I'm planning to travel to the above mentioned countries next year for 16 days. Which country should I go first, 2nd and last? I'm from the Philippines and going there on a budget.
2007-11-28 19:50:05 · 8 answers · asked by cristina 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Other - Asia Pacific
To Geoff: Yes, i'm planning to do 3 countries in 16 days.
2007-12-01 04:09:42 · update #1
Hey Christina, Fly into Siem Reap first and check out Angkor Wat. Siem Reap is one of my favorite cities in SE Asia and I have good connections there. let me know and I will send you a Cambodian Cheat sheat with places to stay and eat etc.
so I would recommend cambodia, lao and then Vietnam. in that order. Lao is really cool and not as mercenary as most countrys in this part of the world. You won't be constantly harrassed by vendors in Lao. its much more laid back.
Save Vietnam for last and give it at least a week. here is a short blog that I give for first timers'
Randy’s Book Xchange
To 5 Thon Xuyen Trung
Cam Nam, Hoi An, Vietnam
Aslocran@yahoo.com
Vietnam is the in place to visit right now. If you start in Hanoi make sure to take the night train to Sapa and stay at the Mountain View Hotel. (Great views and inexpensive) It could be the highlight of your trip. Take the 2 day tour to Halong Bay. Very nice. Then start south bound. I firmly believe that Hoi An is the best place to visit in Vietnam. The ancient town is a World Heritage city and absolutely beautiful. The beach is white sand and 40 kilometers long. Vietnam is really inexpensive. Hotels cost about $10 a night. You can find beer at less than 15 cents a glass. The people are wonderful. Pass on Nha Trang unless you like multi story buildings on the beach. Dalat is great and Saigon is always and experience. Phu Quoc was disappointing to me. They just don't have a clue as far as conservation and the beach's and harbors were filthy. The infrastructure is just not there yet but you can see that the island will be something special in the future. It’s not special now. The Mekong is great with lots of things to see but you can do it in a couple of days. You are going to have a great time. I went around the world to many different countries. I have been on the road for over a year. I chose to purchase a house in Hoian. It’s the best.
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2007-12-01 20:42:06 · answer #1 · answered by Traveler 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you to check the flight availability first as some flights are not on daily basis. Laos would be 1 country where the flights are not daily and may subject to changes. For 16 days, I would think you can only visit the main cities in each country :-
Laos : Vietianne ( Capital ) and Lao Prabang ( tourist area in Northern Lao). For information, you have to fly between Vietianne and Lao Prabang, not safe to go by road transport.
Cambodia : Phnom Penh ( Capital ) and Siem Riep ( tourist area ). Here, you can go by road transport which is about 6-7 hrs.
Vietnam : Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi ( Capital ). Have to fly, cannot drive ( too far - about 1800km )
Well then, enjoy your stay and be careful especially you are a girl.
2007-11-29 19:09:45 · answer #2 · answered by GaryT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you planning to visit all three within those 16 days? Or do you mean you want to choose just one of those three?
Geographically speaking, probably best if you did Vietnam, Cambodia, and then Laos (or the other way around) if you want to do all 3.
To do just one, I'd pick Cambodia. Very friendly, great food - and they speak English pretty well in the tourist areas.
2007-11-28 19:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by Geoff M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Vietnam! I've always wanted to go there. Not so keen on Cambodia or Laos though.
2007-11-30 02:50:05 · answer #4 · answered by floozy_niki 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
really depends on what you are looking for but i would say vietnam first. i loved it there, especially in ho chi minh. cambodia i found alright- siem reap better than phnom penh but ive never been to laos so cant comment on it.
2007-11-30 22:55:14 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa__ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Really - there is no real reason to pick any particular order which country to visit first. I am sure you will enjoy each of them very much.
The concern is actually GETTING INTO each of the countries as your paperwork needs to be in order before crossing any of the borders.
2007-11-29 00:44:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Vientiane.
But where you go should depend on what you want to see ... temple ruins, beaches, rice fields, jungles, or mountain summits.
www.travelfish.org
www.talesofasia.com
2007-11-29 23:19:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my answer is, maybe vietnam, laos then cambodia...i dont know that place either...
2007-11-28 20:26:21 · answer #8 · answered by trinity 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