Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mr. bojangles]

The time has come where I need to book my flights and get a rough idea for my SE Asia travel plan when I leave Korea December 5th.

I'm looking to hit up these countries for sure: Cambodia (Siem Reip), Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Laos.

A few questions:

1) what city/country would you recommend flying into from Seoul to start a trip through SE asia? I've heard Cambodia (near Siem Reip) could be good as its a central location.

2) what travel route would be ideal for keeping the trip as cheap as possible and maximizing the use of buses/trains/boats to get around from city to city and country to country?

3) if you could do it all over again, what would you change? any tips or advice on things to definitely check out or avoid.

any info would be much appreciated!

cheers!

[fezmond]

i did this about 5 years ago, so take it for what it's worth....(except the philippines)


thailand, laos, vietnam, cambodia are in a loop anyway so i guess the flights to/from the philippines and back to korea would be your starting point - whichever is the cheapest.
i'd guess bangkok is probably the cheapest in SE asia?

travelling between the countries is simple. there is so much of a tourist trail that you'll be bombarded with offers and options.

i took a flight from bangkok to hanoi for $30 (inc taxes) and another from siem reap to vientiane because they were so cheap. at that time, i really didn't want to travel on certain infamous roads.

as for cities to miss etc....it's all down to you.

i loved everywhere in vietnam except dalat, even the far flung places with an easy rider.

thailand - pai was just a hippy hole. krabi great, but a pain to be bothered to leave (the penisula, not krabi town)

vientiane - i struggled to last 2 days there but looking back, it wasn't too bad.

cambodia - only saw phnom penh and siem reap over 2 weeks but loved them.

[northway]

In terms of Laos, Vientiane is okay, but isn't busy enough to keep you busy but is too sprawling and busy to really offer the best of Laos. You're better off going to Louang Phrabang or Savannakhet, as both are in picturesque areas on the Mekong where you can relax and feel like you're in something of a time warp (more so in Savannakhet's place, though it's significantly less tourist friendly than Louang Phrabang). I despise Vang Vieng, but a lot of people are fond of the place.