Need Help Trimming Itinerary to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

[Anonymous]

I don’t think you need to do two floating markets, though I can’t say which you should ditch as I have only done the Bangkok one

[Anonymous]

If you need to trim I'd skip chang mai. Something in the water there, many people I know including myself have gotten very ill from stomach bugs (hospital stay necessary) in that city.

[Anonymous]

Thailand is one of the most friendly places towards tourists I've ever visited. Totally disagree with that pp.

[Anonymous]

My suggestions:
I would cut one, if not both floating markets.
They feel very exploitative to me and it gives me a really uneasy feeling. Given your current itinerary, I'd cut Cai Rang floating market.

I'd also suggest cutting Ayutthaya. You'll get similar vibes in Chiang Mai, and the really old ruins in Siem Reap make Ayutthaya pale in comparison. I don't recall anything in the area around there to be that unique either.

[Anonymous]

I'd cut this day:

15, Tour Day 13, Bangkok - Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Often times I find myself regretting doing the super-touristy instagrammy site (like the railway market). I haven't done the railway market myself, but I can see it being one of those things that I think "that was cool but was it worth spending a day on it?"

Also, your itinerary is 19 days. Wouldn't you have some weekends/scheduled days off in between so that your actual AL days are <19? Unless you're in a small business or something.

[Anonymous]

I really liked Halong bay even if it was touristy/polluted. An overnight would be nice, one day/night is perfect. But make sure you book the nicest one you can find (in advance). I really liked doing drinks/dinner on one of the rooftops of a hotel in Bangkok, it was so cool to see the city skyline at night. If you go to Chang Mai you should do a night market and an elephant sanctuary but agree that you can cross Chang Mai off your list.
I wasn't a fan of the floating markets. Felt like a ploy. Make sure you research Thailand tours before you go because some of them have you switching tour vans and the drivers are pretty crazy.
I would take 2 days for Siem Reap. It's easy and not that expensive to hire someone to take you on a private tour, that way you can go at your own pace.

[Anonymous]

NP - would love to get more info Halong Bay. I was excited to do this - we are booked on a small junk - basically our group for an overnight - but lately people have told us to avoid it/cancel - so much pollution.

[Anonymous]

We were there last winter. There is definitely pollution, especially the closer you get to port. We used Indochina Junk, which stays mostly in Bai Tu Long Bay, and it was much less polluted than the parts of Ha Long Bay we went through. I’ve also heard that the Lan Ha Bay itineraries tend to be less polluted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

IMO it absolutely is less tourist friendly. What I mean is that they've had tourists for so much longer, so not as gracious as the Vietnamese and Cambodians. The schedule is pretty heavy, there's nothing wrong by sitting by the pool for a day, or heavens forbid, sit and drink coffee to watch the world go by. I like to see the sights, but also wander markets, wander the city, and hang out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

IMO it absolutely is less tourist friendly. What I mean is that they've had tourists for so much longer, so not as gracious as the Vietnamese and Cambodians. The schedule is pretty heavy, there's nothing wrong by sitting by the pool for a day, or heavens forbid, sit and drink coffee to watch the world go by. I like to see the sights, but also wander markets, wander the city, and hang out.

OP here...no, absolutely nothing wrong with sitting by the pool...leisure time.

But honestly that is neither my mom's thing nor is it my or my DH's thing when visiting countries we've never been to, especially with so many UNESCO World Heritage sites and unique attractions. There is some leisure time built in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

IMO it absolutely is less tourist friendly. What I mean is that they've had tourists for so much longer, so not as gracious as the Vietnamese and Cambodians. The schedule is pretty heavy, there's nothing wrong by sitting by the pool for a day, or heavens forbid, sit and drink coffee to watch the world go by. I like to see the sights, but also wander markets, wander the city, and hang out.

OP here...no, absolutely nothing wrong with sitting by the pool...leisure time.

But honestly that is neither my mom's thing nor is it my or my DH's thing when visiting countries we've never been to, especially with so many UNESCO World Heritage sites and unique attractions. There is some leisure time built in.

That’s totally fine. I, personally, just like a bit more folding in to culture. Vietnam has great cooking classes, and there is a good market in siem reap, so it’s fun to go and talk to locals and expats, or try new fruits, etc. It can be for a few hours. Just a suggestion for anyone who finds this thread.

