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Southeast Asia

I am interested in touring Southeast Asia some time next year. At this time I have not decided if I am taking a tour or going on my own. I usually do a combination of the two when I travel. Has anyone traveled in Southeast Asia on their own or taken a tour they enjoyed. I am usually a G adventure or similar type of traveller, I tend to travel on my own in places Rick offers tours. My focus is on Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Any advice on the best time to travel would be great I have heard a lot of conflicting advice. As well tips on travelling solo in this area would be great.

Wendy. Travel in Vietnam is quite simple for independent travellers. In some places it may make sense to take a short tour if you have limited time and want to simplify logistics eg. in Halong Bay or the Mekong Delta where a lot of people like to explore the waterways. My favourite city is Hue in the centre of the country.

I would recommend getting a copy of Lonely Planet as it gives good advice on possible itineraries as well as in country transport.

Australians must organise a visa in advance through the Vietnames embassy or one of their consuls. I believe that this also applies for US citizens.

We have traveled independently in SE Asia and found it to be wonderful! The two countries we have explored are Thailand and the Philippines. We made sure we did our homework very thoroughly, researched on TripAdvisor, read guidebooks, and thought long and hard about the kinds of accommodations we would stay in. IMHO it is not a part of the world for low-budget lodging - decent lodging the one thing I would recommend making sure you budget a good amount for. We stayed at a very nice hotel in Bangkok and were glad we did - the city is amazing but it was gritty and very overwhelming and I was happy to have a bit of a refuge to go to at the end of the day. The rest of the time we had a car and based ourselves in Phuket, which was a home exchange. We also drove all around the edges of the Andaman Sea to many towns, villages, and temples. No reservations, just finding places as we went along. Took ferries out to some of the islands and then longtail boats from there to even smaller islands and offshore reefs for snorkeling. It was all very doable and most people who deal with tourists speak English enough to do business with them - there are lots of British and French tourists around so if you speak English and or French you can do fine. I know that this is also the case in Vietnam - more French than English though. Most SE Asian countries have the equivalent of a tuk-tuk of jeepney type service that is like a taxi/bus. Tuk-tuks will take you wherever you want to go and jeepneys have a route. They aren't hard to figure out - you just have to have the guts to zip in and out between traffic and trust your driver. It's quite exciting! Sorry I can't give you more specific advice about your three target countries but you asked about SE Asia so I thought I could at least share this little bit to get you thinking.

First off, the best time to visit depends on the weather! December-February are usually best because there's little or no rain then. I was in Vietnam on day trips from a cruise. Saigon is pretty manageable on one's own. The other two days were with a small group (4-5 people) and private guides. The best food I had (strict vegetarian) in SE Asia was in Vietnam. I flew to Siem Reap and spent 3 nights to see the temples of Angor (wonderful) with a private guide and driver (very affordable). After Siem Reap, I really had no desire to see more of Cambodia. I love Thailand! I didn't find Bangkok "gritty" - in fact I thought it was pretty clean. Loved wandering the markets, gorgeous temples, friendly people, good food. I stayed in a little quirky hotel in a residential neighborhood, great location, with all the amenities (A/C, good shower, good breakfast, coin-op washer/dryer and more). The north is even more interesting, beautiful and better climate - not humid, cool nights. For Chiang Rai I had a private guide with car for 3 days, then on my own in Chiang Mai. So much fun! Except for Vietnam, I was traveling as a single woman. I used Trip Advisor for most of my planning (and a friend who'd been).

Wendy, our family is going to Cambodia this summer and we're using Indochina Odyssey Tours to do a private tour (family of four) of the Siem Reap area. The price is extremely reasonable and I know someone who had a great experience using them. I know you didn't ask about airfare, but I notice you're in Toronto and wanted to mention that we got a great deal with United. Toronto to Singapore with a week long stopover in Tokyo for $1250! We're using Singapore as a base, as airfares out of there to surrounding countries are very cheap.

Thanks for the advice. I think I am leaning towards independent travel in Vietnam, with a small tours in some areas. When doing small independent tours ( 1 or 2 days) do most people book them in Vietnam, I will be staying at hostels and smaller hotels and usually find they offer tours or know of tours. For the rest I have not decided on how to travel, I am thinking a bit of both. Never thought of Singapore as a base. I was thinking that Thailand may be the best to fly into but will look at options. Maybe even Hong Kong as a stop over. Wendy

Singapore is the most expensive place in Southeast Asia! Food, transportation, hotels, everything. Unless you really want to see Singapore (hardly my favorite), avoid it unless you are just changing planes. I had a Singapore sling there that cost me more than a hotel night and 2 Singapore slings (I was only going to have one, but it was happy hour, so who could refuse a free one) in Siem Reap.

