One of the most popular backpacking circuits in the world includes Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. It’s cheaper than a lot of other destinations and full of amazing culture, food and people.
I recently spent 33 days exploring these countries with G Adventures and Hostelworld on their new ‘Roamies’ - the Most Southeast Asia trip for 18-35 year olds.
Over 33 days, you get an exceptional look at everyday life in these countries- all while staying in epic hostels with new travel buddies hailing from across the globe.
There are several legs of this trip that travellers can join at various stages or, like me, you can do the full tour which starts in Bangkok and ends in Bangkok in a loop that takes you through all three countries.
The Thai leg of the trip kicks off in Bangkok followed by Srinakarin Dam National Park, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya and brings you up north to Chiang Mai.
The trip covers flights from Chiang Mai to Hanoi where the adventures through Vietnam begin. This leg makes up 16 days of the trip. From Hanoi, you’ll move through the Vietnamese countryside with stops in Ninh Binh, Dong Hoi and Phong Nha. Then it’s on to Hue, Hoi An, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh city before the fishing town of Chau Doc.
From Chau Doc you cross the Tien Bien land border into Cambodia and the first stop here is Kampot. The Cambodian leg of the trip is nine days and includes an island adventure in Koh Rong before moving to the capital of Phnom Penh and finally Siem Reap. The trip ends with two days back in Bangkok for an exciting end to over a month of immersive travel.
Thailand
Explore Bangkok by Tuk tuk
The capital of Bangkok is usually the first arrival point for backpackers to Thailand and it's definitely the right place to kick things off. Our group landed in Mad Monkey Hostel Bangkok, a super-social hostel, right around the corner from Khaosan Road which is where you want to be - particularly if you’re travelling solo and looking to meet new people.
Our first night was spent exploring the Bangkok streets by tuk tuk. For the best street food, go straight to Chinatown and try some jumping prawn salad or Thai Goong Ten if you’re not too squeamish and Pad Kra Pao, which is a stir-fry dish with holy basil and chilli served with rice and very local.
Spend the night on a raft in Srinakarin Dam National Park
This is one that won’t be on every ‘must-do’ Thailand travel itinerary but it was certainly a big highlight for me and a bit off the beaten backpacker trail. About five hours northwest of Bangkok is the Srinakarin Dam National Park in the Kanchanaburi province and here you’ll find unique raft accommodation right on a lake surrounded by incredible mountains covered in evergreen forest.
Here, our group stayed in The Siam Raft which offered free use of all the equipment needed for kayaking and paddle boarding and at night, this area is an ideal location for stargazing too!
Vietnam
Go on a street food exploration of Hanoi
If you’re planning on one street food tour in Vietnam, let it be in Hanoi. Our group spent three days in Hanoi exploring the busy streets and tasting the incredible food here.
The trip included a food tour with Insight Hanoi Travel, and we got to try some incredible dishes. Sitting on the sides of bustling streets on small chairs, eating something delicious as the city buzzes around you feels like such an authentic Vietnamese experience.
We strolled down the narrow streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter dipping into various vendors preparing Banh Xeo - a delicious stuffed rice pancake, Pho Bo - beef noodle soup and Banh Mi - a crusty baguette filled with pork, pate, cured ham and a mix of Vietnamese fresh herbs. We also tried egg coffee, a marshmallow-y mix of espresso with egg yoke, sugar and condensed milk. Don’t let the name put you off, it’s delicious.
See incredible limestone peaks in Ninh Binh
Another destination a little bit off the beaten path is the Trang An Landscape Complex in Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is known for its characteristic limestone peaks that dot the rural landscape. The region is often referred to as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’ because of the huge rock structures that jut out across the terrain.
We spent the night in the Trang An River View Homestay which had the most striking setting at the foot of a cliff overlooking the Sao Khe river. The sunset here was truly magical. The homestay offers its guests bikes to explore the area and you’re sure to be greeted with smiles and waves from the locals.
One of the things I really loved about this trip was getting to see parts of Vietnam I know I wouldn’t have thought to visit if I had planned the trip myself. I generally stick close to the hubs of activity in the major cities or the beach towns of the new countries I visit, so getting to explore Vietnam’s countryside was an experience I will truly treasure.
Cambodia
Party at the Mad Monkey Backpackers resort in Koh Rong
The Mad Monkey backpackers resort in Koh Rong knows how to throw a party! It’s located in the perfect setting in Samloem, Koh Rong, just off the coast of Sihanoukville with its own private beach. Here you can snorkel, dive, hike or head to the pier bar for a swim in turquoise water as the sun sets. You can also hike to other beautiful beaches in the area.
Our group spent Day 26 and 27 of our trip here. The first night was filled with games, including a surprisingly competitive game of limbo before a fire show on the beach brought the night to a close. We stayed in beach huts for our two nights here.
Before 12am you can take a dip to see bioluminescent plankton glow around you.
Wake up early for the sunrise at Angkor Wat
If there’s one thing you need to do while visiting Cambodia, it's watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It’s the largest temple complex in the world, built in the 12th century.
There’s a feeling you get walking through the entrance to the Angkor Wat complex in darkness with just the outline of its iconic cone shaped pillars on the horizon.
As the morning breaks, the features of this extraordinary monument become clearer. It’s very popular with tourists and a very special thing to experience.
After visiting Angkor Wat, there are countless temple ruins to explore in the Angkor archeological park.. Be sure to finish your Angkor exploration with a visit to the jungle temple, or Ta Prohm - it features huge, overgrown tree roots wrapped around ruins, it’s humbling to experience something so ancient.
The G Adventures Roamies: The Most Southeast Asia: Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia starts from €2479 per person, for more details visit gadventures.com
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