Travelling around Thailand, Vietnam and Loas

[bekib86]

Hey, me and my friend are going travelling in july for four weeks. We have the flights booked in and out of Bangkok but not sure how to go about getting around Vietnam and loas. Does anyone have any ideas? Im just worrying about getting back on time for my flights home. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks! xx

[JonnoGenie]

When I visited Laos in the mid-90's you had to fly between Luang Prabang and Vientienne, due to banditry if you went by road. This of course might have change now.

You can travel by train from Saigon to Hanoi, which I've always thought a nice mode of transport in Asia, if you have the time.

I flew BKK to Saigon, flew from there to Da Nang, taxi to Hue, plane from there to Hanoi, plane from there to Luang Prabang, plane to Vientienne, and another back to BKK, for a 2 week trip.

p.s. Lao Air rivals Cabana for being the most alarming I have ever flown!

[auntiebertie]

Two years ago I flew into BKK and then took a Thai Air flight up to Vientiene and then took Air Laos up to Luang Prubang, which is totally beautiful - you must see the Monks on their early morning walks and give them alms, and go on a boat ride up to the Pak Ou Caves, then we flew back to BKK and then up to Chaing Rai - apparently we could have gone by boat from LP to CR but there wasn't much info that I could find - and we are are not exactly backpackers and like our comfort [and safety]
You can see my pictures of our tour here: http://travel.webshots.com/album/258677591Jxrw BM