Bangkok · 3 days
Grand Palace vicinity, Wat Pho, Chao Phraya ferries, Chatuchak or floating markets, Chinatown street eats, rooftop sunset.
Trip overview
This three-week route stitches together the best of mainland Southeast Asia with a rewarding finish in Indonesia. You will start in Bangkok, where golden wats rise beside canals and floating markets serve boat noodles steps from the water. From there, Chiang Mai slows the pace with misty hills, temple-lined old lanes, and some of Thailand’s most approachable cooking classes and night bazaars.
Luang Prabang offers a gentler rhythm along the Mekong before you dive into Vietnam: Hanoi’s motorbike choreography and egg-coffee cafés, then Ha Long Bay’s iconic karsts. Ho Chi Minh City balances French colonial bones with a forward-looking food scene. In Siem Reap, dedicate full days to Angkor’s temple complexes at sunrise and sunset. Close with Bali—rice terraces, surf-friendly beaches, and Hindu ceremonies that feel worlds away from where you began.
Throughout the trip, lean into street food (watch busy stalls for turnover), early mornings at major sights, and a mix of overland hops and short flights to keep energy high. This template is ideal if you want temples, markets, and coastline in one ambitious but doable arc.
Best time to visit
November through early March is the sweet spot for much of the region: cooler, drier air in Thailand and Indochina makes walking tours and temple hopping far more comfortable. Bali’s dry season overlaps broadly with April–October on the south coast, so if you follow this route in northern winter, check Bali micro-climates and pack a light rain layer. Avoid peak monsoon (roughly May–October for Bangkok and the Gulf, variable on the Andaman side) if you want reliable beach days and smoother boat trips in Ha Long Bay—shoulder months can offer fewer crowds with manageable showers.
Destination breakdown
Chiang Mai · 3 days
Old city temples, Doi Suthep, ethical elephant experiences, night markets, khao soi and northern curries.
Luang Prabang · 2 days
Morning alms, Mekong sunsets, Kuang Si falls day trip, French-Lao cafés and night market handicrafts.
Hanoi · 3 days
Old Quarter walking streets, Hoan Kiem Lake, pho and bun cha, water puppet theatre, day trip framing for the north.
Ha Long Bay · 2 days
Overnight or full-day cruise among karsts, kayaking into lagoons, seafood on deck, photography at golden hour.
Ho Chi Minh City · 3 days
War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi or Mekong day options, District 1 architecture, banh mi and coffee culture.
Siem Reap · 3 days
Angkor Wat sunrise, Bayon faces, Ta Prohm jungle roots, sunset hill viewpoints, Pub Street recovery meals.
Bali · 2 days
Ubud rice terraces or south beaches, temple dress codes, Balinese dance, fresh seafood and tropical fruit.
Travel tips
- 1Visa requirements
Rules change by nationality—verify e-visas, visa-on-arrival, and ASEAN entry stamps before booking flights. Keep passport pages free and carry printed confirmations where required.
- 2Tuk-tuks and local transport
Agree on prices or insist on the meter before riding; use reputable ride-hail apps where available. For long legs, mix budget airlines with comfortable night buses or trains.
- 3Bargaining
Markets expect polite negotiation—start around 60–70% of the opening price, smile, and walk away if it is not mutual. Fixed prices are common in malls and many cafés.
- 4Monsoon season
Heavy rain can disrupt ferries and outdoor plans; build buffer days, choose quality operators in Ha Long, and pack quick-dry layers and dry bags for electronics.
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