Hello,
I’m heading to Thailand for two weeks at the end of February with my family. I went there 20 years ago.
I’d love your thoughts on a relaxed two-week trip that lets me show my kids the joys of travel while also taking time to unwind (after all, it *is* vacation! :))
I’m planning to spend 2 days in Bangkok, then take the overnight train to Chiang Mai (so my kids can experience that) and stay for 2-3 nights. After that, I’ll fly to Phuket for a few nights, then head to Koh Lanta for a few days before returning to Phuket to make my way back to Bangkok for the last two days before departure.
Tons of people travel for two weeks during this time—any recommendations? So far, I only have my round-trip flight ticket to Bangkok.
Thanks in advance!
Any recommendations for hotels, dishes, beaches, temples, sites, or activities?
In the meantime, head over to the AirAsia website and book your domestic flights.
Same goes for the train.
I’m reading: “chill, take it easy” and a 3,000 km itinerary in two weeks. Isn’t there a bit of a contradiction here?
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
I agree with Jojoone1—this trip is far from relaxing. I’m doing the trip at the same time, with this itinerary:
Bangkok (4 nights, visiting Ayutthaya),
Kanchanaburi—3 nights,
Back to Bangkok (1 night) to catch the flight to Phuket,
Koh Yao Noi—3 nights,
Phuket—2 nights, then back to France.
And I think my trip is far from relaxing too, but that’s the point—I want to keep moving and see a lot of things.
Your itinerary has the same energy...
For my bookings, I only have the ferries left to reserve—everything else is done. How far in advance do you think I should book the ferries?
Returning to Bangkok (1 night) to catch the flight to Phuket,
You’re gonna stress yourself out crossing Bkk... (and maybe dealing with its traffic jams two days in a row). I’d have done it completely differently:
From Kanchanaburi, a 55-min ride on bus 81 a/c¹ to Ban Pong (every 20 mins until ~7 PM).
10-min walk to Ban Pong train station (if you’re too lazy to walk, moto-taxis are available).
Overnight train (several departures) to Surat Thani.
Bus ride to Phang Nga (Tha Dan port) and the 1 PM boat to Koh Yao Noi.
In your opinion, how far in advance should we book the ferries?
Apart from the flight to Phuket, I don’t see any transport you need to book ahead of time in your itinerary. For the Phuket-Koh Yao Noi ferry, you can book the day before through your accommodation.
What’s the plan (if there is one) in Mueang Kan*?
* Mueang = "city", to specify you’re talking about the city itself and not the province it’s the capital of. In other words, for a Thai person, if you say Kanchanaburi without specifying "Mueang", they’ll assume you’re talking about the province (this applies to all provinces and their capitals). That said, they’re understanding with tourists.
Kan is the local nickname commonly used for the city of Kanchanaburi.
There’s so much to do in Thailand, and to really enjoy a stop, I think it’s best to stay at least 5 days.
Your itinerary seems very ambitious and not exactly relaxing—you’ll be rushing between each destination and spending as much time in transit as actually there. When you try to see everything, you end up enjoying nothing.
I’d recommend focusing on just 2 stops in 15 days instead. If chosen well, they’ll give you a great sense of the country and a fantastic holiday.
In my opinion, the ideal options would be:
- Chiang Mai + an island (Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta)
- Bangkok + Chiang Mai
- Bangkok + an island
You can add a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok to round out your stay.
I usually advise against Phuket for anyone visiting Thailand—mass tourism, scams, tourist traps, and some of the travelers you’ll encounter there aren’t exactly the most refined, let’s say.
Songsam, thanks for the tip, but my husband doesn’t want to take the overnight bus. For this night in Bangkok, I booked a hotel near the airport.
For Kanchanaburi, I’m still undecided: either we visit on our own, in which case we’re limited on time (we can only do the waterfall and the elephants), or we take a day trip from the hotel. We don’t want to drive.
I think Sacdeneya’s itinerary is doable, but you’ve got to realize that you’ll need some rest after this trip. :) Like I said, that’s just my take, but it’s what I’m up for. And make sure to pick good hotels for getting around within each leg of the trip.
Ah, okay, I misread.
Actually, I didn’t analyze this itinerary—oh well, our Bangkok-Phuket flight tickets aren’t refundable.