Unless your mom is very spry and not claustrophobic, she won’t be able to do Cu Chi tunnels, so you might rethink that one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

IMO it absolutely is less tourist friendly. What I mean is that they've had tourists for so much longer, so not as gracious as the Vietnamese and Cambodians. The schedule is pretty heavy, there's nothing wrong by sitting by the pool for a day, or heavens forbid, sit and drink coffee to watch the world go by. I like to see the sights, but also wander markets, wander the city, and hang out.

OP here...no, absolutely nothing wrong with sitting by the pool...leisure time.

But honestly that is neither my mom's thing nor is it my or my DH's thing when visiting countries we've never been to, especially with so many UNESCO World Heritage sites and unique attractions. There is some leisure time built in.

That’s totally fine. I, personally, just like a bit more folding in to culture. Vietnam has great cooking classes, and there is a good market in siem reap, so it’s fun to go and talk to locals and expats, or try new fruits, etc. It can be for a few hours. Just a suggestion for anyone who finds this thread.

Unless your mom is very spry and not claustrophobic, she won’t be able to do Cu Chi tunnels, so you might rethink that one.

Yeah...I've been rethinking the Cu Chi tunnels. That being said she knows her limits and is fine "waiting outside/at bottom of many stairs" at certain sites. And when we book we will opt for as many senior friendly tours as possible.

[Anonymous]

What the... Thailand not tourist friendly. No. And I understand what you're getting at but no, there is a reason Vietnam and Cambodia were not as touristy for many years (and still). It's because the people are NOT as friendly nor countries set up for tourist. Don't skip Chiang Mai, do skip the second floating market, id personally skip Cambodia. Didn't like it at all and felt like poverty tourism. Limited days in BKK.
Def talk to locals and expats while there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

IMO it absolutely is less tourist friendly. What I mean is that they've had tourists for so much longer, so not as gracious as the Vietnamese and Cambodians. The schedule is pretty heavy, there's nothing wrong by sitting by the pool for a day, or heavens forbid, sit and drink coffee to watch the world go by. I like to see the sights, but also wander markets, wander the city, and hang out.

OP here...no, absolutely nothing wrong with sitting by the pool...leisure time.

But honestly that is neither my mom's thing nor is it my or my DH's thing when visiting countries we've never been to, especially with so many UNESCO World Heritage sites and unique attractions. There is some leisure time built in.

That’s totally fine. I, personally, just like a bit more folding in to culture. Vietnam has great cooking classes, and there is a good market in siem reap, so it’s fun to go and talk to locals and expats, or try new fruits, etc. It can be for a few hours. Just a suggestion for anyone who finds this thread.

Unless your mom is very spry and not claustrophobic, she won’t be able to do Cu Chi tunnels, so you might rethink that one.

Yeah...I've been rethinking the Cu Chi tunnels. That being said she knows her limits and is fine "waiting outside/at bottom of many stairs" at certain sites. And when we book we will opt for as many senior friendly tours as possible.

Have fun and report back!

[Anonymous]

OP here...thanks everyone for your input. I've trimmed 2 days which should work....below draft itinerary (still subject to change) for trip in December/January.

Total Days, Tour Days, Activities

1, Travel Day

2, Travel Day - PM Arrival in Hanoi

3, Tour Day 1, Hanoi – Rest/Leisure Day/Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre Show

4, Tour Day 2, Hanoi - Halong Bay Day Trip Cruise

5, Tour Day 3, Hanoi City AM Tour Half Day – Afternoon Flight to Ho Chi Minh

6, Tour Day 4, Ho Chi Minh (Cu Chi and/or City Tour)

7, Tour Day 5, Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta 2-Day Trip

8, Tour Day 6, Can Tho - Cai Rang floating market

9, Tour Day 7, Ho Chi Minh (Leisure Morning) – Afternoon Flight to Siem Reap (Siem Reap Night Market)

10, Tour Day 8, Siem Reap (Explore Angkor) - Khmer Aspara Dance

11, Tour Day 9, Siem Reap (National Museum and Tonle Sap Lake) – Afternoon flight to Bangkok

12, Tour Day 10, Bangkok - Grand Palace, Wat Temples, Wonderful Pearl Dinner Cruise & Show

13, Tour Day 11, Bangkok - Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, Ayutthaya; cruise back to Bangkok

14, Tour Day 12, Bangkok – AM Flight to Chiang Mai (Leisure Afternoon)

15, Tour Day 13, Chiang Mai (hot springs, temples, Akha and Tao hill tribe villages)

16, Tour Day 14, Chiang Mai (AM Elephant Nature Park/Leisure Afternoon) - Depart around Midnight

17, Travel Day

Now just need to start budgeting and setting aside $$$.