The Ultimate Southeast Asia Travel Guide

Your personal guide to Southeast Asia

Welcome to your digital travel companion for Southeast Asia! This guide contains authentic travel notes, tips, and recommendations for Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, South Korea, and Japan.

Countries & Cities Travel Essentials Visa Information Recommended Products

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Countries

Vietnam Thailand Philippines South Korea Japan

Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Busy streets, hectic but fun vibe.
Great food flower market.
Walking street good for drinks, hookah, and people-watching.
Ben Thanh market is okay, repetitive products, but has a big food area.
Better shopping at Thuy Van Fashion nearby.
SIM card: Viettel 30 days, 230k VND, 6GB/day.
Motorbike food tour recommended.
Little Tokyo: aggressive bar girls, no boom boom.
Limo van to Mui Ne is decent; new road is faster.

Mui Ne

Small beach town, known for sand dunes.
Many Russian tourists.
Bike rental ~150k VND, usually empty tanks, gas stations hard to find.
Cops strict on motorcycle licenses, bribes common.
Sleeper bus to Da Lat uncomfortable; book cabin option.
Limited food options, small fisherman's village.

Da Lat

Great weather, chilly nights.
Night market with good street food.
Famous spot: Bánh căn Nhà Chung.
Beautiful Bongour waterfall.
Visit Da Lat center lake.
Futa cabin bus comfortable but winding road; window seat helps.

Nha Trang / Cam Ranh

Popular with Russian and Korean tourists.
Food average, beach decent.
Massage places ~200-300k VND/hr.
Airport only in Cam Ranh, ghost town feel.
Hotels cheap in Nha Trang, expensive in Cam Ranh.

Da Nang

More developed, popular with Americans, Koreans, and Chinese.
ROM Casa Hostel: cool vibe, bad beds, close to beach/restaurants.
Casinos: Crown Games Club and Club 7.
Breakfast: Umm Banh Mi, good convenience store J Market nearby.
Beach good for surfing, small swimming area.
Dragon show short, weekend night market fun.

Hoi An

An Bang Beach: great waves, not for swimming.
Old town highlight: custom suits, leather goods.
Quality clothing better than HCMC.
Lantern-filled night market crowded.
Morning Glory restaurant fancy riverside dining (reserve rooftop).

Hanoi

Extremely busy, chaotic traffic.
Streets specialize in items: Beer Street, Christmas Street.
Best clothing quality in Vietnam.
The One Hostel: clean, central, hard beds, poor WiFi.
Banh Mi 25: popular sandwiches and smoothies.
Ha Giang Loop highly recommended (need time).
Ninh Binh day trip: limo van essential; boat uncomfortable (bring cushion).
MET restaurant recommended.
Heavy pollution, challenging for scooters.
Shoes off on buses, some stores.

Thailand

Chiang Mai

Quiet outside weekend night markets (Sat food, Sun clothes).
Police checkpoints strict without license; fine 500 Baht.
Avoid karaoke scams (overpriced beer).
Dash restaurant great for dinner (reserve).
Elephant sanctuary ~$70 USD full-day.
Temples everywhere, modest attire required.
Flights around SEA sketchy landings.
Attend Muay Thai match recommended.
Left-side driving, right-hand cars.

Bangkok

DMK cheaper airport.
Horrible traffic; Grab/Bolt unreliable.
Walking street small, shopping better in Vietnam.
Stay near bus terminal for Pattaya trips.
Water taxi from Panfa Pier (Khao San) to Asok (~12-16 Baht).
MBK center: large mall, mix real/fake goods, extensive food court.
Bed Station Hostel: young vibe, good amenities (pool/gym).

Pattaya

2-hr cheap bus from Bangkok (~$6), drops at hotel.
Decent city beach, active nightlife (Soi 6, Soi 2, Walking Street).
Terminal 21 mall good, cheap food court opens at 11 AM.
Everything closed until ~10/11 AM.
Big Buddha quick visit; negotiate tuk-tuk price.
Truth Museum worth visiting (cheaper tickets online).

Surat Thani

Stay city center if late arrival, taxi to ferry expensive.
Seatran ferry to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan.

Koh Phangan

Famous Full Moon Party (200 Baht).
Jungle party (1000 Baht includes transport).
Expensive island; overpriced taxis and 7-Eleven.
Steep hills, cautious motorbike driving needed.
Secret beach good food/views.

