Need Help Trimming Itinerary to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

[Anonymous]

So...mom wants to do see these countries. Likely last chance as she is 77 and not in best of health. She really wants to go to Halong Bay, Siem Reap and Bangkok.

DH is retired but I am not.

Trying to plan this trip itinerary but with 3 days just for travel and limited ability to take 3 full weeks PTO....I really need help trimming this itinerary as there is no way I can take 19 days off. Need to trim at least 2-3 days. Help!

Total Days, Tour Days, Activities

1, Travel Day
2, Travel Day - PM Arrival in Hanoi
3, Tour Day 1, Hanoi - Hanoi City Tour Half Day
4, Tour Day 2, Hanoi - Halong Bay 2-Day Cruise
5, Tour Day 3, Halong Bay - Hanoi
6, Tour Day 4, Hanoi - Flight to Ho Chi Minh
7, Tour Day 5, Ho Chi Minh (Cu Chi & City Tour)
8, Tour Day 6, Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta 2-Day Trip
9, Tour Day 7, Can Tho - Cai Rang floating market
10, Tour Day 8, Ho Chi Minh - Flight to Siem Reap
11, Tour Day 9, Siem Reap (Explore Angkor) - Khmer Aspara Dance
12, Tour Day 10, Siem Reap - flight to Bangkok - Chao Phraya Boat Excursion
13, Tour Day 11, Bangkok - Grand Palace, Wat Temples, Wonderful Pearl Dinner Cruise & Show
14, Tour Day 12, Bangkok - Ayutthaya
15, Tour Day 13, Bangkok - Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
16, Tour Day 14, Bangkok - Fight to Chiang Mai
17, Tour Day 15, Chiang Mai
18, Tour Day 16, Chiang Mai Departure around Midnight
19, Travel Day

Things to note....for Halong Bay none of us will be doing any kayaking or swimming. My thought was that we could (albeit a long day) do this as a day trip. Same thing with Mekong Delta...maybe do day trip and skip Cai Rang Floating Market. Alternatively, is the Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Bangkok really worth it? Maybe remove that?

[Anonymous]

We chose between Chiang Mai and Siem Reap (and chose Siem Reap)— I’d suggest starting there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We chose between Chiang Mai and Siem Reap (and chose Siem Reap)— I’d suggest starting there.

Except that's the place I'd really like to go to. But yes, I'll consider starting there.

[Anonymous]

I would ditch Chiang Mai - not that it’s not worth it but it wasn’t on your original list of must-dos and if you keep it you’d need to cut down on other places, and adding more travel time. Depends I guess if you are ok with feeling a bit more rushed, but you are already fitting a lot into the time.

[Anonymous]

Oh and to add, you can definitely do Ha Long bay as a day trip, particularly if it’s just to see it and not to really do anything there. You can also trim a day off Bangkok easily.

[Anonymous]

OP here....itinerary includes visiting 2 floating markets....could I ditch one?

Is the Maeklong Railway Market a must see?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose between Chiang Mai and Siem Reap (and chose Siem Reap)— I’d suggest starting there.

Except that's the place I'd really like to go to. But yes, I'll consider starting there.

Chiang Mainis where you really want to go or Siem Reap is? I’d agree with keeping Siem Reap and cutting Chiang Mai.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We chose between Chiang Mai and Siem Reap (and chose Siem Reap)— I’d suggest starting there.

Except that's the place I'd really like to go to. But yes, I'll consider starting there.

Chiang Mainis where you really want to go or Siem Reap is? I’d agree with keeping Siem Reap and cutting Chiang Mai.

Mom really wants go to Siem Reap.
I would love to go to Chiang Mai...but I suppose if I had to pick one I'd defer Siem Reap.

[Anonymous]

I would cut out Thailand. It is way less tourist friendly. Only one day Siem Reap is a shame. Do not do two floating markets. And do you really want to do the Cu chi tunnels? I didn’t go down, but the video before is disturbing enough. I would sub in going to markets, wandering the streets, sitting for coffee and watching the world go by.

Are you doing an overnight on a junk in Haling Bay. The landscape is unlike anywhere, but it’s very touristy and crowded. A lot of drunk party boats. But I haven’t been there in a long time.

If it were me I’d go to Phnom Penh and stay at the Pavilion lounging by the amazing pool and then go to Raffles for a Singapore Sling before dinner.

[Anonymous]

Just rereading your post…try to get a junk in Halong to yourselves or with older people. Bangkok is not great, but if she wants to go…cut out Chiang Mai.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would cut out Thailand. It is way less tourist friendly. Only one day Siem Reap is a shame. Do not do two floating markets. And do you really want to do the Cu chi tunnels? I didn’t go down, but the video before is disturbing enough. I would sub in going to markets, wandering the streets, sitting for coffee and watching the world go by.

Are you doing an overnight on a junk in Haling Bay. The landscape is unlike anywhere, but it’s very touristy and crowded. A lot of drunk party boats. But I haven’t been there in a long time.

If it were me I’d go to Phnom Penh and stay at the Pavilion lounging by the amazing pool and then go to Raffles for a Singapore Sling before dinner.

Thailand less tourist friendly? Flying halfway around the world for a bucket list trip and spending it by the pool? Hmm

[Anonymous]

You do no need three days in Bangkok. ONe day would be sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would cut out Thailand. It is way less tourist friendly. Only one day Siem Reap is a shame. Do not do two floating markets. And do you really want to do the Cu chi tunnels? I didn’t go down, but the video before is disturbing enough. I would sub in going to markets, wandering the streets, sitting for coffee and watching the world go by.

Are you doing an overnight on a junk in Haling Bay. The landscape is unlike anywhere, but it’s very touristy and crowded. A lot of drunk party boats. But I haven’t been there in a long time.

If it were me I’d go to Phnom Penh and stay at the Pavilion lounging by the amazing pool and then go to Raffles for a Singapore Sling before dinner.

Would you trim this day? Bangkok - Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

I was thinking about removing one floating market....if we do the Mekong 2-day trip that includes a really early am floating market. I was thinking of either making the Mekong a day trip (and removing the Cai Rang floating market OR removing the Bangkok - Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Thoughts?

I'll think about skipping Cu Chi Tunnels.

Also – I’m not removing Thailand – we have always wanted to go and traveling so far (and not knowing if will ever return) I want to take advantage of visiting at least Bangkok...plus my mom really wants to see it too.

[Anonymous]

I did a guided tour that started in Hanoi and ended in Phuket. Would you consider doing that? There are tours that cater to older people, so for example they pay attention to how much walking there is and what activities are offered. The tour I did allowed you to start in Vietman, Cambodia or Thailand, so it was not the same people throughout. Maybe you could join your parents for only one or two countries in the tour?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did a guided tour that started in Hanoi and ended in Phuket. Would you consider doing that? There are tours that cater to older people, so for example they pay attention to how much walking there is and what activities are offered. The tour I did allowed you to start in Vietman, Cambodia or Thailand, so it was not the same people throughout. Maybe you could join your parents for only one or two countries in the tour?

OP here...I should clarify that my mom is a widow and doesn't travel solo anymore. She wanted this to be a mother/daughter trip...I'd be her traveling companion. As my DH is now retired he might join too.