Hey I’m in early stage of planning SEA trip and one thing I have run into is bringing my antidepressants with me. I have done a bit of research and most countries seem to accept only a supply of one month. I would hope to be able to do a 2-3 month trip. Does any of you have experience do they really care about this stuff or are there ways around that 1 month rule?

We’re staying in Jalan Pudu Lama area. Is there a bus that we can get from this area that goes straight to Batu caves. or, can we get the train from Masjid Jamek station to Batu on a return ticket? If we go from Masjid station will the journey be purchased on one single ticket and we’d just have to change lines?

Roughly how much would each cost?

Side note: is it worth getting any sort of metro pass (here for 7 days) or are single journeys relatively cheap. I paid 1.6 MYR from the central to my hotel

Hey people, I've been trying to learn more about healthy food ingredients from different cultures worldwide! I would be really grateful if you could mention others in the comment section and help me connect with other people into healthy food - no boundaries on the culture

My research so far has led me to some incredibly nutritious ingredients like -

1. India -Ragi, Moringa leaves

2. West Africa - Fonio

3. Japan - Matcha, Natto

Please share what you think is a lesser-known ingredient (worldwide) with tremendous health benefits! ALong with the country/culture its from!

Hey everyone. I‘m looking for any tipps in malaysia. Extraordinary things to do. Things not everyone knows about. For example small restaurants you happened to find, cute bars etc etc. Things the big guidebooks don‘t know about and things that are not too touristy. Thanks for your help in advance. ☺️

Itenary for Thailand and south east Asia for 3 weeks

One way flight to Bangkok Thailand and return wherever we end up… hope we can get fine for the above!

Edit - thanks in advance!

Edit - possibly 4 weeks…

We are US Citizens and will be arriving in Singapore on 11/22 from Sydney and visiting Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Hanoi and Luang Prabang and then back to Hanoi. We will do the Evisa needed ahead of time, but wondering how long clearing immigration will take at each of those airports and baggage as we will have one checked bag. Also, do we need cash in each of those countries or are we fine with our credit cards.

Wondering whether late April or early June would be best for a 2 week trip to Thailand? Would be going to probably the north and south.

I heard that April would be the end of burning season, but June may be super hot and rainy.

Which do you think will be a better experience? We like to explore cities, go on nature excursions, sight see, take a boat cruise, see elephants, other things and how those may be affected around those timeframes with either type of weather?

First time to south east Asia.

Any bus companies that go from KL central to the city centre in Singapore? From what I’ve been seeing, busses are arriving far from the city centre in Singapore. Other places I’ve travelled in SE Asia, the hostel have offered transfers between places, picking up from the hostel and dropping in the centre but I’m not sure if it’s the same? Do hostels in KL offer this sort of service?

I am being assigned to a work project in Asia the end of March 2025. My work is paying for the flights but said I can switch the flight so I can take a week of vacation before the project starts. This flight has to be with Air Canada flying from Canada to an Asia location. The exact dates will probably be flying out of Canada March 13 and leaving SE Asia March 22.

Im looking for any general advice on what people would recommend with this opportunity for that time of year.

I have already spent 2 weeks in Thailand and thus will probably try to go somewhere else but could be convinced to go back. After my work project I am most likely going to Malaysia and possibly Bali so I would be looking for somewhere else.

I'm 28M and will be solo traveling these 7-9 days. I really enjoy the history, culture, and food of the places I travel which is making me lean towards Vietnam/Cambodia. As well Air Canada flies to Hanoi in which the weather looks milder and more sunny than most other places. But I am pretty much down for anything and would love to hear the gerenal population thoughts!

For reference, in SE Asia, Air Canada flies to: Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Philippines (Manila), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket), Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City), Cambodia (Phnom Penh).

I can always fly from any of these places to smaller cities, I would just have to pay for the flights myself, which within a few $100 round trip is fine.

We’re staying in Cameron highlands and want to walk to the Bharat Tea plantations from Tanah Rata. Are there any other walking routes with nice scenery or stopping by waterfalls that we could get there by, instead of using the main roads?

Alternatively, are there any walking routes that are good after/during a rainy period. We did trail 10 today and just made it down before the rain!

I’m planning to go travelling around south east Asia next year for 3 months.I’m just wondering if I’m allowed to bring quetiapine(or seroquel is it’s other name) into south east Asia.I need to bring 90 days worth,I can get a letter from my doctor and make sure it’s in its original packaging.It says online that Vietnam I can only take 10 days worth, if anyone has advice please let me know!!

i’m looking to sign up for paid backpacking travel groups for southeast asia, I am looking to go for 3-6months . Do you guys have any recommendations for groups or facebook group that organizes group travel for solo travelers to join?

