Southeast Asia Travel is basically a right of passage. Strapping on a pack and perusing your way through the different languages, markets and unique cultures throughout the region is truly a life-changing experience. I have stood on top of 2 of the 7 world summits, backpacked Patagonia’s rugged backcountry, travelled all over Europe, visited MANY U.S. National Parks, and yet Southeast Asia easily holds its own with each of these for the category of unique and adventurous travel.
One month in SE Asia sounds like a pretty good amount of time to do and see a lot of things, right? WRONG! You could spend a month in EACH country in the region and it still wouldn’t be enough. Some people like to pack in every single country in this short amount of time, which really limits you from diving deep into the culture and getting a good sense and appreciation of each place. This itinerary focuses on visiting 3 countries during your time in the region, which
provides a chance to really enjoy and appreciate each!
Don’t forget to pack all of these travel essentials for your trip!
Contents
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When to Travel Southeast Asia
There is not necessarily a right or wrong time to visit SE Asia. Most people will say that the best time is during the “dry” season, but there are occasions where the “rainy” season might be best to suite your travels.
May-November in Southeast Asia
The rainy season (MOSTLY June-October) is also known as the green season! This is where you will find lush rice paddy fields and tropical jungle vibes. It is also cheaper and less crowded to travel during this time. If you are a little bit more flexible in your schedule and plan to stay
more than a month, then this might be a good option for you!
December-April in Southeast Asia
The “dry” season is the most popular time for travel in this region. Temps are pleasant, rainy days are few and far between, and the overall humidity is mild (relatively, of course). For this itinerary’s purpose, I would suggest visiting during this time! Having only a month to explore means that time is of the essence; You cannot afford to lose a day to rain!
Which Southeast Asia Countries to Visit
Having to CHOOSE which of the SE Asia countries to go to is such a difficult task! Before our trip we spent hours scouring the internet, researching EVERYTHING about EVERY country so that we could make the most informed choice. Ultimately, we chose to travel to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. We figured that with only a month to “see it all”, these three countries would provide the most diversity in their landscapes, cultures, histories, and overall experiences. Also, they are all located right next to each other, making travel between the three relatively easy.
Choosing Your Route through Southeast Asia
Choosing your route is the easy part. Almost all SE Asia itineraries begin at one of the major airport hubs and continue in a clockwise manor. Here’s what we chose and what will be
highlighted below:
S Thailand (mainland) –> N Thailand (mainland)–> N Vietnam–> S Vietnam–> Cambodia –> Thailand (islands)
You can easily choose to start anywhere on this itinerary and the travel aspect would still make sense. OR just use this as a loose guide to plan your own trip! Either way, think big city-then clockwise!
What to pack for One Month in Southeast Asia
Probably the best piece of packing advice is to travel with a carry on backpack ONLY! Traveling out of a carry-on is one of the most liberating feelings in world! This itinerary is so fluid and you’ll be moving cities and hotels quite frequently making a big bag a total pain in the ass to bring. Plus, it’s incredibly economical in the fact that you don’t have to pay extra for checked luggage on each leg of your flight.
For the bag itself, we LOVE the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack for our carry on. It’s SO roomy and has tons of organization pockets.
SO now that we’ve decided what kind of bag to bring… Let’s talk about what needs to go in it!
With any bag, you’ll want to get a set organization cubes to keep everything in order. We have this set from Cotopaxi as well as this set from REI, but there are a ton of options out there!
A filter bottle is a necessity when traveling. This Grayl GeoPress water filter and purifier bottle removes Protozoa, Bacteria And Viruses. Some people also swear by the lifestraw filter bottle- and they just updated it to where it is easier to drink from! A filter bottle can help you save money, travel sustainably and never buy single-use bottled water again!
The GoPro and the Insta360 are our go-to travel camera. They are so versatile and both capture super clean footage! We recommend the Hero13 or the Insta360 Action Camera!
Don’t forget a lightweight fanny pack for day-to-day use!
For more travel essentials check out our full post on what to bring with you for international travel!
One Month in Southeast Asia Travel Itinerary
This is the exact itinerary we followed: including the tours we booked, places we stayed, and everything in between!
