South East Asia tours & holidays

The region of South East Asia encompasses the following countries:

• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Cambodia
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Myanmar
• Timor-Leste
• Laos
• Brunei

Whether you need a visa to travel to South East Asia depends on what country you're a national of and which country you travel to.

Generally, passport holders from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom don't need visas to travel around South East Asia, but visa requirements will vary from country to country.

For example, citizens from the previously mentioned countries will need a visa to travel to Vietnam, however, they won't require a visa for Thailand. 

If you're unsure of the visa requirements of the country you're travelling to, it's best to check on government-run websites or at your nearest embassy or consulate. 

The internet access in South East Asia can vary from country to country and between different regions in that country.

Most hotel chains or other accommodation options in major cities will have wi-fi, so it'll be easy to connect to the internet.

Buying an international SIM card with a local provider is recommended if you'd rather have no restrictions (and no exorbitant data roaming fees). This still doesn't mean you're guaranteed to have access to the internet though as the signal is often limited or unreliable in rural areas in countries such as Laos, Timor-Leste and Myanmar. 

The toilet facilities in South East Asia differ depending on which country you're in and what region of that country you're in.

Most major cities have westernised toilet facilities in places such as restaurants and hotels, but the further from urban areas you are, the more likely you'll find squat toilets, so set your expectations accordingly.

Toilet paper is also a rare find unless you're in major cities or popular tourist areas, so it's best to always pack your own in preparation. 

There aren't many countries in South East Asia where the tap water is recommended for drinking, especially in Laos and Cambodia.

To avoid getting sick, buy bottled water or use filtered water to brush your teeth.

You should also be mindful when showering, ask for drinks with no ice in them and peel all fruit before you eat them.

While Malaysia is considered to have the safest drinking water, it still has a different mineral content than your stomach might be used to so it's best to stick to filtered or bottled water where possible. 

The best time to travel to South East Asia is between November and February when the weather is relatively dry, humidity levels are low and temperatures are warm but not uncomfortable.

However, this is considered to be 'peak season' so expect large crowds at popular tourist destinations and increased accommodation prices in major cities.

If you want to avoid all of that, try travelling during the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November.

If you can, avoid travelling from June to August as this is South East Asia's rainy, cyclone season. 

While it might not be as prevalent as it is in the US, tipping is still part of the culture in most South East Asian countries.

How much you tip and in what scenarios tipping is expected will differ depending on the country you travel in.

For example, tipping isn't expected or required in Malaysia and Singapore (and can even be considered rude), but countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are starting to accept tipping culture. 

The currency you need when travelling in South East Asia depends on which countries you'll be visiting, with each country having its own currency.

Here is a list of countries with their currencies:

• Vietnam - Vietnamese Dong (VND)
• Indonesia - Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
• Singapore - Singapore Dollar (SGD) 
• Cambodia - Cambodian Riel (KHR)
• Malaysia - Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 
• Thailand - Thai Baht (THB)
• Philippines - Philippine Peso (PHP)
• Myanmar - Myanmar Kyat (MMK)
• Timor-Leste - United States Dollars (USD)
• Laos - Lao Kip (LAK)  
• Brunei - Brunei Dollar (BND)

It's worth bringing cash with you if you're travelling around South East Asia, as paying with cash is still very prevalent in most countries.

Countries like Vietnam and Thailand are big on markets and hawker hall type cafeterias, so having cash is usually the easiest way to buy things and makes bargaining for items more accessible.  

Most of the countries in South East Asia have a thriving LGBTQIA+ scene, especially Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Discretion is still advised for travellers of the LGBTQIA+ community when it comes to public displays of affection, particularly if you're travelling away from the larger cities to more rural areas where acceptance of same-sex relationships may not be as common. 

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex before you travel.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.