An Epic 3-Month Travel Itinerary for South-East Asia

If you’re looking to spend 3 months in South East Asia, we may just have the perfect route for you. Here to share her route is Aussie-based Brit Alanna Gibson, who travelled this exact same 3 month travel itinerary for South East Asia, starting in Bangkok, Thailand. 

As summer approached I asked myself the question on every students mind – what the hell am I going to do for the next 4 months? For me there was only one credible answer – travel. During a cold December evening I took the plunge and booked some return flights to Bangkok, flying out on the 13^th June and returning on the 10^th September, giving me just under three months to explore the region of South East Asia.

I packed my life into my little 40 litre backpack and headed off into the unknown. As a student, I am heavily reliant on my student loan and I was on a pretty tight budget for my travels. I saved money wherever possible, such as catching sleeper trains instead of flights, dining in street stalls and finding cheap hotels and hostels. I even spent a couple of weeks living for free in exchange for working on a Filipino family’s coconut farm. This was an epic experience that will stay with me forever. So, if you’re looking for an incredible route to travel around South East Asia, look no further. 

Travel Itinerary Overview 

• Bangkok
• Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai and Pai)
• Laos (Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng)
• Vietnam (Hanoi and Halong Bay)
• Vietnam (Coast, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City)
• The Philippines
• Malaysia 
• Thailand Islands 
• Bangkok 

Last updated February 2025

An Epic 3 Month Travel Itinerary for South East Asia

1. BANGKOK

I started and ended my 3 month travel itinerary for South East Asia in Bangkok. As a major international transport hub, Bangkok is a very obvious place to begin travelling around South East Asia. I have visited Bangkok a few times before and it is truly one of my favourite cities in the world. Bangkok is an assault on the senses; its busy, vibrant, colourful and loud. If it’s your first time in South East Asia, be prepared to possibly feel a sense of culture shock but also rest assured you will quickly adjust. I advise giving yourself a few days at last in Bangkok to start with to acclimatise and readjust your body clock, whilst exploring the incredible sights. 

 

You can visit the majestic Grand Palace and Wat Pho, home to the famous Reclining Buddha. For a taste of local life, stroll through the bustling markets, like Chatuchak weekend market, or the book a tour of the floating markets. Don’t miss a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River for a unique view of the city’s skyline. Food lovers should dive into the street food scene, especially in areas like Chinatown and the infamous Khao San Road. For a mix of culture and nightlife, head to rooftop bars or visit the lively night markets.

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2. NORTHERN THAILAND (CHIANG MAI & PAI)

I booked a night bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai which took about 9 hours in total with stops. The night buses have seats which recline flat so you can definitely get some sleep overnight. The more you pay, the more comfortable your journey will be, with options for air con and more luxurious seats. Night buses can be booked from lots of different travel agents 

After Chiang Mai,  I spent a few days in the charming city of Chiang Mai which is surrounded by lush mountains, offering a perfect blend of culture and nature. Make the climb up to the stunning Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for panoramic views and spiritual serenity. Explore the old town’s ancient temples, such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. The famous Night Bazaar and Sunday Walking Street Market are great for shopping and finding unique objects such as handmade jewellery, fashion accessories, stationary and enamel pin badges. The markets are also great for trying local delicacies – if you miss the street food you are missing out!  Nature lovers can enjoy trekking, zip-lining, or visiting elephant sanctuaries. Don’t miss the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional Thai cooking class or a relaxing visit to one of the city’s serene temples

After Chiang Mai I went to the far north western region of Pai. Tourists are known to go to Pai with the agenda of spending a couple of nights and end up staying for months. Personally, I spent about 5 days here, trekking, visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary and white water rafting while also finding time to kick back and relax with fellow travellers and locals.

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3. LAOS (LUANG PRABANG AND VANG VIENG) 

From Northern Thailand I caught a bus to Chiang Kong at the Thai / Laos border. From there I took a 2 day long boat journey along the Mekong River to the laid back tourist hub of Luang Prabang. This experience was an adventure in itself and travelling by boat meant I got to see the country from a different perspective.

Visiting the country of Laos gives you an idea of what it would have been like to travel to Thailand in the 80’s or 90’s, when tourism was much less developed but the country was equally as beautiful and less discovered. That said, there are still come very popular towns in Laos for tourists, including Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. I visited both during my travels and recommend you do the same. There’s also Vientiane to discover. 

Laos offers a tranquil escape with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. In Luang Prabang, explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites like Wat Xieng Thong and the picturesque Kuang Si Waterfalls. Take a boat cruise along the Mekong River and stop at the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues. In Vientiane, visit the impressive Pha That Luang and the Patuxai Victory Monument. For adventure, try zip-lining and tubing in Vang Vieng. This small riverside town has been known for its riverside drinking and ‘tubing’ but Laos authorities have made this a lot safer and more regulated in recent years (2024 onwards). Just a night or two will be enough here before heading east into Vietnam.

