Je reste 2 jours à Sapa (vendredi 30 nov et samedi 1er déc)
Alors comme ce sera du ultra-rapido, si vous connaissez un guide à réserver (si c'est indispensable ???), et un hotel sympa et pas cher, je prend note avec grand plaisir.
Merci bcp bcp d'avance pour vos info!!!
Avec des amis, nous sommes passés deux fois à SAPA et nous avons sympathisé avec le patron d'une Auberge, dont je ne peux pas dire le nom pour ne pas faire de publicité ici, mais tout le monde le connaît. Je ne connais pas le prix pratiqué pour les chambres aux individuels parce que nous étions un petit groupe pris en charge par une agence.
Je peux cependant dire que l'hôtel est charmant, situé en plein centre, sur la voie principale de SAPA. On y mange une cuisine excellente et, si le patron vous trouve sympa, il vous fera visiter son jardin en terrasse. De plus, le soir, s'il fait froid, on peut avoir un bon feu de cheminée, sans fumée, car le tirage est excellent !
De plus, les fils de la maison font aussi les guides. Ils ont affiché sur le mur du restaurant les circuits du coin. Mais on peut aussi aller à l'Office de Tourisme où l'on trouve des fascicules pour les randonnées et tous les renseignements utiles.
SAPA est une ville tellement touristique maintenant que tout le monde peut y trouver son bonheur !
Tu vas pouvoir profiter du marché du Samedi soir qui est un très joli spectacle, surtout avec les costumes des DAO ROUGE qui sont magnifiques. Vas aussi faire une petite incursion au marché couvert ethnique : j'ai passé un très bon moment avec les dames HMONG NOIR en leur achetant des "bandes molletières" !
Bien sûr, les touristes sont omniprésents, mais on trouve toujours l'occasion de faire de belles rencontres avec les habitants et, le soir, après 20 h, dans les rues de la ville, hors centre touristique, il n'y a presque personne ! C'est le moment de faire une promenade romantique autour du petit lac artificiel si on veut, encore, se dégourdir les jambes. Je dis encore, car les excursions de la journée peuvent déjà bien mettre les randonneurs sur les rotules !
De plus, il ne faut pas se mettre des préjugés dans la tête, comme je l'ai fait pour TA PHIN, le village DAO ROUGE. Je ne voulais pas y aller car c'est, selon certains guides touristiques, un "village-vitrine" et j'avais peur de n'y trouver que des touristes... Mais, il faut toujours compter sur la chance, le jour où nous y sommes allées, il pleuvait un peu et, sur place, presque pas de touristes ! Nous avons ainsi pu échanger avec toutes les petites vendeuses entrer dans la maison de l'une d'elle, et admirer le paysage qui en vaut vraiment la peine, même sous la pluie intermittente !
Pour ma part, je garde encore un autre souvenir ébloui de notre promenade dans la vallée de LAO CHAI : un parcours à pied d'environ 8 km, où nous avions été acheminés à moto car la route n'était pas praticable en voiture. Peut-être cela a-t-il changé ? En tout cas, la vue plongeante sur le paysage de rizières en terrasse est vraiment magnifique. Se balader dans les deux villages de cette vallée, par beau temps, est un plaisir inoubliable.
Peut-être trouveras-tu, en tant qu'individuelle, d'autres parcours aussi magnifiques ? C'est ce que je te souhaite.
Bonjour,
nous n'avons pas fait les trucs de touristes et avons loué un scooter et fait un grand tour toute une journée. c'etait merveilleux. nous sommes passés par des endroits splendides dans lesquels nous ne serions jamais allés avec un guide.
en descendant du train des dizaines; voire meme des centaines de gens/guides vont vous sauter dessus. nous, nous avons pris un bus/taxi sommes allés à sapa, avons trouvé un hotel à 10$ avec une superbe vue et avons loué le scooter (il me smble que ça coutait 4 ou 5$ maxi par jour). ça vaut vraiment le cout comme ça. ensuite, quand meme curieux nous avons pris un jeune guide qui nous a emmené là ou sont tous les touristes, dans les villages (dont l'entrée est quand meme payante!!!) qui sont vraiment mignons et finalement tres typiques mais on a quand meme l'impression d'etre sur un parcours touristique et c pas tres agreable.
je crois que la journée de balade en scooter est un de mes plus jolis souvenirs du vietnam...
