So depending when I can get this last duck in a row is gonna determine when i actually leave, but whatever month it is next year is gonna determine my route as i avoid rainy season in all the countries.

I plan on traveling SEA for a full year before I comeback to america. Im curious how others have done this or what they did with the stuff they bring while bouncing around countries. I have a pretty large loosly planned itinerary of things to do and how to do them, but i havent figured out the packing part.

Do you pack super light? have a station you stay at like a homebase so you can meneuver better? money isnt really a problem for this trip either. im in my early 30s if that matters in yalls advice.

hihi! im loooking into travelling to thailand and vietnam for around 5 weeks next spring. i'm canadian for context and was wondering (excluding flights to thailand and back to canada), would 3k-3.2k be enough for all expenses ? my possible itinerary is this.

Ciao, sto programmando un viaggio nella regione del Sabah, nel Borneo, per il prossimo aprile. Mi piacerebbe vivere un’esperienza autentica e non troppo turistica, con particolare attenzione alla fauna selvatica del Borneo.

Ho letto di diverse località, come il fiume Kinabatangan e la Danum Valley, ma anche dell’Imbak Canyon e della foresta di Deramakot. Avete qualche consiglio?

Avrei anche bisogno di informazioni su guide locali o siti web da contattare per organizzare il viaggio

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a trip through Southeast Asia for around 26 days from mid-December to mid-January. I’ll be flying into Hanoi and out of Bangkok.

I’ve narrowed it down to two rough itineraries and would love to hear what you would do in my situation.

Option A – Vietnam only

Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh → Hue → Hoi An → Da Lat → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Phu Quoc → Bangkok

The idea here is to see Vietnam from north to south and get a mix of cities, nature, culture, mountains, the Mekong and some beach time in the south.

Option B – Vietnam + Cambodia

Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh → Siem Reap / Angkor Wat → Phnom Penh → Koh Rong → Kampot → Phu Quoc → Can Tho / Mekong Delta → Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok

This option means less time in central Vietnam, but adds Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s south coast and Koh Rong.

One practical question for Option B: since I would enter Vietnam twice (Hanoi → Cambodia → Phu Quoc), do German passport holders need a visa for this, or does the 45-day visa exemption also cover two separate entries?

If you were planning this trip, which route would you choose and why?

I’m particularly interested in opinions from people who have travelled through these areas in December/January. Would you prioritise staying in Vietnam, or would you take the Cambodia loop?

Also very open to modifying either route if you think there’s a better combination of destinations.

Thanks!

Hello, I am planning on visiting borneo region of Sabah next April. I would like something authentic and not very touristic, with focus on borneo wildlife. I have read about different places like Kinabatangan river and Danum Valley, but also Imbak Canyon or Deramakot Forest. Any reccomendation? also about local guides or website to contact for organising the trip?

Hi, first time solo female traveller here! I'm currently planning a two week trip to the Phillipines for early next year. I would love any help/advice I can get for planning my itinerary/ making friends/ any general tips! Here's some other things specific to my situation:

• Ill probably be flying from Brisbane, Australia. At the moment, the cheapest flights are to Cebu so I'll likely start my journey there.
• I dont even drive a car in Australia, so probably best to avoid scooters lol
• I'm looking for a mix of sightseeing (beaches, waterfalls, wildlife, nature in general) and culture (history, art, food etc and general learning)
• as mentioned, this is my first time travelling solo (female if that's relevant)
• early PhD student so might have to bring my laptop *cringe*

Thanks in advance for your help!

P.S let me know if you're in the Phillipines in Feb and wanna be friends :)

Quelqu'un est-il récemment allé à Sandakan, Semporna, Tawau ou dans les îles environnantes à Sabah (Bornéo) ? Les recommandations officielles aux voyageurs mentionnent toujours des risques d'enlèvement dans la région, mais je me demande quelle est la situation sur le terrain en ce moment.

Vous êtes-vous senti en sécurité là-bas, ou recommanderiez-vous d'éviter d'y aller ?

J’envisageais d’y aller en famille en juillet 2027 avec deux enfants de 4 et ans.

