For the past two months, I’ve been checking flight ticket prices to spend 4.5 weeks in Thailand from early July to early August. I’m traveling from Brussels with a young child, so I want to avoid layovers. That’s why I’m only looking at Thai Airways’ website and only choosing direct flights.
At the end of August, I saw tickets for 955 € per person.
On October 1st, they were 1,225 €.
Today (October 22nd), the price is the same as on October 1st. (Same dates: Departure: July 4th, Return: August 7th.)
My question is: Is it possible these prices will drop significantly in the coming months?
Note: I clear my browser cache before every search, which I always do during the week and in the evening. This time, I also checked with my work computer, which has a VPN. So, the price isn’t influenced by cookies.
When I have the chance to buy tickets well in advance, I usually find the best fares about 5 months before departure. And prices tend to be lowest at the start of the week.
So in your case, that would be late January or early February.
For several years now, I’ve found the best prices almost a year in advance.
« 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 only look for my tickets on the Thai Airways website, and I only choose direct flights.
If you only look at flights from the same airline, you’re missing out on the competition, and direct flights are often more expensive than those with a layover. Would a layover halfway be too much of a hassle with a child? On the contrary, couldn’t it provide a beneficial break?
The answer isn’t straightforward because we can only give advice, not foot the bill. Over the past few years, there haven’t been any hard-and-fast rules about how far in advance to buy tickets to get the lowest price.
When I first started traveling to Thailand, I’d book my ticket 3–4 months ahead. But life’s taken a different turn, and for the last ~35 trips, I’ve never booked more than 10 days in advance (sometimes just 2 or 3 days before departure). That’s let me see prices often drop significantly in that window, hitting their lowest point. But I’m always flexible with my dates by 2–3 days. Still, I know my approach might not work for you—especially since you’re not traveling solo.
Booking almost a year in advance is another extreme. The longer you wait before your trip, the higher the chance something comes up (family, health, work) that could prevent you from going. And that risk multiplies with each family member traveling with you. If you have to cancel, at best you’ll only get a partial refund—at worst, you lose everything.
If I were you, I’d pick a middle ground between those two extremes.
If you're really set on a direct flight, you're lucky to live in Belgium at least. You can try other airlines from nearby hubs like Amsterdam, Paris, or maybe Frankfurt—but I think it's Munich instead.
But a layover isn’t bad—it’s actually great, even really nice, and makes for a more pleasant flight. Cheaper for better service, too.
At the end of August, I saw tickets at 955 € per person.
On October 1st, they were at 1225 €.
Hi, it's simple—over two months, people bought tickets for this travel window.
Online ticket sales sites operate on the law of supply and demand.
The more buyers there are, the more ticket prices tend to rise.
Obviously, Thailand is a very popular destination.
That said, if you find good last-minute deals, it’s because the airline is discounting its unsold tickets.
I think buying your ticket almost a year in advance is another extreme because the longer the wait before departure, the higher the risk of something coming up (family, health, work...) that prevents you from leaving. Plus, that risk is multiplied by the number of people in your family traveling together. And if you cancel, at best you’re only partially refunded, at worst you lose everything.
Totally agree.
When I first started traveling to Thailand, I used to buy my ticket 3-4 months in advance. But over the last ~35 trips, life meant I never booked more than 10 days before departure (sometimes just 2 or 3 days). That’s let me see that prices often drop significantly during that time, sometimes hitting their lowest. But I always stay flexible with my dates by 2-3 days. Still, I get that my answer might not work for you since you’re not traveling alone.
I think buying your ticket almost a year in advance is another extreme because the longer the wait before departure, the higher the risk of something coming up (family, health, work...) that prevents you from leaving. Plus, that risk is multiplied by the number of people in your family traveling together. And if you cancel, at best you’re only partially refunded, at worst you lose everything.
If I were you, I’d pick a middle ground between those two extremes.
I don’t think this is specific to Thailand.
For many years now, I’ve been buying my tickets no more than 2-3 months in advance, and I’ve noticed that prices are lower than what I saw 6 months earlier.
I recently had proof of this again for a trip to Cape Verde.
Just a heads-up: searching occasionally hasn’t led to price increases in my case (at least not for me personally).
Since I don’t have a personal car, traveling from a nearby airport doesn’t save me money (it means taking train tickets, a night in a hotel, etc.), and it adds an extra day to the trip.
