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[risingsun]

Me and my girlf are in the final stages of planning our route. We know where we want to go and when and for how long but we are still unsure of where to start. The choices are 1)fly into Bankok and work our way around vietnam via Laos and then cambodia. Or 2)fly into Hanoi and go through vietnam and cambodia and down through thailand. Any suggestions on which would be best? I def want to see Halong bay and Ho Chi Min etc but would Bankok be less overwhelming for a first stop? Any advice appreciated?

[sianeth]

Where are you flying from?

I'd hazard a guess at the fact that it will be cheaper and easier to fly in and out of Bangkok...

[risingsun]

Flying out of London (gatwick or heathrow)

[sianeth]

Yeah - definately cheaper to go through Bangkok then. I haven't been to Hanoi so I can't comment there, but there are parts of Bangkok that are very much geared towards tourists, so I can't see you having any trouble starting off there. Things are really easy to sort out once you get to Thailand aswell, so I'd say it'd be a great starting point.

The TravelFish website's got loads of info on Indochina, suggested itineraries and stuff about visas etc - take a look, I'm sure whichever place you fly into it'll work out for you.

[wakingdream]

If you can find a cheap flight into Hanoi it might be a good place for a logical first stop. Starting at the northernmost point and working south, even if you have to wind around here and there, makes more sense. If you fly into BKK, you'll have to make it to Hanoi and double back but sure you can take a different route and see more. May not be a big deal for you though. Have you compared flights between landing in Hanoi and in BKK? I know BKK is cheaper but it might not be a very significant difference.

From Hanoi you can plan your trip a number of different ways. There are more border crossings now then there used to be too which makes overland travel a lot easier and more convenient. BTW, Halong Bay is stunning. One of my favorites in SEA.

It sounds like you're focusing on Vietnam and Cambodia? Do you have planned stops in Laos and Thailand or are just traveling through? Asking because a very nice trip is north to south Vietnam and then into Cambodia. On your way out of Cambodia you could travel southern Thailand and hit some beaches if you're into it. Or, easily travel in and around Bangkok if you're interested.

Bangkok is busy. Hanoi is busy. Both can be overwhelming if you've never been. There's lots going on in both places. I wouldn't necessarily gauge my flight on which is easier if you know what I mean

[rbisset]

Best to fly to Bangkok first and take the route through Laos then Vietnam and Cambodia. All flights to Vietnam from the UK are likely to route through Bangkok anyway.

Head north in Thailand, boat to northern Laos, bus/fly (I flew with Laos Airways $100) to Hanoi and work south through Vietnam and Cambodia, back to Bangkok and then head south to the beach

Pretty much the route I took anyway.

[hue.kute.9]

the second choice would be better and i think Hanoi and Bankok is the same i overwwhelming