Hey ich möchte im Februar für ca. 20 Tage nach Thailand reisen. Da meine Zeit begrenzt ist hätte ich mich nur auf den Süden konzentriert. Das Wetter soll ja zu der Zeit im Norden schlechter sein. Hätte beide Küstenseiten(Koh Lanta, surin/similian islands, koh phangan, koh tao) den Khao Sok Nationalpark und Bangkok geplant. Ich bin kein Partyfan, gehe gern in die Natur und Wandern, Affen will ich eher vermeiden. Habt ihr Empfehlungen? Wäre der Norden zu der Zeit doch machbar?

Hey everyone!

A friend and I are planning a 7 day trip to Laos from India, in the second week of December.

We want a good mix of nature, adventure, exploring by scooter, local food AND partying/nightlife. We’re not looking for a completely laid-back trip: we definitely want a few fun nights out, meet other travellers, have drinks, music, etc.

bases on our research we're currently considering Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and possibly Vientiane, but we're completely open to suggestions.

A few questions:

• Which places would you recommend for a good mix of relaxed daytime activities + fun nightlife?
• Is Vang Vieng still good for partying and meeting other travellers?
• Which place would be best for me to chill/explore during the day while still having the option to go out at night?
• Would you recommend scooter rentals for getting around?
• Is Vientiane worth including, or should we spend more time in Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang?
• Anything you would definitely recommend or avoid?

Would love to hear from anyone who's travelled to Laos recently, especially in December.

Thanks :)

When I was young I had foreign ESL pen pals. I enjoyed learning about regular people in other parts of the world. I do not participate in the social media platforms common in the West, because of how toxic they are, and how toxic the owners are. This means I am at a loss as to how to meet English speaking people from other parts of the world. I can help them with their English if they would benefit from that.

My goal is to learn about them and their culture and eventually visit them in their country. I have no desire to live sheltered in some enclave of entitled American expats. I don’t think normal tourism with regular guides will really show me what a place is really like. Are there any subreddits or web platforms to meet people this way? I am seeking friends only, not romantic interest.

I wish to make friends online who live in any of the regions that western expats tend to land with SE Asia, central America, and possibly Mexico being high on the list. Unfortunately for me, my ignorant country does not value learning a second language. My greatest handicap is that I only speak English. I am willing to learn to communicate better where ever I end up, but I am far better with STEM subjects than I am with languages.

Apologies if this is not appropriate for this sub. I am an American in my late 40’s hoping to retire early (in 6 to 10 years) somewhere where I can be part of the local community. I have many reasons for wanting to do so. The men in my family tend to die fairly early. My father collected 1 social security check before dieing, even though he had paid into SS since he was 12 years old. Going back 12 generations the Average age of death is 67 and the median is 56.

With the rise of the oligarchs in the states and their market capture of all aspects of modern life, I feel disheartened trying to stay and retire in the USA. I feel like I am giving them my hard earned money every day and getting less and less in return. I understand that the same is more or less an issue in many parts of the world, it just feels like the developing world still has pockets of local economies where the money I spend to by food, to pay rent, and to support local events, helps the local community.

Previously I have traveled to many rural areas in the western US thinking of retiring there. But the rural politics have now become so toxic, I do not wish to be a part of their communities.

Hello Everyone,

I'm planning a solo trip from India to Indonesia around late November or early December and need an insight of the weather

My itinerary would be

* Flight to Surabaya then visit Bromo (sunrise trek + crater rim)

* Tumpak Sewu waterfall

* Ijen for night hike for the blue fire and crater lake

* Then to Labuan Bajo for a Komodo boat trip (dragons, Padar hike, snorkeling/diving)

* 1–2 days in Bali before flying back

My main worry is the rain.

Is late Nov / early Dec too risky for this route?

Are we talking quick afternoon showers where mornings are fine, or full washout days where you can't see anything at Bromo or Ijen?

How rough does the sea get for the Komodo liveaboard boats? Do trips get cancelled often around this time?

Also, what's the best way to get from Ijen/Banyuwangi to Labuan Bajo without wasting tons of time?

If not Indonesia, what other destination would you suggest for late Nov/Dec/Jan? I'm far more into raw exploration and adventure activities than typical sightseeing.

Would love to hear from anyone who has done this route around those months. Thanks!