If you are planning to go to Cambodia just for Siem Reap (Angkor), then check prices for flights carefully. I went when on a trip to Thailand, and the plane fare from Bangkok was huge compared to flights to other destinations but it was my only option.

Wendy, Hong Kong would be a great place for a stopover if the flights/finances work out. It's a fabulous city to explore for a few days. Singapore might not be of interest--we're going so youngest son can see the proboscis monkeys at the zoo and I want to see the Gardens by the Bay, and it was named Lonely Planet's top destination for 2015. I'd love to see your itinerary when you finalize it! Also look at Explore adventure tours if you haven't already. We've used them 5 times (for the Middle East and India) and they are a very good value.

Martha I have used Explore in Morocco and loved them. They are who I am thinking of using if I do a tour. I do not have an outline yet, still working out time lines. I am off school for the year so working two big tips 2-3 months each. In addition to Southeast Asia I am also looking a trip that includes Jordan, Turkey, parts of Eastern Europe as well as Paris. Last time I was there I had not discovered my love of museums and spent my time in the Louver looking for the Mona Lisa and that was it. Now I plan a day or two exploring the museum. I have from Sept 2015 to the end of Aug 2016 to travel. I cannot be gone the whole time but it allows me flexibility.

Well that sounds fabulous! We used Explore in Turkey and Jordan/Syria (where I bought an 'I heart Bashar al-Assad' t-shirt which I won't be wearing anytime soon). If you go to Turkey hopefully it will include a few days sailing on a 'gulet'. We found Turkey and Jordan to be pretty magical. Nothing like doing a camel safari out in the desert, sleeping under the stars and waking up to bread which has been cooked under the sand!

Southeast Asia is an AMAZING place to travel. There are some great sites (and some not so great) I would avoid Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. Here is a great blog I've come across that describes Cambodia and Vietnam in detail with lots of great pictures (also some great guest houses/hostels to stay at: http://togetherinthailand.com/vietnam-trip-nutshell/

Northern Vietnam is pretty cold during February, so if you want to see Ha Long Bay, a better time would be April.

Hope it helps!

Weather is a biggie there, so make sure you're familiar with weather patterns at the times of the year you're considering, before you pick dates.

Just got back from Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. I was on a private tour.

I went to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and then picked up a Mekong River cruise from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi MInh City. I don't feel I need to go back to Cambodia. Angkor Wat was definitely worth visiting and I recommend getting a guide there to get the most out of the various places.

Getting to and from Siem Reap can be a bit of a challenge. We flew there from Bangkok on Bangkok Airways (an airline which I recommend highly) and from there to Phnom Penh on Cambodia Angkor Air - there's also a reasonable bus service now between the two which takes 6 or so hours - it's a new one with better buses. Or you can find private car service (ask your guide to help with this). Travel within Cambodia seems to be a bit of a challenge. We applied for visas on line before we went (evisa) and I recommend this as it saved us a long line up upon entry to Cambodia.

I think Vietnam would be a good place for you to start - we barely touched the country and it seems to be booming, at least in Ho Chi Minh City. You need a visa before you leave. We applied for our visas in advance. You do not need to send in your passport - just an application form which you can get online, and some photos. Our visas were mailed back to us and we paper clipped them into our passports.

The weather in Ho Chi Minh City was about 34 degrees Celsius last week. It is dry season and we didn't have any rain. I think this is a good time to travel. We were told that it rains every day in HCMC in rainy season. Other parts of the country may differ so you need to check this out in advance.

I was bothered quite a bit by mosquitoes, although my travel companion didn't have the same problem.

If you do go to Vietnam, be aware that they celebrate New Year at the same time as the Chinese do and it's a major holiday. Many of the shops and restaurants were closed last week - many for at least a week, so this made it a bit difficult for us as visitors.

Thanks for all the advice. I still have not made final plans about when to go. Think jan or feb starting in Vietnam then moving to Cambodia and Thailand. A tour for sure in Cambodia but the rest is still up in the air.

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Southeast Asia forum

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ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024

Vientiane, laos 22 – 27 january 2024, message from excellency madam suanesavanh vignaket minister of ministry of information culture and tourism, lao pdr.

On behalf of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR, I am pleased to announce that Lao PDR will be hosting the ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2024 from 22nd to 27th January 2024 in Vientiane Capital with the theme: “Quality and Responsible Tourism – Sustaining ASEAN Future.”

By organizing this event, our aim is to strengthen our collaboration in further improving our tourism products to attract more international tourists, and at the same time, to contribute more to our community and to sustainability of tourism within the region.

Vientiane Capital is the home to the most significant Laos cultural and historical attractions, and the center of major businesses with excellent connectivity to the surrounding of our neighbors.

