Backpacking in South East Asia is, for many, a once in a lifetime opportunity, so when you set out on your first trip, you want to do it right! You probably want to avoid rookie mistakes which could put a bit of a downer on your trip and give you any unpleasant problems dramas. Think excessively large backpack weighing you down to more serious hospitalizations without the right insurance – What a bummer!
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There are a lot of countries in South East Asia that are full of amazing sights, sounds, and people; Philippines; Malaysia, Indonesia but here we’re sticking with Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. These are all incredibly beautiful and diverse countries with huge amounts to offer, so if you’re thinking about your first backpacking adventure then a tour of the big 4 will give you experiences and memories to reminisce over for years to come and also give you all the experience and confidence you need for any future adventures.
Important things to prepare before the trip
Insurance – You may never use it, but you’ll know when you need it.
Health – Vaccinations, Malaria medication, First aid kit.
Documents – Make copies of everything important – printed and electronic, saved in a safe place.
Plan your route – You don’t have to stick to the plan, but a little research goes a long way on a first solo trip abroad.
Get in shape…and try to stay that way! It’s easy to end up drinking every night traveling around South East Asia, but it’ll inevitably shorten your trip by destroying your budget. Precious memories become a hazy blur of shots, rowdy bars, and hung-over bus rides and you feel like crap for half the time you’re away. Then again, have fun!
What to bring?
Just bring your essentials, don’t bring a lot of clothes as you can easily buy the baba pajama style in Bangkok and some “same same” cool shirts! Flip flops are a must-have, don’t ever forget that!
What backpack?
If you will be traveling for a month or less, we suggest you carry a 38 Liter Backpack or a Backpack that can be carry-on luggage on planes but if you plan to travel long-term and 50 to 65L will be good enough.
What backpacking route?
There are different routes to take, it all depends on your interests, time frame, and budget. Here’s our recommended route if you plan to travel for 1 month or more, if you plan to travel for 3 weeks or less then you can just skip some of the Cities.
First Route – Start in Thailand then Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and end the trip for a crazy full moon party week.
Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane – Hanoi- Hue- Hoi An – Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh – Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville – Siem Reap – Bangkok – Suratthani – Koh Samui- Koh Pah Ngan – Koh Tao – Bangkok
Second Route – Start in Singapore to Malaysia then do the First route (reverse order)
Singapore- Kuala Lumpur – Penang – South Thailand (Koh Phi Phi side and Koh Pah Ngan side) – Bangkok – Cambodia- Vietnam- Laos – Bangkok
You might also consider visiting the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar- though they are out of the way we tell you, they are really worth it!
Visa
If you’re from the Philippines, then you get a visa stamp on arrival – you can check this article with my personal experience for more details.
If you’re British, European, or American – you have to get the visa in advance in Vietnam (you have to pre-apply online if you’re flying or get it from the Embassy if you plan to cross the border by land). You can get a visa on arrival in Cambodia and Laos for a certain fee. You don’t need a visa to enter Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore if you plan to stay for 30 days or less.
Transportation? Crossing borders?
It’s really easy to cross borders in South East Asia as there’s a lot of overnight buses all over. In Cambodia, the VIP bus even has wifi while in Vietnam there are different bus companies offering a Hop On and Hop Off. If you fancy traveling by train then you can do it in Vietnam and Thailand.
Where to stay?
There are different options for you. Hotels in South East Asia depend on Mid-range to luxury, you can do Couchsurfing as the community is quite active there but we highly suggest that you try to stay indifferent dorm-style hostels where you will be able to meet like-minded people.
Okay, we have the list here of places where we stayed while backpacking. These dorm bedrooms price range is between $5 and $15 only!
Transportation Tip: If you’re looking for the cheapest way to book the Trains, Buses, Ferries, Transfers on this route, we use 12Go.Asia to compare the prices!
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Check out our detailed lists of Best Hostels in different Cities per countries in South East Asia:
- Ultimate List of The Best Hostels in THAILAND
- Ultimate List of The Best Hostels in CAMBODIA
- Ultimate List of The Best Hostels in LAOS
- Ultimate List of The Best Hostels in VIETNAM
- Ultimate List of the Best Hostels in SINGAPORE
- Ultimate List of the Best Hostels in INDONESIA
- Ultimate List of the Best Hostels in MALAYSIA
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Where to eat? What to eat?
Thailand
- Tom Yam Goong – A vibrant combination of fresh herbs, lemongrass, fish sauce, chilies, and jumbo prawns.
- Pad Thai – A simple yet brilliant dish. Noodles with tofu, bean sprouts, onion, and groundnuts. Now often served in chicken or pork varieties, you can add your own fish sauce and chili for extra flavor.
- Geng Kheaw Wan Gai (Thai Green Curry) – The spiciest curry in Thailand repertoire is also the most distinctively Thai, with a blend of delicious spices and coconut milk.
- Massaman Curry – Literally meaning Muslim in Thai, Massaman curry is an explosion of flavors from coconut milk, potatoes, roasted peanuts, bay leaves, sugar, cinnamon, and tamarind sauce.
Laos – Simple, fresh ingredients form the foundations of Lao’s cuisine, with a blend of aromatic spices like ginger, galangal, coriander, and tamarind.
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- Laap – Essentially a fresh and healthy meat salad made with beef, chicken, pork. beef or fish, flavored with lime, roasted rice, garlic, and herbs and served at room temperature.
- Tam Mak Houng – Too often dismissed as a copy of the papaya salad found all over Thailand, this salty, spicy salad can be served with the main dish of chicken or pork and rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Oh Lam – Translating into, ‘to put in,’ this is the Irish Stew of Laos cooking – whatever you have to hand goes in the pot with herbs and seasonings to create a flavourful and hearty meal. Beans, eggplants, mushrooms, lemongrass, and coriander are all thickened with sticky rice.
Cambodia – Most Cambodian dishes are built on a foundation of contrasts; sweet and bitter; salty and bitter; raw and cooked. They are a blend of local tradition and foreign influence from close neighbors and years of migration.
- Grilled Seafood – With freshwater sources in all directions and the Gulf of Thailand to the South, fresh fish and seafood, flavored with chili, fish sauce, and lime juice, is a staple of Cambodian cuisine
- Fish Amok – Cambodia’s signature dish. Aromatic kroeung curry paste, white fish, and coconut milk steamed in a banana-leaf cup. Incredible!
- Green Mango Salad – Mangoes have eaten in all colors I Cambodia and the green ones make an incredible salad, blended with carrots, basil, peppers, fish sauce, and lime juice.
Vietnam
- Gỏi cuốn (Spring Rolls) – These fresh, un-fried spring rolls come filled with a variety of different ingredients and are best dipped in delicious peanut sauce.
- Bánh Xèo (Sizzling Pancake) – One of the things the French left behind, the humble crepe has been fried into a crispy, taste-filled pocket of awesomeness!
- Phở (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) – This staple breakfast soup is found on street stalls on every corner of Vietnam. The simple, clear soup with added herbs and flavors beautifully hydrate and nourish you, ready for the day
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