Travel to Southeast Asia: temples, islands, street food

Bangkok, Chiang Mai and southern islands like Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta form an accessible first circuit over about 3 weeks. The country remains one of the region's cheapest for independent travelers, with a daily budget of 25 to 40 euros including accommodation and meals. Monsoon hits the east and west coasts differently, which often means good weather can be found somewhere in the country year-round. Thirty-day tourist visas are granted with no prior application on arrival for most European nationalities.

Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta naturally string together along a north-south axis over 3 to 4 weeks, usually covered by train or overnight bus. Sapa, in the northern mountains, offers terraced rice fields and treks among local ethnic minorities, at cool altitudes contrasting with the delta's heat. Climate varies sharply between the cooler winter north and the hot, humid south year-round, which complicates picking a single season for the whole country.

Bali remains the most visited destination, between Ubud's rice terraces, Canggu's beaches and temples like Tanah Lot, but the archipelago counts over 17000 islands with very different atmospheres. The Gili Islands and Nusa Lembongan offer a calmer, less developed alternative just a few hours by boat from Bali. Dry season from April to October remains the most favorable for exploring the archipelago, rainy season making some inland roads difficult to use.

The Angkor site, with more than a thousand temples spread over several square kilometers, is best visited over 2 to 3 days with a pass valid for consecutive or non-consecutive days. Sunrise over Angkor Wat remains the most photographed moment, requiring arrival before dawn to avoid the crowds of visitors. Phnom Penh, the capital, completes the trip with its recent history marked by the Khmer Rouge period, still very present in the country's collective memory.

Land borders between Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam remain generally simple to cross by international bus, with visas granted on arrival for most European nationalities. Budget 4 to 6 weeks to cover three countries without excessive transport time, and plan a margin of several days for land journeys often longer than expected. Rainy season, between June and October depending on the country, remains broadly worth avoiding for an extended overland circuit.