Seeing as though there are loads of SE Asia travel threads, i figure we should have a main thread rather than have to sort through all the others

Im excited about my upcoming trip (in 2 weeks time!), but seems the itinerary may have to change Laos was on the list, but the flooding and chaos thats going on over there may mean we have to change our destinations...*sigh* Sapa & Northern Vietnam has been hit pretty hard, over 100ppl dead in Vietnam

Who else has got a SE Asia trip coming up? Any tips or hints you care to share? I know Turntable Tech has a lot of info on Vietnam! Krafty seems to know quite a bit about Cambodia and theres loads on Thailand...

My hottest tip about Cambodge is that the country is pretty sad but they have plenty of happy pizza.

Balances things out.

k_x oxo

There's four things you need to know about Vietnam...

1. Hot chicks








2. Great food














3. Cheap grog






4. More hot chicks








And that's all you need to know really.

im doing mine early december - late february; never been before so pretty excited

all solo at this stage but hopefully pick up and make friends along the way




fly brisbane - phuket (thailand) stay there a fortnight including the islands, hopefully stay on phi phi (does anyone have any contact details for 'the rock' backpackers on phi phi, or anything of the equivalent? heard it was cheap and popular). do the whole beaches; deep sea fishing; getting wasted and hopefully copulating thing..work on the tan..cant wait

from there fly up to bangkok with air asia and spend christmas and a few days around there

catch the overnight train up to chiang mai as opposed to flying (falling asleep and waking up at the destination seems a good idea plus is (a bit) cheaper anyway and less hassle with transfers etc and hopefully a cool experience - doing enough flying as it is and heard theyve got some disco carriage or something; should be hilarious hopefully a few stories

stay around chiang mai for a little while; do a jungle trek and some fishing/white water rafting, stay around there for nye

get the 2 day slowboat down to luang prabang (laos) from there spend a couple of days there

catch the bus to vang vieng and spend round a week there; who really knows

bus out of there and spend a night in vientiane - not all that excited looks kind of boring

fly from vientiane to kuala lumpur (malaysia) with air asia spend 3 nights there check it out do a bit of shopping and should be in their chinese new year celebrations too whcih should be cool. this worked out cheaper than flying directly from vientiane to siem reap and get to see a new country in the meantime and recharge the batteries a bit in a bit more of a western place

from kl fly up to siem reap (cambodia obviously) with air asia (7am flight ); do a 10 days geckos tour around the place ending in phnom penh

bus it from phnom penh to ho chi minh (vietnam); overnight there

fly from ho chi minh to hanoi; spend a week there; do ha long bay (maybe sapa, dont know looks kind of boring to me personally especially as doing a chiang mai trek already - suggestions?)

from hanoi fly down to nha trang spend a week there do the whole beach thing fishing kayaking rafting drinking etc. hopefully stay safe from being mugged by transvestite hookers

from nha trang fly back down to ho chi minh and spend htel ast 4 nights around there do cu chi tunnels etc and fly back home to brisbane after that....know im missing out on hue/da nang etc but after doing a lot of research the only reaosn id be going to those places personally would be to get tailoring done which i can apparently get done in saigon; the rest sounds pretty boring to me and the beach sounds much more appealing to my own tastes so thats my reasoning if anyone was wondering...can always change it down to track anyway




having the country names next to the cities in brackets was prob a bit unnecessary but made it all the more exciting to write cant wait only 3 and a half more months to go

have a great trip look forward to seeing lots of photos and cool stories

Quote:

Originally Posted by themuffler

all solo at this stage but hopefully pick up and make friends along the way

That's how I met the above girls.

Quote:

fly from vientiane to kuala lumpur (malaysia) with air asia spend 3 nights there check it out do a bit of shopping and should be in their chinese new year celebrations too whcih should be cool.

Lunar New Year 2009 coincides on the same day with Australia Day on Jan 26th.

