Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia for Winter 2025/26

KittenChops

dont_use_vistaprint said:

SiliconChip said:

jbrassy said:

...whereas there isn't as much to see in Cambodia outside of Siem Riep and PP and Laos is mainly about LP.

I really wouldn't agree with this, and I suspect it may be because you didn't actually go to many of the places outside of Siem Riep and Luang Prabang (neither of which would be particularly high on my list of places to hang around at once you've seen the local sights). 

In Cambodia I'd recommend going south to Kampot and Kep, west to Battambang (if the bamboo railway is running it's definitely worth a trip, although it may not be running now), and north to Banlung if you're planning to go overland to Laos via 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don). 

In Laos the Bolaven plateau in the south east is worth a visit (spectacular waterfalls) and throughout the north and west of the country there are amazing places to visit, such as the Plain of Jars, Vieng Xai and villages in Oudomxay province, and Sainyabuli province which is only really accessible from the Mekong and where you're unlikely to see many other tourists.

Thanks for this perspective. 

+1 for Kampot/Kep (check out Bokor Hill Station), for Battambang & the bamboo train

Travelling around in Laos can be difficult and take you much longer than you think
For 4000 islands in Laos (wow, one day I will go back!), I think we flew into Pakse, stayed there for the night, then got a bus to the 'ferry' (locals in small boats) the next morning (they'll only go in daylight, which is why we stayed in Pakse for a night beforehand) - then that in reverse to leave


ETA - I don't think anyone has mentioned Hoi An in Vietnam - worth a trip
Did northern Vietnam in February - needed more layers even during the day that in the south (was around 16c I think)

ETA2 - if you have a serious medical emergency, you're likely to end up in Bangkok - don't forget decent travel insurance

ETA3 (!) - (info is 9 years old) Laos was visa on entry, same for Vietnam I think, Cambodia needed a visa pre arrival - make sure you have some clean / undamaged $1 USD bills