Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam & Cambodia

Hey all,

Though my original plan was KL then on to Perth, I've recently had a change of heart and am now thinking that I should see Vietnam and Cambodia before going to Western Australia. Has anyone got any good advice for where to start and end a trip round Vietnam and Cambodia??

I tend to be fairly impulsive, so planning ahead isn't my strongest trait!!

Thanks,

D

I know some people doing the same route, KL to Cambodia and Vietnam. Let me guess, Air Asia. If Visa to Australia is easy for me, I would have been to Darwin ages ago.

two cities for Cambodia, the capital and Siem Reap and then hit Saigon... that the most basic.

fly into Siem Reap for a feel of Cambodian history in Angkor; then.. boat across Tonle Sap to Battambang for a feel of Cambodian cultural heritage,etc; then bus all the way to PP for a feel of Cambodian city life; well, a bus ride to HCMC.

from HCMC, go up north.. open ticket is suggested, and stops along the way ( Nha Trang, My Son, etc)... all the way to Hanoi, and fly out when you are done...

Thanks folks. Danalasta, that route looks awesome. I may do something out of character and get my flights arranged.

Is it fairly easy to sort out transport options and accommodation once you're there?

D

Hi Daveewen,

You're right when you've made a change of heart

It is quite easy to visit Vietnam and Cambodia from Kuala Lumpur. You fly from KL to Ho Chi Minh by Air Asia, then take a bus (Sapaco or Mai Linh on backpacker street in HCMC) to Phnom Penh. In Cambodia, i recommend you to visit Sihanoukville, a place of white-sand beaches, beside Siem Riep with Angkor Wat and PP, the capitol.

Back to HCMC, you can visit some museums and Cu Chi tunnel (underground tunnel during Vietnam war - worth to see). After HCMC, you take a train/flight to centre of Vietnam, a coastal area with many clean and beautiful beaches (Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue). Next is the North (Ha Noi and Ha Long bay), if you like moutainous area, don't miss the North West of Vietnam (Sapa, Lai Chau ... where ethnic people living and more interesting if you take time to join a trekking through forest and stay with local people ..)

After Ha Noi, you can fly out to Australia, finish the trip

About accommodation, don't worry, many hotels with reasonable prices are available for your choice. No need to book in advance, just come and ask for yourself. In every place, it has a backpacker street, you can stay there with cheap price.

Have a good trip!

Wow, this is all fantastic advice!!

I think Cambodia first is the better option, then Vietnam before Aus. I guess the only thing I really need to work out is how long for each leg. I'm assuming a week and a half in Cambodia, then the same again in Vietnam should be enough??

Cheers again for this, you're making my life much easier

Hi daveewen,

mudbud has a well planed for you. Cheer! I think a week is suitable for visiting Cambodia and the rest time spends for Vietnam.
Have a good time !

[quote)

I think Cambodia first is the better option, then Vietnam before Aus. I guess the only thing I really need to work out is how long for each leg. I'm assuming a week and a half in Cambodia, then the same again in Vietnam should be enough??

Cheers again for this, you're making my life much easier

=======
Hi,

A week and a half = around 10 days for each country, that sounds nice. Personally, i will divide time as below:

In Cambodia:

3 - 4 days for Sieam Riep: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and other temples

2 days enjoying beaches and seafood in Sihanoukville

2 days for Phnom Penh: Royal Palace, National Museum, Tuol Sleng Museum, Russian Market, Wat Phnom, Killing field

Total: 7 - 8 days

In Vietnam:

2 days for Ho Chi Minh city: museums & Cu Chi tunnel

4 days in the Centre
Da Nang: nothing much to see, except Ba Na mountain & Five Marble mountain (on the way from Da Nang airport to Hoi An), just half an hour you can explore this mountain, only take 2 days for Five Marble mountain & Hoi An ancient town (Hoi An, better to come on full moon day, you have chance to join many interesting activities for tourists)
Hue - 2 days: Ancient Citadel, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda, Lang Co Beach, Perfume River.

6 days in the North: Ha Noi - 1, Ha Long bay - 2, Sapa - 3 (8-hour train from Ha Noi to Lao Cai and vice versa)

Total: 12 days

3 weeks = 7 x 3 = 21 days, spend 20 days and one day left for resting before flying to Australia.

I skip some places in Vietnam, just show you most-visited places. With this route, you may travel lots, but hope you enjoy your trip at the most.

Cheers,

cambodia it's great places

Only two weeks till I fly out to Kuala Lumpur!