In 2024, there will be important events for Laos such as Lao PDR will be the chair of ASEAN Summit, host of ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 and launching the Visit Laos Year 2024. Therefore; the government of the Lao PDR has developed tourism infrastructure, facilities, transportation, tourism activities, various tourism products and will upgrade the tourism services up to standards. In preparation for Tourism exhibition, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has signed the TRAVEX Agreement with ASEANTA to operate the tourism exhibition during the ATF 2024.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to invite you all to come and visit Laos to experience Lao tourist attractions by yourselves. I, therefore, would like to take this opportunity to cordially invite you to attend the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Thank you.

Welcome to Laos

What’s the asean tourism forum.

International Sellers

The TRAVEX sessions are one of the main attractions of the ATF, and will be held over 2.5 days from 24-26 January. They provide a unique and specialised platform for buyers across the world to meet with ASEAN tourism products and service providers, establish new business connections and strengthen existing relationships with partners.

International Buyers

Hosted Buyers Programme

The ATF 2024 will welcome international buyers under its hosted buyer scheme. Interested, qualified buyers are encouraged to apply for a chance to attend this invaluable event.

The ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC) will be held concurrently with the TRAVEX, and offers an opportunity for all delegates to learn about the latest trends from industry experts in engaging sessions.

Why attend ATF as a Seller?

Showcase your latest services and solutions to tourism boards, travel partners, destination management companies, professional conference organisers and many more.

Generate quality business leads through global travel buyers and key decision makers.

Leverage on ATF 2024 for marketing promotions and publicity campaigns.

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ASEAN TOURISM ASSOCIATION (ASEANTA) Door A, Level 6 Ministry of Tourism & Culture Malaysia No. 2 Tower 1, Jalan P5/6 Precinct 5 62200 Putrajaya Malaysia

For Further Information Please Contact Our Representatives

I've been to 107 countries. Italy and Mexico are great, but these 5 underrated destinations should be on your travel radar.

• I've visited 107 countries, and I recommend these 5 that can be overlooked for more popular places. 
• Estonia is a European dream, and Namibia is one of my favorite places in the world . 
• Costa Rica is popular but not as packed with tourists as some similarly beautiful places nearby. 

This year, travelers are looking to visit more under-the-radar destinations than popular ones — in part to dodge crowds and in part to save money.

Some are specifically looking for "travel dupes," a term for destinations similar to popular spots that are often cheaper with fewer crowds.

And, as someone who's been to 107 countries , I can tell you each region of the world has an often overlooked country that may offer a more rewarding experience than a more well-known place. These more under-the-radar destinations are often less crowded, and your dollar just might go further.

Popular travel destinations like Italy, France, and Mexico are great picks — but consider visiting these alternative options to the more popular choices in the region.

Estonia is a European dream.

I was immediately captivated by the fairy-tale appearance of Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia.

Walking the cobblestoned streets within the fortress-like walls of the old city transported me back to medieval times.

The city is small enough to explore on foot, and there's plenty to entertain history and architecture enthusiasts. Enjoying a coffee or a beer in the Town Hall Square while people watching is a highlight of my European travels.

Although many people visit Tallinn as a day trip from Helsinki, which is a two-hour ferry ride away, it's worth staying here for a few days and heading into the Estonian countryside. The roads are often quite empty and incredibly peaceful.

I enjoyed Estonia so much that I returned twice more in the 18 months after my first visit.

I've enjoyed visiting Oman, a country in the Middle East.

Dubai gets a lot of attention for its luxurious travel opportunities , and many know Qatar because it recently hosted the World Cup, but nearby Oman should not be skipped.

After all, Oman's capital, Muscat, provides an excellent gateway to the country.

A stroll along the beautiful Corniche will take you along the water and by the bustling Grand Bazaar. For those who love hikes, there are plenty of options in Oman, including several easily accessible trails in Muscat that offer great city views.

Better still, the amazing Wadi Shab is less than two hours from the capital city and is one of the best hikes I've ever experienced . The trail takes you through narrow gorges and across streams and ends with a surreal swim through incredible caves.

It's an experience so breathtaking I'd expected it to be packed with tourists, but it wasn't when we visited. We only saw a handful of people, which allowed us to really enjoy our trip.

I've seen many parts of Africa, but Namibia may just be my favorite spot.

I have been fortunate to go on safaris in Kenya , Botswana, and Tanzania, but Namibia is my favorite travel destination of the bunch.

While there, we rented a campervan and did a self-drive tour of the country, allowing us to explore independently. Yet again, we avoided the crowds and the campsites were usually just us and local animals.

Waking up to the sounds of monkeys, elephants, and even lions was a special treat, especially knowing we were safe inside our campervan.

In addition to the wildlife, there's a lot to explore in Namibia, including colossal dunes, which we hiked up and surfed down —undoubtedly the trip highlight for my children.

Sri Lanka showcases a lot of what Asia landscapes have to offer.

