Hi there,
Yesterday in the Thailand section, 100% of the new threads were just about beach destinations 😕...
So here’s the counterattack in the form of this photo thread, dedicated solely to the countryside: the locals, their livestock, fields, farms, rice paddies, small rivers, and agricultural machinery. If you’ve got any pictures that fit these categories, feel free to add them!
Comments welcome.
For each photo, I’ll (or you can) indicate the area where it was taken.
The country just the way we love it. Well, we love all its sides!
« 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
Thanks for starting this photographic conversation.
Great lighting on the farmer’s sidecar in his rice field.
Sugarcane is one of the main crops in Kanchanaburi Province, and during the right season, these trucks transporting it (sometimes in convoys) are a common sight on Route 323. Watch out for the frequent falling canes if you're in the vehicle behind.
« 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’d spotted it online—the area around Ban Tha Song. Hardly anyone makes it there. Gotta say, you’re quite the adventurer! 🙂
« 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’d spotted it online—the area around Ban Tha Song
Ban Tha Song Yang or just Tha Song Yang? Two separate villages on the same Route 105. Since "ban" is just a prefix meaning "village," you could say both have the exact same name—so much so that even cartographers often mix them up, merging them into one spot despite the ~50 km between them (same thing on Google Earth).
Both sit along the Moei River, which forms the border with Myanmar in this area.
Tha Song Yang: the southernmost of the two, about 2 hours by songthaew north of Mae Sot. A really peaceful, pleasant spot with hang yao service for locals crossing between the two countries. A few places to stay (including a decent hotel), some street food stalls, a market, and a 7-Eleven.
Transport: six daily songthaews covering the full Mae Sot–Mae Sariang route, plus a songthaew every 20 minutes from Mae Sot to Tha Song Yang.
Ban Tha Song Yang: about 50 km farther north. Also peaceful and quiet, with a steady flow of hang yaos shuttling locals between the two countries. Thai is barely spoken here, and English isn’t at all—Karen is the dominant language. A few food stalls and a small market for meals, but no accommodations (so a soup vendor let me sleep in her shop after bringing me a mat, mosquito net, fan, and a multi-dish meal from her home).
Transport: the same six daily songthaews that run the full Mae Sot–Mae Sariang route.
Hi there,
What a great initiative!
These photos really reinforce my idea of planning my next trip to a rural area, far from the crowds.
I also have similar photos from my last trip, but since I haven’t covered that aspect yet in my travel journal, I’ll post them later once I’ve made more progress on it.
The countryside around Sukhothai
A few hours by tuk-tuk through the countryside around Sukhothai in February.
There’s rice, heavily sprayed with pesticides by workers without protection.
A modern planting machine... broken down.
In a village, a fighting cock enthusiast and his trophies.
In a travelers' forum, it's rare to see the words "countryside" and "Sukhothai" together in the same sentence...
Bravo and thanks for your series of photos.
You're right, when you go to Sukhothai, it's for the temples of the ancient capital. I've been to Thailand often in January or February to show my friends around the country. But at that time of year, you don't see many active rice fields. I had noticed there were some around Sukhothai. When I went back two years later, I saw that a French guy was organizing countryside discovery tours by bike. Personally, biking between rice fields—I tried that in Vietnam—it's not for me. As soon as I see water, I panic! I asked him if he could organize the tour by tuk-tuk instead, which he did, but not exactly on the same paths. My husband and I did it by tuk-tuk with an adorable cycling champion who guided the tuk-tuk driver and acted as our English-speaking guide, while my friends did the tour by bike. It was fun, not too expensive, and no taxi would have taken us on that route. Plus, when it's really hot, you're better off in a tuk-tuk than on a bike.
In Sukhothai, we stayed at a charming guesthouse that arranged an appointment for me with an extraordinary masseuse—kind of like a local grandmother, no zen music, no incense, or lotus photos. In the evening, there was a nice food court and night market too.
As for the countryside, I've been several times to the east, in Nang Rong, where I sponsored children. They speak Khmer there, and it's near the Khmer temple of Phanom Rung. In winter, the rice fields are dry, adults head to the city to find work, and the kids stay with grandparents or aunts. I took lots of photos in villages that still work with silk and were trying to make a living from their weaving.
I really liked Pattalung—it's off the beaten path, but it's more of a lakeside town than countryside, so it doesn't quite fit your theme.
The following photos were taken near Nong Khao (northeast of Kanchanaburi city on the road to Suphanburi). All the rice fields in the area were harvested in a single long day by an independent contractor with two machines that worked non-stop until late into the night. Some owners haul the rice away by truck, while others keep it on-site on tarps.
The end of the harvest day didn’t lead to any celebratory meal.
Photos of farmers overseeing the work are already posted further up in this thread.
« 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,
What a great initiative!
These photos reinforce my idea of taking a next trip to rural areas, far from the crowds.
I also have this kind of photos from my last trip, but since I haven’t covered this aspect in my travel journal yet, I’ll post them later when I’ve made more progress.
Actually, all the photos in this thread are amazing! I just scrolled through the whole post, and it almost makes me want to go, even though I’m not (no longer) drawn to Thailand.
Thanks for this lovely selection.
I notice you also find countryside spots in Bangkok—that’s great.
And that’s not even all of them... But yeah, I discovered some totally unexpected countryside places right in the heart of Bangkok, and it was delightful!
Here are a few photos I took this morning shortly after 7 a.m. during my morning walk through the rice fields, 20 km from Chiang Rai, where I arrived two days ago. And I thought a lot about Songsam. Who would’ve guessed he’d be with me here? 😢 🤗
I’m dedicating these photos to you, Thierry—I know you’ll appreciate them.