Quote:

do ha long bay (maybe sapa, dont know looks kind of boring to me personally especially as doing a chiang mai trek already - suggestions?)

Umm, the girl in the bikini photos and the tight dress is from Halong Bay. I assure you Halong Bay wasn't boring when I went.

Quote:

being mugged by transvestite hookers

Very few trannies in Vietnam. There is some in Saigon and Hanoi but its very rare. Thailand is full of them. Theres enough of them to be referred to as "the third sex".

Quote:

do cu chi tunnels

Do it by motorbike, it's a fun ride out there. I did it on a Honda NSR150SP 2-stroke sportsbike.

thanks for all the tips thats great thanks

and ha long bay doesnt look boring at all; it looks awesome;was sapa i was referring to there...cant wait for ha long bay

going to be there (north vietnam) in early february too so its going to be pretty cold anyway

Quote:

Originally Posted by themuffler

going to be there (north vietnam) in early february too so its going to be pretty cold anyway

Yeah it's fucking freezing during that time. I normally get my missus (girl in the first pics) to come stay with me or vice versa to keep warm at night. The best time is around mid year.

I'm going back to Indonesia in mid December after my exchange semester in Canada (leave on Tuesday!!) which will be interesting going from minus mid twenties into the wet season, really looking forward to getting back there, catching up with people and refreshing my language skeelz

is it too cold for ha long bay tours and things in feb though? thought it was meant to be peak season :O

also hoping the beachside resort of nha trang isnt empty; thatd be disappointing

booked the first of my internal flights today

HCM>Hanoi one way = $80 with Jetstar woop!

yeh nice, what's your itinerary looking like? if you have a rough plan..air asia and tiger are also good ones to look at for cheap airfares

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_adz

booked the first of my internal flights today

HCM>Hanoi one way = $80 with Jetstar woop!

1yr ago it was only 500,000VND Hanoi > HCM, About $35. That's the most expensive it's ever been on them.

thanks for depressing me tt

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_adz

thanks for depressing me tt

PASSENGER INFORMATION:
Name
Customer Number
Flight# / Seat#/
MR xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
3590000092
799/
MR xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
799/

ITINERARY:

Date
Flt
Depart
Arrive
Stops
09-03-2007
799
HAN
14:30
SGN
16:30


FARE AND CHARGES DETAILS:
Base fare:
1030000.00
Discounts:
30000.00
Airport Fees: AHAN-SGN):
30000.00
Taxes: (HAN-SGN):
25000.00
------------------
Total:
1110000.00
Credit fee:
33500.00
------------------
Total fares and fees:
1143500.00


AUD$79.38

so is that a one way or a return?? cause if its one way, its the same price

hopefully they dont cancel your flights

i just got an email then to say nha trang - hcmc had been cancelled due to the schedule changing and them no longer doing that flight

kind of pissed off

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_adz

so is that a one way or a return?? cause if its one way, its the same price

two travellers, one way under $80 including all fees and charges. That's what was billed to my visa.

So the prices have double in 1yr.

Quote:

Originally Posted by themuffler

is it too cold for ha long bay tours and things in feb though? thought it was meant to be peak season :O

I second this question?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnsonSmith

I second this question?

Well it was in February this year. One of the coldest winters on record.

Seasons are reversed to Australia in the north of Vietnam, so work it out for yourself. Our summer = they're winter.

In the south (HCMC), the weather is like Darwin, just 6mths opposite

loll

fucking hope this isnt a sign of things to come for my trip

get an email thisafternoon from jetstar pacific saying my flight (which i only bought a fortnight ago when they were advertising it as a promotional fare) had been cancelled cause they wre no longer doing that route

reply to the email basically just asking whne i will get my refund in that case; get one back just then

Dear themuffler (not my real name),

Thank you for your quick reply, the latest time for refund is within 3 weeks.
Sorry for inconvenience causing to you.

