SE Asia Country Summary

I have just come home from a 3.5 month trip across South-East Asia. I travelled to 7 countries in total, meeting some amazing people, tasting the best food and staying in some very interesting places… I wanted to share my experiences of each country I visited, as well the things I think would be helpful for other backpackers to know about them, especially post-covid!

COUNTRIES TO VISIT:

Thailand– By far my favourite place in SE Asia! The people are so welcoming and there is always an abundance of backpackers so you are never lonely. This paired with the never-ending variety of food, night markets and affordable prices for everything, makes Thailand my favourite place to visit. The contrast between the North and the South of Thailand means you get to experience jungle, wildlife and night markets as well as beaches, boats and partying, just a 12 hour sleeper bus apart! If you haven’t ridden a scooter before, the quieter towns in Thailand are definitely the place to learn.

Laos– When I visited Laos it was right at the time it opened back up to tourists, so for us it was very quiet. There weren’t many backpackers, however due to how much Laos suffered from lack of tourism over covid, there was only one or two hostels actually open in each city which meant all the travellers ended up together. The scenery in Laos is unlike anywhere else, there are mountains and lakes just minutes outside the city, so there are amazing views from pretty much anywhere you go. Luang Prabang city is actually surrounded by mountains which is stunning! It is also extremely cheap here with local food costing around 12,000 kip for a good meal (65p)! The only negative thing I can say about Laos is that in some towns there is a really eery atmosphere and a sense of what used to be, from when this country was one of the most popular backpacker places around a decade ago.

Cambodia– One of the more travelled countries in SE Asia and for good reason! Cambodia also has such a contrast between the big cities compared to the islands in the South. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are all about culture and are buzzing with people. The average age in Cambodia is 25 and so the whole country feels really modern and lively. The islands in the South, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, are quite small and so a great place for meeting other backpackers and there is a hostel there which hosts a weekly “festival”! The only downside of Cambodia is the price. Food especially is much more expensive than the neighbouring countries which is difficult when you have to eat out for every meal!

Malaysia– Probably the least travelled country in the classic SE Asia route meaning hostels are few and so are backpackers. Malaysia has the biggest amount of different religions and cultures which means there are lots of amazing places like “Little India” and “China Town” in each city and the religious buildings (e.g. Mosques) are like nothing you’ve ever seen! For vegetarians, I found this was the most difficult place to eat street food, however there are plenty of western style restaurants available. I found that the hostels in Malaysia were of a much lower standard than other countries and not particularly cheap which was a shame as it is a beautiful country you could spend a while exploring.

Singapore– By far the most expensive country in SE Asia, however, you get what you pay for! There is the least amount of crime, the cleanest streets and the biggest variety of people, architecture and food. This whole country is basically made up by the city which is packed full of high-rise buildings and interesting architecture. It is definitely worth reading up on local customs here as I learnt the hard way that chewing gum is illegal! The transport system in Singapore is fast and efficient and can take you easily to all attractions for very cheap! Head to Gardens by the Bay to see the famous trees and the cloud dome!

Vietnam– I didn’t visit Vietnam during this trip as I was short on time and had visited previously in 2018 however, from other people I met, I was able to get an idea of the current state of the country from a backpacker point of view. Get a scooter! If you have around a month to allocate to Vietnam some people buy a motorbike in the North and drive it down before selling it in the South. This allows you to see everywhere in the country by your own schedule whilst saving money on transport. Vietnam is known for being one of the cheaper places in SE Asia and also has a reputation for having some of the best food and scenery! Definitely worth visiting if you have time to see all of the main cities!