Routes & Itineraries in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is ideal for flexible, multi-country travel, with well-established routes that are easy to adapt to your time, budget, and interests. Whether you’re travelling for a few weeks or several months, most backpackers follow variations of the routes below.

1-Month Southeast Asia Route

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

Overview
This route is ideal for first-time travellers, combining temples, beaches, history and food with easy transport links and low daily costs.

Route
Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Siem Reap → Hanoi → Central Vietnam → Ho Chi Minh City

Highlights & Landmarks

  • Thailand: Bangkok’s Grand Palace, Chiang Mai temples, night markets

  • Cambodia: Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Khmer history sites

  • Vietnam: Ha Long Bay, Hoi An Old Town, Cu Chi Tunnels

Best for: First-timers, limited time, culture + food
Typical budget: £25–40 per day

3-Month Southeast Asia Route

Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia & Indonesia

Overview
This route offers a balanced mix of cities, culture, nature and island life with enough time to travel comfortably without rushing.

Route (by city)
Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Luang Prabang → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap → Bali (Ubud & Canggu)

Highlights & Landmarks

  • Bangkok, Thailand: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, floating markets

  • Chiang Mai, Thailand: Old City temples, Doi Suthep

  • Luang Prabang, Laos: Kuang Si Falls, Mekong River

  • Hanoi & Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: Old Quarter, limestone islands

  • Hoi An, Vietnam: Ancient Town, lantern-lit streets

  • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Cu Chi Tunnels, War Remnants Museum

  • Siem Reap, Cambodia: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

  • Ubud & Canggu, Bali: Rice terraces, temples, surf beaches

Best for: Travellers wanting variety with a relaxed pace
Typical budget: £25–45 per day

6-Month Southeast Asia Route

Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia & Philippines

Overview
A long-term route designed for slow travel, deeper exploration and flexibility covering both mainland Southeast Asia and island-heavy destinations.

Route (by city)
Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Pai → Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap → Kuala Lumpur → Penang → Langkawi → Bali (Ubud & Canggu) → Yogyakarta → Palawan (El Nido) → Cebu → Siargao

Highlights & Landmarks

  • Bangkok, Thailand: Grand Palace, Wat Arun

  • Chiang Mai & Pai, Thailand: Temples, mountains, relaxed backpacker towns

  • Luang Prabang & Vang Vieng, Laos: Temples, karst landscapes

  • Hanoi & Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: Old Quarter, UNESCO bay

  • Hue & Hoi An, Vietnam: Imperial City, Ancient Town

  • Siem Reap, Cambodia: Angkor Wat complex

  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Petronas Towers

  • Penang, Malaysia: George Town street art and food

  • Ubud & Canggu, Indonesia: Culture, rice terraces, surfing

  • Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Borobudur & Prambanan temples

  • El Nido, Philippines: Limestone lagoons

  • Cebu & Siargao, Philippines: Diving, waterfalls, surf culture

Best for: Gap-year travellers, digital nomads, long-term backpackers
Typical budget: £30–50 per day (varies by country)

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