1

While in Viet Nam - best mode and cheapest mode of transport is the Unification Express train. While it has the word 'Express' in it, it's actually a slow train running north/south (and in reverse) traversing the main towns.

I see you have a month and I think that if you want the best cultural experiences in that time, cut it down to just 2 countries and spend 15 days in each. Even that is not enough for each country. I would suggest 15 days in Thailand - that will allow you to spend time in the north (Chiang Mai/Rai etc), middle (BKK) and south (islands) and 15 days in VN. Fly BKK to Hanoi (Sapa, Ha Long bay) if you can afford it and train south towards Ho Chi Minh and see Hue, Hoi An, Nga Trang, Dalat and Can Tho on the way down.

If you feel a little more adventurous, after seeing Thailand, go east and cross into Viet Nam via Laos at Savanakhet. There used to be a bus from Savannakhet to Hue---Densavanh/Lao Bao border and you can then decide from there to go to either N or S Viet Nam.

Good luck!

2

^^ P.S VN and Thailand is quite safe for single female traveller BUT don't leave your brain at home. Take the usual precautions that you take when you are in your own country (e.g. don't go down dodgy dark lanes at night, no drinks from strangers). I'm not so sure about Cambodia.

Oh, read up on the scams in Thailand so you are aware of them and research on this forum!!!

3

The best tip you'll get is to do some research for yourself rather than rely on the good folk on here do it all for you. For free.

4

You can get some of that information above posters referring to via SE Asia Budget Guide in sigline below, paying special attention to Travelfish for general SEA and Tales of Asia for Cambodia. There is also a scams section in the budget guide.

You could use more time, but can see a lot in a month. Overall, you'll pretty much stay on the basic banana pancake trail, which is great. If you want to see "the real" wherever, just walk a few streets over from the backpacker areas.

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Bangkok via bus or fly. From BKK take bus to Aranyaprathet and share ride to Siem Reap (flying to SR expensive). Bus to Phnom Penh, but just plan on a day or two in PP. Bus to Saigon. Couple days SGN and day or two in Delta. Train to Danang (or fly - flying cheap in VN - but everyone should take a train ride in VN) and straight away to Hue and Hoi An - the latter of which is totally tourist. Onward to Hanoi with time in Halong, maybe Sapa if you don't have much in the way of mountains where you live. Fly Air Asia (cheap if you don't pay ahead for over-weight on luggage) Hanoi to Bangkok and on home. It's hard to avoid returns to Bangkok.

If you're into Thai food, you won't believe the food court in Siam Paragon on Sukhumvit Rd.

Happy trails

5

how safe it is for a single 30 year old female to travel by herself
After itineraries, visas and weather, that must be the most commonly asked question. If you use the search facility there will be plenty of threads for you to peruse.

6

C'mon Westwood, I'm being nice today :-)

7

I'm too bored to be nice. Just me and the cat home.

8

Hello Ahanson21,

I am also getting into Thailand at the end of January ( 30/1) and have a bout 5-6 weeks. Was planning on travelling on to Cambodia ( maybe Vietnam if I have time) then back to Thailand heading north there towards Chiang Mai etc and finish off on an island in the south first week of March.
Now this is just a very vague& rough idea, could all change whilst en route. Am also female thirty-ish solo travelling girl. PM me if you fancy meeting & travelling a bit together, Nat x