Guides for Vietnam

A practical Southeast Asia travel guide for first-time travellers — the best countries to start with, suggested 2-week and 4-week routes, when to go, what it costs, and the planning mistakes that derail most first trips.

A ranked, honest pick of the best Asian countries for first-time travellers — easy to navigate, English-friendly, safe, varied and great value — with what each country does best, when to go, and how much to budget per day.

Everything a first-timer needs for Vietnam — visa rules, where to start, north vs south, scams to avoid, transport, where to eat, and a realistic 10–14 day route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

Honest pick of the best Southeast Asia destinations to take kids — easy logistics, kid-loved attractions, family hotels and the right age range for each. From Langkawi and Singapore to Phuket and Bali.

Tested tactics for cheaper flights to Asia in 2026 — when to book, where to look, which airlines to filter for, and the small tricks that knock $200–600 off long-haul fares. No generic "use incognito mode" advice.

A practical, no-fluff Asia travel checklist for first-timers — documents, packing, money, health and tech. Built from real-traveller debriefs, not generic web templates. Use it 4 weeks before departure.

A ranked pick of the best Southeast Asian islands — from Palawan and Koh Lanta to Lombok and Langkawi. Sorted by what each island does best, with how long to stay and how to get there.

A clear comparison of airport-transfer options at major Asian hubs — train, taxi, ride-hail and pre-booked private — with realistic times and prices for Bangkok, KL, Singapore, Bali, Hanoi, Saigon, Tokyo and more.

The actual mistakes Asia travellers make in 2026 — most have nothing to do with food or visas. From over-packed itineraries to scooter accidents, scam taxis and bad currency advice, here's the honest list.

Practical Asia budget travel tips that actually move the needle — booking, transport, food, accommodation and connectivity. Built from real-traveller spending data, not generic "skip Starbucks" advice.

The cheapest fare is rarely the one you see first. A few habits — and the right search tools — routinely cut long-haul Asia tickets by a third.

Booking tickets in advance saves money — but only on the right platforms. Tourist kiosks and hotel desks routinely mark up the same experience by 30–60%.

Asia rewards travelers who look beyond Booking.com. Family-run guesthouses, riverside bungalows and rice-paddy eco-lodges routinely deliver more atmosphere at a fraction of chain-hotel prices.

Getting around in Asia is rarely the bottleneck — the network is dense and cheap. The real challenge is knowing which mode is safe, which is a scam, and which is genuinely worth the time.

A handful of decisions made at home will save you hours, money and stress on arrival. Work through this list in the four weeks before your flight.

A realistic 7-day Vietnam itinerary covering Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An without burning out on overnight buses. The best 1-week Vietnam route, day by day — built around domestic flights and the slow-travel experiences worth keeping.