For booking a ferry, I saw that you can reserve the transfer from Phuket Airport to Koh Yao Noi. What’s better: booking just the boat or the full transfer (taxi + boat)? What if there’s a flight delay?
Kanchanaburi: don’t go through an agency—they’ll have you running around all day and take you to one of the many elephant camps in the area that make the animals suffer to train them for activities that mindless mass tourism loves (playing soccer, balancing on a beam, etc.—an elephant wasn’t born for that). For something more ethical, this place is better: https://www.elephantsworld.org/
As for the waterfall, if you’re talking about Erawan, it’s really easy to get there by bus round-trip in a day. If it’s Sai Yok Noi, it’s not that great, but Sai Yok Yai has a gorgeous setting—though its remoteness means you’ll need to spend a night there to really enjoy it.
Phuket Airport to Koh Yao Noi transfer—I don’t know, I haven’t done it myself. But given Phuket’s super high tourist density, it’d be surprising if there weren’t plenty of options to do this straight from the airport without needing to book in advance. You shouldn’t worry about it.
Songsam, thanks.
Actually, I was thinking of visiting Erawan Falls by bus, and I’ve already emailed Elephant World to book a half-day with them. But with this schedule, I can’t fit in the Death Railway (the most interesting section of the train route) since we only have 2 nights in Kanchanaburi. That’s why I thought about switching to a hotel excursion... Is it possible to visit both the falls and the interesting part of the railway in one day using public transport?
I think the ideal options would be:
- Chiang Mai + an island (Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta)
- Bangkok + Chiang Mai
- Bangkok + an island
I vote for the second option.
Or alternatively:
Take the overnight train to Chiang Mai on the day of arrival (the train is part of the plan),
4 nights in Chiang Mai,
direct overnight bus from Chiang Mai to Kanchanaburi,
4 nights in Kanchanaburi,
return to Bangkok by bus,
Bangkok until the return flight.
Can we visit both the waterfall and the interesting section of the railway in one day using public transport?
The interesting section is called the Death Railway, where Wang Po Viaduct or Tham Krasae Viaduct (three names for the same place) is located. It’s not possible to visit Erawan Falls and the viaduct in one day using public transport because you’d have to go back through Kan.
However, it *is* possible to visit the viaduct and Sai Yok Noi in the same day, like this:
- Take the ~6 AM train toward Namtok and get off at the Tham Krasae stop*
- Walk or hitchhike the 5 km to Highway 323 (it’s uphill for about two-thirds of the way),
- On Highway 323, wait for a bus or public minivan going left and get off at Sai Yok Noi.
- Then on Highway 323, wait for a bus or minivan back to Kan—you’ll be back around 12–1 PM without rushing.
Walking route from Tham Krasae to Highway 323: Head west on the road following the tracks, turn right at the first level crossing, then it’s straight until Highway 323 intersects.
Another option from Tham Krasae: Try negotiating with someone to drive you to Sai Yok Noi (it’s not far) for a small fee. I’ve never done this here, but it’s worth a shot—Thailand makes it easy to solve transport issues just by asking around (e.g., a food stall owner at Tham Krasae).
* The only public transport to the viaduct is the train.
Songsam, thanks for all the tips. I think I’ll stick with my original plan: leave from Bangkok, half a day to visit the surrounding area by taxi (we’ll decide on the spot, depending on how tired we are), a full day for Erawan Waterfall, half a day for ElephantsWorld, and then head straight back to Bangkok after the elephants.
I tend to advise against Phuket for anyone heading to Thailand: mass tourism, scams and tourist traps, and some travelers who go there aren’t exactly the most refined, let’s say.
They call them the "French Arabics"; I came across that online.
By the way, Phuket is now also not recommended... because of the traffic jams! 😅
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
I tend to advise against Phuket for anyone heading to Thailand: mass tourism, scams, tourist traps, and some travelers who go there aren’t exactly the most refined, let’s say.
They call them the "french arabics"; I came across that online.
By the way, Phuket is now also advised against... because of traffic jams!
