Some tips for fellow travellers to follow. Links, what to pack etc. keeping in mind we were in Asia from mid February to early April.
Pampers wet wipes ( 2 large (70 wipe packages) did us for the 7 weeks.
Bens mosquito spray, 2 120 ml bottles.
5 roles toilet paper, for the many toilets without it.
Bring a decent amount of clothes, about 5 changes, that will keep your laundry washing down to about once a week. Don't expect to buy much there because its not easy to find stuff that fits us big Canadians, and Alanna and I are not even big by our standards.
Don't bother with too many shoes. We wore only sandals, two pairs are ample. keens were great for any minor hiking we did. If you do bring a pair of shoes, don't bring more then two pairs of socks because you won't use them.
Don't bring more then one sweater. We were always told how cold the north was, it was still t shirt weather. Summer shorts and shirts are all u need, but bring a couple light long sleeve shirts for covering up from the sun, it burns fast.
We brought our msr water filter and never used it. There is bottled water literally everywhere, so leave that at home.
Brought rain gear, never used it. We bought north face light winter jackets in sapa, which we used for two days when we were motorbiking through rainy cloudy weather.
One light pair of pants may be nice for when the Mosquitos come out some evenings, however I found it too hot so I just applied bug spray.
We brought two 240 ml bottles of sun screen, didn't even use half I think. Watch out for the sun down south though, you burn way faster then at home.
Advil and gravol can be handy for the nastier bus and lengthly train rides.
Mosquito net was handy a few times as well.
If you are renting a motorbike for the northern loop to carry two people (doubling) don't take anything less then a 150, 200 would be better.
Bring floss, non to be found there. However, every hotel we stayed in had little disposable tooth brushes and toothpastes in the rooms.
If you are picky about shampoo and conditioner then bring it but every hotel has it so not necessary.
After sun lotion was handy several times, they don't have it there, in case you get too much sun.
Never used money belts, they never left our back packs.
Bringing about 500$ american was handy for airports and Cambodia which uses American regularly. 1$ bills were handy for tips.
Wifi was pretty much everywhere so an ipad or laptop was so helpful with research and bookings. A must really.
We took one day pack and two big packs. Back packs were un-necessary, suitcases would have worked just as good since travel from hotel to hotel is so easy.
For central Vietnam caves etc, a must see, http://phong-nha-cave.com/
For Hanoi, the Rising Dragon hotel is good. And for info on the area and many different tours for
Halong, Sapa, northern Vietnam etc. see Charlie at http://www.vietnambackpackertour.com/
These are some hotels we stayed at I would stay at all of them again.
The Sunshine hotel in Hoi An
The Number 9 hotel in Phnom Phen (Cambodia)
The Golden Butterfly Villa in Siem Reap (Cambodia)
The Rega hotel in Kep (Cambodia)
Nice Swan hotel in Nha Trang
The Vina hotel in Hue
Nam Long hotel in Dong Hoi
Hong Han hotel in Ho Chi Minh (Great location & price)
Paris beach resort on Phu Quoc island (A bit out of the way, but good for a romantic get away & they had great food. It was a bit pricier than others though. Lots of hotels on island so go look around then book).
Grand View Sapa hotel in Sapa
Couldn't remember several but this is a start, hope this info helps someone out.
Till the next time........
