Originally Posted by
moondog
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).
Hanoi can be quite cold at this time of year with temperatures around 15C which is still much warmer than Beijing however hardly warm and I have seen snow once in Hanoi which makes it very cold indeed.
Ko Chang is very nice- I like the hotel Dewa which can usually be found for excellent prices at agoda.
The land portion can be less than $600 I am sure. Factor in $25 for the Visa to enter Cambodia plus IIRC $60 for the same day service for VN visa. The only open part would be to understand any restrictions VN to CN entering overland, however I cannot think of any (just something to check- the train a few years ago was a bit bureaucratic however those days are probably long past now).