Bangkok, Vietnam, Cambodia?

Question

I found this tour that starts in bangkok and goes to Vietnam but you go through Cambodia on the way. I will be in bangkok anyway when it starts so I guess that is a bonus. I just want someone to have a look at it and make sure I am visiting all the exciting and best parts of Cambodia and Vietnam and just generally to make sure the whole tour looks good.

http://g.statravel.co.uk/trips/cambodia-vietnam-on-a-shoestring/ATCV/2013/resources/

Answer 1

Contrary to the other person who replied, I looked at the link and read every word of the description.



Yes, this whole tour does look good AND you will, for sure see enough of the highlights on your trip.



As you well know, you will be spending an awful number of hours on a bus. Actually, just about all of your travels are on a bus.



This is, by definition quite uncomfortable for a westerner. It is highly unlikely that the buses are air conditioned, therefore you will travel with all windows open most of the time. What you have to do is to really, truly prepare yourself mentally for the hours in a, sometimes, bouncy and uncomfortable bus. Having travelled extensively in the area, I NEVER sit so I can look out the front window, you will be scared out of your wits by all the close calls for the bus and the irresponsible behaviour by some other persons on the roads.



All the other advice on their site, re your safety, etc., are well worth reading and paying attention to.



Having settled that in your mid, enjoy your trip.

.

Answer 2

Don't just do BKK in Thailand, I've done the whole place and live there now. Pattaya has better nightlife and more to do. Chang Mai and Khao Yai is great for waterfalls. Phuket is full or con artists and beats Pattaya hands down in this apart from sex industry thats on a smaller scale as is the night life. However its where you need to be to visit Phi Phi. Samui is Ok for a short stay as is Krabi. However if you can't be bothered to travel all the way south for the nice islands try Koh Samet which is a couple of hours in a Taxi from BKK airport and 50min from Pattaya. I've only ever done visa runs to Cambodia so like you i'm learning on line and am looking forward to visiting PP next month and hopefully squeezing Angkor Wat in!



You should also know you can pull off cheaper tours yourself once in Thailand. BKK has loads as does Pattaya. Never done Tours from anywhere else.

Answer 3

hi, i done a similar route 3 years ago,

i read the itinerary and cost. so this company will also use public buses, not good for the company.



personally u can do this better by yourself and cheaper too, seeing as u have to arrange your own visas anyway.

they leave you in hanoi?

some tour hotels are Shite,

No, do it yourself, take ya time, regardless of your age, tours are not good. Ok for meeting some people but also when u dont get along with that person ( or my worst nitemare, - being on a tour with russians ), you never know what u are going to get, but DIY, means u can stop start move when u want and choose your own company , friends, hotel .

what if you LOVE place and want to stay longer, but the lovely lady with the FOLLOW THE UMBERELLA , says , quickly quickly , we go now,



DIY,

Answer 4

I have been to all those places, and without looking at that link I'll tell you the places you need to visit.



Thailand:

- Bangkok (Bridge over River Kwai, floating markets, Khoa San Road, Grand Palace)

- Phuket (Patong - honestly so much fun - great night-life, lots of people, relaxing resorts, shopping)

- Phi Phi Island



Cambodia:

- Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)

Probably one of the most amazing things I have seen in my life. Make sure you have a good guide who can tell you interesting things about it and show you around to all the best temples, as it's very big - not just Angkor Wat but all of the smaller temples in its vicinity. Also, go at sunrise, as it's beautiful seeing the sun rising over the temple, there is also less people and it's much cooler. It gets very hot. I've heard sunset is also nice, but I only went for sunrise and day-time. We went to Ankor Wat, Ta Promh and Bayon (these three temples took all day and we went back the next morning for sunrise).

In Siem Reap, also go to Pub Street. Great vibe, lots of awesome restaurants and 50c beers!



- Phnom Penh

Killing Fields (gruesome, awful, but interesting to understand Cambodia's history with the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot - after all their adversity, the Cambodians are lovely people and usually always have a smile on their face)

the Grand Palace is not as grand as Bankok's.

I found it quite dirty to be honest, but it was alright for two nights. Make sure you go to the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) - great food and $7.50 jugs of mojitos!

Sihanoukville (affectionately known as Snooki)

Haven't been, but am going back this year. I've heard it's awesome, and is on its way to becoming a big hot spot for tourists (so hurry before the commercialism destroys some of its charm)



Vietnam

- Ho Chi Min City

BUSY BUSY BUSY. It's an insane site. Motorbikes everywhere. It amazed me. Crossing the road is quite a challenge - but you just step out onto the busy road and walk straight and they literally just drive around you.

the Cu Chi tunnels are also very interesting. All about the Vietnam War - I even got to shoot an AK47 and machine gun.

Ben Thanh Market is good also.

Mekong Delta (what an experience. I would recommend not swimming in that water! We saw a floating television and a dead dog, not to mention all the other unseen stuff, The people are incredibly lovely though.

- Hoi An

by far my favourite part of Vietnam. Quaint, and French-influenced, Hoi An is beautiful. Lanterns are everywhere at night, making it gorgeous and there is so much nice food. We did a cooking course there called the Red Bridge something and it was good. We also visited some ancient ruined temples (although, honestly they have nothing on Angkor Wat).

We are going back this year to Hanoi and Halong bay and Sapa.



Your trip looks great! I hope you have a great time. I am going back to South-East Asia for my 6th time this year that's how much me and my family love it. If you've never been then it can be quite a shock (especially the busy-ness of Ho Chi Minh, but if you get past that and the beggars - there are a lot of poor people in these countries that sometimes don't have arms or legs and it can be quite hard to see - then it's great and has a lot of charm).



As long as you see Angkor Wat, Hoi An, and Halong Bay (and I'd suggest Sapa - its so beautiful and unique, or so I've read... I am so excited to go there) you'll have a fantastic trip. Make sure you research everywhere you go in depth so you fully enjoy the experience!

Answer 5

Take an inflatable cushion for the bus trips.