Southeast Asia Travel Guide
Priya Nair· Asia Editor
Updated September 12, 2026 · 9 min read
Southeast Asia is the world's great value arc: Thailand's temples and islands, Vietnam's street food and karsts, Cambodia's Angkor, Laos's rivers, Malaysia's mix, Indonesia's seventeen thousand choices — at $50–80/day with internal flights under $100.
The classic three-week loop: Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Siem Reap → Vietnam's S-curve → Bali. Two weeks picks a half.
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Plan your Thailand trip with AI →The Value Arc
Thailand anchors every first trip (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, islands). Cambodia adds Angkor — unmissable. Vietnam runs the S-curve of food and karsts. Bali and the islands finish the arc. Laos and Malaysia are the connoisseur adds.
- Classic loop: Bangkok 3 → Chiang Mai 3 → Siem Reap 3 → Vietnam 6 → Bali 5.
- Islands-first: Bangkok 2 → the islands 6 → Bali 5.
- Street-food-first: Vietnam 8 alone.
The Island Season Split
The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) is dry November–April; the Gulf (Samui) January–September; Bali April–October. There is always a dry island — route by month.
The Two-Week Loop
Thailand, Cambodia, Bali.
Day 1 · Bangkok — temples
The trio at opening.
Day 2 · Bangkok — markets
Chatuchak and Yaowarat.
Day 3 · Chiang Mai
The old city.
Day 4 · Chiang Mai — elephants
The sanctuary day.
Day 5 · Fly to Siem Reap
The Angkor tickets.
Day 6 · Angkor — sunrise
The small circuit.
Day 7 · Angkor — deep
Beng Mealea.
Day 8 · Fly to Bali
Ubud's arrival.
Day 9 · Bali — temples
The water temples.
Day 10 · Bali — waterfalls
The jungle swims.
Day 11 · The coast
Uluwatu's kecak.
Day 12 · Beach day
Earned.
Day 13 · Farewell
The last nasi campur.
Day 14 · Departure
DPS home.
Practical planning info
Money
- $50–80/day at the mid tier; internal flights $30–100.
- The Angkor pass ($37/1 day, $62/3 days) is the region's big ticket.
When
- November–February is the cool season everywhere.
- The island coasts split by month — there is always a dry one.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start in Southeast Asia?
Thailand — the easiest entry and the cheapest landing. Vietnam and Cambodia follow naturally.
Angkor: one day or three?
Three — the small circuit, the grand circuit, and one outlying temple. One day is a shame.
How long for Southeast Asia?
Two weeks minimum for the loop; three does it without sprinting.
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Plan your Thailand trip with AI →Keep reading
The Thailand guide: Bangkok, the two coasts, the temple etiquette and the season split.
9 min read
The Vietnam guide: the S-curve route, the street-food curriculum and the season split.
9 min read
The Asia guide: the regions, the seasons and the first-timer's arc.
9 min read