i am going to vietnam, cambodia and laos in the next month and i want to buy lonely planet books for all these countries however they are expensive in the UK. will i be able to pick them up when i have a day in bangkok? or in delhi?
Yes, PL guidebooks can be bought in the major book stores in Thailand, e.g. try at chains such as Asia Books.
laos and vietnam tonight,do any of you know some cool spots to see that you didnt find in the lonely planet.please avid travelers only!
This is going to be a day or two late, however lonely planet has it all.
Don't miss Luang Prabang, Plain of Jars and the boat/barge ride down to NongKai. In Vietnam travel with 'Sinh Cafe'
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Award Winning Travel Advisors in Asia
1. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Greater Mekong (Lonely Planet Multi Country Guide) (Paperback)
by Nick Ray
2.outheast Asia on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides) (Paperback)
by China Williams
3. is the following book better than the standard lonely planet editon of Thailand; Thailand's Islands and Beaches (Lonely Planet Country & Regional Guides) (Paperback)
Thanks in advance
Lonely Planet are a great all round choice covering all types of holidays.
The shoestring series are great if you want a budget minded trip or backpacking experience.
The Lonely Planet guide to thailand beaches is basically the same as the first book, but more concentrated just on the islands and beaches. If you are planning to visit just Phuket, Ko Lanta, Krabi etc then this is a better choice.
If you want to see a lot of destinations in one trip then go for the first book which will cover mainland places too.
I like using forums from lonely planet and fodors for sepcific info before I go.
The Mekong Delta
A new experience this year is taking a river barge cruise on Song Xanh and discovering floating market, enjoying exotic food and meeting friendly people. Tourists can travel upstream to Mekong River, cruise on a "rustic sampan" (a customised, luxury version) on the mighty Mekong River. It's a great escape from Saigon.
You can choose from one, two or three night packages for $265 to $427 per person. Experience an exclusive trip on the Mekong Delta with an unforgettable candlelight dinner and overnight stay on boat. The tour departs Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be floating market, Vinh Long and Sa Dec, down beautiful canals through water jacinth plantations and past French style villas and Chinese temples.
During the cruise, fresh cotton towels, exotic seasonal fruits, hot green tea and two bottles of mineral water will be served daily free of charge. Tour prices include all private transportation and transfers, on-board English or French speaking guides, daily breakfast, full board meals as indicated in the itinerary, bicycle rental and rowing, admission fees and permits where applicable.
Sapa and Bac Ha Market.
Now tourists can book a helicopter tour from Hanoi to Bac Ha just to see the weekend market! If you have more time, you can take the overnight train to Lao Cai then travel onto Bac Ha and visit Can Cau market on Saturday then Bac Ha Market on Sunday.
Sapa is a must-see destination to bring home unique handicrafts, post card pictures and experiences and memories of a lifetime. It takes at least five days to make a perfect tour to the northern hill tribes and markets. In Vietnamese culture, the market place is an important meeting gathering point, not simply as a place for trading. This concept has always remained with Vietnamese culture. There is not one child who does not want his or her mother to take him or her to the market.
Why? Because many people live in remote areas and work hard in the fields or elsewhere to make a living. People have few opportunities to meet friends, relatives or neighbours. So a market is a great place to fulfil those needs. There is always a lot of excitement and joy associated with the market place environment. The trips will introduce the most colourful markets of hill tribes living in North Vietnam.
You will encounter many interesting people, and visit their villages that are located at the foot of Vietnam's highest mountain, Mount Fansipan. Tour costs from $70 to $938 per person, including all transportation and transfers, English or French speaking guide, accommodation shared in twin/double room with daily breakfast, all entrance fees, meals as stated in the tour programme, taxes and service charges.
Con Dao Island
As a former prison island, Con Dao was hell in the past, but now it's paradise for travellers.
