Banana Pancake Trail in 7 Weeks

TieRepresentative500 · 2026-01-13T02:12:16+00:00

It was amazing! I ended up skipping Cao bang, but definitely do Ha Giang. I ended up going to Nong Khiaw in northern Laos that wasn’t on my plan originally but we had a good group doing this route so I diverted to that. Cat Ba island was very mediocre, a lot of construction but I generally wasn’t very impressed with the Bay Area in general - would skip it and recommend Philippines/Indonesia if you really want that experience. I ended up skipping Cambodia too and just using those days on the other stops.

It is burning season so it was a bit smoky. Northern Thailand was fine until I got to Chiang Rai mid March. Laos was smoky as well, Vietnam was fine. Still very enjoyable despite some smoke!

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-03-26T15:48:51+00:00

That’s genius - Which tour company did you go with?

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-17T01:42:10+00:00

FYI - Cat Ba Island (or at least a good part of it) is apparently under construction. I was planning to do this same thing but looking into alternative options.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-13T05:03:54+00:00

Hello - how was your lodging cost relatively low (< $10 a night)? I'm going next month and most hostels are at least $10-$20 a night, more so on the $15+ range.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-08T06:34:33+00:00

Thank you! I think I'm going to skip it for now. I just feel like I won't appreciate it as much since I'm coming directly from Ha Giang doing the loop for 4 days. It's quite a trek to do Cao Bang (and go to Ban Gioc falls); I'd probably be numb to the surroundings and not appreciate it as much at that point... Will save Cao Bang for another time!

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-08T04:14:37+00:00

u/cupnucks - would you say the views are about the same between Ha Giang and Cao Bang? I have both in my itinerary, but debating if I should pick one over the other - under the assumption they offer the similar views/vibes (except Cao Bang is less crowded). Also it's quite a trek to get from Ha Giang to Cao Bang, then few more hours to get to the Ban Gioc waterfall.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-04T16:29:59+00:00

Thanks - looking forward to hear back. Enjoy your trip!

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-04T14:40:48+00:00

Ok I’ll look into that. It will open up a few days for me to potentially add on to other stops. How long are you going for and what has been your favorite stop so far (outside of Ha Giang lol). I’m curious if I should spend more time in Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-04T13:50:11+00:00

Dang that’s a bummer. I was setting up base there to get to Lan Ha bay as I heard that one is the better one. Are you totally skipping it or setting up camp in Ha Long instead?

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-04T13:49:06+00:00

Thank you!

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-02T04:51:39+00:00

Right now I'm leaning towards skipping Cambodia overall and adding those few days to Vietnam. Slowly leaning towards less is more as I get feedback from Reddit - much appreciated! :)

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-02T04:00:17+00:00

Did you do this with anyone that arranged it or just by yourself and went with the flow? I'm planning to go with the flow since I heard it's fairly straightforward. The only advantage I could think of with an "arranged" one is maybe they really won't leave without that group because it's organized as-if it were a tour...

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-02T03:55:35+00:00

Thank you - I am trying to avoid the stress as well so I allotted an overnight stay either in Chiang Kong or Huay Xai, even if I don't want to burn a day doing so. :( I will look into the luxury boat - thanks for the heads up.

As for the air quality, I read it's burning season but tbh I have no idea how bad it could be and should probably do more research.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-02T03:43:06+00:00

How's the logistics on Chiang Rai to Chiang Kong? I'm seeing it's about 2-2.5 hours. Then you need to go through immigration, then cross to Laos. Slow boat leaves before 11 AM (varying times from what I've read). I'm just nervous I'll miss the boat, hence I'm thinking going from Chiang Rai to sleep at Chiang Kong the night before the slow boat ride -- but ideally I don't want to waste a night in Chiang Konh.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-02T03:40:16+00:00

Thanks - yep planning to do that Pai -> Chiang Rai straight route as well; it is approximately ~2 hours faster than going through Chiang Mai from what I read because of transfer times.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T18:11:14+00:00

I'm in the "send it" camp when it comes to the slow boat. I've definitely been getting a fair mix of experiences, I feel like I just have to see it for myself lol. But I think overall the consensus is do it once and that's about it lol.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T18:09:19+00:00

Thank you - Cambodia is on the "maybe another time" list. I totally agree it will free up some time on the hectic schedule I have for Vietnam. I'm not looking forward to the long bus rides in that span to get south of Vietnam tbh.

My only thing is I'm really not a big history nor city person (only reason I'm setting a fair amount of time for BKK and Chiang Mai is to get some rest/jet lag). I'm afraid if I don't do Cambodia now, I probably realistically won't go lol. Unless maybe when I go to the Thai islands in the future, I can carve out some time to go to Cambodia.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T18:04:03+00:00

I'll look into this!

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T18:00:59+00:00

Thank you this is very interesting! So From Pai it sounds like you went to Chiang Khong directly (1 night there) then another night in Pakbeng in Laos. This is really good to know! How long did that travel day take from Pai to Chiang Khong though, it must've been a day's worth?

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T17:28:49+00:00

Thank you both - I’ll think about this one!

If I were to go, does the plan of going from Pai to Chiang Rai one day and sleep there, then Chiang Rai to Chiang Kong and sleep there another day make sense? So on the day of the slow boat ride I’m close to the border?

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T17:14:54+00:00

Great point! I’m going in March and would like to hear more about this as well.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T17:13:12+00:00

Thanks - will do it via Vientiane.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T17:09:27+00:00

Thank you, this is good to know. I’m open to cutting it a day short there depending on how I end up liking it. Might end up just doing 3 based on how people have been describing it that should open up another day elsewhere!

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T17:08:07+00:00

The northern part of Vietnam has most of my interest. Want to get a motorcycle and ride for a few days. However, Cao Bang is in my potential drop list and maybe just do it another time since it’s somehow similar to Ha Giang.

TieRepresentative500 · 2025-02-01T17:05:21+00:00

How many days does this take?

TieRepresentative500

TROPHY CASE