subregion
Southeast Asia
Combine two or three neighbouring countries on one overland line — Bangkok → Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Saigon, or Chiang Mai → Luang Prabang → Hanoi — and fly to the islands: Indonesia and the Philippines do not connect overland.
Not field-verified
Southeast Asia rewards one direction of travel. The trips that fail zig-zag between three capitals by plane, pay a new visa at every border and hit the wet season on the wrong side of the peninsula. Pick a line that runs one way, check the border on it is open this month, and let the climate grid decide north-to-south or south-to-north.
Combine in one line
If: First trip, 2–3 weeks, one country is enoughVietnam north to southHanoi → (Ninh Bình, Hạ Long) → Huế → Hội An → SaigonOpen →
If: 3 weeks, temples + cities, overland where it is easyThailand → Cambodia → south VietnamBangkok → fly REP (Siem Reap) → bus Phnom Penh → bus via Mộc Bài → Saigon → fly Hanoiplanned
If: 3 weeks, slow, mountains and riversNorth Thailand → Laos → north VietnamChiang Mai → Chiang Khong → slow boat 2 days → Luang Prabang → Vientiane → fly Hanoiplanned
If: 10 days, cities and food, air-conditioned transportSingapore → MalaysiaSingapore → bus or train via Johor Bahru → Kuala Lumpur → Penangplanned
If: Beaches and divingOne island group, flown intoBali/Lombok/Flores (DPS) or Palawan/Visayas (MNL, CEB) — do not add mainland countries on a 2-week tripplanned
Countries in one line
| Country | Role | Entry | Nights | Cost / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 1,600 km spine: fly or train north–south | e-visa | 10–21 | US$30–45 → US$90–150 |
| Thailand | Air and rail hub; Bangkok is the default entry | visa-free | 7–21 | US$35–50 → US$100–180 |
| Laos | Mekong, slow boat, China–Laos railway | on arrival | 5–10 | US$30–40 → US$80–130 |
| Cambodia | Angkor (3 days) + Phnom Penh; bridge Thailand–Vietnam | on arrival | 4–8 | US$30–45 → US$80–140 |
| Malaysia | KL hub, Penang food, Borneo by air | visa-free | 5–14 | US$35–50 → US$100–160 |
| Singapore | Long-haul gateway; 2–3 nights is enough | visa-free | 2–4 | US$70–100 → US$200–350 |
| Indonesia | 17,000 islands: pick one group and fly | on arrival | 7–21 | US$35–50 → US$100–180 |
| Philippines | 7,600 islands; Manila is a connection, not a base | visa-free | 7–21 | US$35–50 → US$90–150 |
| Brunei | Short add-on from Borneo (Miri, Kota Kinabalu) | visa-free | 1–3 | US$60–80 → US$130–200 |
| Timor-Leste | Diving and quiet coast; via Bali or Darwin | on arrival | 4–7 | US$50–70 → US$120–180 |
| Myanmaradvisory | No trip line: check official advice | advisory | – | – |
Entry & visas across the region
Tiers below are for most EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports in 2026. Several countries now also require an online arrival card before you fly; missing it costs a queue, not entry, in most cases — but some airlines check.