JE VIENS DE QUITTER LE VIETNAM OU NOUS AVONS AUSSI PASSE 5 JOURS A SAPA.
MON PLUS BEAU SOUVENIR ETAIT EN EFFET LA BALADE EN MOTO. NOUS AVONS ETE JUSQU'AU VILLAGE DE BAN PHO ET A 15 MINUTES DE LA IL Y A PARAIT IL DES BAINS CHAUDS (nous n'avons pas essaye).
L'HOTEL OU NOUS ETIONS S'APPELE LE ROYAL SAPA JUSTE SUR LA VALLEE AVEC UNE VUE GENIALE (demander la 201, 202 ou 301, 302). L'HOTEL N'EST PAS EXTRA MAIS POUR 15$ on ne peut pas se plaindre. POUR LE PETIT DEJEUNER NOUS ALLIONS A BAGUETTE ET CHOCOLAT QUI EST A LA FIN DE LA ROUTE PRINCIPALE DANS UNE MONTEE. VOUS TROUVEREZ FACILEMENT IL EST DANS TOUS LES GUIDES.
EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES GUIDES, NOUS AVONS PRIS UN GUIDE DE L'HOTEL (HUNG), IL PARLE UN TRES BON ANGLAIS ET EST INCROYABLEMENT GENTIL. LE CHAUFFEUR AUSSI (FU). NOUS AVONS FAIT UN TOUR HORS PISTE VERS LE VILLAGE DE TA PHIN MAIS EN Y ALLANT A PIED (5 heures de trek). DITES A HUNG QUE VOUS NE VOULEZ PAS ETRE PRIS DANS LES HORDES DE TOURISTES ET IL VOUS ARRANGERA L'ITINERAIRE IDEAL.
SAPA EST TRES TOURISTIQUE MAIS SI ON S'ARRANGE POUR FAIRE LES VISITES DANS LE SENS CONTRAIRE DES TOURS C'EST VRAIMENT SUPER. MALHEUREUSEMENT AUSSI LES VILLAGES VISITES SONT TOUJOURS LES MEMES (TA PHIN, TAVAN, CAT CAT, LAO CHAI ET BAC HA) DONC TRES DUR DE NE PAS CROISER LES AUTRES TOURISTES.
A L'HOTEL DEMANDEZ MR MANH (ou mike en anglais), IL EST UN PEU TROP AU PETIT SOIN MAIS EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES VISITES IL NOUS A BIEN RENSEIGNE ET NOUS A AIDE A TOUT ORGANISER SUR PLACE. LE DIMANCHE NOUS AVONS ETE A BAC HA POUR LE MARCHE MAIS A PART LE MARCHE LA VILLE NE PRESENTE AUCUN INTERET, JE CONSILLE DE DORMIR AILLEURS OU DE RENTRER SUR SAPA.
ENFIN VOILA MES IDEES, LE TOUR A MOTO A FAIRE ABSOLUMENT! LES MARCHES A SAPA SONT SUPERBES AUSSI AINSI QUE LA DANSE DES AMOUREUX SUR LA PLACE PRINCIPALE A PARTIR DE 18H. MAIS SUROTUT FAITES DU TREKKING, CA VAUT LE COUP ET ARRETEZ VOUS DANS LES VILLAGES, SI VOUS PRENEZ HUNG IL VOUS FERA DEJEUNER DANS DES MAISONS TRADITIONNELLES, COUS Y SEREZ SEULS, C'EST SUPER AGREABLE.
BON VOYAGE ET BON SEJOUR AU VIETNAM, JE VOUS ENVIE DEJA!
NAYLA
Oh si! s'il te plaît donne moi le nom... stp stp stp 🙂
on sait que c'est pas un site de pub mais de bon plan.
En tout cas ton expérience, donne envie de se laisser charmer par cet endroit et ses habitants.
Merci.