So yeah, I tested it: stuck at night in a traffic jam in front of IKEA isn’t exactly great, nor very exotic…
You should know Phuket is *super* crowded… thousands of Russians and just as many Indians, Patong is getting worse and worse… There are still some quiet beaches, but you’ve got to deal with the traffic.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Hello, thanks for your feedback. And sorry to everyone who replied—I didn’t get any notifications and thought no one had responded. Anyway, here’s my current plan: spend my arrival day in Bangkok, sleep there, then spend a second day before taking the overnight train to Chiang Mai. I’d stay there for two days, then head back to Bangkok to fly to Koh Tao for three days, followed by three days on Koh Samui, and finally return to Bangkok by plane to spend my last two days in the city or nearby.
There’s so much to do in Thailand, and to really enjoy a stop, I think it’s best to stay at least five days.
Your itinerary seems very ambitious and not exactly relaxing—you’ll be rushing between destinations and spending as much time in transit as actually there. When you try to see everything, you end up enjoying nothing.
I’d recommend focusing on just two stops in 15 days instead. If you choose them well, they’ll be more than enough to get a great feel for the country and have an amazing vacation.
Here are my ideal options:
- Chiang Mai + one island (Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta)
- Bangkok + Chiang Mai
- Bangkok + one island
You could also add a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok to round out your stay.
I tend to advise against Phuket for anyone visiting Thailand—it’s mass tourism, scams, and tourist traps, and let’s just say some of the travelers you’ll meet there aren’t exactly the most refined.
Are you discovering it or is this a confirmation? 😏 😛
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
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Nous préparons notre deuxième voyage en Thaïlande (2 semaines sur place, fin avril/début mai) en famille avec nos enfants.
Lors de notre premier voyage, nous avons visité Bangkok, Ayutthaya, la rivière Kwaï, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi et Khao Lak. Nous avons particulièrement adoré Koh Phi Phi pour ses falaises calcaires et sa végétation luxuriante, ainsi que Koh Lipe pour ses eaux cristallines et son snorkeling.
Cette fois, nous aimerions un voyage davantage axé sur la nature. Nous ne souhaitons plus visiter de villes (éventuellement un marché flottant si cela vaut vraiment le détour).
Nous recherchons :
- une jungle spectaculaire ;
- des animaux dans leur milieu naturel ;
- de belles randonnées ou balades en bateau ;
- des plages paradisiaques ;
- une eau turquoise avec un excellent snorkeling, si possible directement depuis la plage (tortues, poissons tropicaux...).
Nous pensons intégrer Khao Sok, mais nous hésitons sur les îles à combiner avec ce parc. Nous hésitons aussi à intégrer Chiang mai.
Auriez-vous des suggestions d'itinéraires de 2 semaines avec des temps de transport raisonnables ? Nous privilégions avant tout les paysages, la nature et la mer.
Merci d'avance pour vos conseils et retours d'expérience !
Bonjour, je serai en vacances en malaisie en novembre, je vais rester 5 jours à penang. Je voudrais ensuite visiter quelques temples et lieux à butterworth ou autour et découvrir aussi la ville. En sachant que je me déplace souvent à pied, quel quartier serait le mieux pour moi, c'est à dire à moins de 30'minutes à pied des lieux d'attraction, de stands de street foodi, de lignes de bus etc... Merci d'avance pour votre aide
Francoise
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
We got back enchanted from a 6-week trip to Cambodia!
Our itinerary: Kampot - Kampong Chhnang - Battambang - Siem Reap - Kampong Cham - Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri) - Banlung (Ratanakiri) - Kratie - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh.
We traveled by bus, minivan, boat (between Battambang and Siem Reap), overnight bus, scooter, tuk-tuk, and rickshaw for shorter distances. We stayed in guesthouses, homestays, and even in the jungle during a trek.
While the Angkor temples are fabulous, it’s the people you should visit Cambodia for—the "Land of Smiles" truly lives up to its nickname! Tourists gather in Angkor but are quite rare elsewhere, even though the country is easy to travel around.
I won’t describe our trip in detail but instead highlight a few favorite moments.
From Kampot, don’t hesitate to head out around 6 AM to see the fishermen return and their wives selling their catch (just 10 minutes away by the coast). Guaranteed picturesque!
