Hi,
I am planning a solo trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. (Can't find the time to visit Laos). My rough plan is to reach Hanoi on 3rd October. Visit Sapa, Halong Bay, travel to Ho Chi Minh city from there travel to on 11 th October. I have got time from 11th to 15th October in Cambodia, after which I must get back to Bangkok. (I have chosen this itenary based on the fact that on arrival visa is available in Vietnam only when arriving by air).
My question, is this time enough to visit any good national parks/forests in Cambodia? Of course I will be visiting the angkors, floating villages, and atleast a day of sight seeing in Phnom Penh. Thanks a lot for your advice.
And not just to this question, any other relevant info, would be most welcome.
Also any good place online where I can buy air tickets from Bangkok to Hanoi, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City? I guess I can travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok in bus.
Reply to this Hi
Welcome to Travelblog!
I'm not sure why this is in the South America forum? Perhaps a bug?
So, you have about 8 days in Vietnam and 4-5 days in Cambodia? That's a short time for two big countries with not the best transport systems. You are going to be rushing to squeeze in what you have planned. Remember that travelling between places will take a while. For example, the bus from HCMC to Phnom Penh takes 5-6 hours and the one from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap takes about the same. Once you have arrived in Phnom Penh, taken a day to sightsee, travelled to Siem Reap, taken a day around the most famous of the temples and another day at the floating villages on the Tonle Sap you won't have much extra time to visit any national parks.
Air Asia have cheap flights between Bangkok and Hanoi. Jetstar Asia do cheap tickets from Hanoi to HCMC.
I'm sure you know that you need a pre-approval letter to get a visa on arrival for Vietnam. If you wanted a different itinerary you could get a visa from the Vietnamese embassy in your home country, or in Bangkok if you're spending anytime there before going to Vietnam.
Hope this helps
Kate
Reply to this Thanks a million. I know about the pre aproval letter, it can be arranged online as well. So no issues there. And yes, I am beginning to get painfully aware that time indeed is too short. But wanted to take it easy on my first trip abroad (I am from India BTW). I will check out Air Asia and Jetstar asia websites, hopefully they will have something.
It is funny that it has gone into south american forum as well, may be someday I will post there asking for info for actually going there :-)
Thanks,
Pradyot.
Reply to this No worries. It is a short time but you can see many interesting things in that time, especially if it is your first trip abroad. Just don't try to pack in too much in such a short time!
Reply to this Thanks. Yeah, I will keep it well spaced and easy. Speaking of which, as I type it, confirmed air tickets are open in the next tab, so yay :-) Countdown has started.
-Pradyot.
Reply to this