Travel Advice: South East Asia (Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam)

• 

  fenric on 05/12/2016 - 18:08

  +2

  Where to start…
  1. Do not book a trip though a company. SE Asia is very easy to travel around (even by yourself). Just book your flights there and back.
  2. If you have only 10 days DO NOT try and visit all of those countries, you will lose all of your time to buses/planes/boats and logistics. Just pick one county (or 1 and a quick side trip, perhaps Angkor Watt).
  3. All of those countries are quite cheap (Vietnam is probably the most expensive, but still cheap by Australian standards). You could spend anything from $20 a day to $200, it really depends on your travel style. You could probably get by very comfortably for around $40 to $50 (as a guess).
  4. Consider a backpack or at least something you can carry easily. Watching people with wheely cases drag them through sand/gravel/cobblestones is hilarious, and you don't want to be that guy.
  5. Thailand is another good option, as it is very tourist friendly, easy to get around and has the best food :)
  6. (I know I am going to get hate for this one) Once you have picked your country, get the Lonely Planet for it. They are no longer useful for accommodation (tripadvisor, hostelworld etc being much better and up to date), but they are very useful for logistics (which bus station do i go to to get here…etc), scams (as a first time traveller through asia probably worth a look) and just background info and history of places, including food to try, activities in the area and good old physical, non-gps/data reliant maps. Will cost you $30 or so, but will probably save you a similar amount.
  7. Jan/Feb should be pretty good weather for all of those places
  TL:DNR - Do it, wing it, enjoy it :)

  • 

    activ8newbs on 05/12/2016 - 18:29

    Wow!

    That is incredible advice. Thankyou so much. As a first time traveller, I didn't know much of what you told me.

    I'll definitely be narrowing the trip down a bit. Any recommendation on which country to go if I had to choose?

    Criteria:
    * Adrenalin activities
    * I really want to make an amazing video dairy
    * I want cheap massages (I'm a sports player…It's really expensive here, hence a luxury I can't enjoy often)
    * I want to purchase a tailor made suit or 2, or 3, or maybe 4…

    Thanks

    • 

      fenric on 05/12/2016 - 19:53

      +1

      Adrenalin activities and 2nd/3rd world countries don't always go well together. Ziplining and bridge jumping fine, but probably avoid bungee/skydiving/para-sailing and leave them for your New Zealand trip.
      Perhaps try scuba diving off the Thai islands.

      Like Strand0410 below I think Thailand is going to be your best bet.
      To save backtracking, you could fly into the north (Chiang Mai or Bangkok) and out of the south (Phuket or Krabi) or vice versa. Air Asia has plenty of cheap flights via Kuala Lumpur, just look out for layover time. It may be $20 cheaper, but 8 hours longer :P
      You can get suits anywhere, but finding a good tailor vs an average one is a bit pot luck unless you can get a recommendation.
      Thailand, hands down (pun intended), has the best massages. But if you are going to splurge, do it in the north (Chiang Mai) or look for a northern style massage. The ones in Bangkok and the south are OK, but not as good. They are also not like your average western sports massage, so prepare for a bit of pain with the pleasure :)

      Can't help you with the video diary. But I have a feeling you may be having too much fun to remember to record everything. I know the world now thinks if something isn't posted on social media, it didn't happen, but just remember that you are there to enjoy yourself, not to entertain others :)

      And don't stop asking questions. Travellers second favourite activity, after travelling, is giving advice about travel ;)

• 

  SydStrand on 05/12/2016 - 19:11

  +1

  1. What's 'quite comfortably?' I'd normally budget $30/day, but can be as much as $50 depending on activities and where you're willing to stay. Hostels are usually $5-10 USD/night. If you want a private room, it'll be higher

  2. Anytime is good, they don't really get cold aside from northern Vietnam, but even then, it's hoodie weather. January is still tail end of schoolies.

  3. Angkor Wat, Ha Long Bay, Da Lat, Hue.

  4. Keep a $100 USD note somewhere, lined in your clothes, inside a shoe, etc. Can be a life-saver. I'd pick sandals like Birks over thongs, if you plan on walking a lot. Double and triple check your visa. Ideally, organise it well beforehand and get it from the consulate. I once bought an online Vietnamese visa and it turned out to be a dud, so I was refused a flight and stuck around in an airport for 30 hours.

  5. It's a good idea. I picked up a couple of cashmere/wool three piece suits + 3 shirts + a couple silk ties for $600 USD in Vietnam. Visit Hoi An, the city is filled with tailors. There's one that everyone will recommend (A Dong Silk), with great reviews. Pick out your style and material, haggle a bit (they'll happily discount and throw in extras), do a few fittings, and your suit will be ready in a couple days. If you don't want to carry it, they'll even organise shipping in-store.

