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My 5-Week Itinerary for Southeast Asia

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My 5-Week Itinerary for Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia. A backpacker’s paradise, it has it all: pristine beaches, ancient temples, lush jungles, delicious food, and cheap prices. Furthermore, there are an abundance of countries to visit, from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Myanmar. So how do you decide the perfect itinerary for Southeast Asia?

It is definitely difficult planning a Southeast Asia itinerary. So, to help you out, I have outlined my own 5-week Southeast Asia travel route, that I traveled as a solo college student. Hopefully my travel experiences outlined below will inspire you as you plan your own Southeast Asia travel itineraries!

So, without further ado, here is my 5-week itinerary. Enjoy!

The Mountains and Water of Trang An, Ninh Binh - A Day Trip from Hanoi, Vietnam

Itinerary for Southeast Asia: 2 Weeks in Vietnam

The first destination on my itinerary for Southeast Asia was Vietnam, and as a nature enthusiast, I utterly adored the stunning scenery of northern Vietnam. Here’s an outline of what I did for two weeks:

Hanoi: 4 Days

First, I stopped in the hectic city of Hanoi. Visiting Hanoi was my big introduction to Southeast Asia, and it was a big introduction, with its bustling streets surging with traffic.

But, there are a ton of amazing things to do in Hanoi, from circling the Hoan Kiem Lake, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, touring around the Old Quarter, and stopping by St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

The highlight from my time in Hanoi, however, was definitely the day trip I took to Trang An, Ninh Binh. Known as the Halong Bay on land, it was absolutely breathtaking.

A Temple in Trang An, Ninh Binh - A Day Trip from Hanoi, Vietnam
The beautiful scenery at Trang An

If you have the time, I definitely recommend visiting Trang An and taking a boat tour to admire the towering limestone karst peaks, incredible caves, and tranquil waters up close; it is definitely one of the must see places in Vietnam. And at the same time, check out the magical Ninh Binh and Mua Caves!

Halong Bay: 2 Days

Next, I took a 2-day 1-night tour of Halong Bay. One of the biggest tourist attractions in Vietnam, Halong Bay lives up to the hype.

Many Boats Setting Off on Tours of Halong Bay, Vietnam

I booked one of the cheaper (but still reputable) tours, and I had a ton of fun. The other travelers on the tour were fellow budget backpackers like me, and together, we ate delicious food, swam and kayaked in the turquoise water, and hiked Cat Ba National Park.

While some travelers take a Halong Bay day trip from Hanoi, I recommend staying for at least two days; with its spectacular scenery and vivid emerald waters, you don’t want to rush your time in Halong Bay.

However, there are some drawbacks to Halong Bay. Namely, the immense number of tourists who visit, and (consequently) the amount of garbage floating around in the water. It was truly heartbreaking to see the pollution caused by tourism. So, if you visit, remember to travel responsibly!

Sapa: 3 Days

I then proceeded to go to another popular tourist destination in Vietnam: Sapa. Located in northern Vietnam, Sapa is the ultimate hiking Southeast Asia destination, offering beautiful treks, picturesque villages, soaring mountain peaks, and charming rice terraces.

Beautiful Scenery of a Village in the Hills of Sapa, Vietnam - Perfect for your Itinerary for Southeast Asia.

The best times to travel to Vietnam, or specifically, the stunning rice terraces in Sapa, are September and October. Since I embarked on my trip in May, I unfortunately missed out on the phenomenal vivid colors of the rice terraces in Fall.

However, I still immensely enjoyed my time in Sapa. From exploring the towering summit of Mount Fansipan to discovering the hiking routes surrounding Sapa, I definitely don’t regret including Sapa on my Vietnam travel itinerary.

Da Nang: 4 Days

Next, I headed to Da Nang. Famously known for its Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, Da Nang may be the best city to visit in Vietnam.

The Famous Golden Bridge Held by Large Hands in Da Nang, Vietnam
The famous Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills

However, most of Da Nang’s allure comes from the number of phenomenal day trips you can take. While there are many places to visit in Da Nang, such as My Khe Beach, Ba Na Hills, and the Dragon Bridge, the best sights are those surrounding Da Nang.

The Vivid Ruins of My Son - A Day Trip from Da Nang, Vietnam
The My Son ruins outside of Da Nang

From the My Son ruins, the Marble Mountains, Hoi An, and the Cham Islands, there are an abundance of incredible day trips from Da Nang. One of my biggest tips for Vietnam travel is to explore these exceptional destinations!

Ho Chi Minh City: 2 Days

My final destination in Vietnam was Ho Chi Minh City (i.e., Saigon). While I more-or-less viewed Ho Chi Minh City as a long layover as I made my way into Cambodia, I still enjoyed my time there. While I did not have time to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, I did stop by the Saigon Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon.

