Hello one and all
I will try and be as specific as possible here, cos I know how ****ty it is when people expect you to basically plan their holiday for them.

Three friends and I am doing Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in Jan next year for roughly three week, which I know is not a long time.

We are starting in Hanoi and doing a three day boat cruise around Ha Long bay and from there not entirely sure. We are roughly planning on heading west, we are wanting to spend 4-6days in Laos in total vian viang and vientenne (sp?) doing tubing and seeing the sights, is there anywhere that is a must in laos and any must see sights or activities? there are two guys and two girls by the way

we are then planning on heading to cambodia both to siem repp to angkor wat and several other ruins over 3-4days and then head to phnom penh for some shopping and sight seeing, again if there are any must do activities and other places please say so, another question is can we get from siem repp to phnom penh by bus?

we will then most likely head back into vietnam to ho chi ming city and saigon and from there get a boat over to the islands of thailand.

Hi sidatown,

to the forum! With only three weeks to play with, I would suggest not trying to squeeze too much in. It's tempting to go with the mentality that "I don't have much time, so I must do as much as possible!", but the danger with that is coming back even more exhausted than when you left; holidays are (at least in part) about relaxation, not stress and burning yourself out, and South East Asia's climate, overland transport and general temperament (SE Asia time is not the same as Europe time!) do not lend well to rushing about; I'd suggest what you have planned is too much for an enjoyable three week holiday.

I think the first question to ask yourself is how will you be getting about from destination to destination? Whilst buses are cheap, and you get to see the actual country you're passing through, they take a lot of time and will eat into your holiday.

I'd strongly advise using the South East Asian budget airline carriers of Air Asia and the like to flit yourself about around destinations. They won't be too pricey if you book up now and lock in your itinerary.

How about focusing one week on Vietnam, one week on Cambodia and one week on Thailand?

I'd suggest flying in and out of Bangkok for the cheapest flight prices and the biggest choice of carriers. When you arrive, transfer to an AirAsia flight from BKK to Hanoi and go up to Halong Bay (either under your own steam by train or with an organised tour). On returning to Hanoi, I'd stick to Vietnam; I'd highly recommend bussing/training it down the country and stopping at Hoi An (a remarkable little place), but I don't think you can afford the time; rather, I'd fly on south to Saigon. Get in a side trip to the Mekong Delta; you won't regret it.

Then from Saigon, you can take a bus (or boat I think) to Phnom Penh. The S-21 prison and the other Khmer Rouge locations are not going to be the most joyful highlights of your holiday, but I do recommend going along to them. It'll give you a better perspective of Cambodia and its people. Yes, you can get a bus to Siem Reap; enjoy Angkor Wat for a couple of days and then head into Thailand on an appalling road of constant juddering potholes (or alternatively, fly to Bangkok). Fly or bus it down to the islands and put your feet up for the remainder of your holiday.

This South East Asia itinerary is pretty chocka as it is for three weeks, and it doesn't even touch Laos!

I guess you have to decide on your priorities. Do you want to squeeze in as much as possible but spend your holiday largely on uncomfortable bus journeys - or would you rather sacrifice seeing less in exchange for more time relaxing in fewer destinations?

I'm planning a similar trip but I'll have a bit more time. The information in this thread has given me some answers and somethings to think about.

Thanks Steve.

Hi Sidatown,

In 2007 I went to se asia for five weeks. Beforehand I had the plan that I would do Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos.

Well...I spent two days in Hong Kong, two in Singapore and then flew to Phuket.
It was while staying at the hostel that it dawned on me that I was still running at the same mad pace that I would in the UK.

So I slowed down, chilled out and made my way slowly up through Thailand via Bangkok and Chaing Mai and onto Pai etc.

My point is that you may get more out, by slowing down and doing less countries in the short time you there. But this is only my experience, so your pace may be right for you of course.

Fewer countries.

I'm a guy who prefers learning and feeling over seeing. Go to one country and see it more fully. Each country has diverse landscapes, histories and peoples. You experience more, save money (flights, visas, etc), and have a much more full experience by taking in that diversity. Learning some words in the country you're visiting is fun. Changing countries means changing languages also.

If you do thailand, do luang prabang, bangkok, beaches, some other places that are off the highway.

I don't know **** about Laos.

I'm a Cambodia guy. Do the temples. Do Khmer Rouge history. But there is much more here. See dolphins and beautiful countryside in Kratie, come up to Banlung (where I'm at), visit waterfalls, a national park, wildlife, ethnic minority villages). Lots of other places.

Enjoy your trip
'sheeed

ps drop me a note if you want