Thailand-Laos- Cambodia-Vietnam -How to do this ??

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<hr>Choosing a country to post to

When you make a post and choose a country from the drop down menu, your post will be added to that country but will also display in the general South-East Asia Mainland branch. If your post covers more than one country, please only add it to the country it is mostly about, not to all the countries - it won't increase the number of replies you get and will mean your post will appear multiple times in the South-East Asia Mainland branch. Thanks a lot.<hr></blockquote>

So sorry did not know that but now I do and again thank's to all of you replying it is great help to me planing.
Greetings
Bragi

Hi, Bragi,
SEA is a very easy and cheap region to travel, in all the four countries you mention, you will find plenty of possibilities to get from A to B. 4 months from October onwards is a good timeframe to visit quite a few areas in several or all of these counties without flying and staying in good, but still cheap guesthouses - everyone has got his own pace, personally, I prefer to visit less palces but to stay longer - you will find out when you're on the road. For basic planning and to get some ideas for a rough itinerary, I suggest to get a map of the area and one, or more, decent guidebook(s) on SEA and the different counties. Do some reading, they will tell you what the countries and their different regions are like, which places are must-sees, where to stay at roughly what prices, where to eat, go out and so on. You'll also find suggestions for itineraries, tips for preparation, what to pack, which shots to take, possible scams, medical and safety issues. Read the guids, put the map next to them and see, where you want to go. If you don't understand something or want tips or opinions on specific cultural aspects, places, guesthouses or means of tranportations - come back here and ask...

All the best with your planning, it's part of the trip and great fun. Just don't overdue it and keep in mind, that once there it's best to take things from day to day and to check out personally, which kind of places, attractions and things you like you prefer - well and "just go with the flow"...

Have fun!

Your vague itinerary lends itself to a circle. Bangkok -> Chiang Mai -> Luang Prabang (Vang Vieng?) -> Hanoi (Sapa and Halong Bay) -> Hoi An and Hue -> Dalat and Nha Trang -> Mekong Delta and HCMC -> Phnom Penh -> Angkor Wat -> Bangkok.

Or, of course, in reverse direction.

If you are comfortable with local bus travel (and trains in Thailand and Vietnam), this entire loop is pretty inexpensive to move through.

The one place I'd consider flying is Luang Prabang to Hanoi - more rugged travel is required between the two than the other big sites listed. [On the other hand, more rugged travel may be just the thing in which case you should take a fairly leisurely 7-10 days to go LP->Hanoi overland - colorful, unvisited, beautiful.]

These sites are the most touristed areas of course, which has both advantages (more accomodation and food options, nightlife, access to guides and arranged local tours, bored tourists looking for cute Icelandic company), and disadvantages (less traditional culture, people bitching about the lack of good cheese and ice-cold beer, bored tourists looking for cute Icelandic company).

It's easy, but intimidating sometimes, to get off the tourist route and up to village and visit more traditional style livelihoods. It is always well worth the effort. Be sure to do treks and homestays when you can (and you will see opportunity at many tourist oriented sites and guesthouses) - you will be far more enriched and awestruck by the experience. You'll have better stories and pictures and a stronger urge to do it again (and again).

It is easy to get caught traveling and visiting only with other tourists. I see tourists passing through who seem to want to look, but not engage - as if they are traveling thru the zoo. Be sure to learn a few local words and how to count, be sure to eat in places with no signs or menus, be sure to be able to look around and see that you're the only tourist within a thousand paces - you will find an endless supply of smiles, laughs, and heart-felt connections if you reach out. [Thank God for body language and hand signals!]

If you miss the engagement with the locals, you'll miss the real beauty of SEA.

Oh. And get a Lonely Planet Guidebook for each country. Treat it as a broad guide, but not as a say-all (especially with regards to accomodation and restaurants).