Thanks & best regards

Tam Tho/GCC



massive joke

heres to hoping its smooth sailing from here

Quote:

Originally Posted by themuffler

loll

fucking hope this isnt a sign of things to come for my trip

get an email thisafternoon from jetstar pacific saying my flight (which i only bought a fortnight ago when they were advertising it as a promotional fare) had been cancelled cause they wre no longer doing that route

reply to the email basically just asking whne i will get my refund in that case; get one back just then

Dear themuffler (not my real name),

Thank you for your quick reply, the latest time for refund is within 3 weeks.
Sorry for inconvenience causing to you.

Thanks & best regards

Tam Tho/GCC



massive joke

heres to hoping its smooth sailing from here

Like I said before, DON'T expect this to be anything like Jetstar in Australia because it isn't! It's just the badge on the plain and theyve donated board of directors and a business model to Pacific Airlines whilst buying a 30% stake in the communist govt owned airline. Also Vietnam does not have the same consumer protection laws and balance/checks on companies so they can do stuff they can never get away with in Australia. In essence, welcome to Vietnam!

Quote:

Originally Posted by themuffler

do cu chi tunnels etc

I found the tunnels really hard to deal with - same as the war museum in HCMC is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by themuffler

da nang

probably not missing anything
Da Nanng didn't particularly impress me - but we had to wait half a day for our flight back to HCMC from Hoi An. So just lazed around China Beach and checked out one of the markets.

One word of warning though with flights internal in Vietnam - expect delays. Seriously, expect also that the flight will be full.

^Likewise The Killing Fields and S21.

I can pinpoint the moment where my holiday went from sight seeing to suddenly feeling the dreadful enormity of a series of events that utterly obliterated people's lives. I'll never forget some of those faces in the rooms of S21. I think I went to far into the minds of those faces for a time there and I can't say it was a pleasant palce to be.

Very humbling experience. *sigh* Humans hey?

k_x oxo

I'm planning a trip in about March/April next year! So excited!

Laos or Vietnam?

Any recommendations of when to go to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Looking at going sometime next year but dont really have any idea of times to avoid monsoon season etc. Also any recommendations on who to fly with, from Sydney. Not interested in the budget carries though, as I am 6'4 and need the legroom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchy84

Any recommendations of when to go to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Looking at going sometime next year but dont really have any idea of times to avoid monsoon season etc. Also any recommendations on who to fly with, from Sydney. Not interested in the budget carries though, as I am 6'4 and need the legroom.

Be more specific. Vietnam has multiple climates. Think Sydney VS Darwin, It's the same in Vietnam. Part of the country has normal seasons, the other part is just hot & humid all year around with a monsoon rain and a dry period.

No idea, have not even given it a thought. I am guessing the capital and where all the ruins are etc.

You can see I have not really looked into this yet. Might be worth me buying a guidebook...

Has anyone flown Nok Air? Thoughts/Opinions/Comments?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchy84

No idea, have not even given it a thought. I am guessing the capital and where all the ruins are etc.

You can see I have not really looked into this yet. Might be worth me buying a guidebook...

Guidebooks are great once you're definitely going but seeing as you clearly have the ability to use the itnernet might I suggest the information you are looking for will most likely be located on here for free.

k_x oxo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchy84

Looking at going sometime next year but dont really have any idea of times to avoid monsoon season etc. Also any recommendations on who to fly with, from Sydney. Not interested in the budget carries though, as I am 6'4 and need the legroom.

I'm 6'3" and we flew economy with vietnam air - not the worlds most comfortable experience but it wasn't that bad - actually economy in general when you're tall isn't the most comfortable experience

Looking at 3 weeks from around end of October to November is going to be the best bet. Doesnt look like it will be to hot and will avoid most of the rainy season.

What do people reckon for flights, fly to say Singapore or Bangkok rtn and book cheap flights there to Cambodia, then Vietnam and then back to either Singapore or Bangkok.

Or is just worth maybe booking Jetstar singles to say Vietnam from Sydney and then one back from Cambodia.