| Country | Most Western passports | Stay | Arrival form / fee | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | e-visaE-visa for all nationalities; 45-day exemption for a listed set of (mostly European) passports | 90 days (e-visa) | None | Apply only on the official portal; lookalike sites charge 3–5×. official ↗ |
| Thailand | visa-freeVisa exemption for about 90 nationalities | 60 days (a cut to 30 has been debated — check) | TDAC digital arrival card, within 3 days before arrival | Land entries on exemption are limited per year — check if you cross back and forth. official ↗ |
| Laos | on arrivalVisa on arrival at international airports and main land borders; e-visa at listed ports | 30 days | Arrival card on paper or online | Fee (≈US$40–45) varies by passport; carry clean US dollar notes and a photo. official ↗ |
| Cambodia | on arrivalE-visa or visa on arrival (tourist) at airports and main land borders | 30 days | e-Arrival card online before arrival | Use only the official e-visa site; touts before land borders sell fake 'express' visas. official ↗ |
| Malaysia | visa-freeVisa-free for most Western passports | 30–90 days by passport | MDAC digital arrival card, within 3 days before arrival | Sabah and Sarawak run their own immigration; you are stamped again. official ↗ |
| Singapore | visa-freeVisa-free for most Western passports | 30–90 days by passport | SG Arrival Card, within 3 days before arrival | Declare medicines with controlled ingredients; e-cigarettes are illegal. official ↗ |
| Indonesia | on arrivalVisa on arrival or e-VOA for about 95 nationalities | 30 days, extendable once | All Indonesia arrival card; Bali levy paid separately | Bali charges a tourist levy (IDR 150,000) on top of the visa — pay on the official site. official ↗ |
| Philippines | visa-freeVisa-free for most Western passports | 30 days | eTravel registration within 72 hours before arrival | An onward ticket is checked at departure by many airlines. official ↗ |
| Brunei | visa-freeVisa-free for most Western passports | 14–90 days by passport | Check | Alcohol is not sold; non-Muslims may bring a small declared allowance. |
| Timor-Leste | on arrivalVisa on arrival at Dili airport | 30 days | None | Overland from West Timor needs a visa authorisation arranged before the border. |
| Myanmar | advisoryE-visa exists; many governments advise against travel | – | – | See the Myanmar page before anything else. |
- ASEAN passport holders are visa-exempt across most of the region for 14–30 days.
- Timor-Leste became ASEAN's 11th member in October 2025; entry rules for ASEAN nationals may change — check.
- Visa-on-arrival queues at land borders are where time is lost: plan the crossing as a whole travel day.
Gateways and low-cost hubs
BKK
BangkokLong-haul + regional hub
Suvarnabhumi for full-service; Don Mueang (DMK) for AirAsia and Nok — separate airports ~1 h apart.
Open →SIN
SingaporeLong-haul gateway, Scoot hub
Best-run transfer; Johor Bahru buses start at Woodlands and Queen Street.
Open →KUL
Kuala LumpurAirAsia hub (Terminal 2)
Cheapest fan-out to Borneo, Bali, Indochina; T1 and T2 are separate terminals.
Open →CGK
JakartaIndonesia domestic hub
Bali (DPS) is the better entry for most holidays; CGK is for Java.
Open →MNL
ManilaPhilippines hub (Cebu Pacific, PAL)
Terminal transfers are slow in traffic; connect via Cebu (CEB) for the Visayas.
Open →Overland border crossings
| Crossing | Between | Mode | Visa at border | Trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aranyaprathet – Poipetcheck | Thailand – Cambodia | Train or bus to border, walk | yes | Thai–Cambodian land crossings were closed after the 2025 border clashes; confirm they have reopened. Fake 'visa offices' before the line. |
