Southeast Asia Travel Guide: Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia Highlights

Why Southeast Asia Belongs on Every Traveller's List

Few regions on earth pack as much diversity, beauty, and cultural richness into a single journey as Southeast Asia. Within a few hours' flight of each other, you can explore ancient temple complexes that rival anything in the ancient world, pristine tropical islands with waters of impossible blue, vibrant street food scenes that have earned global acclaim, and mountain landscapes draped in mist and terraced rice fields.

Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia form one of the world's great travel triangles — each country distinct in character, yet connected by shared histories, Buddhist traditions, and a warmth of welcome that leaves travellers returning again and again.

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Thailand: The Kingdom of Smiles

Bangkok: A City of Contrasts

No Southeast Asia journey is complete without time in Bangkok — one of the world's great cities, simultaneously ancient and ultramodern, chaotic and serene. The city's famous temples are its spiritual heart:

Beyond the temples, Bangkok rewards exploration of its floating markets, its extraordinary street food scene (the city has more Michelin-starred street food vendors than almost anywhere on earth), and its vibrant neighbourhoods from the backpacker energy of Khao San Road to the upscale galleries of Ari.

Chiang Mai: Northern Thailand's Cultural Capital

Four hours north of Bangkok by train or one hour by air, Chiang Mai offers a completely different pace and character. The old city, enclosed within a moat and ancient walls, contains over 300 temples — including the magnificent Doi Suthep, perched on a mountain overlooking the city and reached via a 309-step staircase flanked by mythical serpents.

Chiang Mai is also the gateway to northern Thailand's hill tribe villages, elephant sanctuaries (choose ethical, no-riding sanctuaries), and the famous Night Bazaar where local crafts, textiles, and street food create an evening spectacle.

The Islands: Koh Samui, Koh Lanta, and the Andaman Sea

Thailand's islands divide broadly between the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) and the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi). Each has distinct character:

Vietnam: A Country of Extraordinary Variety

Hanoi: Ancient Capital of the North

Hanoi is one of Asia's most atmospheric cities — its French colonial architecture, ancient temples, and labyrinthine Old Quarter creating a cityscape unlike anywhere else. The Hoan Kiem Lake at the city's heart is a place of genuine daily life: morning tai chi practitioners, elderly men playing chess, families strolling in the evening cool.

The Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university founded in 1070, offers a tranquil escape from the city's energy, its courtyards and pavilions beautifully preserved. And Hanoi's street food scene — particularly its famous *pho* and *bun cha* — is reason enough to visit.

Halong Bay: A Natural Wonder

Just four hours from Hanoi, Halong Bay is one of the world's most dramatic natural landscapes: nearly 2,000 limestone karst islands rising from emerald waters, their sheer cliffs draped in jungle vegetation. A two or three-night cruise through the bay is the classic way to experience it — kayaking into hidden caves, swimming in secluded lagoons, and watching the mist roll through the karsts at dawn.

Hoi An: The Ancient Town

In central Vietnam, Hoi An is arguably the country's most beautiful town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose remarkably preserved trading port architecture reflects centuries of Japanese, Chinese, and European influence. The famous lantern-lit streets at night create an atmosphere of extraordinary romance.

Hoi An is also Vietnam's tailor capital: skilled craftspeople can produce custom clothing in 24–48 hours at prices that make Western visitors blink in disbelief.

Use our [currency converter](/currency) to plan your budget for Vietnam — the Vietnamese Dong makes for excellent value for most international visitors.

Cambodia: Ancient Grandeur at Angkor

Angkor Wat: The World's Largest Religious Monument

No superlative quite captures Angkor Wat. Built in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple and later converted to Buddhism, it covers 162 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 metres wide. Its five towers, representing the peaks of Mount Meru (home of the gods in Hindu cosmology), are among the most recognisable silhouettes in the world.

But Angkor is far more than a single temple. The Angkor Archaeological Park contains hundreds of temples spread across 400 square kilometres:

Siem Reap: Gateway to the Temples

The town of Siem Reap has grown into a sophisticated base for temple exploration, with excellent restaurants, markets, and cultural performances. The Pub Street area offers lively evening entertainment, while the Old Market is ideal for local crafts and Cambodian silk.

Allocate at least three days for the Angkor complex — rushing through in a single day does justice to neither the temples nor yourself.

Practical Tips for Your Southeast Asia Journey

Browse more articles on our [blog](/blog) for detailed guides to individual cities and regions across Southeast Asia.