For the past two months, I’ve been checking flight ticket prices to spend 4.5 weeks in Thailand from early July to early August. I’m flying from Brussels with a young child, so I want to avoid layovers. That’s why I’m only looking at Thai Airways’ website and only choosing direct flights.
At the end of August, I saw tickets for 955 € per person.
On October 1st, they were 1225 €.
Today (October 22nd), the price is the same as on October 1st. (Same dates: Departure: July 4th, Return: August 7th.)
My question is: is it possible that these prices will drop significantly in the coming months?
Note: I clear my browser cache before each search, which I always do during the week and in the evening. This time, we also checked with my work computer, which has a VPN. So, the price isn’t influenced by cookies.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and advice.
Damien
Hey,
Your destination and dates in July-August mean prices are likely to rise quickly in the coming months because flights will fill up fast.
Personally, since I don’t travel to tourist destinations or during school holidays, I do the opposite and book my flights 10-15 days before my chosen departure date.
In your case, you’ve chosen the most expensive options (capital-to-capital, July-August, no layovers, and two dates falling on weekends).
If you don’t want to change your plan, at least try nearby airports (using all airlines on Google Flights).
Otherwise, the cheapest flights are those with long layovers—I choose them for the price and to enjoy visiting the cities where I have layovers without paying extra to get there.
I think with long flights, a kid needs to stretch their legs (a layover is ideal for that).
The cheapest flights are also usually the early morning ones.
It also depends on your exact destination (Bangkok, Phuket, etc.).
For your dates, there are flights with a short layover for around 900 € with a single airline for both legs (Cathay Pacific).
Indeed. It lacks a bit of light in winter, but otherwise it's a very pleasant city—small and very green, yet with the advantages of a big one (cosmopolitan vibe, cultural offerings...). Many Parisians are leaving the City of Light to settle here—which means you can find more and more excellent French bakeries. :-)
I don’t know if we can lay down absolute truths in this area 😕
Whether it’s a long or short time in advance, day or night, at work or at home... I’ve managed to find really cheap tickets to Asia without any set search rules, but mostly by dedicating quite a bit of time to it—running different simulations, setting up alerts on search engines, and, let’s be honest, sometimes just getting lucky!
As you mentioned, having flexibility of 2-3 days in your dates is a plus, as is choosing between different departure airports.
Hi Mathews,
You’ve summed up the situation perfectly for me. At 82, I’ve tried a lot of things over the years, but I haven’t been able to pin down any hard-and-fast rules—except that filling up the plane seems to matter.
For the past 20 years or so, I’ve followed another tip from an Asian airline: buying tickets through a Chinese agency. At worst, it’s the same price, but often it’s cheaper.
Sometimes they even buy their tickets directly in Bangkok for Thailand flights. Recently, for a Paris-Tokyo round trip, we paid just 10 € less but got premium economy, two 23kg checked bags per person, *and* agency service. Quite the experience!
After contacting a few travel agencies—one of which told me that prices can’t drop unless a group cancellation happens (airlines set these prices based on flight booking levels, as Matthew explained earlier)—I’m starting to regret not buying my tickets back in August.
Which leads me to my question: Does the following still hold true when you have cancellation insurance (I have one through my VISA GOLD, and I’ve linked the specific terms at the end of this message)?
I think buying your ticket almost a year in advance is another extreme because the longer the wait before departure, the higher the risk of something coming up (family, health, work...) that prevents you from leaving. Plus, that risk multiplies with each family member traveling together. And if you have to cancel, at best you’re only partially refunded—at worst, you lose everything.
Are cancellation insurance policies an effective solution if something goes wrong?
Hi Damien,
I read all 4 pages of the terms and conditions—it looks like the coverage is pretty comprehensive and the exclusions seem logical, but since I’m not an expert on the subject, I can’t really vouch for it.
AXA is definitely not some small, obscure insurance company.
Yes, end of August 2025. My partner has a severe lung infection that spread to the pericardium. In short, 16 days in intensive care, etc. On the day of discharge, the agency handled all the necessary insurance paperwork for a total of 450 €. The agency reimbursed me for the airfare taxes—the contractual part of the Paris-Tokyo-Hanoi-Paris ticket. Within a month, I was back to square one financially. The hotel, unfortunately booked through Agoda, took longer and was more complicated, but it was reimbursed within a month and a half.
