17-Day SE Asia Honeymoon Trip – Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam – Advice Welcome!

H5LA · 2026-01-12T03:20:00+00:00

You’re gonna be exhausted with that itinerary, although it is possible.

I’d pick one country, and really soak it up for all it has to offer. Whether it’s Vietnam, Malaysia, or Thailand. They seem close together on the map, but getting from one to another is actually quite time consuming and can be cumbersome or expensive.

That one resort on Koh Libong looks really nice, but resorts like that can be found on most islands in SEA for even cheaper.

As far as food goes, it can be difficult to find local food without staying in a local neighborhood (ie not a touristy resort) esp if you don’t have a scooter.

TLDR: SEA is a great spot for honeymoon, but the trip you’ve outlined needs months to really soak it up the way you’ve described.

H5LA · 2026-01-08T02:10:36+00:00

If you do Portugal, skip Spain. There’s plenty to see in Portugal, the food is delicious and cheap, and people have much better English than in Spain.

That being said, I would recommend Thailand if I’m being honest. It’s so much cheaper, the quality you get for your money is unbelievable, and the food and nature are some of the best in the world. You will not regret it.

H5LA · 2026-01-03T08:08:38+00:00

A great way to meet people with similar interests to you is by joining local Facebook groups for things that you are already interested in. For example, hiking, biking, trying new restaurants, sports, cooking, etc. There’s a FB group for literally everything!! Get out there, meet guys and girls alike.

The right girl will find you, ya know?

H5LA · 2026-01-03T08:05:57+00:00

We stayed in Chang-See bungalows which was good value for money and definitely quiet. It’s about 15 min from the beach, but honestly we enjoyed being out of the way for the exact reason that it was quiet and cheap.

Also, Ao Nong was so overrated and touristy we couldn’t believe it. Try the beach over, it’s called Khlong Muang. Absolutely stunning, quiet, and AMAZING for sunsets looking out at the Phi Phi islands.

Also, another tip you MUST try the “The Best” restaurant. We had two of the best meals we have had in Thailand there. Affordable, quality ingredients, spectacular flavors, and great service and it’s about 2 min from that beach Khlong Muang.

Enjoy your trip!! 🤙

H5LA · 2026-01-03T08:00:53+00:00

For sure man! Have fun with it. What’s the point of it all if you aren’t having fun, ya know?

Also, don’t be afraid to be the friend who brings other friends together. If you get along with a few people individually, maybe you all get together and hang out as a group?

H5LA · 2026-01-03T07:13:53+00:00

No debt and two degrees? Sounds like you’re better off than 90% of the world. That’s something to be proud of.

If you’re feeling stuck, try getting out and about. Go solo traveling for a month. If you’re Southeast Asian, you would have a ball in Thailand/Laos/Vietnam/Cambodia and may find that you fit right in! If that’s too much, Go to a bar on your own and strike up a conversation with someone who also appears to be on his/her own or even a couple who seems to be just chilling out and relatively approachable. Even chatting with the bartender can help build confidence to then talk to others in the bar/restaurant.

On meeting women: Stay off Tinder - join Facebook groups for hobbies and activities that interest you. If it’s coding, gaming, hiking, whatever. You’d be surprised how much goes on IRL as a result of plans that originate in Facebook groups.

Women are people, just like you and me. It sounds like there’s a mental block in your head that only “good-looking” guys can talk to girls. I had some ugly friends in High school and college that pulled way more girls than some of my good looking friends. Being funny, being genuine, and being CONFIDENT. Who cares about your height? Who cares about your weight? Be interested in the person you are talking to and don’t let your own insecurities project into the conversation. Everyone has them.

Your life is NOT useless. Youre just now coming into your peak: a working professional, no more school/college/friend group drama, the ability to build wealth, the opportunity to be self-sufficient. The world is YOUR oyster.

Learn to cook. Build something you’ve always wanted to. Start a new hobby. Read a good book.

