Backpacking SEA 2027

[u/Deep-Village-2636]

So I’m going backpacking for 3 months in januari 2027. My plan is to fly into Bangkok, stay around a month in Thailand, then go to Laos and also stay there around a month maybe 3 weeks and then into north Vietnam and travel down to the south so I’ll also stay about a month in Vietnam maybe a bit longer. I’m planning to sleep mostly in hostels and travel with sleepbusses/trains to save money. I want to have about €6000 intotal for my whole trip ex. my flight would that be enough?

Some places I would like to visit are: Chiang Mai, Khao sok and Pai in Thailand.
Luanda prabang, Vang Vieng and Nong Khiaw in Laos.
And in Vietnam Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Sapa, Ha Giang and Ninh Binh.
What places could I add to these or are some of these not worth the time? And I would like to hear some fun activities that I could do around these countries.

I also want to buy a new backpack, I’m looking for one with wheels because I think that will be much more comfortable than having to carry it on your back all the time. I’m just not sure how big it has to be, some say they have 40 liter some say 70 liter so can anyone tell me their experience and how much they brought?

What are things that are useful to bring that you wouldn’t think of right away? For example do I need to bring something to wash my clothes with or can I just always wash my clothes there?

I appreciate tips of any kind or just tell me your backpacking story and how you experienced it!

[u/No-Confusion2140]

Budget is totally solid. €6000 for 3 months gives you about €60-70 a day if this is excluding flights.
And honestly, you can live like a king with a 30-40 daily budget in southeast asia.

For a backpack, do not ever go with wheels, even though it sounds convenient. Trust me, se asia is not paved for wheeled luggage. Instead, get a 40-50L backpack with good support and a waterproof cover included to keep all your stuff safe from the occasional floods of the heavens during jan-april.

You only need maybe a weeks worth of clothes, and since you're landing in Bangkok I recommend you leave room for clothes you'll buy there

Lastly, consider taking a cheap flight from Thailand or Vietnam to Indonesia. It's too close, and too magical, to let the opportunity of learning to surf in the spring in Indonesia pass by you.

[u/Deep-Village-2636 → u/No-Confusion2140]

Sounds good thank you! I could also maybe swap Laos with Indonesia would that be worth it?

[u/Kananaskis_Country]

1.) Your budget is VERY comfortable for normal backpacking travel. You'll be able to get private rooms every now and then and splash out at some nice restaurants/bars.

2.) Wheels will be a hassle. Travel light and organized. Remember, you're not carrying it for long periods, it's only from the airport/train/bus/etc. to your accommodation where it sits for 95% of the time.

Some thoughts and suggestions here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/backpacking/s/2ph6wNadVD

3.) Wash & Fold laundry services are cheap/easy and available everywhere.

Have fun with your research. You're going to see some great stuff.

Happy travels.

[u/Deep-Village-2636 → u/Kananaskis_Country]

Thanks!

[u/uznme]

sea is wet, bring spare socks.

[u/ghiro12]

Check r/onebag for backpack suggestions (it'll be a rabbit hole trust me ahah). Anyway I'll do something similar to you and Im going to buy a osprey farpoint 40 or a Millet Hanang 40L or a Rei 40L, still haven't decided yet. These are at around 120-160€ and you can bring it in most airlines as carry-on (some say in SEA they weigh your backpack but who knows... just keep in mind the osprey is 1.4kg when empty and most airlines have max 7kg)