r/SouthEastAsia_Travel

In just over four decades, the Chinese city of Shenzhen went from having 300,000 residents to 20 million. The city has become a technological powerhouse and is on track to become one of the biggest city economies by 2035. In spite of its exponential growth, Shenzhen has managed to provide housing, transportation and clean air to its citizens. How has the city been able to do this and at what cost? Reporter Jeremy Siegel visited Shenzhen to report on the many stories behind what’s come to be known as the ‘Shenzhen miracle.’’

Hey everyone! I’m leaving in June for my first backpacking trip around Southeast Asia (hopefully 6+ months), and I’m trying to figure out the best packing setup.

I’m a petite woman, so I’ve decided to go with a 40L Osprey as my main backpack to keep the weight manageable. The only non-negotiable is that I need to bring my laptop since I work remotely.

What I’m unsure about is whether to bring a second small backpack (around 16L) to carry in the front with my electronics and essentials for travel days (planes, buses, trains), or if having two backpacks will just become annoying really quickly.

At the same time, I feel like I’ll want a small daypack for excursions and day trips. I’ve also considered getting a collapsible/packable daypack, but I’m worried they might be too flimsy or uncomfortable.

For those of you who’ve done similar trips: what worked best for you? Two backpacks, one + packable daypack, or something else?

I am in my late 20s F and I booked my flights arriving in Bangkok and departing in Kuala Lumpur, a total of 6 weeks in August. I did a one week solo trip in Taipei a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved it!

I would like to spend a lot of time in beaches relaxing, eating good food and exploring each place I visit. I am not planning on partying or going clubs but I am down to have a drink at a nice bar. I am planning on staying in private rooms for a peace of mind but still trying to be on a budget.

I have a rough itinerary and would love any inputs or suggestions! I am flexible with the timings too as I haven't booked any domestic flights/bus transfer and accommodations (except for Perhentian Island due to popularity at that time).

Bangkok 5 nights - including Ayutthaya

Khao Sok 3 nights - any experience with booking package tours?

Koh Phangan 7 nights - longer as I might do a yoga retreat

Koh Tao 5 nights - I am not planning to do any diving, is it still worth it to stay that long?

Koh Samui 4 nights - there is an option to visit an elephant sanctuary but is this ethical?

Penang 4 nights - 1 day of travel from Koh Samui to Penang

Ipoh 2 nights - 1 extra night for overnight bus to Perhentian Island

Perhentian Island 3 nights - is this enough days? Also, I booked a bungalow in a more secluded place but the accommodation is nicer. I am tempted to book another accommodation in a more crowded place for safety but the accommodation is worst (no AC and doesn't look very nice). Is it worth it for the same price point?

Malacca 2 nights

Kuala Lumpur 3 nights

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Questions

Is it better to do shopping in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur?

For the Gulf of Thailand Islands, has anyone had experience with cycling around (either with a regular bike or e-bike)? I am used to cycling as it is my mode of transport but I am terrified of hiring a scooter as many people seem to be getting into accidents.

I also want some advice on how long I am staying in each of the Gulf of Thailand Islands. Should I add/remove days? Which Island is best? I am planning on staying in the non-party side of the Islands.

Also is my Malaysia leg too hectic? Is it worth staying in Ipoh or Malacca? Should I increase my days in Kuala Lumpur or Perhentian Island?

For all the places mentioned, has anyone done a tour which absolutely stood out to them? If so, which one?

Any other suggestions for places to go? I understand it is monsoon season in quite a lot of places hence it is not included in the plan. I would ideally want to avoid the rain as much as possible. Any experiences for travelling to these places in August time?

For context I’m 23 (F) and I’m planning my first proper solo backpacking trip, I’ll be going to south east Asia in January 2027 for 4 months, I’m so excited about it! But I’m struggling with not having anyone to talk to about it, like of course I can talk to my friends and they are excited for me but I don’t want to bore them constantly talking about it. I just wish I knew someone who was also planning a big trip like this so I had someone to talk to about things like places you want to see, how far in advance should I book flights ect

I know this seems silly and how will I live in another country alone if I can’t even do this but this is such a massive dream of mine I just want someone to chat to about it! Haha

Any advice? Is there a way to find someone also planning a trip even just to message back and forth about it?

Thanks!

Hello, my husband and I are going to Vietnam in late March next year. We only have 14 nights (excluding travel days).

We will fly into Hanoi in the morning. This is what we're thinking:

3 nights Hanoi, 3 nights Sapa, 1 night Hanoi, 1 night Halong bay, 3 nights Hoi Ann, 3 nights Siem Reap.

We really wanted to see Ninh Binh but it won't fit. We already feel like we're moving around a lot. Originally we did not have Sapa on the itinerary but we had 2 nights in Ninh Binh, which would give us an extra night onto one of the other stops. I know it's a rushed itinerary. We would love to see nature and cultural sights. Some peace and calm without crowds is important to balance out crowds everywhere else. We might not make it back so Angkor Wat is important. A couple of beach days is important too.

Will Sapa be nice in late March? How is air quality then?

Many thanks

Hi there, first time visitor to Vietnam from Australia with my girlfriend, we are both 31. We have just over 2 weeks there so want to get the right balance of seeing Vietnam but also not constantly moving around trying to do too much.

This is a rough itinerary we have put together, we'd be keen for any feedback on it and advice. We'd love to do the Loop as a priority for our trip. We like exploring the outdoors but also learning about history/culture/nightlife. This trip would be end of May and into June. We understand it is rainy in alot of these areas but are okay with it

We think breaking down our trip to 3 segments, exploring the north including the ha giang loop - the centre for beach and relaxation and then finish back at HCM.

