Ultimate South East Asia 1 Month Itinerary [With Pics!]
This South East Asia 1 Month Itinerary is all you need for your next adventure. South East Asia is one of the most diverse, beautiful, and interesting places you can visit.
I have traveled all over the world and still can’t believe how amazing some of the experiences in South East Asia were.
It has jungles, beaches, cities, mountains, everything you need for an incredible adventure!
This itinerary outlines the best route to take, some of the places to see, and the best experiences you can do in South East Asia.
Summary Of South East Asia 1 Month Itinerary:
Option 1 – Northern Route:
Thailand (North):
Days 1-2 Bangkok
Days 3-4 Chiang Mai
Day 5-6 Pai
Vietnam:
Days 7-8 Hanoi
Days 9-11 Ha Giang
Days 11-12 Hoi An
Days 13-14 Ho Chi Minh
Cambodia:
Days 15-16 Phnom Penh
Days 17-18 Siem Reap
Thailand (South):
Days 19-21 Khao Sok
Days 22-28 Koh Tao
Option 2 – South Eastern Route:
2 Weeks In The Philippines:
Bohol & Panglao
Siquijor
Moalboal
El Nido & Coron
2 Weeks In Indonesia:
Bali
Nusa Penida
Nusa Lembongan
Gili Islands
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Option 1 – Northern Route:
Thailand (North):
Days 1-2 Bangkok
Bangkok is a central travel hub for any South East Asia trip. It’s also a great place to start your trip as you get right into the madness on day 1!
On Day 1 you can drop your bags at your accommodation and start exploring the city.
You can try out some street food at local night markets and go for a drink on the famous Khaosan Road.
On Day 2 you can do some more exploring on foot or head further afield via the metro system.
Here are some popular places to check out:
Here are some accommodation options:
Days 3-4 Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has some of the best food in Thailand. There are great restaurants around and massive night markets where you can try the local cuisine.
Khao Soi is one of my favorite Thai dishes and it comes from Chiang Mai!
You can also do some jungle trekking, and rafting and even visit an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai!
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Related Posts
Day 5-6 Pai
Pai is a beautiful location in the North of Thailand. It’s a small town with a lot of character.
It has a very laid-back atmosphere with great food, lively bars, and amazing viewpoints around the town.
It’s a great place to relax and unwind after the madness of Bangkok.
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Vietnam:
Days 7-8 Hanoi
Hanoi is a great place to start your trip around Vietnam.
You can easily travel from Hanoi to many popular places. It’s a beautiful city with lots of history, delicious food, and an incredible atmosphere.
Exploring the narrow streets with hundreds of scooters weaving through traffic and crowds is an experience in itself.
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Days 9-11 Ha Giang
Ha Giang is an incredible mountainous region in the North of Vietnam. The stunning landscape and winding mountain roads make this place well worth a visit.
The best way to explore Ha Giang is by going on a Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour. You can rent a bike and go on your own but it’s a lot of fun going with a group!
I booked my place on the tour at Cheers Hostel when I got to Hanoi, it cost about $180 per person for the 3-night, 3-day tour. (the first night was a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang).
If you go with a group, in most cases, accommodation, food, transport, and a personal driver (called an Easyrider) will be included!
This tour was the highlight of my trip around South East Asia!
Here are some different tour options:
Days 11-12 Hoi An
Hoi An is a historic city in Vietnam. It has some famous architecture, beautiful river boats, lanterns, and amazing food.
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Days 13-14 Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is a great place to visit if you’re into history. You can learn a lot about Vietnam’s French-colonial era, the Vietnam War, and much more!
You can even visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which were used by the Vietcong in the Vietnam War.
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Cambodia:
Days 15-16 Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is an interesting city with a lot of history.
You can visit museums and learn about the Khmer Rouge, a communist group that committed atrocities in the 1970s.
Phnom Penh is probably most known for the Killing Fields, where over 1 million people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge.
Visiting these sites and museums can be disturbing but it’s important to not ignore the atrocities of history.
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Days 17-18 Siem Reap
Siem Reap is most famous for the incredible temples of Angkor Wat.
You can do a full-day tour around all the incredible temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and many more.
Another highlight of Siem Reap for me was the APOPO Visitor Centre. This is where rats are trained to find land mines.
These hero rats have worked all over Cambodia and other parts of the world to remove landmines and make areas safe again!
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Thailand (South):
Days 19-21 Khao Sok
Khao Sok National Park is one of the most stunning places in South East Asia.
The Park is made up of beautiful lakes, mountains, and caves.
You can even stay in a floating bungalow on the lakes!
Here are some different tour options:
Days 22-28 Koh Tao
Koh Tao was definitely my favorite of the Thai Islands that I visited. It is a very popular place for scuba diving courses and other water activities.
There are also lots of amazing bars and restaurants in Koh Tao.
Tanote Bay was one of the best places I’ve been snorkeling!
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Option 2 – South Eastern Route:
2 Weeks In The Philippines:
The Philippines is one of the most stunning countries in South East Asia.
There are beautiful white sandy beaches, incredible islands, and super friendly people!
Here are some of the best places to visit in the Philippines.
Bohol & Panglao
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Siquijor
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Moalboal
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
El Nido & Coron
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
2 Weeks In Indonesia:
Indonesia is a beautiful country with sprawling rice fields, beautiful mountains, volcanoes, and some great surf spots too!
Here are some of the best places to visit in Indonesia.
Bali
Here are some popular places to visit:
- Uluwatu: Kecak Fire Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Dreamland Beach.
- Ubud: Holy Water Temple, Silversmith, Mount Batur.
- Canggu: Surf Lesson, Finns Beach Club, Lola’s Cantina.
Here are some accommodation options:
Nusa Penida
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
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Nusa Lembongan
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
Gili Islands
Here are some popular places to visit:
Here are some accommodation options:
FAQs On South East Asia 1 Month Itinerary:
Is 1 Month Enough For South East Asia?
With one month, you’ll be able to take it a little slower, see more places, and get off the beaten path a bit more if you choose one or two countries. It will be more hectic if you choose to visit lots of countries but it’s still manageable, you just have to be more organized.
How Much Money Do I Need For A Month In Southeast Asia?
$1,500 – $1,800/month is a good amount for a couple to budget in most South East Asian countries. This budget includes transport, accommodation, food, motorbike rental, tours, and activities. This budget is perfect for most countries in South East Asia if you choose local cuisine, budget accommodation, and don’t drink too much.
What Is The Safest Country In Southeast Asia?
Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam are the safest countries in South East Asia according to the 2024 Global Peace Index. Each of these has stability and friendly citizens. Singapore and Malaysia have strict laws, consistently low crime rates, and a reliable police force. Vietnam also has low crime rates, political stability, and incredibly friendly citizens.
What Is The Rainy Season In Southeast Asia?
Rainy season typically begins in mid-May and ends in late October/early November in South East Asia. This time frame varies from country to country. The rainy season, or monsoon season, in Thailand lasts from July to October and in Vietnam, it lasts from May through November. August and September typically get the most rainfall.
With this itinerary, you’re ready to explore South East Asia. One month is plenty of time for an incredible trip around a few countries in South East Asia.
You can take the Northern route around Thailand or Vietnam or else venture to the Philippines and Indonesia.
Whether you choose the northern route with stunning lakes, mountains, and jungles or the southeastern route with volcanoes, islands, and beaches, you will have the experience of a lifetime!
If you want more information for your next adventure here are some itineraries and articles to check out.
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