Day 1: Arrive Bangkok
You will have likely taken a long flight to get here, so depending on how you’re feeling (and what time it is), today is a day to check in to your accommodation and take it easy. Roam around a bit near your hotel/hostel and make SURE to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime. Make conquering jetlag a PRIORITY.
Accomodation: Taraplace Hotel Bangkok
Day 2: Bangkok
Today you will be visiting a local floating market! If it’s a weekend day (Saturday/Sunday) then
you will want to head over to Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market. This is one of the super authentic local markets and you might just be one of the only tourists here, which makes for a super unique experience.
If it is a weekday, then you can opt for Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This one is
unfortunately a bit of a drive, but it will be worth it! This market is HUGE; You could spend endless hours here exploring and/or floating in the various narrow water channels.
After the floating market, you should spend some time roaming the streets of Bangkok. This is, in our opinion, the BEST way to get to know a new city and is always a favorite for us! Just set out from your hotel without a destination in mind… I promise, you’ll love it!
At least an hour before sunset you’ll want to head to the East Bank of Chao Phraya River where you’ll want to secure a spot to watch the sunset over Wat Arun. The sunset provides a perfect silhouette of the gorgeous temple and surrounding landscape! It’s a rewarding way to end the day.
After the sun sets, it’s time to head to the famous Khaosan Rd. This is a relatively small street, but with big personality! The road has cheap guesthouses, bars, and restaurants, as well as street vendors selling a variety of bugs on sticks, cheap massages and overall, just a good time! We are not big “night owls” so we only stayed for about an hour to have a couple of beers and enjoy the atmosphere, but I can see where you could get sucked in for an entire night!
Accommodation: Taraplace Hotel Bangkok
Day 3: Bangkok-> Chiang Mai
Today you will want to get an early start! Check out of your accommodation and leave your bags with the front desk so you can get out and explore before your flight.
You should spend your morning at The Grand Palace. The Grand Palace is the official residence
of the Thai Royal family and is a huge complex full of gorgeous temples and historical
significance. I would highly suggest joining a walking tour of the palace or at least do an audio
tour. There is so much to see and having something to guide you is super helpful.
After the palace, grab a bite to eat and then head to the airport because it’s time to go to Chiang Mai!
Accommodation: Old City Wall Inn
Day 4: Chiang Mai
You will be starting off your time in Chiang Mai with a little taste of the Thai culture by taking a half day cooking course with Grandma’s Cooking School! You can do a morning or afternoon session (or even an all-day session!) We chose the morning session because you get to go to the market with your guide and they show you a lot of ingredients that are in Thai cuisine. This was weirdly one of our favorite activities while in Thailand… and neither of us like to cook! We learned so much and are super confident that we can go home and cook some delicious Pad Thai and curry!
In the afternoon, you will want to take on the Old Quarter by foot! There are TONS of gorgeous temples to stumble upon as well as local eateries and markets. Don’t use your gps and just go wherever feels right… you know the drill!
After the sun sets, you’ll want to head to the night bazaar. I know you have already seen a
bunch of markets at this point, but don’t miss out on this one! Whether you are looking for a
nice atmosphere, street food, drinks, souvenirs, local art, massages, or any/all things in
between- Chiang Mai’s night bazaar will have what you’re looking for. You will easily spend a MINIMUM of a couple of hours here.
Accommodation: Old City Wall Inn
Day 4: Chiang Mai
Today you will be exploring Doi Suthep-Pui! This is the gorgeous mountain right on the outskirts of town! The best way to explore the mountain is via motorbike- and since you will be heading to Pai tomorrow you should go ahead and rent your bike for 4 days. Once you get the
rental sorted, it’s time to explore the mountain!
There is only one winding road that goes up the mountain, so it is super easy to navigate. There
are signs on the side of the road indicating where to stop and what the attraction is! Some of the things to see are Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (the temple on the hill), Mong Hill Tribe Village, waterfalls, viewpoints, and endless hiking trails! Spend the entire day exploring however you please!
**If you are not comfortable renting a motorbike you can always hire transportation or join a guided tour! You can also try your hand at hopping on one of the many songthaew’s which is basically a converted pickup taxi… but there’s no real “spot” to get picked up at, so these can be a bit tricky.