Re the Economy class thing, I find the budget carries really hard going, I am 6'4/6'5 and anything over a 2 hour flight it really starts to get uncomfortable. I would rather pay the get the better service of a proper carrier and the option of being able to check in online to get Exit seats as well.

I recently flew to NZ with Jetstar and it was very hard going, It was just so cramped and that was only for a 3 hour flight. I would hate to think how I would manage with the 7-8 hour flight to SE Asia.

I am flying to Cairns with Virgin Blue next week and thats bad enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchy84

Looking at 3 weeks from around end of October to November is going to be the best bet. Doesnt look like it will be to hot and will avoid most of the rainy season.

What do people reckon for flights, fly to say Singapore or Bangkok rtn and book cheap flights there to Cambodia, then Vietnam and then back to either Singapore or Bangkok.

Or is just worth maybe booking Jetstar singles to say Vietnam from Sydney and then one back from Cambodia.

Re the Economy class thing, I find the budget carries really hard going, I am 6'4/6'5 and anything over a 2 hour flight it really starts to get uncomfortable. I would rather pay the get the better service of a proper carrier and the option of being able to check in online to get Exit seats as well.

I recently flew to NZ with Jetstar and it was very hard going, It was just so cramped and that was only for a 3 hour flight. I would hate to think how I would manage with the 7-8 hour flight to SE Asia.

I am flying to Cairns with Virgin Blue next week and thats bad enough.

My partner is 6'5 and you can book extra legroom seats with most carriers where you can get the "exit" seats or seats at the front of the economy sections where you can get extra space. You can check into these seats with online bookings as well. The only problem with this is that you will also have to probably put up with babies as they tend to put parents with babies in those seats as well You could also book into a budget airlines "business" seat area which is probably still cheaper than some of the regular carriers economy seats.

Another option is to contact the carrier by phone after you have made the booking and ask about seating and tell them how tall you are. Sometimes you can get lucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnsonSmith

Has anyone flown Nok Air? Thoughts/Opinions/Comments?

A Vietnamese friend of mine works for Nok Air. She defected from Vietnam Airlines. She says it's good although I've never flown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchy84

Looking at 3 weeks from around end of October to November is going to be the best bet. Doesnt look like it will be to hot and will avoid most of the rainy season.

It's an OK time, you will probably get some rain late Oct/early Nov. I did when I was living there. Generally Dec-Feb is the best time to see Saigon. Unfortunately at this time, it's going into winter in Hanoi. I think somewhere between March-April is the best time to see all of Vietnam.

Quote:

What do people reckon for flights, fly to say Singapore or Bangkok rtn and book cheap flights there to Cambodia, then Vietnam and then back to either Singapore or Bangkok.

I always fly Malaysian, Singapore or Thai Airways to Vietnam. Generally most of the time Thai will allow you stop over in both directions @ Bangkok and you can fly into Saigon and out of Hanoi or vice versa.

Quote:

Or is just worth maybe booking Jetstar singles to say Vietnam from Sydney and then one back from Cambodia.

This all depends and where exactly you're wanting to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finchy84

What do people reckon for flights, fly to say Singapore or Bangkok rtn and book cheap flights there to Cambodia, then Vietnam and then back to either Singapore or Bangkok.

have flown....

singapore, thai and emirates to bangkok.

thai sucked, singapore good service but stopover sucked, emirates = great check in service, great staff, great service. would fly again A+++.

local airlines... airasia were fine, vietnam airlines bit ho hum, but they got me there... the other more budget airlines I'd stay clear of. 1 2 3 go or whoever they were looked really dodgey and I heard stories of lost bags and overselling flights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bracko

1 2 3 go or whoever they were looked really dodgey and I heard stories of lost bags and overselling flights.

im pretty sure they're no longer after their crash in phuket

Hmmm, well I managed to get my hands on a SE Asia Lonely Planet for free so all good.

We are flexible with the dates so will have a more in depth read up now.

