12 Essential Tips for Backpackers Travelling Around Southeast Asia

This has to be my NUMBER-ONE TIP for travellers and backpackers alike, no matter the country you are visiting.

Travelling is a wonderful exploration of beautiful landscapes, architecture, culture, and cuisine. However, that’s not to say that it doesn’t come without risk.

Unfortunately, like everywhere in the world, the chances of pickpocketing are HIGH in many SE Asia countries.

Like many travelers, I became a victim of pick-pocketing myself. This resulted in my passport being taken from right beneath my nose in a very busy walking street in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

I can hear your gasps. It’s true- it is a real travelling nightmare.

Don’t worry, all is well now, and I still managed to continue my six months travelling around SE Asia without going home (there will be another post on what to do if your passport is stolen later on).

However, I cannot help looking back and wish that my small festival bum bag had been a little more secure.

This leads me to my first and honestly MOST IMPORTANT travel tip of using a secure day bag while on your adventures.

Make sure that this bag is difficult to get into. I’d recommend getting a bag with a clasp or another layer of security to help avoid my regrettable mistake.

Bonus tip: when wandering around busier areas, ensure that your bag is on your front (especially if you’re using a rucksack) and keep your hand on the fastening/strap.

Travel Tip 2: Drink store-bought water

The water quality across SE Asia can vary due to industrial pollution and inadequate sanitation, making it unsafe to drink.

There are LOADS of ways around this though, so don’t let it put you off!

You can buy bottled water for cheap from local convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Family Mart. These cost around 25-50 pence so it is really inexpensive to stay hydrated around SE Asia.

Many hostels/ hotels will also provide you with free drinking water as part of your stay, so just be sure to stock up before you head out exploring!

If you’re concerned about the environmental impact it’s a great idea to bring a reusable water bottle. These are a sustainable way to enjoy your travels without adding to the environmental pollution that can be prevalent in some countries.

You can even purchase a water-filtering bottle that can be life-saving when travelling across remote regions.

You can find many water-filtering bottles on Amazon. This LifeStraw Go Water Bottle is a great option that is loved by those travelling to countries where water may be unsafe.

Among the key features of the bottle, LifeStraw Go Water Bottle filters out bacteria including those that cause E.Coli (of which I was a personal victim), and would recommend it for those who wish to reduce their chances of contracting this infection.

Extra tip: there are reverse-osmosis machines across Thailand that purify water so that it is suitable for consumption. These machines only cost 1-2 baht (approximately 2-4 pence!) and are a great way to stay hydrated for less.

Travel Tip 3. Load up on suncream

Again, if you’re looking to stick to a budget then I would definitely advise bringing enough suncream with you prior to heading to SE Asia.

Suncream can be relatively expensive in this region of the world so it’s best to stock up before the flight!

Bonus tip: The sun is pretty strong out there! Make sure your suncream protects you from both UVA and UVB radiation (an SPF higher than 30) for ultimate protection.

Constant sun exposure can leave your skin feeling tight, dry, and flakey later on.

Moisturiser is essential for keeping your skin healthy (and making that tan last as long as possible!).

However, many moisturiser for the face and body found in local stores in SE Asia contain ‘whitening agents‘. These essentially help bleach your skin which is to be avoided if you’re trying to maintain a healthy sun-kissed glow throughout and post travels.

Therefore, ensure you take enough of your favorite moisturiser for the entire duration of your travels if you desire to avoid having to purchase these skin-lightening products.

Source

To avoid those big, red, and itchy bites that can occur from those pesky mosquitoes and other insects while exploring, be sure to use a good insect repellent.

I bought a couple of bottles of Jungle Formula Maximum Insect Repellent with me because of its high insect repellent factor (the higher the factor, the more effective it is). This spray was great!

However, I ended up regularly buying a cheap insect repellent from local 7-Eleven stores (pictured above) that many locals use and it was just as effective!

Many of the wonderful countries in SE Asia are also very large and can take a while to travel across.

You can always use planes to travel quicker between different cities and this is a great option if you don’t have much time to spend on transport. Most flights are relatively inexpensive too (costing anywhere between £20-50 depending on your route).

