ajor cities for travel in Southeast Asia consist of:
- Thailand : Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket
- Vietnam : Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City
- Laos : Luang Prabang
- Cambodia : Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
- Burma(Myanmar) : Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake
- Singapore : Singapore City
- Malaysia : Kuala Lumpur, Genting, Sipadon
If you want to travel to all the major Southeast Asian cities, it might take you anywhere from one month to three months. However, you do not need to do all of that at once. It might drain your energy and your money out, particularly if you do not have a good plan.
In this article, we talk about the major tourist cities mentioned above, summarize their highlights and estimate the visiting time for each city. Therefore, travelers can pick the city of their choice, suiting their time and interest.
So let's get started!
Thailand
I recommend that you allocate a minimum of three days for Bangkok. There is much to be seen in the city, including the Royal temples and the famous Grand Palace. You could utilize one of the days visiting Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi, both of which offer great sightseeing attractions. Although these places are located outside of Bangkok, they are not too far away from the Thai capital.
Click here for more programs and activities Bangkok has to offer.
Chiang Mai and Phuket are the other famous cities of Thailand. Each city might take three to four days, depending on what you want to do during your visit. Click here for more details.
Vietnam
Hanoi is a famous city in the north of Vietnam. It is an important city, where you see the nave side and the developing part together. Here is a two-day program we suggest for your visit to Hanoi:
Day 1
Enjoy a half-day tour of the city starting from the Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. The complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose history dates back to the foundation of Hanoi. Take a trip to the Temple of Literature - well known as Vietnam's first university - and the History Museum, displaying an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. Visit the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem and the busling Don Xuan Market before departing for Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sites.
Overnight in Halong
Day 2
Embark on a boat journey for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. After a seafood lunch on board, return to Hanoi, stopping en route at Dong Trieu Pottery Village. Arrive in Hanoi in time to see an evening performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets.
Hoi An, Hue
If you are in Hanoi, you can catch an early morning, flight to Da Nang in order to visit the rich culture cities in Central Vietnam, Hoi An and Hue. It should take 2-4 days for sightseeing. Here are my suggestions:
Day 1 Hoi An
The sightseeing tour of Central Vietnam begins with Hoi An, a town which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced over the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. The tranquility and charm of the town with its low tiled houses and assembly halls scattered along the small streets make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam. After checking into the hotel, we will have time to stroll around the town to explore the lively central market and visit the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the many temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance.
Overnight in Hoi An
DAY 2 Hoi An - Hue
The journey continues to Hue, Vietnam's imperial capital between 1802 and 1945. Along the way, we make a stopover at the sensational Marble Mountains before arriving in Danang City for a visit to the Cham Museum, home to Vietnam's largest collection of Cham treasures. We then follow the road hugging the central coast before crossing over the scenic Hai Van Pass and dropping down to the fishing villages of Lang Co. On arrival in Hue, we enjoy a cruise on the Perfume River, stopping at the bustling Dong Ba Market and the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda; then we visit the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
The sightseeing tour of Hue concludes after a visit to the elaborate tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.
