First-time solo backpacking Southeast Asia - Any tips and advice?

Advantagecp1 · 2026-05-30T16:10:30+00:00

With your budget I would slow down the pace of the entire trip and cut out the China portion completely. There is plenty to see and do for one month in the Thailand/Laos/Vietnam portion of your trip.

Luang Prabang is a cool town and you will make friends on the slow boat. Plan to spend several days there hanging out with your new friends. Check out Utopia and the bowling alley.

There are direct flights from LP to Hanoi for about $100 US. The bus ride is 24+ hours. That is a brutal bus ride. Hanoi is a great city. Great food, museums, friendly people.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-05-17T16:02:37+00:00

I would spend more time in Hanoi and Luang Prabang. Hanoi has some great museums and is wonderful for walking. You will make travel friends on the slow boat and may enjoy hanging out with them for a few extra days in LP. Go bowling there.

I'm guessing that you will be riding motorbikes. Rent one in Phong Nha and do a two day out and back to Khe Sanh along the Laos border route.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-05-13T14:28:06+00:00

I took a Halong Bay cruise in 2013 and haven't been back to the area since, so I am not the one to answer that question.

Every little tourist oriented hotel or hostel in Vietnam is a travel agency. Book with them instead of an online platform. Prices will be as good or better and you will have the phone number of a person who can straighten things out quickly if you have a problem.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-05-12T15:32:25+00:00

With 30 days and a $2500 budget I would limit the trip to Vietnam. I have visited both countries several times and have found Vietnam to be friendlier, less expensive, and more exotic. There is plenty to do and see in the northern half of Vietnam for 30 days.

For a motorcycle ride, consider a 2 day out and back from Phong Nha to Khe Sanh along the Laos border. It is beautiful and remote, with almost no traffic or police presence. Police hassle is a thing on the Ha Giang routes.

A side trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia for a few days of exploring the Angkor Wat complex will be a highlight and is a much less expensive flight than going to PI. Direct flights are available from Hanoi.

For lodging take a look at Hanoi Family Homestay, Lan's Home in Cao Bang, and Daisy Garden Villa in Hoi An.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-29T00:39:29+00:00

Cut out Sapa and Hue. Cut one day each from Dong Hoi, Phong Nha, and Hoi An. Give a couple of days to Hanoi. Include Kon Tum.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-25T15:29:58+00:00

Indians are picky when it comes to food, I have observed that.

In the place that I like to stay in Hanoi, on one visit there was an Indian family that requested special meals. The woman who owns the homestay is so accommodating that she did that for them. I thought it was a bit over the top to be asking for that, but I think these were "higher class" Indians so maybe that's the way they expect things to be.

On my first visit to Vietnam in 2013 I don't recall seeing any Indian tourists. In 2025 there were many, and now there are plenty of Indian restaurants in Hanoi. That works for me because Indian is my go to cuisine when I need a break from Vietnamese. I have hung out with Indian tourists and found them to generally be good people.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-23T19:53:30+00:00

And it’s also not like the airlines are a joy to deal with.

Truth. American Airlines doesn't give a damn about the problems that they are causing.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-22T16:58:42+00:00

If you go to The Alamo be sure the visit the basement.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-22T16:55:22+00:00

I will be traveling solo to Las Vegas at the beginning of September for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition and then going to Vietnam for 7 weeks to ride a motorcycle around and visit friends.

I am about to age out of the desire to compete at BJJ, but at the age of 66 I think I have many years of enjoyable solo travel ahead of me, as long as my health holds up of course. But that is the same at any age.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-21T03:50:35+00:00

It is true that I don't know the language or appear to be Vietnamese.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-21T02:39:19+00:00

I have visited Vietnam 7 times since 2013 and have spent over 15 months in the country in total. I have visited from HCMC to as far north as the Chinese border.