However, if you are not as pressed for time, have a lower budget, and want to experience a more local way to travel, then I’d definitely recommend taking a night bus/train or ferry to your next destination.

My experience with these is overall extremely positive. The transport is very comfortable, clean and affordable.

Travelling overnight also means that you’re saving money on accommodation for the night as well as being time-efficient by travelling while you’re asleep.

This also gives you time to relax after your busy days exploring, meaning you can sit back (or lie down) and relax while watching a film, reading, or responding to messages from family and friends!

It’s a win-win if you ask me!

With longer journeys, you’ll also stop for toilet and meal breaks at service stations, where you can buy snacks for the remainder of the journey. Hopefully, all this takes the anxiety out of travelling long distances by public transport!

The companies I used to book were mostly local businesses in the cities and towns that offer transportation services.

I also used 12GoAsia. This website is an easy way to find and book transport to your desired destination from your phone!

A lot of toilets/bathrooms around SE Asia will not have toilet paper or somewhere to wash your hands.

But when you got to go, you have GOT TO GO.

Keep a packet of tissues or spare toilet roll (I’d always load up when I could) as well as hand sanitizer to keep feeling fresh after your toilet trip.

This has to be one of the BEST things that I bought prior to my travels.

Different counties in SE Asia will have different plug outlets. To avoid being stuck without being able to charge your phone or searching for a suitable plug, order a universal travel adapter before you go.

This is the universal travel adapter I have used since my first traveling journey and it is still with me today!

The adapter comes with two USB ports and a handy little case to keep your adapter safe when it’s packed.

I honestly swear by having a universal adapter- it saves so much time and worry. A bonus: it’ll be handy to have wherever you go in the world, not just SE Asia.

It’s always good to have a second bank card, especially when in another country.

In case of an emergency, such as losing your first card, take a second to avoid the stress of not being able to withdraw any money.

If you do lose your bank card then remember to cancel it so that no one else spends your money.

Here is a recent article comparing some of the best cards for overseas travels in 2024: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/money-mentor/loans-credit-cards/credit-cards/best-credit-cards-abroad

Koh Tao Island, 2022.

Peak season in SE Asia is generally considered to be between November and April. During these months the weather in especially Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia is drier and cooler. This makes it an attractive time for tourists to go explore the culture and climates of these spectacular countries.

However, more tourists mean higher rates.

It also means that hostels/hotels will be booked up quicker.

This phenomenon also occurs depending on events taking place in different regions.

For example, it is very difficult to find accommodation in Koh Tao a week prior to and after the full/half-moon party events that take place on the neighboring island Koh Phangan.

This is because most travelers will travel to or from Koh Tao around the time that the full/half-moon party takes place on Koh Phangan.

Therefore to avoid disappointment (trust me- you do not want to miss out on Koh Tao) be sure to book your accommodation ahead of time, taking into account the events taking place across the region.

For help in planning your trip around Thailand, check out:

The Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary for Thailand! (For Backpackers

Angkor Wat, 2022.

You cannot visit SE Asia without visiting some of the stunning temples located in the region.

These temples are extremely important to the locals so it is crucial to dress appropriately when visiting.

Most temples will require your knees and shoulders to be covered and you will have to remove your shoes.

If you don’t have anything appropriate to wear, most temples allow you to rent or buy a sarong at the entrance.

Bonus tip: you can buy cheap sarongs, trousers, and t-shirts from local markets- these double up as a great souvenir for when you’re home!

Last but certainly not least: learn basic vocabulary for each country you visit!

Although this is not essential since the English language is widely spoken around SE Asia, it doesn’t hurt to learn some simple phrases such as ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ to show respect to the locals.

Besides- it is a fun way to engage with the culture and even more impressive to show off your new language skills to family and friends at home!

You can easily search for these basic phrases on Google or using the Google Translate app.

Bonus Tip: if you’re concerned about the language barrier, you can download languages on the Google Translate app which you can use when you don’t have a signal or have just arrived in a country without a SIM.

This post contains 12 great travel tips for backpacking in Southeast Asia. Save this post for later!

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