Southeast Asia Itinerary: 2-Week, 3-Week and 1-Month Routes for 2026

The best Southeast Asia itinerary for a first trip is two weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and the temples of Angkor. With three weeks you can add Thailand, and with a month you can travel through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand at an easy pace. The secret is to travel in one direction, fly between countries rather than backtracking, and give each stop at least two or three nights. Below are four routes we plan most often, with when to go, the 2026 entry rules for US travelers, and tips for traveling through Southeast Asia smoothly.

Southeast Asia itineraries at a glance

2-week Southeast Asia itinerary: Vietnam and Cambodia

• Days 1–3, Hanoi: the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature and a street-food evening.
• Days 4–5, Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay: an overnight cruise among the limestone islands, with kayaking and caves. See our Ha Long Bay cruises.
• Days 6–9, Hoi An: fly to Da Nang for the lantern-lit old town, a cooking class, the coconut forest and a day trip to Hue or the Marble Mountains.
• Days 10–13, Siem Reap: fly to Cambodia for Angkor Wat at sunrise, the faces of the Bayon, Ta Prohm and the floating villages of the Tonle Sap.
• Day 14: fly home from Siem Reap, usually via Bangkok, Singapore or Seoul.

Our Vietnam and Cambodia itineraries show 10- to 21-day versions of this route.

2-week alternative: Thailand, Laos and Cambodia

• Days 1–3, Bangkok: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, a long-tail boat through the canals and a rooftop dinner.
• Days 4–6, Chiang Mai: old-city temples, Doi Suthep and an ethical elephant sanctuary.
• Days 7–10, Luang Prabang: fly to Laos for the dawn alms-giving, Kuang Si waterfalls and a boat to the Pak Ou caves.
• Days 11–14, Siem Reap: the temples of Angkor, then fly home.

3-week itinerary: Vietnam, Cambodia and a Thai beach

Follow the two-week Vietnam route, then add Ho Chi Minh City and an overnight in the Mekong Delta before flying to Siem Reap. Finish with four or five nights on a beach: Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui depending on the month. This is the route of our Southeast Asia Wonders journey.

1-month Southeast Asia itinerary

• Week 1: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh or Sapa.
• Week 2: Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.
• Week 3: Luang Prabang and Siem Reap.
• Week 4: Bangkok, then the Thai islands, or a final week in Bali.

See our Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia and Bali journeys for ready-made versions you can change.

When to go

November to March is the best time for most of mainland Southeast Asia: dry and less hot in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and southern Vietnam, and cool in Hanoi. Central Vietnam, around Hoi An, is best from February to August and gets heavy rain from about September to December. Thailand’s Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) is best from November to April, while Koh Samui and Bali are better in the middle of the year. March to May is the hottest period; from about May to October the rains bring green landscapes and fewer visitors. More detail in our best time to visit Southeast Asia guide.

Entry rules for US travelers in 2026

• Vietnam: e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, applied for online before you go.
• Thailand: visa-free entry, but for entries from 15 September 2026 the permitted stay for US citizens has been cut from 60 to 30 days. Thailand also requires an online Digital Arrival Card before you land.
• Cambodia and Laos: both offer e-visas, and visas on arrival at main airports.
• Passport: valid for at least six months, with blank pages for stamps.

Rules change often, so check each country’s official government site before you book flights.

Getting between countries

• Fly: short regional flights link Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang and Bangkok, and save whole days on the road.
• Overland: the land border between Thailand and Cambodia has been closed to travelers since 2025 (Thai officials said in July 2026 it would stay shut), so fly between Bangkok and Siem Reap. Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh still works by road or Mekong boat. See our Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand trip guide.
• By river: the two-day slow boat on the Mekong from the Thai border to Luang Prabang is a classic for travelers with time.

Tips for traveling through Southeast Asia

• Do less, see more: three nights per stop beats a new city every day.
• Go one way: plan an open-jaw ticket, arriving in Hanoi and leaving from Bangkok or Siem Reap.
• Dress for temples: shoulders and knees covered at Angkor, the Grand Palace and Luang Prabang’s temples.
• Cash and cards: cards work in hotels and restaurants; carry small local notes, and US dollars are widely used in Cambodia.
• Health: drink bottled or filtered water, use insect repellent, take travel insurance, and see your doctor about vaccinations before you go.
• Book the bottlenecks early: Ha Long cruises, Christmas and Lunar New Year hotels, and domestic flights fill first.

Plan it privately with My Way Travel

My Way Travel plans private, tailor-made Southeast Asia journeys with named hotels, a private guide and driver in each country, flights between countries and a 24-hour line while you travel. See all our multi-country Southeast Asia tours, the best travel destinations in Southeast Asia, or plan your trip with a specialist. Traveling at a gentler pace? Read Southeast Asia tours for seniors.

Southeast Asia itinerary: FAQ

What is the best 2-week Southeast Asia itinerary?

Hanoi, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Siem Reap. It combines Vietnam’s food and scenery with the temples of Angkor, with short flights between each stop.

How many countries can I visit in 2 weeks in Southeast Asia?

Two, comfortably. Three is possible if you fly between them and keep to one or two stops in each.

What are the must-see destinations in Southeast Asia?

Angkor Wat, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang and the islands of southern Thailand or Bali.

When is the best time to visit Southeast Asia for good weather?

November to March for most of the mainland. Central Vietnam is best from February to August, and Bali and Koh Samui in the middle of the year.

Do US citizens need a visa for Southeast Asia?

For Vietnam you need an e-visa; Cambodia and Laos offer e-visas or visas on arrival; Thailand is visa-free for up to 30 days for entries from 15 September 2026. Check each country’s official site before you travel.

Where should I start a Southeast Asia trip?

Arrive in Hanoi and travel south, finishing in Siem Reap or Bangkok, so you never backtrack.

What are the best tips for traveling to Asia for the first time?

Go slowly, travel in one direction, book a private guide for the big sites, dress modestly for temples, and take travel insurance.