Southeast Asia Route: 11 Stops from Vientiane to Ha Long Bay
Explore Southeast Asia's most iconic destinations across 6,864 km, visiting the capital cities of Vientiane, Hanoi, and Bangkok, along with cultural landmarks like Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai, and Hoi An. The route encompasses natural wonders including Inle Lake in Myanmar, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, and Pak Ou Caves in Laos, showcasing the region's diverse temples, rivers, and colonial architecture.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Vientiane
- End
- Pak Ou Caves
- Stops
- 11
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Vientiane — Capital of Laos, located on the Mekong River near the border with Thailand
- Old Quarter — Historic district with Asian and French colonial architecture
- Chiang Mai — Northern Thailand city founded in the 13th century, culturally significant and located on the Ping River
- Inle Lake, Myanmar — Shallow freshwater lake famous for its leg-rowing fishermen, floating gardens, and villages built entirely on stilts above the water.
- Hoi An — Charming town at the mouth of the Thu Bon River on Vietnam's central coast
- Luang Prabang — Historic city at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers in northcentral Laos
- Bangkok, Thailand — Bustling capital city known for ornate Buddhist temples, vibrant street markets, and the winding Chao Phraya River lined with palaces and monasteries.
- Ha Long Bay — Northeastern Vietnam featuring thousands of limestone karst islands
- Mekong Riverside Park — Parks and Buddhist temples along the Mekong River
- Hanoi — Capital of Vietnam, blending old-world charm with modern pace
- Pak Ou Caves — Famous caves near Luang Prabang with nearby waterfalls
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Southeast Asia is known for perfect beaches, tasty cuisine and low prices, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
- Tip
- Expect a tropical climate year-round in Southeast Asia, contrasting with cold winter temperatures in Western countries.
- Where to stay
- Accommodation options range from simple lodgings in remote fishing villages to luxurious hotels in cities and on islands.
- Tip
- Visit the Old Quarter in Hanoi to see an open-air museum of historic Asian and French colonial architecture largely intact.
- Transport
- On the Gili Islands, cars aren't allowed; use horse carriages or bicycles to move around.
- Tip
- At Inle Lake, observe the unique Intha leg rowing technique where one leg wraps around the paddle to propel boats.
- Tip
- Hoi An features hundreds of tailor shops along narrow, winding lanes of the well-preserved old trading port.
- Tip
- Mount Kinabalu's main peak can be climbed by people in good physical condition without mountaineering equipment, but guides are mandatory.
- Avoid
- Komodo dragons at Komodo National Park are the largest lizards in the world and have been known to attack humans, though attacks are very rare.
- Tip
- Ko Phi Phi Leh is the famous filming location for the 2000 movie 'The Beach'.
- Timing
- In Luang Prabang, monks walk through the city collecting alms in the morning, offering a unique cultural experience.
- Tip
- The Ifugao Rice Terraces have been cultivated for 2,000 years by the Ifugao ethnic people without modern tools and remain in use today.
Video on this route
21 Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia - Travel Video