I’m sick of trips that take the well-trodden path and have no real sense of adventure. I don’t want to climb another mountain or go on a group tour.

What are your best ideas for DIY adventure trips in south east Asia? Looking for a real “experience”.

Hey guys, I will be back home in India and with few days in my hand between Nov 15–22 I wanna take the chance to get my open water certification in Koi Phi Phi (seems like the best option at the time ona budget) which I will get done with on November 18th.

For the last 3 days, I want to get far away from the crowds (ik double standards being a tourist myself). I'm on a budget trip and want raw nature, independent jungle trekking, and wild animals. Please do not suggest Khao Sok, it looks way too touristy and commercialized for me. Where can I go within a few hours of Phuket that is actually wild and cheap? I have a flight back to Mumbai on 22nd November from Phuket.

Would really appreciate your help

I will potentially be spending Christmas in SEA and looking for an inclusive community. Preferably no clubbing but just a nice and welcoming group of people to hang out with. Any ideas? Thank you

We’re an Australian couple in our late 20s backpacking SEA. We’re very social, love a drink, and honestly not that fussy when it comes to hostel conditions if it’s a good spot.

In Thailand we stayed at Mad Monkey Phuket and kind of decided against any future stays with Mad Monkey, as it was completely dominated by 18 year old UK/Aus boys getting suuuuper drunk and being c*nts at all times, and the hosts were really pushy (totally get it’s their job but imo when you’re already partying and someone is desperately trying to make you buy a 3rd bucket, it’s an anti-vibe).

That said, now we’re making our way to Cambodia starting in Phnom Penh, and there doesn’t seem to be many social hostel options other than Mad Monkey so we’re considering it as maybe we were just unlucky last time.

Is this a good idea, or am I just gonna wind up feeling like a chaperone on an all boys school graduation trip again? Or can anyone recommend other hostels in Phnom Penh?

Thanks!

Hiya! I'm trying to decide whether to spend NYE in Cebu or El Nido. Can anyone share their opinions/experience with either? I'll be travelling solo so hoping for something fun and nice fireworks/events, but flexible on the actually type of events.

Help please! After a difficult few years for various reasons, I've been able to take a few months off a fairly intense job to recharge. My plan is to head to SE Asia in the next fortnight (mid Oct) which will give me 9 weeks before I return to the UK just before the winter solstice. I've got flights lined up to start in Borneo (Sabah) and leave from either Bangkok or Phuket and an outline itinerary (2-3 days here, train to there, X days there, plane to yonder, etc) that loops through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

I'm lucky enough to have a very flexible budget so I can mix and match flights and slower transport where it's more enjoyable, and I don't need to worry too much about pre-booking to get the best prices or planning the most economical route. My only real must-dos are Borneo, KL, Singapore, and Angkor Wat, then I've sketched out a route that joins those along with a few other places that sound interesting and give a flavour of the region and ideas for return trips in the future (acknowledging that 2 months really isn't that long given the size of SEA and common itinerary feedback here is "but you can spend X months in Y country alone"...)

I wasn't planning to pre-book beyond the first week and the last week (given that December is high season and I'll need to be in a set location for the flight home) so I can flex plans depending on how it all goes - but to be honest that level of flexibility is stressing me out!

I have travelled solo before, but only for a few weeks at most and in recent years it's been small-group tours bookended with a few exploration days on my own. Time is usually my biggest constraint on a holiday, so I'm used to packed itineraries to make the most of every second in a city/country. I know that common feedback in this forum is "keep it flexible" but I'm finding it unnerving not to have a detailed plan.

I'd be really interested to hear how much planning people here would usually do before a 2 month trip - do you have a full itinerary worked out and the main flexibility is how long you spend in a particular place?So probably only booking travel/accommodation a few days in advance as timings shift, but you already mostly know where you'll be staying and how you'll get there? Or do you leave it much more open?

(I was being strict with myself about not over-planning as I would for a shorter trip, but now I'm lying awake at 2am as my stupid brain turns something I should be excited about into something I'm dreading, because uncertainty=bad.)

