Want to travel to SEA in September...questions about rain and travel advice...please help
So, I know this question has been asked and answered a million times, but I have yet to find a suitable answer. Anyway, my friend and I want to travel all throughout SEA (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) in September and are very much concerned about the rainy weather. I've heard things ranging from "it only rains for a little bit each day and then it's sunny" to "it rains for days and there's flooding in the streets (which includes sewage)." What are people's experiences with the rain in September? We're looking to spend a lot of time traveling, sightseeing, and relaxing on the beach. How will the rain affect us with respect to these goals (i.e., will it make us have to change our travel plans, will we not want to sightsee, will we get good beach time)? I should note that I am not really a fan of rain...I don't mind a downpour every once and a while, but I can't stand an entire day of rain. Please take that into consideration.
Sadly, I am completely ignorant as well about places to see/visit. If anyone has any recommendations/suggestions, such would be much appreciated as well. Also, are planes the best way to travel from country to country or is there a better/cheaper/more convenient means of transportation?
I sincerely apologize for the general questions. Thank you very much for your time and response.
Blake
Reply to this Hello Blake 😊
I dont know much about the other countries but in Thailand the main problem you might have is getting to the islands. Sometimes during the rainy season the seas are too rough so the boats dont go. You could however fly to some of the islands. Otherwise I dont think the rainy season will spoil your fun much in Thailand. It really is just a few hours of rain per day, unless you get very unlucky. Also most of the rain conveniently falls at night.
Have you got a copy of the Lonely Planet Guide for Southeast Asia. It covers all the countries on your list. It gives good general information about accomodation, transport, money, safety etc etc. It costs around 30 Euros and is available in most book shops around the world.
Mel
Reply to this Thanks much for the info re Thailand, Mel. I have yet to get a Lonely Planet yet...I just tentatively planned this trip with my friend and wanted to get user feedback before finalizing things/getting a book.
Blake
Reply to this Sep to Dec is the best time to visit northern VN. From July to Nov there may be some typhoons that hit the central Vietnam. Rain lasts a few hours, not whole day (unless it's typhoon). Just go as you plan and don't let the weather put you off from travelling in SEA. Check the weather forecast for your next destination.
As for your Q: "Are planes the best way to travel from country to country or is there a better/cheaper/more convenient means of transportation?"
There are some budget airlines in the region. Now you can fly BKK - Hanoi on Nok Air or Air Asia. Air Asia also flies BKK - HCMC or Phnom Penh. At some sections you can travel by bus as it's cheap (for example, bus from HCMC to Phnom Penh only US$7-10). Don't try the long bus ride like Hanoi - Vientiane 22 hours, instead my advice is to fly if you can.
Reply to this All depends on your luck I thik.
I have had holidays ruined by unseasonal rain and been pleasantly suprised by good weather in rainy seasons.
You can encounter days with a little rain late in the afternoon (after a nasty build up in heat and humidity) and at other times it may rain for the whole day - although this is rare from my experience in Thailand and Cambodia. My last trip to Cambodia was in mid October and the cloud cover and rain were a pleasant relief from the heat.
Make your plans, cover all possibilities with what you pack and just take your chance.
I agree with flying between key places. Boat trips and bus rides are very exotic - for the first hour or so - and then become a bit too much of the same thing. Made worse by the rain if you are on an uncovered boat or sliding on muddy roads in a bus with bald tyres.
Reply to this Hi BBG,
Its good to travel Indochine (Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia). In september the weather not really bad. Good time to go. For more info pls ask me.
Have fun
Dent
Reply to this Hi Blake,
I don't know much about other countries but in Viet Nam, the weather in September is very good. It's fall time and it seem to be a little dry in the North. There will be seldom storms or typhoons in Sep, almost happens in July, Aug, Apr, March
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