| Mộc Bài – Bavet | Vietnam – Cambodia | Through bus Saigon – Phnom Penh, 6–7 h | yes | Bus crew 'visa service' adds a markup; your Vietnam e-visa must list this gate for entry. |
| Vĩnh Xương – Kaam Samnor | Vietnam – Cambodia | Mekong boat Châu Đốc – Phnom Penh, ~5 h | yes | Schedules shift with river level; confirm the day before. |
| Nong Khai – Thanaleng (Friendship Bridge) | Thailand – Laos | Train Bangkok – Vientiane (Khamsavath) or bus | yes | Overtime fee at weekends and after hours; bring US dollars for the visa. |
| Chiang Khong – Huay Xai | Thailand – Laos | Bus to 4th Friendship Bridge, then slow boat 2 days | yes | Slow boat seats are wooden and oversold; buy the ticket at the pier, not in Chiang Mai packages. |
| Boten – Mohan | Laos – China | Laos–China Railway (Vientiane – Kunming) | no | China visa or visa-free eligibility needed; trains sell out, book ahead. |
| Lao Bảo – Dansavanh | Vietnam – Laos | Bus Huế / Đông Hà – Savannakhet | yes | Long day; drivers may stop for 'fees' — pay only the posted visa fee. |
| Nong Nok Khiene – Trapeang Kriel | Laos – Cambodia | Bus 4000 Islands – Stung Treng | yes | Unofficial 'stamp fees' demanded on both sides; ask for a receipt. |
| Woodlands – Johor Bahru | Singapore – Malaysia | Bus or KTM shuttle train; RTS Link rail under construction | n/a | Friday evening and Sunday queues run 1–3 h; SG Arrival Card and MDAC both needed. |
| Padang Besar | Thailand – Malaysia | Train Hat Yai – Padang Besar – KL (ETS) | n/a | Joint checkpoint in the station; connections are tight — leave slack. |
| Motaain – Batugade | Indonesia – Timor-Leste | Bus Kupang – Dili | no | No visa on arrival at this land border; arrange the authorisation in advance. |
Climate by zone
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland monsoonThailand, Laos, Cambodia, south Vietnam | best | best | hot | hot | hot | wet | wet | wet | wet | wet | ok | best |
| North Vietnam & north LaosHanoi, Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai | cool | cool | haze | ok | hot | wet | wet | wet | ok | best | best | cool |
| Central Vietnam coastHuế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An | wet | ok | best | best | best | hot | hot | hot | storm | storm | storm | wet |
| Equatorial westSingapore, peninsular Malaysia west coast, Sumatra | ok | best | ok | ok | ok | haze | haze | haze | haze | haze | wet | wet |
| Gulf and east coast islandsKoh Samui, Perhentians, Tioman | wet | best | best | best | best | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | wet | wet |
| Bali, Java, Lombok, FloresSouthern Indonesia | wet | wet | wet | ok | best | best | best | best | best | best | ok | wet |
| PhilippinesLuzon, Visayas, Palawan | best | best | best | hot | hot | wet | storm | storm | storm | storm | storm | ok |
best: dry, mildok: workablecool: jacket, greyhot: short walking windowswet: daily rainstorm: typhoon or flood riskhaze: smoke, air quality
- Mainland monsoon
- Cool and dry Nov–Feb; March–May is the hottest; June–October afternoon downpours, floods in Sep–Oct.
- North Vietnam & north Laos
- Burning season smoke (Feb–Apr) in north Thailand and Laos; winters are cool.
- Central Vietnam coast
- Wet season runs opposite to the rest of the mainland: Sep–Dec, with typhoons and floods.
- Equatorial west
- Rain most days year-round; haze from Sumatra and Borneo fires most years between June and October.
- Gulf and east coast islands
- East-coast monsoon Nov–Jan; many Perhentian and Tioman resorts close.
- Bali, Java, Lombok, Flores
- Dry April–October; peak prices July–August.
- Philippines
- Typhoons July–November, mostly Luzon and the eastern Visayas; ferries stop at signal 1+.
Grid is a planning default, not a forecast. Haze intensity depends on the year's fires — check an air-quality index before booking outdoor days.