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4. VIETNAM (HANOI AND HA LONG BAY)

I will spend a couple of nights in the busy city of Hanoi and soak up some Vietnamese culture before heading to Ha Long Bay – a collection of 2000 uninhabited limestone islands surrounded by emerald sea. 

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a captivating blend of history, culture, and vibrant street life. Wander through the Old Quarter’s narrow streets, where you can admire colonial architecture and try delicious street food, like pho and egg coffee. Visit the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, and explore historical sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. Just a few hours away, Halong Bay is a must-visit, known for its breathtaking limestone karsts and emerald-green waters. The best thing to do here is to take a cruise, where you spend a couple of nights touring the bay, snorkelling, rock climbing , exploring caves and kayaking. I definitely recommend pre-booking cruises and boat tours in Halong Bay. 

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5. VIETNAM (COAST, HOI AN & HO CHI MINH CITY)

After Ha Long Bay I travelled along the east coast of Vietnam before finishing my Vietnamese leg of the trip in Ho Chi Minh City. For some of the journey, I hopped between cities using motorbikes and for the longer journeys I used buses or sleeper trains.

Hoi An is a picturesque and colourful town that feels like a step back in time, with its well-preserved colonial architecture and vibrant streets. Stroll along the charming riverside, where you’ll find colorful lanterns lighting up the town at night. Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, explore the ancient town with its blend of Chinese, Japanese, and French influences, and shop for custom-tailored clothes from one of the many skilled local tailors. Hoi An is also famous for its delicious cuisine, so be sure to try local dishes like Cao Lau and the delicious Banh Mi baguettes. The spring rolls here are also like nothing I’ve ever tasted! For a peaceful retreat, relax at An Bang Beach or take a boat ride along the Thu Bon River.

For more guidance on Vietnam, check out our popular Ultimate 3 Week Vietnam Travel Itinerary.

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Next upI visited the white sand beaches of Nha Trang, although it was probably the place on my travels that felt the least unique or exciting. I’d suggest using Nha Trang as a natural place to break up your journey, but don’t spend too much time there unless you fancy some extensive time on the beach. Finally, I spent a couple of nights in Ho Chi Minh City (previously known as Saigon) before catching our flight to Manila, the Philippines.

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6. THE PHILIPPINES (THE ISLANDS)

You could say that The Philippines is not part of the usual South East Asian Backpackers route, but I am unsure why as it has so much to offer and is also incredibly affordable. It does require a longer journey to get there though. I took a 3 hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Manila.

After spending a couple of nights in Manila and experiencing the renowned ‘Manila Sunset’, I will spend 10 days ‘WWOOFing’, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. I lived with a Filipino family on their Coconut Farm and helped them with farming duties each day in exchange for free food and accommodation. It was an amazing way to understand a little more about the Filipino culture and way of life and something I highly recommend for anyone travelling through the Philippines on a budget.

After this I will be exploring some of the 4000 Philippine islands including Palawan, Siquijor and Cebu, balancing our time with relaxing on white sandy beaches and taking adventures such as volcano climbing and scuba diving. I spent a total of 1 month in the Philippines which is a great amount of time to cover a lot of ground and really get to the heart of this incredible and unique country. 

Check out our amazing 3 week itinerary for the Philippines for more guidance on how to island hop around the Philippines. 

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7. MALAYSIA

After one month in the Philippines, I continued my 3 month travel itinerary for South East Asia by flying from Manila to Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia. I spent around two weeks in Malaysia, exploring the cosmopolitan city of Kuala Lumpar, the deep jungles in the Cameron Highlands and the charming east coast Perhentian Islands.

Malaysia offers a captivating mix of vibrant cities, lush jungles, and stunning beaches. In Kuala Lumpur, be sure to marvel at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, explore bustling markets like Petaling Street, and discover the city’s rich cultural heritage at the Islamic Arts Museum and Batu Caves. For a more serene escape, head to the Cameron Highlands, where cool weather, tea plantations, and misty jungles provide a perfect retreat for nature lovers. On the east coast, the Perhentian Islands offer crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and incredible snorkeling, making it a tropical paradise for those seeking relaxation or adventure in the underwater world

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8. THAI ISLANDS

I can’t think of a better place to round up a three month South East Asia itinerary than in the backpackers’ party paradise of the Thai Islands. I first headed west, checking out the party scene in Koh Phi Phi and the laid back beaches of Krabi. After this, I went overland to the east coast islands such as Samui, Tao and, of course, Koh Phangan – the home of the full moon party! We ended our travels on a high by enjoying plenty of  be sure ‘buckets’, some last minute sun bathing and late night partying before heading back to Bangkok for my return flight to England.

We recommend pre-booking your hotels via booking.com as you can building points and rewards via their Genius loyalty programme, and booking trusted and reviewed tours and activities via GetYourGuide. 

What do you think of Alanna’s 3 month travel itinerary for South East Asia? Are you planning a similar trip or have you experienced something similar? If so, please leave a comment in the box below.