hanoi for 3 nights. (4 if you want to get in Ha Long Bay). So much to do in Hanoi).

*Fly to Hoi An for 3 nights.

*Fly to Ho Chi Minh for a couple nights (Mekong Delta up to the Cu Chi tunnels).

It might seem hectic, but we flew smart (early morning flights) and there are so many cheap flights. Luang Prabang was a great experience. Wasn't gone on Hoi An but most people like it. Couple nights in Siem Reap was enough for us. Very poor country.

Hoping to do near enough the same with the kids in a year or two.

stratowide

2 weeks is very doable for Thailand.Plan it out right and you will see loads.

I bussed around most of it when I was there.Used the over night trains to Chiang mai.

Used a hi-ace up to Pai on the road with 800 odd bends on it.Definitely get to Pai if you can.

Islands wise koh Chang was a highlight.No sleaze at all there.Again got a bus down from Bangkok.They bring you straight from door to door inc ferry.

I avoided airports as much as I could.Met some truly madcap characters on those drives.

MightyMunster

Did a 2 week trip a few years ago, had spent 4 or 5 months there back packing before so was nice to go back with a bit more money.

Flew through KL with Malaysia (was great), did around a week near Bo Phut in Koh Samui, and another in Koh Tao and 2 nights in KL on the way back. OH is also a teacher and we went end of August and weather was good, couple of downpours but didn't last long.

Obviously would have been great to stay longer and see more but you can't do everything

Pawwed Rig

OP why don't you take an extra week or 2 (or3) and do some solo travel. Your other half can head home to go back to work. I have only visited 5 Asian countries (Thailand twice, Philippines twice, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. China and Cambodia were my favourite destinations. From Thailand you can get the bus to Cambodia and do 3 or 4 days in Ankor Wat and another 2 or 3 days in Phnom Penh. I would have loved to explore more of Cambodia. Also I have a big regret that I didn't make it to Laos.

Kerry25x

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119884690#Comment_119884690

Using the bank holiday to get a 17 day holiday for 10 days annual leave is what we always do, we usually go in March and October every year.

We've done Philippines in this timeframe including a 3 day stopover in Hong Kong and it was an absolutely amazing trip. Also did South Africa in 17 days, we flew in to Cape Town and drove up along the coast before cutting inland through Swaziland and flew home from Johannesburg, it was the best holiday I've ever had.

We travelled long term when we were younger, took 2 years out to travel and that obviously a different experience but it's not possible for us now that we're in our thirties with a family and jobs we love. I wouldn't let only having a couple weeks stop me from going anywhere.