Ao Nang

Long transfers from Koh Phangan, disorganized shuttles/ferries.
Base Hostel recommended, good location/beds.
Railay Beach 100 Baht by long-tail boat.
Vietnam-like fake goods shopping, free pub crawls.

Phi Phi

Small island, 20 Baht "donation" on arrival.
No motor vehicles except for police mopeds, ambulance golf carts.
Ibiza Hostel loud, far from pier.
711 overpriced, crowded viewpoint hike (50 Baht entry).
Speedboat tour recommended (early start, avoid chicken meal).
Fire shows popular, Garlic 1992 restaurant overrated.

Koh Lanta

Quiet, relaxed; rent scooter (~50 Baht gas roadside).
Joe's BBQ excellent food.
Kung Fu bar chill spot with beach, free kayaks.
Diamond/"Same Same But Different" restaurants ocean views.
Long Beach best sunset viewpoint.
Sunday local night market experience.

Phuket (Patong)

Bangla Road bars dice-drinking games (~180 Baht).
Illusion club best nightlife, no entry fee.
Busy beach, Russian/Indian tourist influence.
Avoid ping pong show scams (expensive hidden charges).
Smart Bus to airport cheap (100 Baht), uncomfortable; Grab pricier but faster.

Philippines

Manila

Backpackers stay in Budkit (party area, 1 hr from airport).
Lub D Hostel nice but not very social, good location.
Lots of go-go bars and ladyboys.
Z Hostel rooftop bar great weekend vibe.
Buccaneers best Fri/Sat nights.
Mr. Wine (BGC) upscale spot, popular Sundays.
Spirit Library: expensive, small cocktail bar.

Boracay

Frendz Hostel very social, locals hang out, near beach/bars.
Pre-game at hostel, then Exit Bar or Tropicana rooftop. Later OM/Epic clubs; Galaxy main big club.
White sand beach picturesque.
Hostel boat tour (~2k pesos, unlimited drinks).
Sunset at quieter Puka Beach (10-min tuk-tuk).
Kite surfing at Bangala Beach available.
Fly to Moalboal (via small airport).

Moalboal

Rent scooter (~400p/day).
Kawasan Falls for canyoning (1,800p street / 2,300p hostel).
MOHO Hostel: Roy (owner) friendly, daily free drinks (8-8:30 PM).
Chilli Bar popular but hot; busy Saturdays.
Snorkel near Chilli Bar for turtles/sardines.
White Sand (50p entry) and Lambug Beach (70p entry) nice beaches.
Ferry transfer to Siquijor complicated; arrive early, sells out often.

Siquijor

Checkpoints strict on scooter licenses; rent at pier (~350-400p/day cheaper in San Juan).
15 min ride from pier to San Juan.
Waterfalls (50p entry); bring snacks/water.
Paliton Beach for sunset (30p entry), best spot right side.
Island known historically for witchcraft; voodoo-themed souvenirs common.
JJ's Bar weekend beach party (20p entry).
Quiet weekdays, limited nightlife.
No airport; ferry back to Dumaguete.

Siargao

Small, pricey airport; cheaper ferry from mainland.
Scooters cheaper near port (350-400p/day), need return there.
Popular surfing spot; beaches less ideal for swimming.
Rock pools worth visiting; Isla Cabana Resort good beach/food.
Barrel Bar popular for trivia night.
Maasin River swing overrated (600p for 3pax + service).
Pop-up party bars every night until midnight, after at Siargao Beach Club (quiet music until 3 AM).
Coconut Tree Farm on route to Rock Pools.
Surf beginner-friendly Ocean 9, Cloud 9 overrated (100p entry).
Wake Park Sunday hangout; burgers good, beer purchase gets free ticket.
Sunset Bridge popular afternoon hangout.
Green Waves Cafe great breakfast, Greenhouse good ocean-view dining.

El Nido

Expensive compared to other islands.
Poor Wi-Fi/cell service.
Main beach area dirty; visit Lio or Napacan beaches instead.
Scooter rental ~400-500p/day.
Bad water quality; use filtered water to brush teeth.
Party scene lacking; Tour Z Island Party good value (2,200p, unlimited drinks/food/massage).
Vanilla Beach best sunset view, arrive early for beanbags.
Filipino casino area good for cheap scooters (~400p).
Rum/Coke (~80p), beers (60-120p).
5+ hr uncomfortable bus ride from Puerto Princesa (~600p).