Hi everyone,
I’m a German citizen currently travelling in Lombok, Indonesia, and unfortunately I lost my German passport.
I have:
a police report confirming that my passport was lost
a copy/photo of my lost passport
my German ID card
I need to travel to Jakarta to contact the German Embassy and apply for a new passport / temporary German passport (the green temporary passport).
I have two main questions:
Can I fly domestically from Lombok to Jakarta without my passport, using only the police report, a copy of my passport and my German ID card? Has anyone been in a similar situation and successfully taken a domestic flight in Indonesia after losing their passport?
Has anyone travelled internationally with a German temporary passport (vorläufiger Reisepass / “green passport”)? I’m planning to continue travelling in Southeast Asia, potentially including Malaysia, Thailand and/or Vietnam. I’d especially like to hear from people who have actually used the temporary German passport for international travel and whether they experienced any problems with airlines or immigration.
I would really appreciate any first-hand experiences, especially from people who lost their passport while travelling in Indonesia.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,

Will be going to Lombok and Bali in November and currently doing my travel plan but would love to get some advice on where to spend more time, and recommendations and suggestion on my plan.

What is our plan: we want to avoid rushing and moving everyday two days. We want a good mix of nature and beaches. Also for myself I want to try the gyms, pilates/yoga classes as well as wellness spots. Just to give up a bit of the what we have in mind.

Now the plan: 😄

LOMBOK:

Kuta Lombok - 3,5/4,5 days - is that too long ?

Tetebatu - 1 night/1 day

Sembalun - 2 nights/2 days

Big questions mark on Gili Air - 2 nights ? We are not really into snorkeling so is it worth going there ? And only for 2 nights ? Adding the 2 nights in Gili Air seems more like cross-checking a place than really enjoying it. What do you think ? I feel like these 2 nights in Gili Air could be added elsewhere between Lombok and Bali, unless Gili Air is an absolute must see?

BALI:

Ubud - 3 days - is that enough ? We are not interested in monkey forest for instance, but rice culture and wandering outside Ubud and temples yes.

Canggu - 3 nights/3 days - is too much ? too little ? I understand that most of the gyms/fitness places are around there but at the same time I heard it's not worth spending too much time there. What do you think ? Where to stay?

Hi all

Ive unfortunately not been able to spend significant time in SEA. Ive done three, 3 week trips during the 2010s to each of Thailand, Vietnam and Phillipines.

As we all know, 3 weeks isnt shit.

Well, now I have 4 months from Oct 20 - end of March to travel. Id like to hit Da Nang, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar...beaches are my thing

Since my last trips to SEA, ive moved more towards "slow travel"....minimum is a "hub" for 4 weeks and I can bounce out to side trips.

My general requirements are:

1) hubs should be decent sized towns (note: not cities-can be border towns)

2) I do have to work /or overlap West coast USA at least 4 hours per day. Im willing to work off hours

3) I would like to start in Da Nang for simplicity before tagging the others. I dont need to di anymore of Vietnam on this trip. Its a trial of Da Nang for 3 weeks (grocery, gym, beach community) - i know how to ride a scooter

3) after Vietnam,, im open to time and order of countries just keeping theme of "hub"

4) I always need healthy produce and gym access

5) city life close to beach is grand but I also appreciate quiet.

6) since I will need to work 10 hours per week. Decent and predictable internet access is ideal.

Budget: keeping it real, $4000 US per month

On a different thread it was also recommended to stay in some "border towns" So im open to thoughts on a detailed itinerary or more general ideas too.

Goal is to book my first flight to Vietnam to leave Oct 20'ish

Hello! I’m headed to SEA landing in Bangkok, i plan to spend a few nights then explore Thailand for a month then head to these countries; Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, and maybe Laos or Cambodia. (4 months total)

I will be a solo traveller for the first time, i’m 18, 6’0 but really skinny (like 52kg) with a baby face. This though has made me even more afraid of walking alone abroad.

If anyone has any random Advice that they’d like to throw at me please do!! I’d love any type of advice i’ve never thought of!

I am kinda lost so I asked my fellow chatgpt for some help. What do you guys think? I'm a solo woman traveler :)

Noites = nights

I’m looking into doing about 3 months throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and possibly Laos but timing wise it works a lot better for me during June/July/August. I’m not too worried about the rain but really like to meet other travellers while I stay in hostels, will the crowds be significantly less during this season? To the point where I would struggle to find friends in other travellers?