Vietnam and cambodia

Will you be part of a bigger group? I think that can make quite a difference to your experience.
My DH and I travelled (holiday) around Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos a few years ago for just over 3 weeks. We weren't part of a group but we paid to have local drivers and guides. Laos was serene. Vietnam was very busy and you have to have your wits about you when crossing roads.
Overall the holiday was enjoyable and fascinating and Angkor Wat is a must see but I really disliked Phnom Penn and even though we only stayed there one night, I was glad to leave it. The 5* hotel had an airport style baggage security check at the entrance and lots of military staff strutting around. Plus all the displays detailing the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge was desperately upsetting and overall the place made me feel depressed. Luckily, we visited Angkor Wat straight afterwards which helped lift my mood.
For up to date travel info including jabs, visit the uk gov travel pages. Don't scrimp on travel insurance either. IIRC, we had to pay a fee (bribe) equivalent of £20 to get through customs in Laos?
I'm not the most adventurous of travellers though in comparison to my DH who has travelled more widely across Asia and Indo China.
Have a lovely trip.

We are going back again to the Mekong this November. I think it is a beautiful river. Siem Riep was very very hot. I bought a sort of neck cooler which is filled with water absorbent beads and kept it inThe fridge overnight. Wide hat is good and loose flappy clothes . If you are on a Pandaw boat they are wonderful. They support lots of charities so check what they would like you to donate ie pencils and notebooks for schools and medicine for the hospitals and clinics they run. It's best to go around Angkor Wat very early and the driver and guide usually supply you with water. I loved every second and I'm looking forward to going back although the flights are a bit bleugh.

www.amazon.co.uk/Neck-Buddy-Coolin-Scarf-Pink/dp/B004K2ZH52/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1470052989&sr=8-11&keywords=cooling+neck+wraps
I'm ordering some for next time

Stansgran. if you have a sewing machine they can be made at home so easily.

I think I posted info in sewing some time back.

You can purchase easily the water retaining capsules in any garden shop, even the pound shop.

Beware of putting too many of the water retaining bits in as you will have a stuffed sausage draught excluder, which I suppose would work with hot .water.

They are so useful

Cooling neck ties Ideal for hot summers![ when they come] (8 Posts) Gransnet

We seem to have been here before! Enjoy the hols

Thanks so much for your tips. We will be part of a group I guess as part of the trip includes daily activities and cultural visits. I generally like doing my own thing on holiday but thought a group trip best this time to get the most out of two weeks. We are travelling with APT booked through Iglu. Not cheap but trip of a lifetime so want to make the most if it. I don't mind all the sad and depressing history, in the sense that I want to fully understand the place and its history is tragic. Any tips on clothes? Souvenirs?

In Vietnam I'd recommend to buy local handicraft and paintings made of silk. They are not so expensive, but look really great and unique.

Good timing this thread - I'm going to Cambodia in Oct/Nov, plus Thailand, China, and San Francisco.

I'm in a quandary about clothes, Thailand & Cambodia will be hot but humid with some rain; Beijing will be cold; and San Francisco will be cold(ish) and sometimes foggy.

My first time to Thailand & Cambodia.

I'm checking out the Rohan site for practical wear.

rohan

We did the Mekong river cruise a few years ago. Loved it. Met some amazing people on the boat who have become good friends.
One of the highlights for me was a Vespa night tour around Saigon. So thrilling and we were taken to various street places to try different folds. Was really thrilling to see the city from a scooter.
Siam Reap is another place that stays with me. I would recommend getting a good guide.We were picked up at 4am and walked through a forest to then sit and watch the sunrise behind the temple. Wonderful.

Good timing for me too! I was 70 this summer, and my son, 40. He lives part of the time in Thailand and I loved the visit I had with him there. He is currently back in the UK and, knowing I had mentioned some time ago that I'd like to visit Vietnam, has suggested we go together (probably late Nov/early Dec) as part of our on-going birthday celebrations. I was surprised and delighted! I know he will want to arrange the trip independently, and not too expensively, rather than go on a tour but I am picking up some good tips from those of you who have been. I will keep checking this thread! Sunlover - your trip sounds really exciting; did you arrange some of it yourself or was it all included as part of a package?

I did Vietnam and Cambodia in November as part of a group. It was hot and very humid. Everywhere felt very safe and yes, there is a rip off at The airport in Cambodia where you happens over $20 and a photo and you are allowed into the country.

Your doctor's travel clinic will advise on jabs.

It was the most magical holiday and I would do it all again if there weren't other places I still want to see. Siem Riep was particularly memorable and I am thinking of going back on a painting holiday.

Enjoy!

The river trip was all organised for us.Each day there were trips to see temples, markets, The Killing Fields etc. I booked the Vespa tour via Trip Advisor. Siam Reap was an exta few days which we sorted ourselves.
The following year I returned to Vietnam and visited Hanoi. To be honest I didn't enjoy this city as much. The river cruise is a great way to see different places without packing and unpacking.

I am planning a 4 week trip with a friend, not part of a group but booked through Agent. Saigon, Siem Reap, Dalat, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay, Hanoi. We are using a combination of Internal flights, drivers and overnight train
We are going in March - any tips re visa as we will need a multi entry one