Thailand, Laos, Vietnam (Fall 1996)

This was my first independent trip to Asia. I arrived in Bangkok via Hong Kong from Vancouver on October 24. On the plane I met Stacey who I ended up traveling with for the two months I was in South East Asia. Stacey had stayed at the Hostel which was situated in the building on East side of my house only the month before. It is a small world.The two month trip started in Bangkok, went North to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and then to Laos via Huay Xai. After three weeks in Laos overland to central Vietnam from Hue to Sapa near the Chinese border.

In 1996 Laos and Vietnam attracted few tourists. The Visas were challenging and expensive to obtain and the travel infrastructure was minimal to none. Now Laos and Vietnam are popular destinations. The main cities and major sites have more options and many local tours are offered. For example, inexpensive tours and lodging are available along the coast for most cites and tourist attractions. The highlands and inner/rural areas still are relatively inaccessible for political and infrastructure reasons.

This detailed map shows the border crossing between Laos and Vietnam at Lao Bao. This is the DMZ area which divides Vietnam into North and South.