So you’re off on a backpacking adventure around Southeast Asia to soak up the sun, sand, spice and spirituality – what could possibly go wrong?!
Well, you’d be surprised. Most travellers nearly always come home with a few regrets – thankfully not the ‘I crashed my moped, concussed myself, lost all my belongings and then got deported’ sort of regrets, but more the kind that revolve around the things they didn’t see or do – things they could have seen and done if they hadn’t been hungover in bed, or at least could have done better.
So we thought we’d put together a list of travelling do’s and don’ts to ensure you suck every last drop of fun out of your Southeast Asian adventure – this applies if you are planning to book a tour of Southeast Asia, and those travelling independently.
1. DO take a tour
If you’re on a limited time frame or budget, the best way to experience Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and/or Cambodia is on an Asia adventure tour. Some trips covers all of Asia’s best destinations like Bangkok, Angkor Wat, Phuket, Hanoi, Hue and Nha Trang, as well as some mind-blowing off the beaten path places like Phong Nha Ke Bang and Mai Chau. These tours include transport, accommodation and breakfast, and start from as little as £250!
2. DON’T lie in
Remember the Thai proverb, “Maa gaawn dai gaawn”, meaning ‘the early bird catches the worm’. Or in this case, the best photos of some of the most gorgeous places on earth, while they’re still free from hoards of tourists wielding selfie-sticks and weird hats.
You might be hungover, you might be tired from travelling through the night to get to your chosen destination, you might just be desperate for the lie-in that three hard-earned months of freedom gives you… but getting to Asia’s top tourist spots before the crowds makes a hell of a difference.
Some of the best sunrises in Southeast Asia happen over Koh Phi Phi’s Maya Bay (the Beach), Java’s Borobudur temple, and Bagan, a thousand-year old complex of temples and pagodas in Myanmar. But the absolute must-not-be-missed sunrise spot is Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. This Khmer city is so big, you’ll need to set off before sunrise to squeeze it all in. Beat the crowds without any fuss on a Cambodia tour.
3. DO make the most of your free time
The beauty of a tour is that it shows you the very best of a country without wasting any time. You can put your feet up rest assured you’ll be taken around the very best sights, sounds and smells on offer. But that doesn’t mean to say you shouldn’t stray from the itinerary during the hours when there’s nothing scheduled.
Instead of lounging at your hostel or hotel, get out and stroll around the local markets, hit up some nightlife recommended by your guide, or hitch a tuk tuk to a temple or monument that isn’t included on the trip itinerary. It’s not a competition, but nobody wants to be the traveller with the least tales to tell at the end of their trip!
4. DO take a cooking class
Take the opportunity to take up a traditional cooking class. OK, if you struggle even cooking a basic stir-fry we’re not promising you’ll come away as the next Chef McDang, but these afternoons end up being most travellers’ highlights. Taking a recipe for the perfect green curry, Massaman or Khao Soi home with your to show off to your mates beats the usual Thai souvenirs such as bracelets with swear words stitched onto them, or elephant-clad fisherman trousers.
5. DON’T be scared of trying the local food
We all know one of the biggest pleasures of travel (and general life) is eating. Some unmissable street food is Vietnamese pho, which you can find almost everywhere for as little as £1, Northern Thailand’s speciality of Khao Soi – a delicious curry based noodle soup flavoured with sweet basil, lemongrass and chilli, and Cambodia’s sweet treat, Amok curry, filled with seafood straight from the Mekong.
6. DO listen to your tour guide
If you’re anything like us, you’ll have already devised an entire Spotify playlist for your travels so you can gaze out of the bus window listening to Moby’s ‘Porcelain’ whilst green rice terraces and swaying palms fly past. Or, also like us, you’ll be napping off last night’s exploits with your cheek firmly pressed against afore-mentioned window. But care to pull your earphones out for a few minutes when you hear your tour guide clear their throat, and you’ll discover a whole wealth of knowledge about the country you’re in. From Thailand’s weirdest and most wonderful traditions, to Vietnam’s fascinating history, your guide’s information will help your trip resonate so much more.
7. DO Volunteer
There are so many rewarding volunteering programs in Asia, throughout the region you can find lots of ways to help. From working with elephants volunteering in Thailand to helping disadvantaged communities and people in rural Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. You can find short and long term opportunities, some are just for a day whilst others can be joined for months. Search all volunteer projects abroad for more options.
8. DO socialise with the locals
You’d be surprised how far a smile goes while you’re travelling. The most authentic tastes of a country come from the people who call them home – so say hello, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you both speak the same language, and laugh along with their jokes even if you don’t. You could even end up getting invite back for dinner with a family or be given a special gift.
For the very best of the local life, take a trip to tour Thailand and the north of the country, where you’ll trek to local tribal villages and stay in homestays.
9. DON’T turn down a night out… no matter where you are in Asia
…Apart from maybe if it’s to a shifty local’s house, and they’re trying to entice you with a laminated menu of interestingly named massages. That has the potential to get a bit weird. But most Southeast Asia tours include a fair share of legitimate alcohol based activities.
Some nights out are included in the trip itinerary, whilst others, you’ll no doubt be roped into by your awesome new travel friends once the days activities are over.
The streets (and beaches… and jungles) of southeast Asia come alive at night, so even if you don’t feel like drinking, or dancing, get out of your hostel and soak it all up, if only for an hour. Don’t forget – you decided to take a gap year in Asia or go backpacking to make long-lasting memories (and a friend or two) after-all… and does a good night’s sleep result in these?
10. Whatever you get up to, DON’T be hungover
Nobody wants to miss the boat or bus because they were too sick from Sangsom to leave their hostel bed.
Take it from us – we know what it’s like first hand to be stranded on Koh Phangan with no friends, shorts, or means of transport off the island for 24 hours because we fell asleep under a palm tree at a Half Moon party.
Have fun, but say no to that last buket or shot – you’ll thank yourself for it on the next day of your adventure.
11. DO travel light
If all else fails and you are biblically hungover, you need to make sure you’ve packed lightly enough to be able to lug your belongings down the stairs of the hostel and onto your next mode of transport. Don’t take belongings you won’t need or can’t carry, and always throw everything in your backpack the night before an early start so you get that extra fifteen minutes in bed.
12. Stay
The chances are you will absolutely love south east Asia and if you really don’t want to go home why not consider staying longer? There are lots of ways for foreigners to work in Asia, you could take a TEFL certification and then get paid to teach in Asia.