I’ll be in Singapore for 3 days, Domi need a sim or is wifi easy to connect to when out? Are sims available in 7/11s or shall I get an eSIM.

I want to travel to Asia during the new lunar year (end of January 2025). However, this is not the best time. Everyone is spending time with family and shops are often closed, transport is slow and restaurants are more expensive. I have experience in Vietnam and it was a very difficult time.

What are the countries in East and Southeast Asia where these problems are minimal? By that I mean that prices don't get too expensive, shops and transport works. For example, I've heard that Thailand has the New Lunar Year at a different time so it's fine there in January. Thanks in advance for your experiences.

Hi there! F 24 here planning to travel south east Asia for roughly 6 weeks from mid Jan to end of Feb. I’m looking to book my flights but I need to book a return, so I’m not sure where to fly to initially and fly back home from at the end of the trip. Any advice on a suitable route and destinations to start at/end from? I’m looking to do Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand but I’m flexible. I have basically no travel experience beyond short holidays and I’m going solo, so this is a big deal for me! Any advice would be really appreciated. Cheers

Hi everyone I’m travelling Asia in feb where should I start and finish I’m doing 4 months maybe more or I might go china and Japan. These are the country’s I wanna do pls tell me the best affordable order and where I can follow nice weather with no rain.

Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

Thanks!!!

I (24F) am planning a (somewhat) solo trip to South East Asia and some surrounding countries. I am planning to fly out from San Francisco California in mid January and plan to return in mid April. I have a tighter budget but I will always prioritize safety over cost if it comes down to it.

I am looking for advice on the visiting order of countries, do I start in Thailand like some online sources say? Or would the Philippines make more sense because its closer to SF on a map? Is it a good idea to fly out of a specific country or will all of them be reliable and accessible? And between the countries, does this order make sense? Should Cambodia come before Laos?

To summarize:

1. What country do you recommend flying into from SF?
2. What country do you recommend flying out of to SF?
3. What order would you recommend?
4. Is there anything on this tentative iteneray trip that immediately raises red flags?

Please let me know, I am open to any and all feedback or advice. TIA! <3

https://preview.redd.it/1jo9o62hf3zd1.png?width=480&format=png&auto=webp&s=0e9ab4f5027e1b5a1b9bc296a2f7689281637ed0

Hello! I have a problem with my Google Pixel 7. The glass cover of the camera (not the camera itself) is chipped. I have now been to various cities in Laos and also in Cambodia in mobile phone shops, but the answer was always just a shake of the head and "there are no spare parts for Google here" My question: what is the situation in other countries in SE Asia? My next destination is Vietnam. Is there any chance of getting the phone repaired there? In the end, it's just a small glass (or plastic?) disc...

Hi everyone!

I’m currently in Hanoi and looking to buy an iPad, ideally something affordable. I’m open to second-hand options, but I’d love to know where I can find reputable shops or sellers to avoid any scams.

Does anyone have recommendations for trustworthy places in Hanoi that sell iPads at a good price? I’m okay with gently used, as long as it’s legit and in decent condition. Any advice on where to look or tips for ensuring it’s genuine would be super appreciated!

Thanks so much!

How different is the weather in June-August between Northern Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, vs south Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand at that time?

Hey guys it’s basically what the title says I’m wondering how many days to dedicate to Sa Pa and where to spend my time/things to do whilst there as I’ve heard great things about it. Any help would be appreciated thanks!

Hi all, looking for some help around flights with air Asia, had to cancel a bunch of flights booked in advance for our Asia trip just wondering does air Asia do full refunds or even partial refunds back? Most I’m reading is just later flights etc. any help be appreciated

g’day guys!

i’m from melbourne australia looking to backpack south-east asia staying in hostels over 3 months. i want to land in phuket thialand than move from there i was a medium to low budget.

• can i have some general tips
• general map of where to go

I'm planning a trip for next summer for a my husband and I on our first trip to SEA. We're late-thirties and into exploring gardens and nature, history, architecture, and food. Keeping in mind the July rainy season, and my timeframe, which would you recommend:

1. Flying round trip to Hanoi or HCMC, and travel a loop through Laos, around Cambodia, and the length of Vietnam
2. Fly into/out of Hanoi/Chiang Mai, and travel around the north of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand
3. Fly into/out of Bangkok/HCMC, and travel around the south of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos
4. Or be super ambitious and do a big loop Hanoi - Chiang Mai -Siem Reap - HCMC

Would one of these be better with the weather? Or do you recommend some other combination?

Coming from LAX in December with two older kids. It is my fervent hope that we will sleep on the plane. We are going on to Vietnam and we only have 12 days total, but I’m wondering if it’s realistic to think we can see anything after that kind of travel.

I could either stay in Singapore for a day or two and then fly to Vietnam, or suck it up and fly the same afternoon to Hanoi, and then do a little time in Singapore on the way back as it is our departure point back.