In Battambang, known for its food scene, we discovered a cooking class with Smokin’ Pot (authentic Khmer cooking class). They pick you up from your guesthouse to shop for ingredients (we made fish amok and beef lok lak) at their village market, then cook and eat together. A private class—just the two of us! They also send the recipes via WhatsApp as a PDF. +855 12 821 400
In Siem Reap, I can recommend a francophone tuk-tuk driver who was very attentive to our wishes. We visited tourist spots but also more remote villages and local grilled-pork restaurants with him. He’s a wealth of information about local life, and chatting with him was a real pleasure—we left with regret! You can reach him on WhatsApp: Vung Hem, +855 96 614 0146.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Mondulkiri. Don’t expect a super dense jungle—it looks more like a forest similar to ours. But Nara, our Bunong ethnic guide, made the experience adventurous and ultimately very immersive! WhatsApp +855 86 630 489
Bee Bee’s Chalets homestay: If you pass through Banlung in Ratanakiri, we *loved* this family and their budget-friendly bungalows. Playing Uno, enjoying Nita’s cooking (ask for her fish amok—amazing!), it was a true homestay experience! Contact Nita on WhatsApp: +855 88 818 5525.
In Kratie, rent a scooter and follow the Mekong north for 40 km at your own pace. Being so close to the locals was a treat! Same goes for heading south if you have time.
Kampong Thom: Head 25 km out to visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. Around a hundred monuments spread across three sites… and hardly anyone there!
A few practical tips:
Though prices are often listed in dollars, you can always pay in riels (1 USD = 4000 riels), which is what we preferred.
PassApp: An app to book tuk-tuks or rickshaws (and most importantly, know the price upfront).
Virak Buntham: A bus company connecting several cities, bookable online.
Feel free to ask me questions about places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
I’m planning a trip to Cambodia and was set on visiting the Ratanakiri region, which seemed to match what we love most in terms of landscapes: forests, jungle, greenery...
However, as I started looking into the area, I read that deforestation there is massive, and some of the info on the topic is years old—the situation hasn’t improved since, unfortunately.
So my question is: is Ratanakiri still worth visiting, and does it justify the long travel time and distance to get there?
I’ve seen that jungle treks are possible, but from experience, I know guides sometimes hesitate to venture deep into the forest and stick to shorter walks along the edges of parks.
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there, we’re landing at Hanoi Airport and would like to head straight to Cao Bang without going into Hanoi. Does anyone know if there are buses that go directly from the airport to Cao Bang (especially in the early afternoon)? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027.
10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta.
We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo).
I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself.
But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal...
Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!
hi everyone,
I want to travel in the north for 3 weeks in September-October 2026 to meet ethnic minorities, photograph mountain rice terraces and their harvest, and revisit Halong Bay—but maybe Lan Ha Bay instead. Can you recommend one or more local agencies?
Thanks, and happy holidays!
I need some expert advice on these two destinations for a 15-day trip. We land in KL and plan to stay for 2 days before heading to Borneo and finishing with an island for snorkeling.
For those who’ve been, what are your must-sees?
We were thinking of spending the last 3 days on the Perhentian Islands, unless you’ve got another island to recommend near Borneo.
Thanks for your tips and help!
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary—it’s probably pretty basic! This is our second trip to Asia and our first to Indonesia. We have three kids aged 20, 18, and 12. We land in Jakarta at 4 PM, spend 3 nights/2 days there, then take the train to Yogyakarta for 3 nights/2 days, followed by the train to Surabaya for 2 nights/1 day, then the train to Bromo for 1 day/1 night, a private driver to Ijen for 2 nights/2 days, then on to Bali (Ubud) for 4 nights/3 days, followed by Gili Air for 3 nights/2 days, Senggigi (Lombok) for 2 nights, and finally 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering cutting the 2 nights in Senggigi to just keep Kuta and extend it to 7 nights. In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around since I’m not comfortable with scooters... Your thoughts on all of this, and any advice, are more than welcome—don’t hesitate!
For those wondering why cities like Jakarta and Surabaya: we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so we wanted to include that discovery in our trip. The trains between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo are booked. The return flight from Lombok to Jakarta is also set. Accommodations are booked but flexible (same for the trains).
Hi! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Malaysia. The idea is to visit KL for 2 or 3 days, then Borneo, and I’m wondering what to do with the rest of the time. I’d like to finish with the Perhentian Islands... What do you think? Any tips or advice would be great—I’d really appreciate it!
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for addresses for guesthouses or, even better, houseboats or rafting houses on the River Kwai, between Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi, to spend a few weeks contemplating this beautiful river.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Premaria
Hi there,
we’re currently in Mai Chau and tomorrow we’re hitting the road back to Hanoi to head up toward Bac Ha and Sapa.