And here he is, so cheerful from his tractor, hands pressed together, letting go of the wheel and leaning forward to greet me with a big smile as he approached. But in the photo, you mostly see the magnificent tractor up close and not so much the smile. So I’m not posting it.
What exactly is he doing?
Marabou storks or some kind of Asian stork? Either way, they were feasting.
And it was another farmer who pointed them out to me—I hadn’t noticed them at first.
And here I was, worried I’d get scolded for walking through their fields...
With an incredible urge to pee and still not knowing if it’s okay to relieve myself in nature. My driver last year hinted that it wasn’t a good idea... Thais aren’t like Indians, who pee anywhere, even in the middle of the city 😠. But in nature? I used all sorts of tricks because after my tea, I had to empty my bladder three times (which never fully empties, by the way...). I can already hear someone saying I’m oversharing... She doesn’t like what I write, but she never misses one of my posts... 🤗
And this one—I thought he was spraying pesticide, but I saw a shower of little things coming out of his machine. Maybe fertilizer?
And her? She was sowing by hand, like we used to do when I was a kid... But what was she sowing? Rice?
Either way, everyone, completely absorbed in their work, still took the time to greet me cheerfully
Yes, everywhere in the country, people greet you, and the vast majority are friendly and exceptionally polite.
Yes, they use pesticides as much as they can, with a lack of regulations that would shock any French farmer, leading to far too many cases of cancer.
Yes, it’s extremely frowned upon to pee anywhere in nature. That said, while traveling through the country, you’ll regularly see workers taking a quick leak. When you’re far from home on a construction site with no toilets available yet, you’re not gonna hold it just for the sake of appearances.
« 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
Yes, it’s really frowned upon to pee anywhere in nature. (...)
When you’re a good distance from home, on a construction site where there aren’t any toilets yet, you’re not gonna hold it just for the sake of propriety.
And when you’re an older man hiking, far from home—and any welcoming temple—with health issues (prostate), it’s the same deal. So for the past two days, I’ve been breaking this kind of unfair rule. Still, I make sure no one’s around, and banana trees and other lush bushes act as walls...
Morning walk and immersion in rural life around Chiang Rai.
I made two local discoveries in this village.
1/ In India, people don’t respect the environment, their neighbors, or passersby and turn nature into a dump. But at home, it’s spotless. You could eat off the floor. Here, it’s the opposite—outside, everything looks neat and flowery, but inside, what a mess! Farmyards are real filthy dumps.
2/ The houses on the village’s main street have pretty gardens and flowery doorsteps, but as soon as you turn onto the side streets, every house and garden is surrounded by really high, ugly cinderblock walls. Walking between these horrible rows of walls feels like prison corridors. Is it to hide the squalor they live in from passersby?
Thankfully, there are the rice fields...
I think I’ve figured out rice cultivation: you scatter the seeds by hand, collect the seedlings that sprout, and transplant them one by one—very carefully and... aesthetically. What a job! And then... the harvest...?
But honestly, I don’t understand what they were doing here. They were loading a truck with these rolls, but I couldn’t get close enough to see what was inside because of the mud...
I came across a pig farm. Beautiful, well-fed, clean, and pink, but... terribly confined in individual cages...
This one broke my heart with its gaze, so I removed the bars... Plus, it wouldn’t stop talking to me. Seriously, I swear! More welcoming than the dogs...
Thanks so much, Marien, for these two new near-live series—I’m really enjoying them!
le magnifique tracteur
Gorgeous, and a 4x4 on top of that, so probably not a "poor farmer" (though he stayed loyal to Kubota)—maybe it was a contractor. Once, at Jodelavega’s place, I had a blast doing some minor work on his tractor (not 4x4). Since it’s the only four-wheeled vehicle I know how to drive, I took the opportunity.
And I was worried I’d get yelled at for walking through their fields...
As long as it’s during the day and you’re behaving respectfully and modestly, there’s not much to worry about. That said, you *do* need to watch out for stray dogs. That’s why I never walk in the countryside (including on its small roads) without a stick. Usually, just standing up straight and raising the stick (or a rock) is enough to scare them off—they’re often more dumb than brave. The same advice goes for biking in those areas, and there’s the added risk of falling, so always keep a stick in your basket.
Only once have I been bitten by a stray dog—ironically, it was in a city, but in India, in Pushkar. When I got back to the guesthouse, I asked if I should see a doctor. The owner looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Why? Just wait for it to heal." So that’s what I did.
But in Nature? I used all kinds of tricks because after my tea, I had to empty my bladder three times.
What, peeing on the king’s land??? Better not tell you the punishment for such a crime...
Just kidding. Do what (almost) everyone does everywhere: hide.
As for the machine I saw in the countryside around Sukhothai, it unrolls rice seedlings! No more manual transplanting for those who can afford it! In France, they sell rolls of turf on the same principle..
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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!
Does anyone know of a private transfer or taxi company that organizes transfers from the Sukhothai area to Chiang Mai?
Our routes are Sukhothai-Lampang, Lampang-Chom Thong, and Chom Thong-Chiang Mai.
My searches on Google Maps, 12Go, and others haven’t turned up much...
For our Bangkok-Sukhothai trips, I use a company I’ve already tried, but they don’t have a fleet available from Sukhothai and have to go through third-party companies—which, understandably, take their commission. This nearly doubles the prices...
There are four of us, and we’re not traveling light, so a minibus isn’t an option. ;-)
Kanchanaburi:
A modern planting machine... broken down.
A "local whisky" distillery.
Women processing and drying fish.
