Bonjour, nous sommes 2 à partir entre novembre et janvier 2007 au vietnam nous sommes à la recherche d'une possibilité de circuit à bord d'un bateau pour quelques jours embarqués à travers la baie minimum 3 nuits à petit prix, les tarifs proposés sur le net sont bcp trop chers merci si vous avez de bons plans.
Bonjour.
Je pars avec mon mari et mon fils en mars 07 pour le vietnam. Comme toi je suis à la recherche de bons plans. J'ai trouvé un site qui propose une ou deux nuits sur une jonque sur la baie d'Along. Tu vas sur www.apttravel.com.vn j'ai déjà réservé un hotel à saigon qui me revient à 546 USD pour 18 nuits pour nous trois petits déjeuner compris. Tu vas sur le site routard.com et tu cherches dans auberge de jeunesse.
Voilà bonne préparation de séjour.
Nadine😏
Bonjour.
Merci pour ta réponse j'ai déjà visité ce site.
J'ai prévu un budget de 4000€ pour trois adultes et 19 jours sur place, j'espère que cela sera suffisant. Mes billets d'avion sont déjà achetés.
Si tu as de bons tuyaux sur les visites etc. je suis preneuse.
Bonne journée
Bonjour.
Mon mari est né au vietnam tout près de saigon, donc c'est là que nous serons le plus je pense et cela évite de balader tous les bagages quand nous monterons sur la baie d'along. C'est un conseil que l'on nous a donné et vu le prix payé pour l'hôtel.
Nous avons de la famille là bas que nous ne connaissons pas. De plus mon mari ne parle plus vietnamien et apparament notre famille ne parle pas français, cela promet de beaux échanges.
Voilà pour les 18 nuits à saigon.
Ci-dessus une partie de mon journal que je n'ai pas encure eu le temps de mettre en ligne sur mon bog.
J'ai acheté l'excursion à ma guest house, Le Gold Dragon 95b Hang Ga - Hoan Kiem district - Hanoi. Le Gold Dragon est localisé dans le vieux quartier, les chambres sont très confortables elles sont équipées de la clim, 10$ environ peut-être un peu plus cher en pleine saison.
La première excursion que j’ai faite depuis Hanoi était d’une journée à Tam Coc. Tam Coc signifie « trois grottes », ce site d’une rare beauté est aussi appelé « la baie d’Along des rizières ». Alors que les hautes formations rocheuses de la baie d’Along se dressent au-dessus de la mer, celles de Tam Coc dominent un paysage de rizières. On se promène en canot à rames au milieu des rizières. Ce sont des femmes qui nous font visiter la région. Puis nos canots pénètrent dans une grotte, on traverse la roche pendant une bonne centaine de mètres avant de retrouver, de l’autre côté, la lumière.
Un temple se dresse sur un petit bout de terre. On accoste pour le visiter, les rameuses en profitent pour se reposer quelques minutes. Puis on repart dans le sens inverse. Les chauves souris n’apprécient pas l’invasion de leur territoire par une bande de touristes en goguette, elles virevoltent dans tous les sens en poussant leurs cris aiguës et viennent frôler nos cheveux.
La ballade en canot dure un peu plus de deux heures. Le site se trouve à une centaine de kilomètres de Hanoi. Il y a un petit bout d’autoroute à la sortie de Hanoi, ensuite c’est une route nationale à une voie très fréquentée. On roule à une moyenne de 40 kilomètres par heure. On est parti ce matin à 09h00, on est de retour un peu avant 18h00.
La deuxième excursion était un voyage de 3 jours/2 nuits dans la baie d’Along*. On passe la première nuit sur une jonque dans la baie, proche de l’île de Cat Ba. La deuxième dans un hôtel sur l’île. Le premier jour on part de Hanoi jusqu’au port d’Along d’où on embarque à bord d’une jonque. La ballade dans la baie commence pendant qu’on déjeune. Il fait très beau et très chaud. Il est difficile de rester sur le pont supérieur et de profiter des chaises longues. Je fais de fréquents aller retour entre la proue et l’intérieur de la jonque. On est un groupe de 16 personnes, de jeunes étudiants pour la plupart. Il y a bien un couple d’Australiens en vacances, les autres voyagent depuis des mois. Tous font la tournée des pays de l’Asie du Sud-Est. Alors, on partage nos expériences et informations. En milieu d’après-midi on visite la plus grande grotte de la baie, Hang Gau Do, découverte par les Français et qui l’appelaient « la grotte des merveilles ». Puis on rembarque pour poursuivre notre chemin vers la baie de Lan Ha qui se situe à l’est de l’île de Cat Ba. Cat Ba est la plus grande île de la baie d’Along. Elle abrite quelques minuscules villages de pêcheurs et une ville en plein essor. La terre étant trop rocailleuse pour l’agriculture, la plupart des résidents vivent de la mer ou du tourisme. Ces difficiles conditions d’existence ont poussé de nombreux habitants de Cat Ba à se joindre à l’exode des « boat people » vietnamiens dans les années 70 et 80. Des millions de Vietnamiens fuirent la brutale répression du régime communiste qui cherchait à punir les Vietnamiens (capitalistes) les ayant combattus. De nombreuses familles ont été divisées, brisées et certains ne souhaitent toujours pas revenir au pays malgré les appels fréquent du gouvernement leur demandant de rentrer. Il fait tout pour leur faciliter les démarches administratives. On leur fait dire que leur savoir, leur éducation pourrait bénéficier grandement au développement du nouveau Vietnam. Ils sont nombreux à hésiter. Les boat people ont trouvé refuge aux Etats-Unis, au Canada, en Australie et en Europe. Ils réfléchiront à deux fois avant de quitter des pays libres, démocratiques et retrouver la paperasserie du régime communiste. Beaucoup ont ainsi déserté l’île mais, grâce à la manne financière fournie par les parents d’outre-mer, les habitants de Cat Ba ont pu construire des hôtels et des restaurants.
