Vietnam Cambodia tour

Nat, nothing against Intrepid Tours. I've done a couple myself when working and very much time challenged, but Vietnam and Cambodia are very easy countries in which to travel and if you apply the money that you would have spent on an Intrepid Tour to independent travel you will have a rather more luxurious and fulfilling experience. It will just probably take a day or two more of your time. A couple of good guidebooks and this website are all that you need.

Have thought about going solo, but thought this might be a bit scary for a girl travelling alone, threrefore thought a tour might be a safer option.. what do u guys think?

I've never been a girl, so I hope that some of the distaff side of this branch can advise, maybe a separate post. I see plenty of girls travelling alone and for them it seems to be working well. These are safe countries in which to travel as long as you follow the same sorts of rules as you would follow at home. If you apply the money you would have paid to Intrepid to your accommodation and your trips you can, as I said before, live well and this is to your advantage as most backpackers who come unstuck seem to be those who are aiming for the very cheapest and who are disappointed when it does not work.
As a rule of thumb, I tend to see what the equivalent Intrepid trip would cost and make that my budget. I normally come in well under budget and this includes food and incidentals, which are extras with Intrepid and similar groups.
As a solo traveller I dont think you'll ever be lonely. You'll be meeting like minded travellers throughout your trip, just exercise the same caution as you would at home.
If you do decide on group travel you probably couldn't do too much beter than Intrepid. Check theit website. They often have 20% off specials a couple of months prior to departure.

natters
i'm a girl and have spent a few months in the region here and there over the past decade - always travelled alone. never done a tour.
Re Vietnam and Cambodia specifically - until i arrive in vietnam tomorrow i won't have been there before so can't comment on Vietnam but did spend a month in Cambodia alone a couple of years ago.
no troubles came of it at all - particularly none that occurred because i was a girl. more like tummy trouble, heat issues but nothing major.
i didn't really spend much time in Siem Reap (couldn't stand it actually - too much of a circus) which is where a lot of tourist/travellers hang and rarely came across people i'd consider 'like-minded' in Cambodia (as Groo suggests one might). that could be partly because i spent most of the time in small out of the way places so there werent too many travellers to meet. But i certainly have elsewhere. did find a couple of interesting travelling folk in Phnom Penh and Battambang. expect things to be a lot more sociable in Vietnam.
didn't find any of it scary at all - prefer the independence and flexibility. prefer to travel alone.
don't be too gullible, follow your instincts, use common sense, take a guidebook, chat to people, ask questions, don't wear hotpants and crop-tops even if it's hot, be truly respectful of the locals - you're a guest - and take a healthy dose of inspiration, humour and curiosity and you'll be ok.
BUT if you're the type that does get scared without too much provocation and you reckon you'll be stressed out on your own, do whatever makes you feel safe.
if you're worried about men, personally i find fellow travellers, the men in Europe and those in Australia more scary and offensive than any locals i've come across in SEA... and even then they're not too bad. ;D

If you're well traveled, no matter what age or sex, forget the Intrepid Tour. Use the money to come back another time. Invest in an Lonely Planet (or ?) guide book and make a few inquiries and read replies here at TT. I've been to Vietnam 5 times and have observed single women traveling on all trips. The people of Vietnam are friendly and helpful; and appreciate well behaved tourists. Try to get away from the tourist areas. I took a motorbike trip down the "Ho Chi Minh Trail" a couple years ago - awesome! Started near Danang and ended in Dalat. You can even start further north. Even if you don't drive motorbikes you can hire a bike and driver. That will beat any Intrepid Tour! (It's paved highway for the most part!) Good Luck, Dwight Z.
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Your Vietnam Tour Guide