Originally Posted by
TRAVELSIG
See if you can find some way to get to Thailand? Koh Samet or Koh Chang are wonderful and easily reachable from BKK. Overland trip sounds tough in my opinion- may be very interesting but I would anticipate a LOT of time. I think you could go from Thailand into Cambodia (Visa available at the border near Koh Kong) then go to the south of Cambodia near Kep (can get a visa in 24 hours express one entry to VN) then go to Vietnam without a problem. A long trip though very beautiful and interesting.
BKK is the cheapest option now, at $583. I've been to both of the places you mentioned, and would like to return to Ko Chang. What's more, I know I can pull off the land portion for less than $600, so this is a possibility. REP also pencils @ $800. DPS and VTE are out of the running, at this stage. HAN is also on the radar (@800), but my friend there tells me it's cold (I have a hard time believing this, but she is there and lives in BJ, so she understands what "cold" means).