The Six Senses Con Dao has just opened its doors for luxury travellers. Sun, sand, sea, sounds, seafood and sightseeing… all you need for a dream vacation you can find here.
Resting in the quiet waters of the Eastern Sea, the Con Dao archipelago remains a little-known gem, 180km off the coast of Southeast Vietnam.
Swathes of white sand form breeding grounds for turtles and visiting dugong herds, while the inland teems with bird life and the chatter of monkeys and squirrels.
Six Senses has chosen Con Son Island as the location of its next Hideaway resort for this unspoilt beauty and ecological opportunities. The island covers an area of 70sqkm with 5,000 inhabitants. The pristine Dat Doc beach lies 8km from Con Son Airport, in a national park encompassing both marine and terrestrial resources.
The caress of a warm sea breeze, an exotic fruit cocktail by your side and the lulling sound of waves on the shoreline: barefoot tourism has brought new demands for impeccable standards in exotic, far flung destinations, standards that Evason Hideaway resorts can deliver.
Con Dao will be the sixth Evason Hideaway resort, the boutique category of the luxury Evason brand. Each Hideaway combines the intrinsic values of the destination with the height of luxurious, contemporary lifestyle.
Con Dao will take the usual Evason eco-friendly philosophy a few footsteps further, and lead a new style of environmentally sustainable resort, from construction materials to energy-saving wizardry.
Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
If you'd like to discover caves, a beautiful national park, and stay on the beach, you can take a tour to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and stay at the stunning Sun Spa Resort in Quang Binh province.
Vietnam Airlines offers flights from Hanoi and Saigon. This destination is easily accessed from Hue, Danang or even Hanoi by car. The best time to come is in the summer time but book in advance as that is also peak season for Vietnamese holiday makers.
Phu Yen
Vietnam Airlines offers daily flights from Saigon and Hanoi to Phu Yen, making this beach destination much more accessible. Hideaway Bai Tram is the perfect resort for relaxing and unwinding with seven unique private pool villas, nestled on a 90 hectare plot in an isolated and secluded bay with a 900m-long private white sand beach.
Located on the coast just south of Qui Nhon by a 45 minutes drive from Qui Nhon airport and is reached by a scenic drive from Nha Trang, Phu Yen is highlighted with almost-untouched natural beauties and attractions. Especially, Phu Yen is celebrating the National Tourism Year 2011 so there are many activities. Come and experience for yourself!
Award Winning Travel Advisor in Asia
Hi Guys,
I'm planning a big trip to SE Asia starting in Thailand in January and have ideas for Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam but not sure what I should do in Laos? I'll be there in February probably, might be a bit chilly for tubing etc. I have a lonely planet but would really like to hear some personal recommendations from people who've spent time there as to favourite towns, places etc.
Thanking you very much in advance, xx
Hi
I was in Laos in June for a couple of days. I visited Luang Prabang and around.
Luang Prabang is just a small incredibly clean quiet town consisting of colonial villas and Buddhist monasteries, most of them are small, the oldest one is 16th century's Wat Xieng Tong.
For a breathtaking view you may want to climb the Phousi hill in the centre of the town. There is a stupa on top, a monastery (again) and a 'Buddha's footprint' in a cave.
I also visited the Royal Ballet, but it was quite standard for SEA.
My best impressions: I have taken an elephant ride in the elephant village 15 km from
Luang Prabang. Riding on the neck of this gentle giant through the rain forest is a fantastic sensation. It is possible to interact with the elephants for 1-2-3 days in that village (Mahout courses).
Also I liked VERY much the Kuang Xi waterfalls (40 km from Luang Prabang) - that time of the year the water was clean blue in the white natural basins cascading up to bottom, and people were bathing.
Laos is for nature lovers, trekking, kayaking ets. but all this you can read in the LP. The food is excellent, the accomodation very decent and it looked perfectly safe at least in Luang Prabang.
Unfortunately, it was only 2 days, and I already miss it again. I want more.