For dinner you MUST get Khao Soi at least once, so if you haven’t already gotten it then tonight is your last chance! It is a famous dish that is only served in Northern Thailand (specifically Chiang Mai) and it’s DELICIOUS!
Accommodation: Old City Wall Inn
Day 6: Chiang Mai -> Pai
Motorbiking from Chiang Mai to Pai is a just a quick 80 miles! Easy as Pai, huh? Except for the fact that the entire time you are driving up and over various mountains while navigating winding roads, tight turns, and steep inclines! We decided to leave our large backpacks in Chiang Mai and just took a small bag each on the bike since we were just staying in Pai for 2 nights! It made the drive much more comfortable.
**AGAIN, if you are not comfortable driving a motorbike there are plenty of bus transfers that will take you round trip from Chiang Mai-Pai! But, if you’re up for the adventure then just take it slow and be sure to honk on blind turns!
Pai is a small, slow paced outdoorsy town. It is a little slice of paradise compared to the busy city atmospheres of Chiang Mai and Bangkok. When you arrive, you should settle into your accommodation and then make your way over to Pai Canyon for a gorgeous sunset over the town and surrounding mountains!
Motorbike Rental Place: Mr. Pop Chiang Mai
Accommodation: Farm Stay at Pai
Day 7: Pai
Start the day by hopping on the bike (or joining a tour if you opted out of bike travel) and going to Nam Lod Cave. Once you arrive to the entrance, you will pay to have a guide take you through the 3 sections via kerosene lantern. It was honestly so much fun to explore, and it far exceeded our expectations!
After the cave, head back towards town where you can either go to the bamboo bridge or one of the waterfalls (or both if have time)! We ended up going to the bamboo bridge and then exploring the town a bit. But you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose!
Accommodation: Farm Stay at Pai
Day 8: Pai -> Chiang Mai -> Hanoi
In the morning, enjoy a nice soak in one of the 2 hot springs in Pai before making your way back to Chiang Mai! We chose Ta Pai Hot Springs since it is the one closest to town. It is the perfect temperature for a chilly morning and is surrounded by the jungle… so scenic!
The other option would be Sai Ngam Hot Springs, which is located about 20 km from Pai.
Make sure to book a late flight out of Chiang Mai because after you visit the hot springs, you will have to make the 4-hour drive from Pai, drop off your motorbike, pick up your bags, then taxi to the airport.
Accommodation: MayFlower Hotel Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi -> Ha Giang
This evening you will be taking the night bus to Ha Giang… but first you MUST make use of your
one day in Hanoi. Be sure to wake up early and get an egg coffee! Egg coffee is Hanoi’s claim
to fame, and it is absolutely DELICIOUS (and strong)! After you’ve properly caffeinated, you’ll
want to head towards the train street.
The “train street” is a narrow street lined with local Vietnamese homes and businesses. The
street is literally composed of a railway where trains pass through and come within inches of
the homes. It is truly a unique and exhilarating experience!
After the train street, you’ll want to head to the bus stop where you will meet the bus to travel
to Ha Giang. it’s a 5 hr bus ride with one stop for restrooms and food mid-way through, so be
sure you have something downloaded on your phone to watch or just enjoy a nap!
Bus Booking Company: Balou
Accommodation: QT Motorbike Rental Guest House
Day 10-14: Ha Giang Loop
I hope you’re ready for an adventure because that’s exactly what you’re about to embark on! The Ha Giang loop is a circular route in the far North of Vietnam. The route winds through massive mountains, deep canyons, majestic landscapes, and ancient traditional villages to which people still inhabit today. It is so difficult to put into words how incredible this experience is. We have already talked about going back and doing the loop again, as there is an endless amount of exploration to be had!
There is way too much information you need to know for the Ha Giang Loop so we made a post dedicated to all of the ins and outs of completing the loop… including how you can do it without any motorbiking experience! Check out the Ha Giang Loop Post for more.