Thoughts?

Hi all, we will be travelling / driving up to Penang from Singapore and then fly to Langkawi for 5 days from Penang. Any recommendations on where to park while we are at Langkawi? Penang Airport / hotel? TYIA!

I’ll be coming from Thailand into Malaysia George Town. Uk passport holder, it says I need to complete an arrival card but is this still true when crossing by land?

Hello! ສະບາຍດີ! Xin chào! I wanted to share my experience from my first solo trip. I spent 7 weeks in Vietnam and Laos.

Budget

I budgeted $2500 USD and ended up spending $2700 USD. I could have probably saved about $200-$300 if I had thought ahead a little bit more (booked a few flights last minute; would still do again due to the length of the trip but maybe could’ve booked earlier) and if I didn't make a few mistakes (I got got a few times, oh well)

My biggest categories for spending were Activities (which I include costs for things like museums, attractions, day trips, overnight trekking trips, etc.), Flights (which can certainly be avoided; I just gave up on buses), Shopping, and Food/Meals.

My daily budget was $50 USD and in the end I averaged $54 USD per day. I used the app TravelSpend which was SO helpful. I highly recommend.

Trip Length

7 weeks (Sept 11-Oct 30)

~4 weeks in Vietnam, ~3 Weeks in Laos

Destinations

In Vietnam my route was: Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An - Hue - Phong Nha - Ninh Binh - Hanoi - Cat Ba - Ha Giang Loop - Hanoi

In Laos my route was: Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng - Vientiane

Accommodation

I used Hostel World the whole trip to book which was super easy. Granted I think I was there before the high season but I would book a bed only one or two days before arriving. Ceapest beds for dorm rooms were usually between $4 and $9 USD.

Vietnam Hostels (and Rating): HCMC: Saigon Rooftops Hostel (10/10); Hoi An: Mad Monkey (7/10), iHome Hoi An (9/10); Hue: New World Hotel (9.5/10); Phong Nha: Central Backpackers Hostel (10/10); Ninh Binh: The Banana Tree Hostel (9.5/10); Hanoi: The One Hostel (8/10), Hanoi Oldtown Nomad Hostel (6/10), Hanoi Central Backpackers (9/10); Cat Ba: The One Hostel (8/10); Ha Giang Loop: Mama's Homestay (9/10)

Laos Hostels (and Rating): Luang Prabang: Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel (11/10); Nong Khiaw: DK-Camping and ATV Adventure (9/10) (I booked my homestay through Sabou, who manages this tour company and stayed in one of his bungalows); Vang Vieng: Chill House (8/10), Mad Monkey (8/10); Vientiane: Funky Monkey Hostel (2/10, avoid this place)

Top Activities

Ha Giang Loop (Ha Giang, Vietnam): Definitely a peak moment on this trip. I did 4 days, 3 nights with Mama's Homestay (around $200 USD) and had the time of my life. I had an easyrider (local driver) and saw some of the most breathtaking views I had ever seen before. It was like you turn a corner and see the most beautiful thing ever think that nothing can top it, then you turn the next corner and its even better. The food was amazing and the homestays throughout the trip were nice. The drivers are absolutely rockstars. They are so kind and welcoming and just totally enhance the trip. I also had a great group that I was placed with. The happy water stays flowing as well.

Paramotoring (Vang Vieng, Laos): Sunrise paramotoring ($100 USD) was not something I thought I would do on my trip but it was definitely a highlight. Soaring above Vang Vieng and the blanket of clouds so that the mountain tops just barely are peaking above. Insane views and such a cool experience.

Trekking in Nong Khiaw, Laos: I did a one day tour ($30) and a 2 day overnight tour ($40) here. Nong Khiaw is definitely an up and coming spot for eco-tourism. It feels like an authentic experience and you really get a good look at the rural parts of Laos. The one day tour was great and I got to see some rice fields, a water fall, a cave, a lookout point, and take a boat ride. The 2 day overnight was the highlight though. You hike up a mountain and arrive at the top as the sun is setting and get breathtaking views. Then you learn to make some Laotian food, sleep under the stars, and wake up to a beautiful sunrise. Highly recommend getting up to Nong Khiaw; about a 4 hour bus ride from Luang Prabang. I stayed at a homestay with the nicest family and learned lots about Laotian food and culture.

Day cruise (Cat Ba/Ha Long Bay, Vietnam): A day cruise ($25) that leaves from Cat Ba and shows you the beauty of Ha Long Bay. The insane rock formations and blue ass water make for stunning views everywhere. Swimming, kayaking, feeding monkeys, and soaking up the sun.

