Vietnam / Cambodia / Thailand next year

totallybored

maggiesoup wrote: »

Just looked through all the messages again and once more a big thankyou to everyone who posted. We've now decided to do just Vietnam and Cambodia and go for three weeks in November. Has anyone started their journey from a Scottish airport? If not, what's the most recommended route. I note that most people have booked their own flights, accommodation and excursions and while I'm happy to do this, I'm a bit of a scaredy gowt (Scottish expression you may not be familiar with but will get the idea) when it comes to booking long haul flights!

OK so we have 10 days in each country....I am thinking of Vietnam: Hoi An, Ho chi Minh, Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, My Son Sanctuary? Cambodia: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Battambang, Kampot.

Is this feasible, if not what do we take out and are we missing anything. We
would like a mix of sightseeing and maybe a couple of days each week sitting in the sun.

Thanks again.

I preferred Hanoi to HCM and wished I'd only done 1 night in HCM. You can combine Hoi An with a beach if you want sun.

I also preferred Kep over Kampot as I spent a couple of days relaxing in the sun there. However, there is more to do in Kampot (who would want to miss the amazing Durian roundabout!).

PompeyPete

Rikkitikitavi Kampot...

http://www.rikitikitavi-kampot.com/

fifeken

maggiesoup wrote: »

Has anyone started their journey from a Scottish airport? If not, what's the most recommended route. I note that most people have booked their own flights, accommodation and excursions and while I'm happy to do this, I'm a bit of a scaredy gowt (Scottish expression you may not be familiar with but will get the idea) when it comes to booking long haul flights!

It all depends on what's important to you regarding how you choose to travel.

I like to split the journey into two more equal lengths, so go through the Middle East. Currently Emirates from Glasgow will take you to Ho Chi Minh via Dubai.

Qatar will start from EDI soon but I'm not familiar with their routes and whether they go to Vietnam or Cambodia. Your Middle East stop would be in Doha.

For a short then a long flight you'll be going through LHR, AMS, CDG, FRA or similar.

No need to worry whichever route you take as long as you book from a reputable source.

richardw

Air France may have some good options from EDI via Paris CDG, but allow plenty of time to connect at CDG.

Doshwaster

fifeken wrote: »

It all depends on what's important to you regarding how you choose to travel.

I like to split the journey into two more equal lengths, so go through the Middle East. Currently Emirates from Glasgow will take you to Ho Chi Minh via Dubai.

That would be my first choice if you want to get to Vietnam as quickly as possible but it would also be worth looking for routes with a stopover in either Bangkok or Hong Kong as both are great gateways to SE Asia and will offer more flight options.

totallybored

Doshwaster wrote: »

That would be my first choice if you want to get to Vietnam as quickly as possible but it would also be worth looking for routes with a stopover in either Bangkok or Hong Kong as both are great gateways to SE Asia and will offer more flight options.

I found it easier to do via Bangkok than HK as there were more cheap flight options from Bangkok.

Qatar fly Doha to Hanoi via Bangkok so that could be an option on the way. Head down Vietnam, across into Cambodia and end in Bangkok to fly back via Doha.

PompeyPete

I can't see any point whatsoever of hanging around in a UK airport, only to take a one hour [or so] flight to Paris or Amsterdam, and then hang around there for another couple [or more] hours.

sarah69696pink

we flew Vietnam airlines last year (too good a price to turn down) and were dubious due to the bad reviews online, but we were pleasantly surprised, would definitely use again at a reasonable price

richardw

PompeyPete wrote: »

I can't see any point whatsoever of hanging around in a UK airport, only to take a one hour [or so] flight to Paris or Amsterdam, and then hang around there for another couple [or more] hours.

Are you saying that if there aren't direct non stop flights from your preferred airport then you just wouldn't bother travelling?

Doshwaster

totallybored wrote: »

Qatar fly Doha to Hanoi via Bangkok so that could be an option on the way. Head down Vietnam, across into Cambodia and end in Bangkok to fly back via Doha.

That sounds like a fun route. I'm starting to think about my 2014 SE Asia trip so I'll certainly put that in my ideas bank.