Asia has some beautiful beaches, but Sri Lanka has beaches and tea plantations, mountains, rocks, waterfalls, and more.

We visited Sri Lanka last year and hired a driver and guide who showcased the diverse landscapes of this island country. The food was terrific and extremely cheap — our family of four was fed for less than $10 on most occasions.

The locals I interacted with were incredibly friendly and the island is also small enough to allow for in-depth exploration in a relatively short time.

Costa Rica is an excellent place to visit in Central America.

Growing up in Texas, my wife has been to Mexico many times since the state shares a border with the country. But to explore somewhere new, smaller, and in the same region, we chose to have our honeymoon in Costa Rica .

Although it's still popular, Costa Rica offers an authentic travel experience as I feel it has yet to be overrun by tourists. Like the other countries on this list, it has a diverse landscape, from white-sand beaches to rainforests to volcanoes, so there's plenty to do.

We also visited during the rainy season, so we took advantage of low crowds , low prices, and often received upgrades — and, as a bonus, it rarely rained!

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Jordan and Iraq reopened their airspace on Sunday after closing it late on Saturday as Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Israel, both countries said on Sunday.

A Russia-installed official in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region said on Sunday that the death toll from shelling by Ukraine's military on the town of Tokmak had risen to 16 people.

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Japan’s elderly population living alone to jump 47% by 2050

TOKYO – The number of senior citizens living alone in Japan will likely jump 47 per cent by 2050, a government-affiliated research institute said on April 12, underscoring the heavy burden the country’s demographic change will exert on its social security system.

The number of single-person households is expected to reach 23.3 million in 2050, accounting for 44.3 per cent of total households. That would be higher than 38 per cent in 2020, the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research said.

Of those one-person households, senior citizens aged 65 or older will likely represent 46.5 per cent in 2050, compared with 34.9 per cent in 2020, the institute’s estimates showed.

Japan, one of the world’s most advanced ageing societies, has seen a constant decline in the number of marriages in recent decades as a stagnant economy hits the young generations the hardest.

The Covid-19 pandemic also came in the way of people meeting their potential partners and tying the knot.

Nearly one-third of Tokyo men in their 50s have never been married, while data gathered by Recruit Holdings shows 46 per cent of men and 30 per cent of women in their 20s in Japan have never dated. REUTERS

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State Department is sending its top diplomat for East Asia to China

WASHINGTON — The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia will travel to China on Sunday, the State Department announced, just days after President Joe Biden met with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines in Washington as part of a broad diplomatic outreach in the region to counter China’s aggression.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will travel with Sarah Beran, Biden’s top China adviser on the National Security Council. They will be in China until Tuesday, meeting with officials “as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and to responsibly manage competition,” according to a statement from the State Department.

China’s moves in the Indo-Pacific region were a focus at the White House this past week during a three-day state visit by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan that ended with a first-ever three-way summit with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines. That nation has borne the brunt of China’s intimidation campaign in the South China Sea.

Tensions between China and the United States have recently increased amid concern that China might begin a conflict over Taiwan, and because the United States is treaty-bound to defend the Philippines.

In a meeting at the State Department on Friday, Enrique Manalo, the foreign secretary of the Philippines, said that “China’s escalation of its harassment” continued to take a toll on the country, recently injuring four Filipino seamen. Also present at the meeting were Antony Blinken, the secretary of state; Lloyd Austin, the secretary of defense; Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser; and their three counterparts from the Philippines.

In the past several years, Japan has moved closer to the United States on countering China by increasing military spending and siding with Washington in global diplomacy on the world stage. That has included standing with Ukraine in its war against Russia, while China reaffirms ties with Russia.

The last high-level U.S. official to make a trip to China was Janet Yellen, the treasury secretary, who returned from Beijing this month with little to show for four days of top-level economic meetings.

Biden concluded the Thursday meeting with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines by saying that America’s commitment to their defense was not in question.

“When we stand as one,” he said, “we are able to forge a better peace for all.”

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Travel south via I-95 - Road Trips Forum

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Travel south via I-95

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We’re considering driving to southern Florida next spring. We’ve driven I 95 as far south as Florence, SC several times, and disliked the slow traffic and frequent local areas south of the Rocky Mount area. So we’re considering following 81 to 77 to 26. We’re curious to know if the slowed traffic continues through to northern Florida. We want to avoid Atlanta, so we may cut across to Savannah and visit there. Or it is worth it to deal with Atlanta and take 475 to 75? Thanks for any help!

2 replies to this topic

Parts of I-95 can be slow through South Carolina, Georgia and Florida as well. Friday and Saturday are worst. We have experienced less traffic on Sunday heading south. I agree with the I-81 route to avoid traffic through Virginia on I-95.

Spring break time you have very real snow risk on 81/77 in central PA snd western Virginia

You are going to habe heavy traffic to/ from Florida then

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