Hai Van Pass, Vietnam: I spent $15 to rent a scooter in Hoi An to drive to Hue via the Hai Van Pass. It was my first time ever driving a scooter and it was so fun! As you drive up and over the mountain you can make stops at these awesome coffee shops that overlook the pass and make for stunning views. After the mountain you can drive through some cool fishing villages and get a look at what Vietnam looks like outside of the tourist areas like Hoi An or Da Nang. Some parts of the highway were definitely not as fun when driving alongside semi-trucks, but this was still super worth it. Even if you don't drive yourself it is still a great ride (you can book an easyrider). The company I rented the scooter from gave me recommendations for places to stop and shuttled my big bag to Hue. I highly recommend renting a scooter at some point in your time in Vietnam!

What Went Right

• I met so many amazing people staying in hostels and going on tours. Even though this was a solo trip, I never really was alone. I even traveled with some people for 2-3 weeks! I made some life long friends :)
• I took it slow. I initially planned to only spend 2 weeks in Vietnam (which now sounds like crazy talk). I could have absolutely spent the whole 7 weeks there. I really learned to embrace the solo traveler/backpacker mindset of taking things slow, not planning too far in advance, and going with the flow. I ended up spending nearly 11 days in Luang Prabang. It can be so easy to get stuck somewhere and I would totally say to allow yourself to get stuck if you really connect with a place or people!
• I am pretty happy with my spending. Definitely could have cut some costs but to be honest I thought I was going to blow my budget by a lot more than $200 so I'll take it!
• Moved hostels if I felt like I needed a change or didn't like something at the current one. Only book for 1 or 2 nights at a time and extend if you want to (not sure if this works in the high season)

What Went Wrong

• Definitely got taken advantage of a few times. Always ask prices before you start anything (this includes taking taxis/tuk tuks/scooters, going on an impromptu tour, etc.) and don't be afraid to be stern or walk away.
• Weather was a barrier a few times. Didn't do much research beforehand on when I was arriving, which was near the end of the rainy season. Was confronted with Supertyphoon Yagi and a couple other storms.
• Wish I didn't fly as much. I flew from HCMC to Hoi An to make it in time for a full moon/harvest festival which I don't regret however I did skip Dalat which I want to go back to. Flew from Hanoi to Luang Prabang to avoid a 25 hour bus ride (if you have taken that ride I salute you, my body could not handle that). And flew from Vientiane to HCMC since I booked roundtrip to/from HCMC. Those flights are cheap-ish but they add up. I would try to avoid them.

Recommendations

My favorite stops were Hoi An, Phong Nha, Ha Giang, Luang Prabang, and Nong Khiaw. Highly recommend you really spend some time in Laos; many people told me you can do Laos in less than 2 weeks, which you can, but I think it is so worth spending some more time there (I didn't even scrape the south!).

I learned a lot through solo travel. It was such a positive experience overall but there are definitely difficult moments where you feel alone, homesick, tired, or just not 100% and that is okay. For me, the first week was a huge adjustment and I considered going home early so many times; try and stick it out. It is worth it. But also make sure to take care of yourself first and foremost.

Recommendations are just that! Everybody has different perspectives, mindsets, desires, goals, opinions...try to not get absorbed into other people's opinions on things and give everything a try! Ultimately, you'll have an experience that will be unique to you.

Final Verdict:

I feel like I've said a lot and there is so much more to say! I had such an amazing time in Vietnam and Laos and am counting down the days until I get to go back. The people in both those countries are so kind and welcoming. Their countries are full of rich culture and history, delicious food, and amazing experiences. Solo travel was such a life changing experience and I think everyone should try it at least once if they can!

If you're headed to either country I am happy to share more recs!

Thank you, cảm ơn, ຂອບໃຈ! Safe travels, du lịch an toàn, ເດີນທາງປອດໄພ!

Hi I am looking to move to SEA while continuing doing my freelance business My main concern is how to safely receive payments from clients and withdraw it while traveling SEA? I know paypal requires you to register an account in the country you are currently located at, so it is not really safe option as they can suspend your account if you are using it abroad and not many countries in SEA support paypal How do you guys deal with this problem? Can you open a bank account as a foreigner and receive SWIFT payments? I was looking to move to Vietnam but pretty much open to any country I

I'm about to head of travelling for 6 months and looking for pharmacy advice. I normally use eye drops for dry eyes and allergies which I can get mostly over the counter in the UK (where I am based). I would like to know if anyone has got any experience of purchasing these medicines in South / South East asia? Where can I buy them, do I need a prescription, and what might be the cost (Any currency, I can covert)?

I use opatanol eye drops Hypromellose eye drops HPMC lubricated eyed drops Any other optrex / unbranded dry eye drops Any other optrex / unbranded allergy eye drops Saline eye bath

I'm going to be visiting Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam.

Thanks!!!!