Christmas is Thailand: can someone recommend a good place to stay in Chiang Mai around this time?

im in laos at the moment and its incredible. I love Luang Prabang...what an incredible part of the world. Not that keen on Vang Vieng, though i can see why it appeals to so many. Only had a small amount of rain on the bus trip in Laos, otherwise the first leg through Vietnam has been fine and looks good for the remainder of the trip too

i wasn't a huge fan of VV either... pretty town though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bracko

i wasn't a huge fan of VV either... pretty town though.

I can see why people like it - purely for the tubing and riverside bars, where it's all about getting smashed, listening to crap music, and getting an away from home shag.

Did some kayaking here down the river and that was fun, but the bars spoilt the atmosphere. Oh well.

Speaking of atmosphere, those fscking TV bars. Tell me this, do you fly 8+ hours from home to watch Friends? Makes me shudder.

LP, on the other hand. Awesome.

What is there to do in Luang Prabang? Travelwiki doesn't have that much on it.

We've just started sorting out our Vietnam plans... 3 weeks in October, I can't wait!

Flying Malaysian Airlines from Melbourne to HCMC via KL, and back from Hanoi via KL. We got our flights for $1200 each inl. all taxes.

Our basic plan at present is...

HCMC (with day trips to Cu Chi and Mekong)
Mui Ne (beer and seafood on the beach)
Hoi An (shopping, get a suit made, sightseeing)
Hue (DMZ if we can manage it)
Hai Phong/Halong Bay (Cat Ba Island and an overnight junk cruise)
Hanoi (Day or overnight trip to Sapa)

We've booked our HCMC accommodation at Madam Cuc's Hotel 64, and a couple of nights in Hanoi at Sunshine Hotel's Hotel 2.

Anyone got any suggestions for decent cheap places to stay in Mui Ne, Hoi An, Hue and Hai Phong?

And has anyone got any recommendations for travel insurance?

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebumperbar

What is there to do in Luang Prabang? Travelwiki doesn't have that much on it.

I just looked and it has heaps! It's a small, peaceful, UNESCO protected township. It will provide you with some feelings of zen after you've smoked, eaten mushies and gotten so pissed and sunburnt in VV.

Swim at Kuang Si Falls (below), and then visit the Bear Sanctuary adjacent.





Hit the streets to see monks collecting alms at first light.



Hire a bike. I read that the police have stopped tourists riding bikes around town - without joining a tour, which is a shame. But apparently only 4 roads are monitored. It's a great way to get around and perfect for this size town. You can walk easily though.

Go to the top of Phou Si. Sit. Take photos of novices. Have novices take photos of you.



Spend some time in a monastery and talk with the monks and novices. Women are allowed to converse in Laos too. They will appreciate your time to help them learn and you might just learn something too.

Royal Palace Museum - don't get the tour, go self guided.

Go and order a drink at one the bars on the water, on either side. And sit, and drink and watch the sun go down.

Eat at: Tamarind! Awesome. Even was able to try wasp larvae amongst other things. But it's trad Laos fare but presented in a modern fashion, run by an Aussie and her Lao boyfriend.



Blue Elephant - you'll get an excellent steak (beef or buffalo) with Cafe De paris butter!
The markets, day or night.
Joma bakery if you want westernised breakfast/lunch - sandwiches, granola, coffee (not traditional Lao) and so on.

LP is amazing. sitting by the mekong river, big beer laos in hand and just watch the world go by

bump!

I've got about 6 weeks to go until Mick and I head to Chiang Mai to volunteer for 6 months. This cold snap in Sydney is really getting me in the mood for some heat - even if it will be moonsoon

Are any itmers planning a trip to Thailand/Laos in the next 6 months? Would be cool to meet up for a beer & some pork with any of you while we are living over there <3

We don't head over till the new year

fail!!!

everyones going over "in the new year" and not this year.

you guys could've got free accom

We'll be heading back to Cambo in the new year, bless Kylie and her credit card points :blush:

First Russia though