Conclusions for Vietnam: Itinerary for Southeast Asia

I utterly adored my two weeks in Vietnam. Some highlights include the day trips from Da Nang (including my stops in My Son, Hoi An, and the Marble Mountains), touring around Halong Bay, trekking in Sapa, and going on a boat tour in Trang An.

If I could go back and change one thing from my itinerary, I would stay in Ninh Binh (near Trang An) for a few days, and skip Ho Chi Minh City altogether. Not to say that Ho Chi Minh City is not an amazing city (sorry for the double-negative); I just simply love the scenery of northern Vietnam, and I wish I could have experienced it more.

Itinerary for Southeast Asia: 1 Week in Cambodia

After spending 2 weeks in Vietnam, I made my way into Cambodia. While I made a brief stop in Phnom Penh, my true destination was Angkor Wat. Here’s an outline of my Cambodia travel itinerary:

Siem Reap: 7 Days

One of the most celebrated Cambodia tourist spots and iconic Southeast Asia temples is Angkor Wat, and my true intention in visiting Cambodia was to explore the numerous ancient temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap.

The Smiling Faces at Bayon Temple in Angkor Wat, Near Siem Reap in Cambodia
The Bayon Temple in Angkor Wat

After a bit of research, I devised my 3-day plan for touring Angkor Wat. My itinerary was as follows:

  • Day 1: Rent a bike for the day. Cycle to Angkor Wat, then complete the Small Circuit Tour (Phnom Bakheng, Baphuon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, Ta Keo, and Banteay Kdei).
  • Day 2: Book an affordable tour, taking me to the biggest and most popular temples (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, and Phnom Bakheng).
  • Day 3: Hire a tuk tuk, visit Angkor Wat at sunrise, and then complete the Grand Circuit Tour (Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup, and Srah Srang).
Angkor Wat Ruins by a Hot Air Balloon Near Siem Reap, Cambodia
Phnom Bakheng in Angkor Wat

But things didn’t go as planned.

Day 1 came. I successfully rented my bike, bought my 3-day pass, and arrived at Angkor Wat. Things were going well… until they weren’t.

Shortly after I arrived, I started feeling extremely nauseous and ill. I told myself it was because I over-exerted myself, cycling to Angkor Wat (which took me about an hour) in the overbearing heat and humidity, and I hoped it would go away after a few minutes of rest.

One hour came and passed, and the spasms of pain did not end… and I knew it wasn’t simple exhaustion. It was traveler’s diarrhea. Then came the hard part: cycling back to my hostel while fighting the urge to jump off my bike and vomit in the bushes.

I spent the next two days bed-ridden and sick. But, I had spent $62 USD on a 3-day pass to Angkor Wat and had already booked a $12 USD tour, so on the third day (when I did feel a little better), I forced myself out of bed and returned to Angkor Wat.

A Large Tree on the Ruins of Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat Near Siem Reap, Cambodia - A Stop on My Itinerary for Southeast Asia
Ta Prohm in Angkor Wat

While that first day in Angkor Wat was unpleasant, it is undeniable that Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the best places to visit in Cambodia, and a definite must for all Cambodia itineraries.

The history of the ancient temples is utterly captivating, the architecture outstanding, and the scenery breathtaking. It is definitely one of the best Cambodia tourist attractions!

Trees Growing Out of the Ancient Temples at Angkor Wat Park

However, there are other places to visit in Siem Reap. Some things I did (while not sick) include visiting the Old Market and exploring the Angkor National Museum. If you want to learn more about the amazing things to do in Siem Reap, click here!

Conclusions for Cambodia: Itinerary for Southeast Asia

While I unfortunately did not have a ton of time to determine the best places to go in Cambodia, Angkor Wat should be in everyone’s Southeast Asia trips. As one of the best Southeast Asia destinations, it is definitely worthy of the bucket list!

Itinerary for Southeast Asia: 2 Weeks in Thailand

The final country on my 5-week Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand itinerary was Thailand. I spent 2 weeks in Thailand, and it was the perfect way to end my trip: I trekked through the lush jungles up north, island hopped down south, and went sightseeing around Bangkok. Here’s an in-depth review of my travels:

Beautiful Structures at Ayutthaya - A Day Trip from Bangkok, Thailand, and Perfect for your Itinerary for Southeast Asia
Ayutthaya: One of the best Bangkok day trips

Chiang Mai: 7 Days

The first stop on my Thailand odyssey was Chiang Mai. Unfortunately, I was still recovering from my illness from Cambodia, so I wasn’t able to do as much as I would have liked.

Nevertheless, Chiang Mai is one of the top places to visit in Thailand, with an abundance of activities to do and incredible Chiang Mai day trips to take. The things I did include exploring Doi Inthanon National Park and embarking on a trekking tour, where I swam underneath a waterfall, trekked through the jungle, and relaxed on a bamboo raft.