Money
| Country | Currency | Cash reality |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | VND (đồng) | Cash-heavy outside hotels; pay in đồng, not dollars. |
| Thailand | THB (baht) | Cards and QR in cities; ATM fee ≈ ฿220 per foreign withdrawal. |
| Laos | LAK (kip) | Baht and US dollars accepted in tourist areas; kip is weak — expect big stacks. |
| Cambodia | KHR (riel) + USD | US dollars circulate for anything over a few dollars; change comes in riel. Torn notes refused. |
| Malaysia | MYR (ringgit) | Cards and e-wallets widely; cash at hawker stalls. |
| Singapore | SGD | Contactless everywhere, including buses and MRT. |
| Indonesia | IDR (rupiah) | Count the zeros: 100,000 and 10,000 notes look alike in dim light. |
| Philippines | PHP (peso) | Cash outside cities; ATM limits per withdrawal are low. |
| Brunei | BND | Pegged 1:1 to the Singapore dollar; SGD notes are accepted. |
| Timor-Leste | USD | US dollar is the official currency; local centavo coins for change. |
- Cost per day in the table above (2026 estimate): backpacker = dorm or guesthouse, street food, buses; comfort = 3–4★ hotel, sit-down meals, private transfers.
- Carry US$100–200 in clean, recent US dollar notes as a reserve: visas on arrival in Laos and Cambodia are priced in dollars.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often; per-withdrawal ATM fees in Thailand and Vietnam add up.
Drug laws
Trafficking thresholds are low: a few grams can be charged as trafficking. Executions of foreigners have happened in the last decade.
| Country | Maximum penalty for trafficking | Also |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Death (mandatory above set quantities) | Urine tests on arrival; drugs taken abroad can be charged. |
| Malaysia | Death (judge's discretion since 2023) | Includes cannabis. |
| Indonesia | Death | Bali cases are prosecuted in full; no tourist leniency. |
| Vietnam | Death | Threshold in grams, not kilos. |
| Laos | Death | 'Happy' menu items in party towns are still illegal. |
| Thailand | Death (rarely applied) | Cannabis was put back under prescription-only rules in 2025 — check before buying anything labelled cannabis. |
| Brunei | Death | Sharia and civil codes both apply. |
| Myanmar | Death | See advisory. |
| Philippines | Life imprisonment | Aggressive enforcement; no bail for large quantities. |
| Cambodia | Life imprisonment | No death penalty, but long pre-trial detention. |
Safety hotspots
| Where | Risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Myanmaradvisory | Armed conflict, airstrikes, closed regions, internet cuts. | No trip line. Read your government advice first. |
| Thailand – Cambodia border zone | 2025 armed clashes, landmines in rural border areas; crossings closed or restricted. | Fly Bangkok – Siem Reap instead of the land border until advice eases. |
| Thailand's deep south (Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, parts of Songkhla) | Long-running insurgency; bombings. | Most governments advise against travel; go around by air or via Padang Besar only. |
| Mindanao islands (Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi) and western Mindanao | Kidnapping and armed groups. | Check your government's map; many insurers exclude these areas. |
| East coast of Sabah | Kidnap-for-ransom history; night curfews at sea. | Dive resorts off Semporna run under security rules — follow them. |
| Border 'job offers' in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar | Scam compounds traffic foreigners lured by online job ads. | Refuse any job that pays flights to a border town; report to your embassy. |
Itineraries
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City14–21 nights
Hanoi → Ninh Bình → Huế → Hội An → Saigon
The single-country line: fly or train the long legs, never all overnight buses.
Bangkok to Saigon via Angkorplanned
Bangkok → Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Saigon
Planned. Land border status on the Thai side decides whether the first leg flies.
Chiang Mai to Hanoi via the Mekongplanned
Chiang Mai → Huay Xai → Luang Prabang → Vientiane → Hanoi
Planned. Slow boat + railway; fly the last leg.
Singapore to Penang by rail and busplanned
Singapore → Johor Bahru → Kuala Lumpur → Ipoh → Penang
Planned. ETS trains north of KL; book weekends ahead.
Sources
- Vietnam National E-visa portal (official)
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) (official)
- Cambodia e-Visa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) (official)
- Lao e-Visa (official) (official)
- Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) (official)
- Singapore ICA — SG Arrival Card (official)
- Indonesia e-Visa (Directorate General of Immigration) (official)
- Philippines eTravel (official)
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice (official)
- US Department of State travel advisories (official)
- ASEAN Secretariat (official)