Quick trip to Asia from SYD

[Foreigner]

Considering 3 day trip via SIN. Leaving say Thursday evening, returning Monday morning. Essentially, two nights in hotel - Fri and Sat nights. Solo traveller.

HCM City is one option I am considering. Want to avoid staying in SIN, Malaysia, Thailand. Any other destinations worth a quick trip to?

 

[stm1sydney]

Interesting question. Saigon is certainly an option, plenty to keep you occupied for a couple of days. How about Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) - that is worth seeing and can be done in two days. Or Batam - ferry ride from Singapore for a weekend of golf and eating seafood.

 

[Scarlett]

REP for Angkor Wat is indeed a good option. If you’ve already been there consider Yogyakarta (YIA or JOG) and a visit to Borobudur, a similar style of architecture and atmosphere. Easily reached via DPS or CGK.

Or fly to Surabaya (SUB) or Malang (MLG) and do a Mount Bromo volcano day trip.

You could also do something similar in the Philippines at Tagaytay and Mt. Taal volcano (accessed through MNL).

 

[docjames]

Why via SIN? There’s plenty of direct or indirect other options.

Are you looking for beach/resort or city weekend?

 

[Foreigner]

Why via SIN? There’s plenty of direct or indirect other options.

Are you looking for beach/resort or city weekend?

to use up SQ miles - city weekend preferred, which is why i was thinking HCMC. Another city comes to mind is Yangon. I haven't been to Viet Nam or Myanmar. I prefer city environ and older city appeals. Not modern, steel and glass CBDs.

 

[docjames]

Helpul info. Your suggestions are good but here’s a somewhat left field suggestion - Bandar Seri Begawan?

Another option: Kota Kinabalu

 

[dajop]

HCMC is IMHO worthwhile, if has a certain vibrancy to it without being in your face (which I’d say Bangkok, for example, is). If you like walking and exploring, parts of HCMC are definitely walkable and the French legacy noticeable in some areas gives it a nice feel. I’d much rather a weekend in HCMC than Manila or Jakarta - and these days perhaps even Bangkok .

 

[AIRwin]

Another option: Kota Kinabalu

Or Kuching (but both are in Malaysia)

 

[Foreigner]

Thanks dcojames / AIRwin. Will finalise soon. May leave SYD on a Thursday, stay in SIN overnight then final destination. Stay Fri-Sat. Leave Sunday with connecting flight to SYD, arriving Monday morning, then straight to work.

 

[Foreigner]

HCMC is IMHO worthwhile, if has a certain vibrancy to it without being in your face (which I’d say Bangkok, for example, is). If you like walking and exploring, parts of HCMC are definitely walkable and the French legacy noticeable in some areas gives it a nice feel. I’d much rather a weekend in HCMC than Manila or Jakarta - and these days perhaps even Bangkok .

I can walk/run 15km plus daily! I will plan HCMC this occasion

 

[Warks]

Ah someone else with expiring SQ points I see. Am contemplating the same but for two. I was thinking Vietnam with a side trip to Siem Riep (Angkor Wat). Was wondering about the best time of year over there. The non-rainy season I would assume is more comfortable. HCMC sounds good. What of Hanoi?

 

[dajop]

If thinking SQ points the other place accessible in VN is DaNang. It has beaches, reasonably vibrant city and the historical town of HoiAn nearby (although much more overrun with both domestic and foreign tourists than it was when I visited there in 1999). And nicely situated between the two.

Haven't been to Hanoi for a few years, but also has it charms although I'd say it has more of the flavour of a Chinese city whilst HCMC is distinctly a SE Asian city, whilst still both being very Vietnamese.

 

[JackMiles]

to use up SQ miles - city weekend preferred, which is why i was thinking HCMC. Another city comes to mind is Yangon. I haven't been to Viet Nam or Myanmar. I prefer city environ and older city appeals. Not modern, steel and glass CBDs.

If it's 'older city' vibe you're after then I would consider Hanoi over Saigon (though both are great).

 

[Cardinal]

We must be a demographic - I am going through the same consternations. Meeting friends in Singapore and have a couple of days in KL - then looking to spend 3 days somewhere in Sth East Asia. Considered Siem Riep but think I am landing on Jakarta.

 

[jase05]

We must be a demographic - I am going through the same consternations. Meeting friends in Singapore and have a couple of days in KL - then looking to spend 3 days somewhere in Sth East Asia. Considered Siem Riep but think I am landing on Jakarta.

In Jakarta currently and have been here a number of times and if I’m honest with you there isn’t anywhere near as much to see as many other Asian cities. I enjoy it but I can see why some people hate it as it is a very congested sprawled out mess and the smog can often be near unbearable.

 

[Cardinal]

In Jakarta currently and have been here a number of times and if I’m honest with you there isn’t anywhere near as much to see as many other Asian cities. I enjoy it but I can see why some people hate it as it is a very congested sprawled out mess and the smog can often be near unbearable.

Never been to Indonesia so thought it might be something slightly different. I've been around Malaysia and can't think of where I'd want to go for a couple of days out of KL again.

With the lack of Qatar Business Reward availability I decided to bite the bullet and spend some points on business to Singapore.

 

[jase05]

Never been to Indonesia so thought it might be something slightly different. I've been around Malaysia and can't think of where I'd want to go for a couple of days out of KL again.

With the lack of Qatar Business Reward availability I decided to bite the bullet and spend some points on business to Singapore.

Ah, you’ve been around Malaysia. I was going to suggest KK or Kuching next.
Indonesia is pretty cool and has some interesting places and great islands to explore. You might be one who like myself loves Jakarta if you go there. Accomodation is well priced, food is great and shopping is ok if you are into that. CGK is also a pretty decent airport and easy to navigate as well as having some great fares ex SIN. Y fares are dirt cheap but if you want to shell out for J fares look out for when KLM have their sales and you can often pick up SIN-CGK round trip for under $900

 

[AIRwin]

look out for when KLM have their sales and you can often pick up SIN-CGK round trip for under $900

KLM will be replacing SIN with KUL as the stopover after October:

KLM NW23 Intercontinental Network Changes – 26MAY23 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0001GMT 27MAY23 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines this week filed latest changes to its intercontinental operation for Northern winter 2023/24 season, effective 29OCT23. Most comparison listed below is based on comparison 26MAR23 vs 26MAY23, including those listed as “previously filed”. For s

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[jase05]

KLM will be replacing SIN with KUL as the stopover after October:

KLM NW23 Intercontinental Network Changes – 26MAY23 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0001GMT 27MAY23 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines this week filed latest changes to its intercontinental operation for Northern winter 2023/24 season, effective 29OCT23. Most comparison listed below is based on comparison 26MAR23 vs 26MAY23, including those listed as “previously filed”. For s

www.aeroroutes.com

Bugger.
KUL will still work for me though

 

[Cardinal]

I'm finding KLM business class around those prices from KUL to CGK - timing means an evening in the hotel lounge would not be possible. Always so hard to book the perfect trip.