Vers les 17h00, pendant qu’on naviguait au milieu de magnifiques pics rocheux plongeant dans la mer, le moteur a calé. Le soleil étant moins chaud, j’étais confortablement installé sur une chaise longue du pont supérieur, devisant avec deux jeunes New Zélandaises. Nous sommes restés là plus d’une heure avant que le moteur daigne à redémarrer.
Nous sommes arrivés relativement tard au port de Cat Ba où nous avons débarqué quelques voyageurs ayant choisis de ne pas passer la nuit à bord du bateau. Puis nous sommes allés ancrer dans la baie proche de villages flottants. On trouve également dans la baie des fermes qui pratiquent la pisciculture et l’ostréiculture. Les hommes partent pêcher en mer, ramènent leurs prises. Les poissons sont ensuite engraissés dans ces fermes flottantes avant d’être vendus sur le marché de Cat Ba. Ces gens sont très pauvres, ils n’ont pas les moyens de vivre à terre. Le plus grand village flottant à même son école. L’école n’est pas obligatoire au Vietnam et est payante. Les familles les plus pauvres ne peuvent donc pas envoyer leurs enfants à l’école. Ces enfants commencent à travailler très jeunes, ils aident leurs parents à la pêche. Ils se déplacent dans la baie à bord de petite coquille de bambou, embarcations légères et faciles à manœuvrer.
Suite à la panne du moteur, nous avons été privé d’électricité pendant une bonne partie de la soirée. Heureusement, nous l’avons eu pendant la nuit car il est impossible de dormir sous cette chaleur sans ventilateur.
Le programme de la deuxième journée était le suivant : après le petit déjeuner, on débarque sur l’île de Cat Ba, direction l’hôtel où nous passons la deuxième nuit. Après l’enregistrement un minibus nous emmène au parc national de Cat Ba situé à une quinze de kilomètres de la ville. Là-bas nous faisons une petite ballade de deux heures qui nous conduit au sommet de l’une des montagnes du parc d’où on a une vue formidable sur les environs. La descente est plus périlleuse que la montée, pour arriver au sommet nous avons escaladé des échelles rouillées peu stables.
On est de retour à l’hôtel pour la pose déjeuner.
L’après-midi est consacré au Kayaking. Un petit bateau nous conduit du port de Cat Ba au milieu de la pittoresque baie de Lan Han. L’une des fermes de pisciculture installées dans la baie s’est diversifiée, en même temps que d’élever des poissons elle loue des Kayaks au tour operator.
Ce sont des kayaks à deux places, je fais équipe avec le guide. La ballade dans la baie nous permet de découvrir de petites grottes, un lac intérieur, qu’on ne peut accéder qu’à marée basse en passant par un passage creusé dans la roche. Et, enfin, une belle plage de sable fin. On se baigne avant de prendre le chemin du retour. Les courants sont forts, ça tire sur les bras, il n’est pas facile de faire du kayak sur mer même si il y a peu de vagues.
Le troisième et le dernier jour nous faisons le chemin en sens inverse. Le ciel est voilé mais la ballade de Cat Ba à Along est aussi agréable qu’à l’aller. Après le déjeuner, un minibus nous ramène à Hanoi.
Le soir même je prends le train de nuit qui relie Hanoi à Lao Cai, ville frontalière entre le Vietnam et la Chine. Sapa* est à 38 kilomètres de Lao Cai, on parcoure les derniers kilomètres en minibus.
Salut, connait tu les conditions climatiques de octobre novembre sur la baie d'Halong. Apparement, ce serait le debut de la mousson, avec possibilité de typhon, mais tous mes renseignements ne concordent pas......
Merci
Merci pour l'info APT Travel.. les prix ont l'air corrects!
Est-ce que quelqu'un connait? sont-ils fiables?
Les agences locales que j'ai pu trouver sur le net proposent vraiment des prix qui vont du simple ou double.. alors pour dénicher l'arnaque du truc sérieux, c'est pas évident.
Qqn a-t-il une idée?
Hello, We ll arrive in Hanoi on April 17, 2025, and plan to head to the Northwest (Sapa region) and Northeast starting on April 20. How many days do you…
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?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?