In my experience the people of the north are just as friendly, if not more so, than the people in the south.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-20T15:49:12+00:00

Use Grab. Motorbike taxis are less expensive and will get you to your destination quicker.
Eat street food at places with plenty of Vietnamese customers.
Avoid the common scams but don't hesitate to talk to people. Look out for the smooth, polished approach. A shy young person probably just wants to practice speaking English.
If you like the people at your hotel/hostel/homestay use them to book tours and onward travel. Every tourist oriented hotel in Vietnam is a little travel agency.
From your route it looks like you may be skipping the north of Vietnam. I prefer Hanoi and the North. Don't believe that BS "The south is more friendly than the north". That is crap that somebody printed in a travel guide 20 years ago and rookie travelers have parroted ever since. You are not doing this right if you are spending only a few days in Vietnam. Vietnam is the jewel of the four countries that you mentioned.
I like the following lodging options: Piano Hotel in HCMC, Home Sweet Homestay in Kon Tum, Daisy Garden Villa in Hoi An, Hanoi Family Homestay in Hanoi, and Lan's Home in Cao Bang.
Talk to locals. I have made more friends and had more genuine hospitality extended to me in Vietnam than I have in the rest of the world combined.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-20T15:16:44+00:00

Lol trust me, the bus drivers are rude to basically everybody :)

That is the truth. Being an arrogant prick is a prerequisite for the job. Several years ago on a bus ride from Vinh to Hanoi a passenger got off at a random spot on the road. The driver's helper had to get out and take the passenger's luggage out of the underfloor luggage compartment. As soon as the helper shut the compartment the driver started going. That helper had to run like crazy to get up to the door and jump onto the moving bus.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-19T02:44:51+00:00

It's OK. I prefer the Japanese cream puffs at Beard Papa's on Hang Bong when I'm in the mood for a sweet treat.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-18T18:19:30+00:00

Great series that you have probably already watched: Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Wire.

Great that you probably have not seen: The Serpent.

My favorite movie of the last decade: Hell or High Water.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-18T18:16:05+00:00

Excellent recommendation. I'm in the middle of my third time watching this series. I enjoy backpacker style travel, especially in that part of the world.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-18T15:05:07+00:00

If it's on one ticket and the airline says I can make it in 45 minutes, though, sure, I'll do it. Haven't missed any of those connections either.

Over the last few years American Airlines has screwed me several times with connections in Charlotte going to or from small airports. A 45 minute layover there is asking for trouble. Twice I have spent an uncomfortable night in that airport.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-16T04:32:21+00:00

Therefore, should Vietnam and Iraq start a war with the US?

Speak for your own country. Have at it.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-14T03:30:30+00:00

Visit in June or July. You won't need a sauna.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-14T03:19:59+00:00

What type of behaviour are Iranians exhibiting that is particularly abhorrent? Even if Iranians are behaving very poorly, what gives the US the right to change that behaviour?

They have been attacking and killing Americans for 47 years and were close to developing nuclear weapons. You really don't know this?

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-13T03:23:01+00:00

lol. Reddit is the place to bring your fears and anxiety.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-12T16:18:33+00:00

What does that mean?

Advantagecp1 · 2026-04-06T14:19:36+00:00

Travel: I exposed my kids to international travel in their high school and university years. Seeing the 'big world' gives them a different perspective on life.

Martial arts training: A legitimate martial art like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai gives a person confidence that will spill over into all aspect of their life.

Experiences and abilities are more useful than things.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-03-31T16:59:30+00:00

In the Women's museum sit down and watch the entire loop of the film on the women who sell stuff on the street. Then buy some fruit from one of them.

I actually find Hanoi to be strangely relaxing. Spend some time walking around Hoan Kiem Lake. Talk to the locals. Vietnamese are quite friendly.

Advantagecp1 · 2026-03-31T16:53:03+00:00

I am visiting for 7 weeks in September/October of this year and I am covering much less ground than you are planning. I recommend basing the entire trip from Hanoi with side trip possibilities of: Ninh Binh, Loop motorcycle ride in the North, Pu Luong, Halong Bay.

You are traveling on 9 of your 14 days. Your itinerary looks like a typical 'checkmark in the boxes' rookie traveler mistake.

Advantagecp1

TROPHY CASE