Hello :)

Planning a SE Asia trip with 4 people looking for feedback from people who’ve done similar/live - mainly around logistics, whether anything is overrated/underrated, suggestions etc.

We enjoy

• nightlife
• good food
• unique experiences
• nature/scenery
• less “super touristy packaged tour” vibes where possible
• not being constantly exhausted from travel

We’re okay with flights/sleeper transport, but don’t want the whole trip to feel like airports and buses.

Current Route

Sydney → Ho Chi Minh City → Cat Tien (&back to HCMC)→ Da Nang → Hanoi → Sa Pa → Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Singapore → Sydney

Singapore is already locked in (we’ve already been before), so after feedback on the Vietnam/Cambodia sections.

Vietnam Plan (11 Nights)

Ho Chi Minh City – 4 nights

Planned/things I've currently flagged as potential -

• Cu Chi shooting range (not interested in tunnel crawling)
• Bui Vien
• D-Rave nightclub
• Frolic Bar
• Ben Thanh Market
• Buu Long Pagoda
• Long Buu Buddhist Temple
• Oasis Cafe
• Suoi Tien Theme Park
• Night street food tour

Questions:

• Any underrated HCMC nightlife/daytime recommendations?
• Any areas/bars better than Bui Vien for nightlife?

Cat Tien – 1 night

Main reason:

• Free the Bears / Sun Bear sanctuary (I'm a Vet Nurse & volunteer Carnivore Zoo Keeper so this is of great interest and love for me)

Current idea:

• HCMC → Cat Tien transfer
• Overnight stay?
• Return to HCMC next day?
• Evening flight to Da Nang

Questions:

• Ability to get there for the 8:30am tour and spend the day? Or have to stay o/night?
• Best place to stay? (is this possible?
• Better transfer method than private car/shuttle? (I will of course contact places directly aswell for information, however some people may have done this)

Da Nang – 2 nights?

Considering/planned

• Golden Bridge / Ba Na Hills
• Sky36
• Dragon Bridge show
• My Khe Beach
• An Thuong area

Questions:

• Is 2 nights enough?
• Best bars/nightlife in Da Nang?
• Worth adding Hoi An or would that overload the trip?

Hanoi / North Vietnam – 4 nights total

Planned:

• Hanoi Old Quarter
• Trang An day trip
• Overnight VIP sleeper bus Hanoi → Sa Pa
• Fansipan
• Cat Cat Village
• Ta Van

Current idea?

• Sleeper bus TO Sa Pa
• Limousine van RETURN to Hanoi
• Evening flight Hanoi → Siem Reap

Questions:

• Is this realistic or too much movement?
• Better transport option than sleeper bus?
• Is Trang An worth keeping if doing Sa Pa?
• Trang An vs Ha Long Bay?

Cambodia Plan (4 Nights)

Siem Reap – 3 nights

Planned:

• Angkor Wat
• Ta Prohm
• Pub Street
• Chill/cafes

Phnom Penh – 1 night

Planned:

• Killing Fields
• Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center
• Riverside/Bassac Lane

Questions-

• Any major things we’re missing in Cambodia?

Main Questions Overall

• Does this route make logical sense?
• Any parts feel overrated or not worth the effort?
• Better alternatives for nightlife/nature balance?
• Anything we absolutely should add?

Thanks so much! <3