Motorbike Rental: QT Motorbikes and Tours
Accommodation: Various towns along the loop (See Ha Giang Loop Post)
Day 14: Ha Giang Loop -> Hanoi
After a fun 5 days exploring northern Vietnam via motorbike, it is time to head back to Hanoi for a little R&R. You’ll want to book the afternoon bus out of Ha Giang to have a bit of time to
return your bike and grab some food. Once back in Hanoi you can either explore the streets at
night or head to your accommodation to get some rest.
Bus Ticket: Balou
Accommodation: The MayFlower Hotel Hanoi
Day 15-17: Halong Bay Cruise
It’s time to check yet another amazing bucket list item off your list! You will be going to Halong Bay to cruise the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin! Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rightfully so. The bay has massive vertical limestone mountains situated on tiny islands making it an incredibly unique and scenic area.
You can choose to cruise 2 days/1 night or 3 days/2 nights. I would suggest the 3-day option, as 2 days doesn’t give you nearly enough time to enjoy it. There are also TONS of cruise companies that operate on Ha Long Bay and choosing which one to go with can be an overwhelming process. Check out our post on How to choose a Ha Long Bay Cruise to help guide you.
Cruise: Halong Bay Tours
Day 17: Ha Long Bay Cruise -> Hanoi
After 3 gorgeous days on the bay, it is time to disembark the boat and head back towards
Hanoi. We chose to spend the night in one of the airport pods at Noi Bai International Airport since we booked the first flight out to Ho Chi Minh the next day. Honestly, the pods were a great experience– one we would definitely do again!
Accommodation: VATC Sleep pod
Day 18: Hanoi -> Ho Chi Minh
Rise and Shine! Let’s go to Ho Chi Minh City! Make sure you take an early flight because we’re going to get right to it when we land. Go ahead and go straight to your accommodation and drop your bags off (it will likely be too early to check in anyway). After you drop your stuff, you’ll want to head over to The War Remnants Museum.
The War Remnants Museum is a very somber experience, but one that you absolutely should not miss. It tells the story of the American/Vietnam War in horrific detail. We spent 4 hours at the Museum, and it wasn’t nearly enough. The museum is laid out in a way that is very easy to
navigate. I would recommend taking the self-guided audio tour, as there is a TON of reading involved and having an audio version helps to take on some of that burden.
After the museum you should spend the rest of the day exploring the city by foot! There are many interesting places are just a short walking distance away from the War Museum including:
- Ho Chi Minh City Hall
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
- Reunification Palace
- Ben Than Market
During the day, MAKE SURE you try some of the famous street food of HCM City! Each stall has unique flavors and dishes, which makes for an endless number of options; just let your taste buds guide you!
Accommodation: Akoya Saigon Central Hotel
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh
Your time is limited in Ho Chi Minh City, so today you will be hitting 2 popular spots: Mekong Delta and Chu Chi Tunnels.
The Mekong Delta is basically a massive swamp… but one that is surrounded by beautiful rivers and islands and dense jungles. Here you will get to learn about the locals who live in the region and how the culture is still alive today!
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of underground tunnels used by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam/American War. You will learn about how many people (including women & children) lived in the tunnels for years, while simultaneously using them for combat. You will also get the opportunity to go down into a small section of one of the tunnels yourself, which is
an eye opening experience.
Accommodation: Akoya Saigon Central Hotel
Day 20: Ho Chi Minh -> Siem Reap
Today you are going to say goodbye to Vietnam as you head to the airport to catch a flight to Cambodia! Cambodia is home to the largest religious monument in the world known as Angkor Wat. You will be spending 3 days exploring the miles upon miles of Angkor Temples.
The first thing you want to do when you arrive is head over to the Angkor Ticket Office located just 2.5 mi from the center of town OR you can buy your pass online (convenient and simple). You will want to purchase a 3-day pass (trust me on this… one day is not nearly enough).
Once you have your pass, you should spend the rest of the day exploring the little town of Siem
Reap. Be sure to head to bed at a decent time though because you are hitting the temples at
sunrise tomorrow!
Accommodation: Onderz Siem Reap
Day 21-23: Angkor Wat
We made an entire post on how to spend 3 days in Angkor Wat because it can be insanely
confusing when you’re trying to plan it out! Check it out here!