PS: Bon si tes principes t'empêchent d'écrire le nom de l'hotel, tu peux me donner les 2 premières lettres et les deux dernières, je m'amuserais à deviner dans mon routard (oOups! j'ai fait de la pub ...😏)
Si tu cherches SAPA dans un guide, tu trouveras obligatoirement la seule et unique AUBERGE de M. DAN TRUNG. Son établissement est situé dans la rue principale et, de la terrasse, on peut voir la circulation et la vie qui s'y déroule. J'ai aimé voir le manège des femmes DAO qui fondent sur les touristes comme de grosses mouches noires ! Mais, ce n'est pas péjoratif dans ma bouche : au contraire, pour qui prend la peine de leur parler, on peut passer un bon moment à échanger, sans pourtant rien acheter... Si, d'aventure, on veut leur faire plaisir, on peut acheter un petit quelque chose. Moi, quand j'achète, je le fais toujours à une jeune maman avec son bébé sur le dos, ou à une femme âgée avec laquelle je me sens plus d'affinités (vu mon grand âge !)
En 2003, nous avions dormi à l'hôtel HAM RONG, qui est une ancienne villa coloniale, aux chambres immenses et hautes de plafond, mais les murs laissaient passer tous les bruits ! De plus, c'était un peu éloigné du centre-ville (tout est relatif car SAPA est toute petite !), mais juste en bas de la route qui mène à la "Colline de la Mâchoire du Dragon", un jardin botanique qui vaut le détour pour qui aime la nature et les fleurs et de là on a une belle vue sur SAPA et la campagne alentours.
Nous avions dîné chez M. DAN TRUNG qui nous avait pris en sympathie et a tenu absolument à nous faire voir son jardin en terrasse : il faisait nuit, il y avait de la brume, mais il a allumé toutes les lumières pour nous le faire admirer ! Je l'ai photographié en train de nous faire voir avec fierté une bouture de roses qu'il avait faite... Nous avons vu le résultat de sa bouture en 2007. C'est un petit rosier portant de jolies roses rose.
Je ne connais pas les tarifs des chambres, mais peut-être celles avec cheminée sont plus chères ? En tout cas, nous en avons bien profité : la chambre était très mignonne et le feu était magnifique !
Je pense qu'avec ma réponse et celle de Nayla, tu as déjà quelques informations.
Si tu cherche un hotel pour Sapa je te recommande le Lotus Hotel, le Pinnochio (tous 2 situes dans Cau May street) ou le Cat Cat (un peu plus cher.)
Pour le guide, je serais heureux d'etre ton guide francophone. J'habite ici depuis plus de 2 ans et je connait tres bien les environs et les minoritees (j'ai meme ete guide pour un hotel.)
Je travaille en freelance.
Contacte moi par mp si tu est interesse ou sur tsen_ang@hotmail.com.
Je pars en avril prochain pour un voyage de 3 semaines au Vietnam.😎
Je vois que vous avez trouvé un hôtel à Sapa pour 10$. J'y serai pour 4 jours.
Je serais intéressée, pouvez-vous me donner le nom ou l'adresse de cet hôtel svp.
Vous remerciant d'avance
I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of markets. No matter where I go, in every country or city I visit, I won’t leave without having seen one. I’m mostly talking about food markets. I love the smells, the colors, and watching people from all walks of life stroll around. It’s like a mirror of a country’s culture, and I love soaking it all in.
Thai markets are particularly appealing to me. In my province, there are so many. Maybe more than elsewhere—I’m not sure—but every day, you can find a "Talat Nat." These are traveling markets that set up in specific places on specific days. They only stay open for a few hours. Some attract more shoppers than others because they have more stalls and a wider variety of products. Sometimes, they’re set up in pretty unusual spots: temples, roadside, even on train tracks...
On top of these, there are also markets in the city that stay open all day.
I’d love for you to share your photos of markets, local product stalls, and why not, let’s talk about gastronomy and cuisine too!