We haven’t really had a set plan since we arrived—we’ve already done the Halong Bay on land and by sea.
I’ve got 2 free days before heading to Bac Ha and Sapa.
Any tips?
Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hello.
In 1996, we crossed Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike—Minsk bikes we bought in Saigon. I haven’t been back since, and it seems like a lot has changed.
- We’re heading to the south (well, the north and center) with the family in July-August (3 people).
- Is the road network more developed now? Back then, there was only National Route 1 from south to north. I’m thinking of renting a car this time (no motorbike with the family—though in ’96, they had a Jawa sidecar for sale, and we hesitated… maybe it’s for the best).
- Is Halong Bay really something to avoid because of overtourism? Even back then, it was pretty crowded. Is there a less touristy alternative?
- We’ll be traveling from Hanoi down to Danang (the only city we didn’t stop in back in ’96). Even though it’s a bit overhyped in a Chinese-tourist kind of way (from what I’ve read), we’re only going for the beach—pure relaxation for 7 days. The beaches are stunning, and I know the South China Sea is warm like coffee.
- Then, we’ll visit Hoi An, where I stopped in ’96. It was already popular with backpackers back then, but no glowing boats or all the touristy fuss!
- After that, Hue, where I have great memories—it’s a beautiful city.
- And also the nature around Ninh Binh, followed by 2-3 days in Hanoi.
That’s the plan. I’d love to hear any tips to avoid mass tourism, and if anyone’s done this before:
- Is it possible to rent a car in Danang and drop it off in Hanoi?
Hey everyone,
I’m over in East Borneo in mid-July.
I’m struggling to wrap up the end of my itinerary, even though it’s pretty straightforward (long but simple).
Last year, we did Malaysia (KL and the mainland + around Kuching).
Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu early, stroll around town and hit the must-sees.
Day 2 – Excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, snorkeling at 3 islands.
Day 3 – Hike around Mount Kinabalu without summiting (450 per person, no way).
Day 4 – Poring Hot Springs + evening flight to Sandakan.
Day 5-6-7 – Kinabatangan River (still looking for the right guide).
Day 8 – Sepilok for the orangutans, the Sun Bear Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Day 9 – Selingan, turtle island.
Day 10 – Head to Semporna.
Day 11-12-13-14 – Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai.
Day 15 – Bohey Dulang.
Day 16 to Day 25: I’M STUCK.
I looked into Danum Valley, but for 3 days/2 nights, they’re quoting 650 € per person—come on, that’s ridiculous.
I checked out a detour into Indonesia (still East Borneo), but I’m having trouble deciding what would be amazing.
I read about Sangalaki + Kakaban (2 islands, 1 base) / Mahakam Delta - Kutai (orangutans and river) / Sungai Boh (Dayak Kayan) – jungle & culture.
But honestly, I’m struggling to finalize this itinerary.
If we venture that way, we’d head back to KK from Balikpapan.
Hi there. To make the most of Lake Toba, is it better to find accommodation on the lake’s shores (which one?) or on Samosir Island? Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
We’re heading to Vietnam as a family on July 8th for a little over 3 weeks (north and center). We’ve only booked the first 3 nights in Hanoi, and nothing else after that. We like to decide things on the spot and go with the flow, without rushing everywhere. But I’m still a bit unsure: when heading down to the center (Hue), is it better to book the overnight trains in advance? We don’t want to take any flights while we’re there—just use the overnight train for the long trips. But I’m worried we won’t get seats if we buy the tickets on the spot, say, 2 days before. What do the experts here think? And which website can we use to book the tickets? Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading back to Thailand in July 2026 with a stopover in Cambodia to visit the Angkor site.
After Angkor, I’ve booked a stay on Ko Chang island. Does anyone know if there are direct transport options from Cambodia to Ko Chang without having to go back through Bangkok? That would be amazing!!
I think there are, but I’d need more details!!
I went to Thailand in February 2025 and don’t remember having to apply for a visa—is that still the case now? And for Cambodia too?
Thanks so much!!!
Laurence from Bayonne
Hi,
After our trip to China, we want to spend a week in the Philippines for some beach time and snorkeling.
We're looking for the best spot to settle in—nice beaches, great marine life, and short transfer times.
Thanks for your suggestions!
