Trip to SE Asia suggestions needed

28 days ago

DH and I are planning a trip in March to SE Asia. We're thinking Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. We were looking for a tour group, but now we think we'll just do it solo, maybe through Odynova or Kensington. We'll be gone just under three weeks, we think. The trip would start in Vietnam and then Cambodia and then Thailand (with stops in the major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Ming, Halong Bay, Bangkok, and Phuket. DH wants to have a beach ending to the trip. That's why we're planning on ending Phuket but I know there are others. Any suggestions? (We're planning on creating a tour that includes the cultural must-see, but also includes things like cooking classes, city walks/shopping, and beachy relaxation/water activities (kayaking and snorkeling) at the end.

What would be on your not-to-be-missed list.

Thanks.

Featured Answer

Feathers11

28 days ago

I spent 3 weeks in Thailand a few years ago. I divided my time between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the island of Koh Samui. You'll be visiting during Chiang Mai's burn season, so obviously not a good time to go there.

In Bangkok, I recommend staying in either the Old Town or Riverside areas. Many people recommend Sukhumvit or Siam, but they're more like urban outskirts with giant malls. I stayed at a small B&B in Old Town, and the young owner's breakfasts were some of the best food I had in Thailand. I could walk to the wats, Grand Palace and other cultural sites.

If you're tired of seeing temples by the time you arrive in Bangkok, I still recommend Wat Arun. If you're not tired of them, see them all. They're each beautiful in their own way.

This display was really lovely... try not to miss it if you visit the Grand Palace: Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

Other points of interest I enjoyed:

Chatuchak Weekend Market (huge!)

Jim Thompson House

If you like a Chinatown vibe, Bangkok's Chinatown is impressive.

If you're into snakes, there is a snake farm/museum that is really quite fascinating. It has an interesting history and mission (provides anti-venom serum).

There are some very cool rooftop bars. I was traveling solo, and only visited one (I can't remember which), but it was across the river from Wat Arun and had nice views.

Yes to a cooking class! I took one in Chiang Mai, but there are many in Bangkok.

If you want recommendations for a Thai massage, ask locals or at your hotel. My young B&B owner recommended what looked like a hole in the wall, but it was amazing.

You may want to consider Koh Samui instead of Phuket. It's quieter and generally more laid back and less of a party atmosphere. I did the most wonderful kayak and snorkeling excursion there, and visited the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park. Lots of good food there, too.

Have fun planning! I'm currently helping DS plan a European trip... I enjoy the research.

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Comments (6)

eld61
28 days ago
I will be following! We were thinking about this type of trip but got sidelibed.
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lisaam
28 days ago
In Bangkok I took a cooking class at Blue Elephant. we started with a trip to a market (smell these waterbugs, they smell just like apples) then cooked with great individual work stations— we each had a thai mortar and pestle, food processor, and burner, and then lunch. Favorite dish - squid fritters.
jojoco thanked lisaam
lisaam
28 days ago
Agree with Feathers— I did not love Phuket. Noisy motorcycles between our condo and the beach seemed so wrong. But sailing and seeing those amazing mountain / islands that just rise up out of the sea was fantastic.
jojoco thanked lisaam
jojoco
Original Author
24 days ago
Feathers, thank you so much for the suggestions. we will use your ideas as we build our itinerary. and Lisaam, your opinions on Phuket confirm our suspicions. more planning to come!
mtnrdredux_gw
24 days ago
last modified: 24 days ago
I would consider Bali, especially their Aman resorts, some of the most beautiful places ever. That is where I would do beach time.

I did not do N Vietnam, but I've always wanted to do a Halong bay cruise. Ho Chi Minh City for the history and a cruise on the Mekong Delta. Cambodia is really about Angkor Wat etc and very worth it, esp at sunrise (and another fabulous Aman).

Have not done Phuket but not a big fan of Bangkok at all. I don't care for most large cities in Asia, a sweeping generalization but they are usually not too pretty.

The Four Seasons resort in Chiang Mai is quite something and the area is beautiful.

One thing I would not do is any sort of interactions with tigers or elephants. I am embarrassed that it was normalized when we travelled there but in retrospect it's pretty awful IMHO.

If snorkelling were high on my list, for me, the best place we have been was https://www.mabulwaterbungalows.com/. Incredible. For me, it rivalled the GBR's Lizard Island and the Maldives, and was better than most any spots we had been to in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. But the resort food is meh and the resort is 4 star at best. ANd, it is quite a trip getting there! That said, I'd still recommend it to anyone who loves to snorkel. The Celebes Sea...