Golden temples and floating markets, jungle-wrapped ruins and island beaches. Warm hospitality, unforgettable food and luxury that goes a long way.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
Southeast Asia packs remarkable variety into a single trip: a buzzing capital in the morning, a quiet temple by afternoon, and a beach or river view by sunset.
A classic first visit traces Vietnam from north to south, from Hanoi and an overnight on Ha Long Bay to lantern-lit Hoi An and energetic Ho Chi Minh City, then crosses into Cambodia for the temples of Angkor before finishing in Bangkok. Short flights connect the highlights, and private guides and drivers handle the details on the ground.
From there, the region opens up: the mountains and night markets of Chiang Mai, island time in Phuket or Koh Samui, a few polished days in Singapore, or a villa in Bali’s rice terraces. Or slow everything down with a luxury cruise on the Mekong.
There’s no single best month for the whole region. Seasons shift between the north and south of Vietnam, between Thailand’s two coastlines, and again in Bali, so we plan each stop around its own weather.
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches. Bangkok is warm all year, while Hanoi has a genuinely cool winter, so pack a light jacket for northern Vietnam from December to February.
November to February is cool and dry, perfect for Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Andaman coast around Phuket. March to May is hot. The rains run from about June to October, while Koh Samui on the Gulf side gets its wettest weather from October to December and is lovely through the summer.
Three climates in one country. Hanoi and Ha Long Bay are at their best from October to April, cool and sometimes misty in midwinter, and hot and humid in summer. Hoi An is best from February to August, with heavy rain and storms possible from September to December. Ho Chi Minh City is dry from December to April.
The dry season, from November to April, is prime time for Angkor, with the most comfortable days from November to February. The green season brings lush jungle, dramatic skies, fuller moats and fewer people at the temples.
Bali is at its best in the dry season, from about April to October, with July and August the busiest months. Singapore is warm and humid year-round, with brief tropical downpours, so it slots in whenever your route needs it.
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Glittering temples and the Grand Palace, longtail boats on the Chao Phraya, street food stalls, rooftop bars and gracious riverside hotels.
Best for Food, temples, a lively start
Northern Thailand’s cultural heart, with hundreds of temples, mountain views, night markets and cooking schools. We work with ethical elephant sanctuaries where you observe rather than ride.
Best for Culture, cooking, slower days
Phuket and the Andaman coast for limestone islands and sunsets; Koh Samui in the Gulf for a quieter, villa-style escape. Each has its own best season, and we choose accordingly.
Best for Beaches, honeymoons, families
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, lakes and coffee culture, then a night aboard a boat among Ha Long Bay’s more than a thousand limestone islands.
Best for First impressions, scenery
A lantern-lit old trading town on the river, with tailors who can turn around made-to-measure clothes in a day or two, cooking classes, nearby beaches and easy cycling through rice paddies.
Best for Couples, food lovers, families
Colonial landmarks, fast-paced streets and a terrific dining scene, with floating markets and riverside villages a short drive away in the delta.
Best for City energy, river life
Sunrise at Angkor Wat, the stone faces of the Bayon and the tree-wrapped ruins of Ta Prohm. Give it at least three nights, with a private guide to time each temple well.
Best for History, photography, wonder
Rice terraces and temples around Ubud, cliff-top villas in Uluwatu and wellness at every turn. Easy to pair with Singapore, or perfect on its own.
Best for Honeymoons, wellness, villas
A garden city of hawker centers, celebrated restaurants, Gardens by the Bay and seamless connections. Two or three nights makes a polished start or finish.
Best for Stopovers, food, families
A closer look
The Mekong is the lifeline of Cambodia and southern Vietnam, and seeing it from the water is one of the region’s great luxuries. Aqua Expeditions sails the river on Aqua Mekong, a design-forward ship with just 20 suites for 40 guests, floor-to-ceiling windows, a spa, a plunge pool and about one crew member for every guest.
Voyages link Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Each day, private tender boats take you to floating markets, silk-weaving villages, temples and riverside towns, then back on board for dinner inspired by the region’s cooking. From mid-August to November, high water can carry the ship toward the Tonle Sap; the rest of the year, Aqua flies guests to Siem Reap at no extra cost.
A cruise pairs naturally with Hanoi and Ha Long Bay before, and Angkor or a beach in Thailand after.
More about river cruisesThe small things that make a big difference once you land.
Each country has its own visa and online arrival card rules, and some change with little notice. We confirm the current requirements for your route and tell you exactly what to file, and when, using only official government sites.
Shoulders and knees should be covered at temples and royal sites, including the Grand Palace in Bangkok and Angkor Wat. A light scarf and breathable long pants or a skirt make it easy.
Cards work well in hotels and better restaurants, but markets and small shops prefer local cash. In Cambodia, U.S. dollars are widely used; bring crisp, undamaged bills.
Outlets run on about 220 volts and plug shapes vary by country, with Singapore using the UK-style three-pin plug. Pack a universal adapter and check that your chargers are dual-voltage.
We schedule temple visits and walking tours for early morning and late afternoon, with time back at the pool or spa in the heat of the day.
Tipping isn’t expected the way it is at home, but it’s appreciated for guides, drivers and great service. Singapore restaurants usually add a service charge. We include simple guidance in your travel documents.
It depends on the country, and the rules change often, so check current requirements before you travel. Today, Thailand allows visa-free visits of up to 60 days (it has said this may shrink to 30), and Singapore up to 90 days. Vietnam requires an e-visa in advance. Cambodia and Indonesia require a visa you can get online ahead of time or on arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least six months past your arrival date with at least two blank pages. We walk you through every step.
Several countries have moved their arrival forms online. Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card is completed within three days before you land, Singapore’s SG Arrival Card within three days, Cambodia’s e-Arrival within seven days, and Indonesia’s All Indonesia card within 72 hours. Use only the official government websites; we send you the links and the timing.
For Thailand, Cambodia and most of Vietnam, November through March is cooler and dry. Central Vietnam around Hoi An is best from February to August, and Bali is driest from April to October. Singapore works year-round. We match the route to your dates so every stop is in its best season.
Two or three is the sweet spot for twelve to sixteen days. Vietnam and Cambodia pair beautifully, often with a Mekong river cruise between them, and Thailand adds a beach finish. Singapore makes an easy stopover, and Bali works as its own escape or a final week.
Yes. Bali charges international visitors a tourist levy of 150,000 rupiah per person, separate from Indonesia’s visa. It can be paid online before you go or at the airport on arrival.
Very much so. Think cooking classes in Chiang Mai, lantern-making in Hoi An, temple scrambles at Angkor and calm beach days in Thailand or Bali. We choose hotels with connecting rooms or villas and keep travel days short.
Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.