Commitment, again.

Been swithering for the last couple of months on whether to try to link another India visit with a return to S E Asia.
Finally decided it was too much to cope with and triggered by Sue finding this bargain fare, we decided to go back to Indochine, starting with Saigon (HCMC) and returning home from Bangkok, Feb / Mar next year.   The inbetween bits needs to be generated, but we fancy going into Laos after Vietnam, and then on into Thailand.
Questions to be investigated are a) how best to get from Hanoi or Sapa into Laos, without flying, and b) same for Vientiane to Chiang Rai or Mai and hence to the Gulf of Thailand playground.   Any advice welcomed.
BR,
G