Hi. Want to do a trip to Vietnam in November but can't decide whether to do Vietnam with Cambodia add on or Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The first visits Saignon and has longer in Angkor Wat. You also seem to get more city tours but I like the idea of seeing some of Laos history too. Anyone researched this or can give me any advice? Thanks.

Hi Mim, I did the Vietnam tour with Cambodia add-on two years ago and loved it, a fantastic tour from start to finish! The Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Adventure wasn't available then but if it had been, I think I would have done it instead as I'd love to see Luang Prabang in Laos. If you do that tour, you don't visit Ho Chi Minh City - the Cu Chi tunnels and War Remnants Museum were very interesting but I think Luang Prabang would be better to see. On that tour I think you would still see all that we did at Siem Reap - the main temples and Tonle Sap lake. You would however miss out on Phnom Penh, which I loved - some fantastic buildings there including the Royal Palaces. So it's swings and roundabouts, but for me if I had the choice over again I think Luang Prabang would swing it for me!

Hope this helps,

Best wishes,

Bob

Hi Mim

I would go for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam as you get to see three countries. I have not yet done this tour but it is on my list. Of course, you may not see some things offered on Vietnam / Cambodia trip but you will see other interesting sites.

Jaya

I have done the Vietnam tour without the Cambodia add on as it wasn't available when i did it. I loved North and central Vietnam and would love to go back to Hoi an as it was so lovely. Ho Chi Minh wasn't my favourite so my choice would be the Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia. I am going to Cambodia and Laos in November but with another company as I loved Vietnam so much I wanted to travel to other countries in that area.

Jenny

Hi,

I did the new Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in February and it was fabulous from start to finish. The tour guide Jackie is excellent, always upbeat and willing to help and the local guides couldn't be better. I can't pretend it's a relaxing trip - lots of early mornings, quite a few internal flights and a lengthy train ride. There's quite a bit of walking and the temple complexes involve some climbing to see them at their best. However, we saw sights and experienced things that I don't suppose many people get to do in their lifetime - certainly these countries are opening up and may be liable to change before too long. Go now while you can. You'll have a wonderful time.

Hi there,

I haven't done either of these tours with JY, but I have travelled quite a bit in Vietnam, so here's my opinion, for what it's worth - I think to visit Vietnam and not visit Saigon / Ho Chi Min City, which apparently is missing from one of the tours, would leave quite a gap in the understanding of how Vietnam came to be how it is now. Okay it's not the most beautiful of cities, but it offers a real insight in to the psyche of the country and its people, and you get a good understanding of an important aspect of fairly recent world history.

Hope you enjoy whichever trip you decide to take!

RM.

This is a really interesting thread, so thank you for all the input. This area is top of my wish list for my next long haul trip, so I will be able to reflect on what has been said before making a well considered decision. When I can afford it!

Toni

Hi Toni and Mim,

I do agree with what Rosie Mo has said about visiting Ho Chi Minh City to understand the Vietnamese psyche - the War Remnants Museum was sombering and shocking and I am glad I visited as it taught me so much about what the people have been through. Similarly the Section 21 Schoolhouse in Phnom Penh was an unpleasant experience, but crucial to understanding what happened during the Pol Pot genocide. However, if either history or culture is not top of your agenda, or if you are a particularly sensitive soul perhaps this might not be your cup of tea and you may prefer the Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos trip and see the delights of Luang Prabang instead. Food for thought!

Best wishes,

Bob