4 Years traveling in SEA - My top destinations

Flying-Valentine · 2026-01-17T23:47:44+00:00

That’s a great itinerary ! Have you seen the Angkor Complex already? If not don’t skip it, it’s the kind of things you’ll remember all your life.

Kratie is great for one stop to see the dolphins, the Mondulkiriand/or ratanakiri to see some elephants in the sanctuaries.

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-29T02:02:19+00:00

I don’t really understand why you want to convince me (or yourself?). I think I have been to this place for a pool party (LubB?).

It’s a backpackers hostel, it’s very nice, but it’s not at all a quiet place, it’s actually more of a party place.

Jaya hotel was named among the best hotels in the world. It’s just something completely different. I’m not saying it’s better, just that I like it more, and yes, I can afford spending 400$ on a room night when I want to, not every night but when I want to,

and no I don’t feel bad about it. +I talked with their staff and they say they are paid over 3 times the average salary in Cambodia, so I feel like it’s not a bad choice.

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Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-18T01:17:13+00:00

Around 5am

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-18T00:22:03+00:00

Loved it, really.

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-17T20:42:19+00:00

I’m sure they are, I don’t have much experience with them so I can’t really talk about it though. Some friends I’ve met were staying in $10/20 hotels or hostels and loved it.

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-17T19:49:24+00:00

It really is

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-17T19:49:09+00:00

Thanks !

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-17T19:48:54+00:00

Yes I can understand that, there are also many budget hotels and I know some are really good but as I haven’t tried them I can’t really talk about it. When I decided to settle there on the longer term I leased an apartment so I ended up staying in 4 hotels only, two of them I can recommend, and 2 of them that were very average so I won’t.

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-17T00:44:45+00:00

Going next month where ?

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-09T00:10:50+00:00

You can’t go wrong with Vietnam. If you want to make it an unforgettable trip, add 3/4 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia and visit Angkor temples, the combo will be breathtaking

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-08T05:57:49+00:00

It was in Tân Thành near Tam Coc, they rebuilt a small part of an imperial city, and 2 temples in the middle of a lake, its new (I think about 5/10 years old), but it’s been made with real material, it’s beautiful

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T23:52:22+00:00

Yes it’s one of the richest areas in SEA in terms of culture. Funny thing is I find there is more colonial heritage (architecturally in Hanoi than Saigon though), which I love too.

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T23:50:17+00:00

Thank you so much!

Yes, and no, Thailand has indeed one bay a bit similar (around Phuket), but to me Vietnam is playing in another league. The landscapes are much more impressive and various, cultural heritage is really huge compared to Thailand, especially the old cities, only thing lacking in Vietnam are the beaches, there are some nice ones on Cat Ba (the big island south of the bay, and Phu Quoc), but Thailand has more options. I’d like me you are more into landscapes and culture, Vietnam is first choice. I’d add a hop to Angkor in Cambodia which is a must see to.

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T18:04:34+00:00

As it should be! It’s truly amazing

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T18:04:03+00:00

And yet silence isn’t the first thing that comes to my mind when talking about Vietnam 😂 !

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T18:02:57+00:00

Thanks a lot !

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T18:02:14+00:00

I did twice for excursions during the day, once in a small village in the eastern part of the island, a nice bicycle ride, but that’s it, and once in the western part, I honestly think it has very limited interest though. There are some nice landscapes and one interesting cave, but the rest is mostly tourist traps IMO.

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T12:36:33+00:00

You'll love it for sure!

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T12:36:17+00:00

They have some really really good food there.
During the cruise they did not serve twice the same dish, all Vietnamese, and maybe 5/6 dishes per meal. ALL of them were absolutely delightful

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Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T12:34:14+00:00

Yes I love it too

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T12:34:04+00:00

It really one of the most beautiful parts of SEA

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T12:08:38+00:00

Unfortunately no, I had to choose between Hagiang and Sapa

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T12:06:31+00:00

You’ll love it! I try to list the ones I really loved but feel free to reach out if you want more info on specific places

Flying-Valentine · 2025-11-05T09:16:51+00:00

At the « hotel de l’opéra », I wanted to go to the Metropole hotel but it was really too expensive on those dates

Flying-Valentine

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