I’ll start with my favorite market—it’s 8 kilometers from my place and happens every Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM. I never miss a Tuesday unless there’s a downpour... 😉 It’s located in the countryside, in a village famous for its coffee (ThamSing), and inside the grounds of a slightly unusual temple. It’s easy to get to—over the past 10 years, the roads have been paved, which wasn’t the case before and made the trip a bit risky when it rained...
In the first two photos, you’ll see the temple courtyard on a normal day, without the market.
I’d like to do a kind of personal retreat this winter and I’m looking for a destination near the sea (preferably an island) that’s quiet. Is that possible in Thailand, or should I consider another destination?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Dayi
We’re 49 years old, love beautiful landscapes, meeting locals, discovering local food and traditions, and we avoid overly touristy places.
We enjoy hiking, cycling, running, and diving.
This is our first time in Thailand (my husband knows Bangkok).
We arrive on Friday, November 13th in Bangkok (city visit) and return on Friday, November 27th.
We’re considering heading south (possibly toward Krabi) from the 14th to the 18th to enjoy the beautiful beaches, go diving, and see Khao Sok...
Then back to Bangkok and on to Kanchanaburi to see the Sai Yok Noi waterfalls, followed by a bike visit to Ayutthaya.
From there, we’d take an overnight train to the north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Lantern Festival from November 21st to 25th.
On the 26th, we’d take a flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (city visit), and on the 27th, we have our flight back to France.
Does this itinerary seem too packed?
Should we remove some things to avoid feeling rushed and fully enjoy the trip?
Do you recommend anything other than Krabi?
This September, my partner and I are heading to North Sulawesi for 3 weeks. Our international flight is with Malaysia Airlines, departing from Paris. We have a layover in KL, then fly to Denpasar, followed by a domestic flight from Denpasar to Manado. We land in Bali Denpasar on 05/09 around 12:00 PM, and our flight to Manado is on 07/09 at 1:30 AM. The plan was to have at least one night (from the 5th to the 6th of September) between our international flight and our flight to Manado, just to recharge a bit since we're not 20 anymore 😛. My question is, given the very short stop in Bali (a day and a half), is it better to stay in Denpasar rather than go to Ubud for the night? I’ve been to Bali before, and from what I remember, even though the distances are short, transfers take a long time because of the extremely heavy traffic—but I was there in July, not September. I’m not sure if that makes a big difference?
If the answer is "it’s better to stay in Denpasar," are there any nice places to visit? There’s very little feedback about the city since tourists usually don’t stick around.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
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.
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
Hi everyone.
I’m heading to Malaysia for five weeks over the holiday season.
I just found out that tourists can pay by QR code like locals (street food, small shops) to avoid using cash.
This works with apps like Wise or TNG eWallet.
Has anyone tried this system before?
Hi everyone,
I’ll be in western Malaysia for 20 days in January and February.
I’m coming from southern Thailand to Ipoh for the Thaipusam festivities.
Then it’s off to Pangkor Island.
I’ll finish up in Malacca for the Chinese New Year celebrations before heading to Singapore.
I’ve got a 6-day gap.
I was thinking of going to K.Lipis for the jungle train and heading to Dabong, but the caves might not be open.
Any suggestions around K.L.?
Day treks?
A stopover between K.L. and Malacca?
Thanks
Hi, I’ve read that these two volcanoes are super popular and that there are *tons* of people for sunrise, especially in July. I’m looking for firsthand accounts from anyone who’s done it later, around 9–10 a.m.
Thanks for your help!
Laëtitia
I’m heading to Cambodia at the end of December 2026 – January 2027 for 3-4 weeks. Since I’ve already visited Cambodia twice, my itinerary is a bit different this time—I’d love to explore Botum Sakor Park, Chi Pat, the Tatai region, and the Cardamom Mountains. I’m traveling solo. If you have any tips on transportation, excursions, treks, sights, or accommodations in the area, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback!
Has anyone traveled with the Laos travel agency ADV ?
I’m planning a trip to Laos and have received several quotes. Among them, this agency’s seem very reasonable, and so far, the interactions have been positive.
I’ve found a few positive reviews online, but I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve actually booked with them: how’s the organization, guide quality, accommodations, on-the-ground responsiveness, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
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...
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!
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.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
