When to Visit Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia covers a wide range of landscapes, all of which have different weather patterns. It can rain all year round, and the heat and humidity often linger in the lowlands for most of the year.
That said, the best time to visit overall is from November to March, when the weather is often cooler and not as humid throughout the year.
Combining the cool weather and the clear days that you will get during this month, you will be able to maximize your time in the sun outside, doing outdoor activities rather than being stuck in the rain.
All the other months are okay to visit too, but keep in mind that April is often considered the hottest month of the year, while June to August is considered to be the rainy season.
How to Get to Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia has a lot of hub cities you can fly into cheaply. The most prominent ones are Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
From the US, you can fly to one of these cities via either Japan on ANA Airways or via the Middle East with airlines like Emirates and Qatar, etc.
If you are from Europe, KLM, AirFrance, or Lufthansa are also great options with direct flights and more.
If you are already in Asia, that's even easier and cheaper since AirAsia pretty much covers most of the big cities within this part of the world.
Since this itinerary begins in Hanoi, it is recommended that you find a flight from your home country to either Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore first. From there, fly via AirAsia to Hanoi and begin your journey there.
For more information on which flights to buy, I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find the best affordable flight that fits your itinerary for Southeast Asia.
How to Get Around Southeast Asia?
Since this travel guide covers over 9 countries, we will be traveling around Southeast Asia with almost every mode of transportation imaginable, except maybe a submarine... or a horse... or... well, let's just leave it at that 🤣.
Trains are an affordable and scenic way to see the diverse landscapes of Southeast Asia that you wouldn't otherwise see on a bus. They are relatively reliable and very accessible, even if you do not know the language. One drawback is that they are not as fast as the trains you may find in Europe.
Buses/Minivans will likely be your main mode of transportation. The public buses in Southeast Asia are cheap and quite accessible, whereas shared minivans are a great alternative if you are looking for a more direct route. Although a bit more expensive than the bus, you will be getting a much smoother and faster experience.
You can book all your bus and train tickets for Southeast Asia online here: Book your bus & train tickets for Southeast Asia with 12GO.
Flights, although the priciest option out of all, are a great way to skip long distances and be at the place you really want to be at an instant. In this guide, I have a few routes (Vientiane to Bangkok, Bangkok to Mandalay, Singapore to Jakarta, and Lombok to Sarawak) that I would recommend you take a flight instead, which should help you see Southeast Asia more with the limited time we have.
Thankfully, flights in Southeast Asia are pretty cheap with AirAsia, and if you book them in advance, some may be as low as $30.
Mass Transit System is a great way to explore big cities in Southeast Asia. Places like Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta are equipped with accessible and well-covered train systems that should help you explore the cities easily.
GRAB, a popular taxi-hailing app in Southeast Asia, is also a great way to avoid dealing with terrible taxis. Simply download the app before you arrive in Southeast Asia, connect it with your phone number, get yourself verified, and you should be able to use the app to hail taxis when you arrive in Southeast Asia.
Taxis, let's be honest, aren't the best things to experience in Southeast Asia, and I often avoid using them altogether when I'm traveling. However, if push comes to shove, for a non-metered taxi, be sure to agree on a price before you get in. If it is metered, tell them to use it, and if they say no, leave and find another.
For exploring small cities like Yogyakarta or Hoi An, you can also rent a motorbike, which should cost you no more than 5 USD per day, to explore the surrounding area at your own pace. Please do not rent a motorbike if you have never driven before, and if you do, always wear helmets. Southeast Asian roads are among the most dangerous roads in the world.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Is Southeast Asia Safe?
Southeast Asia is generally safe, but like all big metropolitan areas, petty thefts can happen, so be aware of your belongings at all times, especially in big cities like Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok.
I have heard reports of people getting their phones snatched from their hands in Ho Chi Minh City by a passing motorbike, so avoid using your phone on the streets.
Theft doesn't just come from bad locals, it can also come from other bad backpackers. Southeast Asia, due to how cheap it is, attracts all kinds of weird characters - from those who pick fights in bars to those who simply steal money outright from other backpackers or hostel reception.
Keep your wallet and valuables with you at all times, even when you are in a hostel. Do not leave your valuables unattended when you go to the bathroom or take a shower. I have heard many reports of people having their money stolen from their wallet in a hostel when they left it on the bed and went to the bathroom.
Scams are also quite common in Southeast Asia, especially at the land borders, so be extra vigilant when you are crossing the border in Southeast Asia. A good rule of thumb is to be suspicious of people who approach you, speaking perfect English and being overly friendly.
Local taxis are also known to scam tourists, so if you hail a metered taxi, make sure that they use it. If it's unmetered, agree on a price before getting on.
The most serious safety issue in Southeast Asia is road accidents. You have no idea how many foreigners covered in bandages I've seen in Southeast Asia. If you are renting a vehicle, go slow, wear helmets, and do not risk it if you are not a strong driver.
Vang Vieng used to be known as a drug-fueled party town, and the government is trying very hard to crack down on that. Even though you will find drugs available out in the open pretty easily in Vang Vieng, do not think that it is okay to do it in public. I have heard reports that the police extorted 500 USD from a group of tourists who were smoking weed outside of a hostel.
If it's illegal in your home country, it's probably illegal here too, and the police can do whatever they want, including throwing you in jail if you do not pay them.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Southeast Asia?
Since you will be traveling through over 9 countries, and Southeast Asia is not exactly Europe, getting connected via reliable WIFI or through local sim cards can be quite tricky. For one, you will need 9 sim cards if you want to be connected all the time, which is not economical, and wrapping your head around all the data packages in these countries will drive you insane.
WIFI is widely available in most hostels/hotels nowadays in all countries, except Brunei and Myanmar. However, having WIFI and having a usable one is a different story, which is often the case in some establishments in Southeast Asia that claim they have WIFI. That said, you will likely have no trouble staying connected in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and some parts of Thailand and Vietnam.
My recommendation is to buy local SIM cards only in the countries where you will be staying the longest. With my itinerary, I would suggest buying local SIM cards for Thailand, Malaysia, and maybe Indonesia.
For more information on local SIM cards in Southeast Asia: Thailand Prepaid Data SIM Card, Malaysia Prepaid Data SIM Card, Indonesia Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with your loved ones at home, make sure to have a VPN service like NordVPN installed before traveling, so that you can bypass any local Internet censorship you might encounter while in Southeast Asia.
What to Pack for Southeast Asia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Southeast Asia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Southeast Asia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
