Korean Job Discussion Forums

GoingKorean · Joined: 21 Apr 2008

I have 9 days off for Christmas break and I am hearing mixed reviews about where to go out of these three places. How hard is it to travel between them, and what is worth seeing the most?

I would like to hit two of them, but don't know where to start or finish? How hard is it to travel between them, and is it possible in 9 days?

nene · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do

I did all three in about six weeks a few years ago, and that was borderline too fast. Vietnam was awesome, and in the twelve days I spent there I barely got a taste of it. I'd pick one country and go with that. Thailand is paradise, but it will packed with tourists around Christmas time. From my experience, it is quite a bit more comfortable/easier than either of the other two. Laos is amazing, but I suspect I would feel like I had missed something if I went to SE Asia for the first time and only went to Laos. I'd suggest Vietnam... couple days in Hanoi, Hoi An to get some clothes made for pennies, Nha Trang for some SCUBA/snorkling and partying, and Saigon for the craziness (and do visit the Museum of American Imperial War Crimes or whatever it's called. That's intense.) If you want to add on to that, Ha Long Bay, the delta in the south, or Sapong or whatever the hill city in the far north is. Have fun!

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

Any of those destinations would make a great Christmas trip. I personally prefer beach settings, which would rule out Laos. But if you want to ride bikes or hike, definitely go to Laos. Just watch out for the minefields.

Thailand? Vietnam? Thailand? Vietnam? Thailand? Vietnam?

If this were my choice, I'd go to Vietnam, but this is because I used to live in Thailand. If I'm going that far, I want it to be a new place.

samcheokguy · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Location: Samcheok G-do

don't. Go to Cambodia. There is enough in that country for 2 weeks.

Faunaki · Joined: 15 Jun 2007

I didn't like Vietnam at all. What a headache that place is. 1. Cambodia 2. Laos 3. Thailand 4. Vietnam - only if you have nothing better to do.

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

emm thailand and loas I think will be good for your for the first time..
arrive bangkok, make your way to changmai do the sites up there to the goldern triangle and rafting into loas, spend a few days there and then take the boat or bus back to thailand and fly out..

real outdoors kind of holiday next time you can do a beach holiday...

elephant treking, rafting, hiking, take a cooking course, site seeing you name it... get on the web and check out the popular tours available for changmai to loas.. you will have a blast,...,

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

A better strategy is to first ask yourself this question:

"Self, I know the won isn't the only currency that has taken a dump, so can you tell me what OTHER currencies are tanking now?"

Go someplace that still gives your won some buying power. Sure, no other Asian currency has dropped as much as the won has the past 6 months, but some have dropped, nevertheless.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Nine days? Just find a nice place and stay there.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Loved Thailand, haven't been to Laos, liked Vietnam and hated 75% of the people. I can deal with hagglers and merchants, but the Vietnamese people are down right lying assholes (75% of the ones that encounter a white man).

I don't mind paying extra, especially since most are much poorer than me. But I can't stand agreeing on a price only to have them try to jack up the price after the ride/dinner/etc. or give me BS information in order to make a quick buck.

I loved seeing the country and hated dealing with the people. Go to Thailand, OP.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

True the Vietnamese public suck, but if you are a single man the nightlife is good, and the women are fabulous. Out of 5 countries in Asia I have lived in, the VN women are easily the hottest. Just be careful.

Damn, I want to go back, to be honest, Vietnamese women are truly awesome.

But be careful if you go there.

All that said, my next trip south will be to the Philippines, somewhere new.

nizpaz · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

What do you want from your vacation? The weather is more or less the same in all places. A combination of 2 of them is possible in your time.

Thailand - beaches, easy drugs, nightlife, temples, culture, budhism, trekking, food, happy people, cheap-expensive accommodation, easy travel (but lots of westerners over christmas)

Cambodia - the MF of all temples Anchor Watt, (but lots of Korean tour groups....) edgy Phenom Penn, beautiful but very traveller beaches, friendly people, 3rd world poverty, hint of danger very tough travelling if you value your vertebrae! Dont spend ALL your time there.

Vietnam, very interesting place (dont go for temples or budhism though) go for communism, a totally different, emerging place, amazing beach if you can be bothered to get to Phu Quoc otherwise they don't match Thailand. Mostly city (Hanoi, HCMC) but trekking in Sapa. Food is crap BTW and as other posters have said, they do view foreigners as walking ATM's and will try to rip you off. It's part of it. But bargain hard, and you'll get results. Agree everything FIRST. Motorbikes everywhere and great fun if you get one yourself.
Great country but can be tough if it's your first visit to SE Asia.

Laos - incredible! peaceful, temples, trekking, budhism chill.Beautiful people. Time consuming travel. Not so much established nightlife.

Personally I'd combine Laos and Thailand, giving you the extemes of SE Asia. Border crossing between them is easy. Next trip to Cambodia and Vietnam as their border is also easy.

Where ever you go, SE Asia IMHO is INFINATELY more interesting than here.