Any help is much appreciated ! Thankyou

Date	Location
29	1230AM-605AM Mel-HCM 105PM-315PM HCM-Hanoi
30	Hanoi
31	Hanoi-Loop (Overnight bus?)
1	Loop
2	Loop
3	Loop
4	Loop-Ninh Binh (Overnight bus?)
5	Ninh Binh
6	Ninh Binh-Ha Long Bay/Lan Ho Bay
7	Ha Long Bay/Lan Ho Bay
8	Ha Long Bay/Lan Ho Bay
9	Ha Long Bay - Hoi An
10	Hoi An
11	Hoi An
12	Hoi An-Ho Chi Minh
13	Ho Chi Minh
14	Ho Chi Minh
15	Ho Chi Minh HCM-MEL 1110AM-1035PM

1.) How does tipping work and how much is appropriate?

2.)Is it customary to tip at restaurants? To tip drivers? To tip for spa treatments? At hotels for housekeeping/staff at the end of your stay?

3.) where is safe to exchange USD to rupiah for low exchange rate also

4.) is it appropriate to ask servers “ is this safe for tourist to consume” in food and drinks

5.) is it safe to consume the ice I have heard mixed reviews.

And just any other recommendations or things to look out for I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you you guys!!

Hello! I’m heading to travel south east Asia for 4 months in January 2027, I was just wondering if anyone else has been and how much money they spent? I’m planning on staying in hostels getting grabs and buses ect, but I’m also wanting to do quite a few expensive things like get scuba certified and the ha giang loop ect, it’s the one time I want to be able to splash out. I’m planning to take about 10K (around $13,600) with me, this is just for while I’m across there, flights, vaccines and insurance I’ll have paid for before I leave.

I’ve heard a lot of people say drinking is a big cost, I don’t actually drink so this wouldn’t be a big expense for me

Will this be enough? I’m heading to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia plus if I have time and money I wanted to check out the Philippines

Hello.

We're arriving on June 9 and flying out on June 23.

The places we've shortlisted so far are Ubud, Munduk, Sideman, Sanur, Seminyak, Gili.

What about Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida - are they skippable? What about Amed and Pemuteran - are they only for experienced water sports' participants?

What we would prefer:

1. Trying out some water sports, like snorkelling (just for fun, we AREN'T experts).
2. Relaxed trip (more offbeat than urban, crowded plpaces)
3. Not rushed
4. Plenty of waterfalls

We're okay with booking airbnbs for stay at some places but won't mind luxurious stays for a few days given it's a honeymoon trip!

Thank you in advance!

I am taking a trip to Vietnam soon, and I'm trying to do as extensive of research as possible with the sleeper buses that I want to take to travel the country. But the reviews I've found for multiple companies are very inconsistent. On Google Maps a company will have 1 star reviews, but on 12go asia they're 4 stars. Some companies I'm considering are:

• Vietnam transfers
• bao ngoc limousine
• dinh nanh
• quynh nhat limousine. I'm wondering:

1. Has anyone heard of or taken any of these? How are they, and what should I know about them?
2. Is there a 'best' bus to take? And/or 3. Are there other companies I should consider instead?

Thank you all 🥲

Hi,

I'm writing this for my father in law who's currently on Bali and his e-visa stay expires on the 7th.

We've been trying to extend his visa online through the offical portal (https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/) and find his current visa, but when we click on the details number and enter the OTP code send to his email, we just get returned back to the initial detail entry form.

Tried multiple browsers, clearing cookies, everything.

Any ideas? P.s. - he's 70 so traveling back and forth to an immigration office is a little harder for him, they're on Lembongan now.

Thanks!

Hi! I'm getting ready for my 3 week solo trip in Thailand and here's my tentative schedule so far:

June 16- 20: Bangkok 
June 20-21: Khao Yai (Get Your Guide??)
June 21- 26: Chiang Mai 
June 26-July 4: Koh Samui/(Koh Tao?)

Flight back home is July 5th at 2300

I'm just trying to vibe and experience the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I have a loose agenda for Bangkok but nothing yet for Chiang Mai. I know there are some parks around Chiang Mai I think I could be interested in visiting, especially if the hiking or animal sightings are worth it. I love nature and am looking forward to a hike and maybe some elephant spottings at Khao Yai. I'm looking to end my trip with chill beach days before taking a sleeper train back to Bangkok. Does this seem like too much? If anyone has any advice for pacing, must see/do things, or anything else I'm all ears!!

Side q- Should I be wary of street food? I have IBS and am immunocompromised and am worried about getting sick while I'm there.

Hi everyone,

I’ll be flying to Kuala Lumpur in June and will stay there around 20 days.

Besides spending a few days there, I want mainly to go in a sunny, no rain, and nice beach destination with nice snorkelling.

Please don’t suggest Semporna, the prices are CRAZY !

I was thinking about Flores: Komodo and Riung 17 islands.

I don’t want to go to Sulawesi this year since I’m planning to do it next year.

Do you have any other suggestions ?

Thanks in advance for the kind replies:)

I’m travelling south east asia (mainly thailand and vietnam) in 4 weeks time for 6 weeks. I’m doing 4 weeks witth my friends and then 2 weeks alone. Any advice for travelling alone? I’m more than okay being in my own company but any help would be appreciated.