Nothing to complain about.
Eric
What I wanted to know is if anyone on the forum has had experience with cancellation and insurance intervention.
Hello,
A few years ago, my husband was urgently hospitalized (pulmonary embolism) the day before a trip to South Africa. The flight tickets were fully refunded by the insurance on our Visa Gold card.
Best regards,
Françoise
This has never happened to us, but a couple of friends—one of whom got sick—had no problem getting a quick refund for the sick person’s ticket. However, for the healthy spouse, it was more difficult and took much longer... but they eventually succeeded. 😄 They had taken out travel insurance in addition to the one from their gold credit card.
What I wanted to know is if anyone on the forum had experience with cancellation and insurance intervention.
Hi there,
I have the same insurance as you (the one from my Visa Gold card), which worked really well for reimbursing flights and hotels for both my partner and me after a scaphoid fracture. They asked for a medical certificate and X-rays.
Another time, I got reimbursed for a flight after my employer refused my leave request. Gold just needed the refusal letter.
In both cases, the process was pretty straightforward despite the paperwork, communication with the insurer was smooth, and the reimbursement was quick. For the partner’s share, you need to be married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting, and, of course, have paid for everything with the Gold card.
Every year, I call them to ask for the latest version of the general terms and conditions. They’ve changed before, especially for rental car insurance.
What I wanted to know was if anyone on the forum had experience with cancellation and insurance intervention.
My father-in-law was very ill; the doctors couldn’t tell us how much longer he had. We had a flight booked, along with hotels and a rental car. We couldn’t bring ourselves to leave knowing he might pass away while we were gone. I called our travel cancellation insurance, and they gave us two options.
First option: go as planned, and if he passed away, they would cover the cost of a faster return flight and reimburse the "unused" services—hotels, the car, and any non-refundable bookings.
Second option: not go on the trip at all, and the insurance would cover all the non-refundable bookings.
We chose the second option—no way we wanted to go on vacation in that situation. After sending the medical certificate, the insurance reimbursed us in less than two weeks.
The same insurance also covered some costs when we had to cancel our trip because of Covid.
For the past two months, I’ve been checking flight prices for a 4.5-week trip to Thailand from early July to early August. I’m leaving from Brussels with a young child, so I really want to avoid layovers. That’s why I’m only looking at Thai Airways’ website and only considering direct flights.
At the end of August, I saw tickets for 955 € per person.
On October 1st, they were 1,225 €.
Today (October 22nd), the price is the same as on October 1st. (Same dates: Departure: July 4th, Return: August 7th.)
My question is: is it possible that these prices will drop significantly in the coming months?
Note: I clear my browser cache before every search, which I always do during the week and in the evening. This time, we also checked on my work computer, which has a VPN. So, the price isn’t influenced by cookies.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and advice.
Damien
Hello,
If, for personal reasons, you absolutely want to take a direct flight from Brussels to Bangkok, then there’s really only one airline to consider!
You should try searching with slightly different departure and return dates—this might change the prices.
But don’t get your hopes up: Thailand is no longer a budget destination, and that’s been the case for a while now.
Happy searching!
I was re-reading one of Aroythai’s posts and thought I’d answer my own question after doing more research (and still not buying my tickets, which are super expensive!):
- If you’re flexible (dates, airports, layovers, airlines), there are clearly opportunities to grab if you go by all the feedback pointing that way,
- But if you’re picky (wanting a direct flight, specific dates and airports, traveling during school holidays), it’s best to book as soon as tickets go on sale (1 year in advance) because prices just keep climbing.
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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.
For a 4-month stay in Egypt, I had ENORMOUS problems. The regulations are very bureaucratic and extremely nitpicky there. For a 4-month stay in the Philippines, I was wondering if the procedures are just as complicated? I’m bringing my cell phone with an eSIM. Should I choose a plan from Canada for use in the Philippines, or should I get a plan only once I arrive? After 30 days, do I renew with the Canadian provider I chose before leaving, or do I switch to a local company? Do I need to register my phone with the authorities in the Philippines? (That was the case in Egypt.) For the 3rd and 4th months, will it be just as simple—renewing with a Canadian or local provider—or should I expect problems?
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!