Port Barton

Underdeveloped, dirt roads.
Coco Rico hostel unclean (rats reported); free drinks offered as compensation.
Expensive scooters (~400p for few hours only).
Few activities, limited restaurants.
Coconut Beach and White Sand Beach (pigs), boat/tricycle access.
Small boat tours not appealing, older vessels.

South Korea

Seoul

Google Maps doesn't work; use Kakao or Naver Maps.
Kakao expensive rideshare app.
Very limited English spoken; use Papago translator app.
Easy subway system, get T-card (~30k KRW).
Amazing food/coffee scene everywhere.
Buy eSIM via KT website (~35k KRW, 10 days, hours-based data usage).
Party in Hongdae (young, college crowd) or Itaewon (clubs, stricter entry).
World Cup Stadium area has large grocery store for snacks.
Batwo Guesthouse: good location, kitchen, social vibe, shaky beds.

Japan

General Tips

Eating/drinking while walking is rude; no eating on transport.
Few public trash bins; carry trash out.
Mostly cashless, but carry some cash for street food.
Suica card (use Apple Wallet) convenient; day passes in Tokyo/Osaka economical.
Google Maps reliable.
Stations have collectible stamps (bring notebook).

Tokyo

Hie Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Zojoji Temple, Shibuya Crossing (view from Scramble Square).
East Gardens Imperial Palace (guided tour with passport, queue early).
Ueno Park (famous cherry blossoms), Tokyo National Museum (free souvenir).
Sensō-ji Temple, Arashio-beya Sumo Stable (morning practice schedule).
Ginza (luxury shopping), Tokyo Station (huge food/shopping).
Shinkansen bullet train ride with bento box recommended.
Stay: Capsule hotel "Nine Hours Akasaka" affordable and clean (~£30/night).

Food in Tokyo:

Oreryu Shio-Ramen (vending machine, excellent ramen).
Nihonbashi Kaisen Donburi Tsujihan (seafood bowls, Ark Hills less busy).
Dandadan Shinjuku (dumplings/drinks).
7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawsons: great food/snacks.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima Castle (traditional tea ceremony).
Peace Memorial Museum/Park highly impactful.
Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine (floating torii gate).
Food: Okonomimura village for Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki.

Kyoto

Over 1600 temples, 400 shrines; top spots:

Ninenzaka Street, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (very early crowded).

Nishiki Market for street food.
Kichi Kichi Omurice: famous spot, reserve well ahead or queue early.
Stay: Backpackers Hostel K's House (central, kitchen, discounts for extended stays).

Osaka

Unique Namba Yasaka Shrine.
Dotonbori Glico sign popular photo spot.
Eat: Osaka Kizu Market (affordable sushi), Rikuro cheesecake, Dotonbori street food, OKO Fun Okonomiyaki Bar (veggie options, lively).
Stay: Hotel Toyo (private rooms, social common area, budget-friendly).

Travel Essentials

Key Services

VPN: Use NordVPN for secure browsing
Travel Health Insurance: Safety Wing is a solid option
Travel Bank Card: Charles Schwab – no foreign transaction fees
Hotel Booking: Use Agoda or Booking.com or HostelWorld.com
Book VIP Buses/Ferries: Bookaway

Transport Apps

Bolt: Cheaper than Uber
Grab: Main ride share app in Southeast Asia

Safety & Money Tips

U.S. Embassy (Emergency Line): +1 202-501-4444
Never give your passport as collateral
Bring two debit cards, keep them separate
Keep a digital and printed copy of your passport
Buy a few locks for lockers/bags
Bring a college ID — useful for discounts / scooter rental deposit
Start probiotics 1–2 weeks before the trip

Must-Pack Items

More sunscreen than you think you'll need
Compression socks – clutch for long flights or bus rides
Portable speaker – for beach, hostel pregames, or tubing
Portable charger – essential for full-day outings
Lube | Condoms (Costco) – self-explanatory
Vacuum bag (large) – saves space in backpack/luggage
Mini flashlight – helpful in power outages or dark hostels
Water shoes – for waterfalls, rocky beaches, tubing
Rain jacket – weather can flip quick in SEA
Tevas – great hybrid sandals for walking and water
Ear plugs – a must in dorms, buses, or noisy party areas

Visa Information (US Passport Holders)

Vietnam: E-Visa (30 days, ~$25 online in advance).
Thailand: Visa exemption (30 days upon arrival by air/land).
Philippines: Visa exemption (30 days on arrival).
South Korea: K-ETA Electronic Authorization required online before arrival.
Japan: Visa exemption (90 days on arrival).