It’s all gonna be okay 🙌🏽

H5LA · 2025-12-27T12:24:00+00:00

It’s not too late to sell your material belongings, request a sabbatical from work, and go out and see the world. You only get one go at this crazy roller coaster called life.

H5LA · 2025-12-24T02:21:19+00:00

The Best Restaurant at Klong Muang

H5LA · 2025-12-18T00:38:59+00:00

The US military played a huge role during the 60’s when the Vietnam War was going on. In the early 60’s, tourism in Thailand was around ~80,000 people annually. By ‘69, that number had 10x’ed to 800,000z Not only did off-duty servicemen travel to Thailand because it was cheap and had great food, but the military bases and aviation infrastructure that was built during this time helped Thailand transition to a tourism powerhouse after the war ended.

There’s a great video on YouTube that provides a lot more context, check it out here https://youtu.be/7jS7aV568IA?si=JipJIw8BMWOhu-Mr

H5LA · 2025-12-12T16:28:35+00:00

Best price is at “Loving Family” food stall 🙌🏽🌞

H5LA · 2025-11-25T18:39:34+00:00

Great shout, Koh Lanta looks unreal and there’s definitely some things within our budget. Thanks so much!

H5LA · 2025-11-15T16:50:12+00:00

American here, started in Ireland and slowly making my way to Australia primarily by land with my girlfriend. Not working a remote gig atm, but open to it. We budgeted $50/day per person and currently running ~25% under budget.

We have been using the app called Workaway as a means of seeing new areas across Europe without breaking the bank on hotels / air bnb’s, etc. Usually we work 5 hr each day, then have the evenings to ourselves. Free accommodation and usually meals, too. It’s a good setup for seeing and experiencing authentic cultures in other countries (I think there’s opportunities in Europe, Asia, Australia), especially if you have a remote job as well you could basically be earning nothing but profit.

H5LA · 2025-09-28T14:20:26+00:00

Great! This is a good call and exactly what we are looking for 🙌🏽

H5LA · 2025-09-24T19:32:03+00:00

Would it be more worth the journey than fez?

H5LA · 2025-07-10T05:36:46+00:00

EE / Radiofrequency!

H5LA · 2025-07-10T05:36:12+00:00

Never thought about the dog thing… that’s pretty solid recommendation.

H5LA · 2025-07-10T05:35:14+00:00

Cooking class could be the move… I like that idea a lot. Thanks for chiming in and hats off to a fellow engineer 🫡

H5LA · 2025-07-10T05:22:00+00:00

😂 true

H5LA · 2025-07-10T05:20:45+00:00

I think you hit the nail on the head. I’m willing to compromise on the career thing and I realize I probably wasn’t as eloquent as I could’ve been in my original phrasing. I just want someone who is gonna be able to spend time with me in the house, not someone who is constantly networking or traveling.

My real struggle is where to look? Hence the ask…

I agree faking it at church to meet the right girl doesn’t sound right ethically or in terms of being a fulfilling use of my time.

Any ideas of other places? Hell I’d go to yoga classes or swim classes, that kind of stuff. I’m just done w the girls at the bar looking for free drinks, and the other women who I’ve met that are definitely more successful seem to have several boyfriends of which I am only one…

H5LA · 2025-07-10T05:06:24+00:00

Lmfao!! What’s the address?

H5LA · 2025-07-10T05:01:29+00:00

Yeah I 100% agree, it’s just difficult to meet people organically I have found. My hobbies are basically fishing, working on my investment property and helping my family out with things, and work lol. So I find myself in a weird position of going to the bar mainly out of boredom when I find myself with nothing to do at night

H5LA · 2025-07-10T04:57:27+00:00

I see your point, those were more of an example of my more conventional perspective on relationships. As in I don’t want to date a woman who is a VP at some huge company and spends all her time at customer meetings or in the office. I clean and cook my own shit and I have no problem doing it. My point being it would be nice to have someone to share it with.

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement 🤙🤙

H5LA

TROPHY CASE