  6. Get a frame backpack (and rain cover). It'll make your life easier, because a lot of these places won't be paved.

  7. Just look for a bargain. Sometimes good flights will show up here. Don't go through Contiki. I wouldn't go to a travel agent. Do it through a flight aggregator like Adioso or iwantthatflight

  I want to zipline over croc infested waters

  You won't do this. And most 'crocodile' parks are tourist traps moonlighting as leather farms

  jump off bridges with bungee cords

  Plenty in Thailand and Vietnam

  parasailing and jetskiing

  Wouldn't recommend jetskis on account of the scamming.

  If you're looking for 'adrenalin' activities, then IMO, Thailand is your best bet. The others have them too, but they're sparser. There are also a lot more massage parlours, and they're cheaper. The legit ones will often be streetside with windows, and few or no isolated 'booths,' and the women serving you won't be wearing bikinis. I'd also echo above by saying 10 days is too short for three countries. You'll blow at least a couple days travelling, alone. Stick to one country. I'll also say ditch the Lonely Planet. Wikitravel is usually a better resource, more frequently updated, and if you speak to hosts and other travelers, you'll usually find places to spend your time.

  • 

    activ8newbs on 15/12/2016 - 16:54

    Thanks a lot for your input. I've taken all of it onboard. Since then, I've locked in Vietnam and in case you're curious, my itinerary can be foudn here. Thanks a lot (And yes, i'm going with A dong Silk!)

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/282340

• 

  Emli on 05/12/2016 - 19:42

  Definitely pick one country. Even then you will have to decide on the pace of travel eg two cities of five days or changing cities and spending more time in the road.
  I have not been to Laos but went to Vietnam last January. It is cold in the north and warmer in the south. You will need light winter clothes for Hanoi and Halong bay. There was snow in Sapa last year.

  Also went to Cambodia in January the year before. It is my children's favourite country. Siem reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh and Kampot were all great places but need more than ten days. Weather was warmer than Vietnam. Read up on travelling by bus as there are some bus companies You do not want to travel with and NEVER travel at night to save money. Unlit vehicles, cattle and tractors are on the road then.

  Enjoy your travels

  • 

    dasher86 on 05/12/2016 - 21:11

    I've always enjoyed travelling on the local buses!
    I've traveled on night buses plenty of times and most of the locals I have met also do this.. and they're still alive!

    • 

      SydStrand on 05/12/2016 - 22:09

      I've always enjoyed travelling on the local buses!

      Depends on bus, and your height. Last time I took an overnighter in a Vietnamese sleeper pod. I'm 6' and could not fit anything above my shoulders inside, so had to sleep in the aisle with people trying to step all over me to go pee during the night.

    • 

      Emli on 06/12/2016 - 08:49

      Have you done it in Cambodia? Check the tripadvisor website and lonely planet website to read why you should never travel by bus in this country whereas it may be safe in neighbouring countries. Travelling by day on the second standard bus was hairy enough - one hand on the horn and one on the wheel and narrowly missing a car that had run off the road while driving at 100kmph. Not all the good bus lines do all the routes.

      http://www.movetocambodia.com/transportation/five-reasons-no…

      • 

        dasher86 on 06/12/2016 - 09:09

        +1

        done it plenty of times in Cambodia.
        2012, 2015 & 2016.

        Go on 'Giant Ibis' they are pretty good.

        I've done it on local buses too.

  • 

    activ8newbs on 15/12/2016 - 16:55

    Thanks for the feedback. Going to Vietnam only.

    In case you're curious: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/282340

• 

  dasher86 on 05/12/2016 - 20:54

  +1

  I would suggest if this is your first time travelling to choose one country for the amount of time you have.

  I would suggest against Vietnam at that time of year as travelling is turned into chaos because of Tet (Lunar New Year).

  Thailand is the best place to make suits, but if you want a good tailor you will need to be in Bangkok, whereas most of the activities you mentioned are on islands or in the North.

  And for you to comfortably get a suit fitted and made I'd give a minimum half a week.

  • 

    fenric on 05/12/2016 - 21:00

    Good point about having to wait for multiple fittings for the suit. Forgot about that :)

    • 

      dasher86 on 05/12/2016 - 21:07

      I've had a few suits made in Thailand. Crown near Nana and another one where I can't remember the name of right now near Khao San.
      Funnily enough I think the one I paid less for was better and too less time to make.

  • 

    activ8newbs on 15/12/2016 - 16:57

    I really value your feedback. Thanks heaps for warning me about Tet. Despite that, as you're aware, I've continued to go ahead. I made that decision based on other reviews too - in hindight, I should've taken your advice but I didn't think logically at the time.

    In case you're curious: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/282340

• 

  [Deactivated] on 05/12/2016 - 23:50

  A comfort freak? And you want to get to developing countries? Okay, good luck.