5 Must-Visit Spots in Southeast Asia

Asia, Asia, Asia. The continent is home to 17.21 million square miles of the world’s land with extremely diverse cultures, foods, and way of life. 100 mph life in Thailand. Ancient temples like Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The scenery in Vietnam, or the luxury of Singapore, Asia has something for everyone. This guide covers must-visit destinations I have personally been to. Including local travel tips and unique experiences to help you make the most of your journey.

Southeast Asia is an unbelievable destination for both first-time, solo and group travellers. To highlight the main point of Asia, it is stupendously affordable. Bar maybe a few obvious ones being Singapore. It’s easy to write a whole new page on that in itself.

My daily expenses, including accommodation, averaged around £20. Adding a night out at the bars cost me a maybe £20-30 maximum. This is perfect for students who want to travel or anyone looking for a fun extended trip.

For example, lunch will probably set you back £1-2 in Vietnam, with Ban Mhi stands being almost everywhere. This is just one example out of so many, and it’s truly mind-blowing coming from an expensive country.

Southeast Asia, it’s an exceptional place to travel for solo travellers and groups. By far one of the best continents I have ever been to. 

No matter your travel style or budget, Southeast Asia has something for all—cities, beaches, and everything in between.

This guide will equip you with insider tips to navigate the region with ease. Make the most of your budget, and get the most out of your time here.

I. Hi Giang Loop, Vietnam

The Hi Giang Loop is the best thing to do in Southeast Asia. I will run this narrative to the ground. The Motorbike journey takes place in the northern province of Vietnam near the Chinese border.

You’ll be staying in homestays for 3-5 days, depending on how long you decide to go for. The homestays are incredible. Every night we had a full blown meal to share between the group, loud karaoke and a lot of fun.

I loved it so much, in fact, that I went twice. I had a driver for the first trip, and I rode my own bike the second time I did it. Both are very different experiences. If you aren’t confident on a motorbike or have no experience. I highly recommend you get a ride and sit on the back.

Head to my post to find out more.

⭐Overall Solo Travel Score: 5/5

Category	Rating
Safety	⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5/5)
Walkability	⭐ (1/5)
Social Opportunities	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Budget-Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Hostel Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Local Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

II. Hoi án, Vietnam

While Hôi án probably won’t echo as much between travellers talking about Saigon or Hanoi. This small town between the north and south of Vietnam’s is a charm.

The old town is full of old French architecture and is home to the tailoring hub of Vietnam.

Boys, you can buy a full-tailored suit for £100 that’s sent to your home address. It is more than safe and reliable. My friend got one to the states and his mum let him know it was there 2 weeks later.

Girls, skirts, dresses or anything you want. These don’t take up too much room in the bag. Definitely get away with taking it on your trip with you. Rather than it being sent to your home.

With a fantastic nightlife, and beaches just a grab ride away. Do not overlook Hoi An.

it is an absolute must-visit in my opinion.

I had some of the best days of my trip here. A lot of you may have been here. You know it’s good when you keep re-booking your hostel night after night.

As always with Vietnam, the daily expenses are about £10-£20 and sometimes you’ll even struggle to spend that amount. Depending on how hard you party at night or the experiences you have during the day.

One activity is the spinning boats. It’s a good activity for the day, and the locals spin you about like crazy. It’s random but fun. We booked on Get Your Guide and had pick up from our hostel and drop off, not bad for £10.

I highly recommend Fuse Hostel. The staff, people, and location were all on another level. We met tons of people and had a blast of a time here. The weekend nights were full of games, music and anything you’d want from a hostel.

⭐ Overall Solo Travel Score: 5/5!

Category	Rating
Safety	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Walkability	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Social Opportunities	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Budget-Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Hostel Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Local Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

III. Phuket and surrounding regions

Phuket, a destination known for its nightlife and Bangla Road, is a great destination for partygoers and individuals travelling solo.

The beach is close.

Phi Phi Island and James Bond Island are close to Phuket. It’s a great starting point if you want to check them out, which I highly recommend.

The reason Phuket made it onto my list is due to the wildlife in the surrounding regions. Which is easily accessible and in some cases nearly free to do.

I was with my friend at this point, and we decided to spend the day apart to explore our interests. A quick Google search led me to Monkey Island. It’s outside the city, and people know it for its wild monkeys.

I hopped on a Grab bike I was on my way. It was true, monkeys were flying about in the trees at free will.

A local approached me and hounded me to her stand. all while I thought this was another local trying to get me to buy something wrong.

She handed me fresh fruit and made some noises I still can’t comprehend. and an army of monkeys flew over and jumped into the bucket for food.

These were not aggressive monkeys either; a surreal experience for sure.

⭐ Overall Solo Travel Score: 4.2/5

Category	Rating
Safety	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Walkability	⭐⭐☆ (2.5/5)
Social Opportunities	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Budget-Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Hostel Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Local Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

IV Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Cambodia’s northern territory. Home to one of the oldest temples from the different capitals of the Khmer Empire.

Dating back to the 9th century. Siem Reap is the city you’d want to stay in to visit Angkor Wat.

In Itself there isn’t much to do in the city. It’s got a few bars, and it’s an interesting city, to say the least.

The standout for us here was the hostel we stayed at. I am in no way endorsed by this brand or hostel.

Wonderz Hostel deserves the love.

It is easily one of the best hostels my friend and I have ever stayed at. The food was perfect, and every meal on the menu, for that matter, at ridiculously cheap prices. There was a pool, the rooms were clean and air-conditioned, and the staff would do anything to know you’re happy.

Cambodians, by nature, are very friendly people, and it really impacts the experience you have visiting these countries.

Cambodia as a whole is a country in an economically recovering state, and it really shows. Be sure to give tips and talk to locals, as many have stories that will set you back.

The infrastructure may not be easy on the eyes for some. The country has so much to offer and is 100% worth the visit.

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⭐  Overall Solo Travel Score: 4.2/5 via Siem Reap)

Category	Rating
Safety	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Walkability	⭐⭐☆ (2.5/5)
Social Opportunities	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Budget-Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Hostel Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Local Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)

V Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia and for obvious reasons. This city is much like singapore, but a lot bigger and a lot busier.

Economically, there is a vast difference in Kuala Lumpur to some of the cities in SE Asia. It’s advanced, and authentic in it’s own way.

There are many day activities to choose from, a short bus ride away from Kuala Lumpur. The Batu caves are a must-visit if you’re here.

The statue is massive. The whole area is covered in monkeys, but these ones bite and they’re very aggressive. I probably shouldn’t have got so close, but that’s my problem, I guess.

Like with most activities in Asia, they have a drop-off and pick-up service. it is really efficient, so check out Get Your Guide for more information.

If you’re a bit of a foodie, you need to check out the Jalan Alor street market. It’s one street that is packed with foods you have never even heard of. Some of the best restaurants in the city at very reasonable prices. The street is full of life, and you’ll be sure to see that 24/7.

I’m not sure where they got New York as the city that never sleeps, but Kuala Lumpur certainly never sleeps. There was a traffic jam at 2am. Yes, traffic. Kids are out playing in the street, and bars are full to the brim. I had never seen anything like it. and it does bring a unique vibe to the city, and you’re never short of places to go.

⭐ Overall Solo Travel Score: 4.1/5

Category	Rating
Safety	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Walkability	⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Social Opportunities	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Budget-Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Hostel Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Local Friendliness	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)