The Beautiful Green Forest Surrounding a Village in Northern Thailand Near Chiang Mai

Other things to do include visiting Wat Phra Singh, exploring Wat Umong Suan Phutthatham, and hiking to the Huay Kaew Waterfall.

Overall, I definitely recommend visiting Chiang Mai; it’s one of the best destinations in Thailand!

Phuket: 4 Days

I then proceeded to fly to Phuket; one of the best destinations for some Thailand island hopping! There are an abundance of day trips from Phuket (I even wrote about it on Claire’s Itchy Feet), and I had an amazing time exploring the islands of southern Thailand.

View of Koh Phi Phi and the Ocean from the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint, a Day Trip from Phuket, Thailand
Viewpoint on Koh Phi Phi

However, the Phuket day trips don’t only include the islands. One of the most amazing experiences I had on my 1 month Southeast Asia itinerary was visiting the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.

With its center housed in the lush jungles near Bang Pae Waterfall, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is an organization set on rehabilitating abused gibbons. Visiting the center is a huge reminder about the negative impacts of tourism, especially on animals, and what we can do to travel responsibly!

Gibbon in the trees in Thailand - A Great Day Trip from Phuket is the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, and Phuket in general, is definitely one of the best places to go in Thailand.

Bangkok: 3 Days

Finally, I spent my last few days in Southeast Asia exploring Bangkok. While my first few days in Hanoi were hectic and stressful, I was now used to the hustle and bustle of the big Southeast Asian cities!

Despite the fact that Bangkok was overbearingly humid, I still had a great time. I embarked on an Ayutthaya day trip, toured around the Grand Palace, and explored Khaosan Road.

The Beautiful Golden Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace in Bangkok

Conclusions for Thailand: Itinerary for Southeast Asia

Overall, I had a great time in Thailand, and I don’t think I would have changed anything about it. For those planning a trip to Thailand, I would definitely recommend doing the Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok, trekking around Chiang Mai, and island hopping near Phuket!

An Island in Southern Thailand - A Day Trip from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

In Conclusion,

I hope you found my 5-week itinerary for Southeast Asia helpful and inspiring! The destinations outlined were utterly stunning, and perfect for luxury and budget travelers alike.

And hey, if you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia, why not check out my ultimate Southeast Asia packing list for women?


Thanks for reading the article! If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below, and if you want to see more travel and hike-related content, make sure to check out my other articles.

Cheers,

Mia

Photos by the author and Pixabay.


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If you enjoyed this article on my 5-week Southeast Asia itinerary and want some additional inspiring travel content, check out my article on my 5-week Europe itinerary!

About to embark on a trip? Here are some helpful articles to make your trip as awesome and stress-free as possible:

And here are some additional helpful links:

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9 Comments

  1. This is awesome! Thank you for sharing your itinerary! Would you mind sharing how you traveled between the countries? Thanks again!

    1. Hi Carol – thank you for the comment! I traveled between countries via bus. For Vietnam to Cambodia, I took a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, and for Cambodia to Thailand, I took a bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Both bus rides worked out well!

  2. Hello Mia,
    We’ll put together itinerary and thanks for sharing. I will be in Bangkok for 7-10 days, took your idea and will do a tour at Ayutthaya. Any suggestions for Krabi, I’ll be there 8-10 days and want to do some island hopping.
    Then I’m off to Vietnam, I’ll be using a good part of your itinerary it is excellent.
    Thanks again for sharing. My trip is Jan 24,2023 to April 15, 2023.

    All the Best,
    WendyLou

    1. Hi WendyLou – Your trip sounds so exciting! Unfortunately I haven’t done a lot of island hopping in Thailand, so I don’t really have any good suggestions for Krabi. But Ayutthaya is definitely worth visiting, and I absolutely loved Vietnam (especially Da Nang and Hanoi) – I really hope your trip goes well!

  3. AMAZING post, thank you! It was so helpful and I’ll base much of my 5-week itinerary around this. We’re fairly well-traveled but out of our comfort zone in SE Asia. We like off-the-beaten path travel and local experiences. The Gibbon Rehab sounds like a must!

    Based on your comments, I’m thinking of planning multiple day trips on motorcycle (we’re experienced riders) from Da Nang rather than Hanoi. Does that make sense? Thanks again, appreciate your efforts. 🙂

    1. Thank you so much, I’m glad you found my itinerary helpful! And yes, the Gibbon Rehab is definitely a must-visit. I’m not a biker myself, but taking multiple day trips from Da Nang by motorcycle sounds like so much fun! Hoi An and My Son were definitely my favorite day trips. I hope you have an amazing time!

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