I need help!! I have somehow created a bit of a monster for myself. I mentioned to people that I was most definately traveling to this part of the world in the Spring, and I have amassed a group of 4-6 people who want to come with.
We only have about 12 days at most to see everything. I would rather spend time really experiencing rather then running around and killing myself to see it all.
Anyone have travel itineraries or anything they can share. I don't want this to be the same old same old. I really want to discover the places. The people I'm traveling with are from all over: Oman, Uganda, and the US.
Any help much appreciated.
We only have about 12 days at most to see everything. I would rather spend time really experiencing rather then running around and killing myself to see it all.
Anyone have travel itineraries or anything they can share. I don't want this to be the same old same old. I really want to discover the places. The people I'm traveling with are from all over: Oman, Uganda, and the US.
Any help much appreciated.
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Dallas
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Thu, December 20, 2007 - 1:57 PMUmm, 12 days? We recently spent 3 months and can't say we saw "everything".
Springtime (as defined in North America and Europe) is also a bloody hot time in that part of the world. You WILL wilt, so there needs to be some consideration of that.
Further, travel in Cambodia, depending on where you go can take a long time due to the bad roads. Fortunately, the easily-accessible touristy parts are still a great time. Nevertheless, things don't always go to plan.
So, that said: go to Siem Reap/Ankgor. Maybe visit Sihanoukville if you can. Fly Phnom Penh to Hanoi; take the train to Sapa. Spend the rest of your time walking around Sapa. Fly home from Hanoi.
Honestly, though, with just 12 days, I'd suggest staying in either northern Vietnam or Cambodia, not both. -
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Mon, January 14, 2008 - 11:16 AMI agree with Eric, a good itinerary for a limited schedule. If I had to choose between Cambodia and Vietnam, I'd choose Cambodia hands-down. A Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Sihanoukville trip would be a couple weeks of pure bliss. Wish I could do it again right now!
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Thu, December 20, 2007 - 3:08 PMI've only been to Southern VN (where my family is), so I can't speak for other regions. I recommend going to Saigon (aka HCM city), touring the mekong delta - you can look into staying with a host family. I know some people who did and they said it was amazing - you get to stay in their home, eat with them, they give you tours. One of my friends stayd with a fisherman and his family and had a great time (they still write after 3 years). If you like beaches you can Cam Rang (very quiet - white sand, peaceful salty warm water). Both VN and Camobodia are not extremely touristy (like Thailand) so I think wherever you go you'll have a great time. To get a different view of VN you could go to Dalat (provincial town in the mountains) or spend time on Hoi An, an island. I've just had 3 people I know go to VN and come back in the last 6 months for the first time and they've all said no matter where they were, they had a great time - no regrets. Life is slow and leisurely there so I think you'll have a good time no matter what. :) -
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Sat, January 12, 2008 - 4:06 PMFYI: the roads along the borders may be bad, but the road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is just fine. I was there in late November and took the bus. -
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Sun, January 13, 2008 - 10:28 AMYou can take a boat too which was great. -
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Mon, January 14, 2008 - 11:19 AMI took the boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. It's an interesting experience (tho' once you hit the wide part of the river, you can't really see anything but water), just make sure to stock up on sunblock and some travel music, and try to ride on top of the boat. It's a long boat-ride! -
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Sat, January 26, 2008 - 10:24 PMDont try to do too much or see too much - the time you are going is not for that long - seriously - i went for two weeks and thought (before I arrived) "i have so much time" and then quickly realized that it takes along time to travel through those areas - and although it was quite the experience - i wish i would have slowed down and enjoyed what was around me a little more rather than going off to the next place. Safe travels and WOW!!!!! ITS AMAZING!!!!!! (btw- i explored southern vietnam and flew into Siem Reap for a few days) -
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Sun, January 27, 2008 - 3:58 PMI'd say hit two towns at the most. My vote would be for Cambodia. Vietnam just annoyed the crap out of me. The place is so westernized and paved that Hanoi to HCMC just feels like one big Ko San Road. Then again- I made the mistake of buying the CAFE bus tickets. If you cross into Vietnam in the north--I heard some horror stories how badly mob-run those little towns can be. hrmm... just don't. not if you only have twelve days. Belgian couple I met were literally trapped in one of them for two days.
you could shave time by flying into Cambodia from Vietnam but realize that there's one state-run airline that does it. don't count on an economical price.
if you're doing round-trip tickets... hrmm... tricky. because then you have to return to the city you landed in. HCMC-->Pnomh Penh-->Siem Reap and then back wouldn't be too bad. Each town hop is only a day's travel via land. I think Hanoi--Hue (which everyone apparently hated... I stayed an extra couple days and ended up loving it) -->Siem Reap would be a better trip, but the logistics would be way sketch.
for a short, short trip, BKK-->Siem Reap-->Battambang, then back...? I hear good things about Battambang.
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Sat, February 2, 2008 - 3:22 AMHi
I was out there last summer with my girlfriend who is from Taiwan.
Since you have basically no time to lounge about, I would recommend the "greatest hits" of the area, which totally amazing.
Where are you coming from?
I would recommend landing in Hanoi, chill for a day or so, then head out for the 3 day junk on halong bay, it is only $50 and it is everything you need, three nights on the water, great meals on board...awesome, so beautiful on the water
then head south out to Hoi Ahn by train. chill there for a couple of days, it is really beautiful. one of those Asian towns were you could spend months.
then fly from Da Nang to Siem Reap Cambodia. the flights are not daily so check ahead.
spend a week in siem reap and have your mind blown by ankor wat. and don't miss the water market outside of town. it was a total blast riding out into the country on scooters to the lake.
we ended our trip in na trang, which was fun.
HCMC is just huge, could be avoided, great crazy traffic though!
Phnom Penh was a bit sketchy, we only stayed one night.
you could go into sapa from ho ahn and overland into cambodia but it would take some time.
I have a long blog about my trip there at www.jefstott.blogspot.com
have a great time!
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Re: Vietnam and Cambodia
Fri, February 22, 2008 - 3:56 PMMy honest take:
no matter what , don't miss Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. All other considerations are secondary. Afetr that I would say go to Laos (Vientienne, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang) rather tahan VN. The touts are tway oo aggresive in VN. If you must see some of VN at the expense of Laos then go to the north. Hoi ann and Hanoi in particular. But really, I fled VN for Laos and was SO happy that I did.