Accommodation: Onderz Siem Reap
Day 23: Siem Reap -> Phucket
After 3 incredible days of exploring Angkor Wat, you will likely be READY for some much- deserved beach time! Grab your bags and make your way to the airport because it’s time to head to the Thai islands!
To get to Phucket from Siem Reap, you will likely be routed through Bangkok. You’ll spend a majority of the day traveling, so once you finally arrive you should just grab dinner and a drink (or 2) and relax!
Accommodation: The Regent Bang Tao
Day 24-26: Phucket
I know Phucket gets an infamous rep of being a big party island, but there is so much more to it than that! I mentioned before that we are night big “party” people (anymore lol), and we found Phucket to be an incredibly fun and relaxing place to explore. Some of the things we didover the 3 days that we were there include:
- Beach hopping: We wanted to see many of the different beaches the Island had to offer
so we decided to take our motorbike and beach hop! - Water Park: We LOVE water parks and the one in Phucket did not disappoint. We went
to Andamanda Water Park for a full day of adventure and there were literally no lines
for any of the slides! 10/10 - Phi Phi Island Tour: overpriced and crowded? Yep. Still worth it? YES! The Phi Phi islands are insanely scenic and a full day of boating with strangers can honestly be fun despite the crowds.
- Beach Bums: After a long month of action-packed days, it was SO NICE to just relax on the beach.
Accommodation: The Regent Bang Tao
Day 27: Phucket -> Koh Tao
We’ve saved the best for last! It’s time to head to Koh Tao to get your PADI open water diver certification! Koh Tao is FAMOUS for its beginner friendly waters. The water is warm, clear and has mild currents YEAR-ROUND making it the perfect place to learn scuba.
Over the next 3 days, you will be learning all the ins and outs of becoming a scuba diver
including going on 4 epic open water dives!! This was the highlight of the entire trip, and I cannot recommend it enough!
Accommodation: Simple Life Divers
Day 28-30: Koh Tao Scuba Course
We took our PADI open water diver course through Simple Life Divers. The course runs over 3 full days and includes a place to stay! The entire process went incredibly smoothly. The SLD team was professional and knowledgeable, and we felt fully supported the entire time.
NOW if you do not want to or don’t plan to get any scuba certs, I would still suggest visiting Koh
Tao! The island itself is gorgeous, plus there’s a ton of other activities you can do including
snorkeling, hiking, boating, or just enjoying the island.
Accommodation: Simple Life Divers
Day 31: Koh Tao -> Bangkok -> Home
Unfortunately, it is time to go back to where you came from. We booked a flight from the
islands to BKK and stayed at an airport hotel for the night. It was truly bittersweet to leave, but we went home with a huge appreciation of SE Asia and a longing to come back.
Accommodation: Suvarnabhumi Ville Airport Hotel
Gear Highlight!
We have always struggled to keep our electronics and cords organized on our trips. This was our first trip using this Tripped Travel Tech Bag and it was awesome! All of our cords/memory cards/electronics organized in one place… complete game changer!
5 thoughts on “One Month in Southeast Asia Travel Itinerary”
What mode of transportation to get from Phuket to Koh Tao island?
We flew from Phuket to Koh Samui and then took a boat to Koh Tao!
These are very well worn paths indeed..by all means go to the Khao San Road but keep your wallet safe..you will meet lots of other tourists here and in Pai ( there’s not a lot else in these places)
great advice! always good to keep your wallet safe
This is a fantastic itinerary with very useful links and recommendations. I am putting together a similar itinerary and doing endless research. Will likely take a few things from this post. I am also reading your post on the Ha Giang Loop. So thank you! I only have two points to make. Some passages I wanted to copy/paste into my document for later reference, but you have protected against this. Or I wanted to right-click a few posts and references into a new browser window, and could not for the same reason. Not a big deal, but a minor inconvenience. Maybe you have had content stolen in the past. For me the most useful thing is having every reference linked out, which is SOOOO useful to readers who really want to take advantage of every idea. Not trying to be critical, just helpful from a reader’s perspective. Also, regarding booking a ticket online to Angkor Wat, do you have a link for that? That would beat a 2.5 mile hike from the center of town. Thank you again for a great post.