Affordable 29-Day Southeast Asia Adventure from UK to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Bali

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

Hanoi, Vietnam on June 17, 2025

8:00am

Flight from Manchester to Hanoi

Depart early morning from Manchester Airport on a budget airline offering the best rates with one stopover, arriving in Hanoi in the evening.
GBP200 per person, 10h00m

7:00pm

Check-in and Dinner at Pho Bat Dan

Check into an affordable guesthouse in the Old Quarter and enjoy dinner at Pho Bat Dan, famous for authentic and cheap Vietnamese beef noodle soup.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

Day 2: Hanoi Sightseeing

Hanoi, Vietnam on June 18, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Banh Mi 25

Enjoy a delicious traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwich with eggs and pate, perfect for a cheap and filling breakfast.
GBP1.50 per person, 30m

9:00am

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Explore the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the temple on the lake’s island, a peaceful spot in the busy city.
GBP1 entrance, 1h30m

11:00am

Temple of Literature

Visit Vietnam’s first university founded in 1070, a serene place full of history and traditional architecture.
GBP1.50, 1h00m

1:00pm

Lunch at Quan An Ngon

Sample a variety of traditional Vietnamese street foods in a charming courtyard setting at very reasonable prices.
GBP4 per person, 1h00m

3:00pm

Explore Old Quarter

Wander through the bustling streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter with shops, markets and street vendors offering an authentic experience.
Free, 2h00m

6:30pm

Dinner at Bun Cha Dac Kim

Enjoy the famous Bun Cha, grilled pork with noodles in a tasty broth, a Hanoi speciality that's cheap and delightful.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

Day 3: Day Trip to Halong Bay

Hanoi, Vietnam on June 19, 2025

7:00am

Halong Bay Budget Cruise

Take a one-day budget cruise from Hanoi to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay to see spectacular limestone karsts and enjoy a boat lunch.
GBP30 per person, 10h00m

6:30pm

Dinner near Guesthouse

Relax at a local street food stall near your accommodation, trying dishes like spring rolls or grilled skewers.
GBP2 per person, 1h00m

Day 4: Cultural Exploration

Hanoi, Vietnam on June 20, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Xoi Yen

Try Xoi (sticky rice) with various toppings for a typical Vietnamese start to the day.
GBP1.20 per person, 30m

9:30am

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Discover the rich ethnic diversity of Vietnam through fascinating exhibitions and outdoor displays.
GBP2 per person, 2h00m

12:00pm

Lunch at Cha Ca La Vong

Sample Cha Ca, a Hanoi speciality of grilled fish with dill and turmeric, served with noodles.
GBP5 per person, 1h00m

2:00pm

Walk around West Lake

Relax by West Lake, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and enjoy lakeside cafes for a laid-back afternoon.
Free, 2h30m

6:30pm

Dinner at KOTO Restaurant

Dine at this social enterprise restaurant offering affordable Vietnamese cuisine supporting disadvantaged youth.
GBP6 per person, 1h00m

Day 5: Travel to Laos

Hanoi to Vientiane, Laos on June 21, 2025

6:00am

Flight to Vientiane

Fly from Hanoi to Vientiane on a budget carrier with early booking for best prices.
GBP40 per person, 1h15m

9:00am

Check-in and Breakfast at local café

Settle into budget guesthouse and enjoy a traditional Lao breakfast of sticky rice and coffee.
GBP2 per person, 1h00m

10:30am

Visit Patuxai Monument

See the Vientiane version of the Arc de Triomphe with panoramic city views from the top.
Free, 1h00m

12:30pm

Lunch at Kualao Restaurant

Try traditional Lao dishes such as larb and papaya salad at reasonable prices.
GBP4 per person, 1h00m

2:00pm

Explore Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)

Take a short tuk-tuk ride to this fascinating park of surreal Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.
GBP1.50 per person, 2h00m

6:00pm

Sunset dinner by the Mekong River

Enjoy cheap street food like grilled fish and sticky rice at riverside stalls with beautiful views.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

Day 6: Vientiane Culture

Vientiane, Laos on June 22, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Nam Phou Fountain area

Try fresh baguettes with pate and Lao coffee from vendors near the central fountain.
GBP1 per person, 30m

9:00am

Explore Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew

Visit Laos’ oldest temple and the former royal temple-turned-museum in the city centre.
GBP1.20 combined, 2h00m

12:15pm

Lunch at Green Mango Restaurant

Enjoy affordable Lao and Thai fusion street food in a relaxed setting.
GBP4 per person, 1h00m

2:00pm

Relax at That Luang Stupa Park

Visit Laos’ most important national monument and its surrounding gardens for a peaceful afternoon.
Free, 2h00m

6:00pm

Dinner at local night market

Choose from many street dishes such as noodle soups, grilled meats and fresh fruit smoothies.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

Day 7: Day Trip to Vang Vieng

Vientiane and Vang Vieng, Laos on June 23, 2025

7:00am

Bus to Vang Vieng

Take an affordable early morning bus to Vang Vieng for exploring limestone mountains and rivers.
GBP6 per person return, 4h with stops

11:30am

Kayaking and Caving

Rent a kayak and explore Nam Song River and visit Tham Phu Kham cave in the area, offering nature and adventure.
GBP8 per person, 3h00m

3:30pm

Lunch at local eatery

Eat simple Lao dishes like grilled chicken and papaya salad at a roadside restaurant.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

5:00pm

Bus back to Vientiane

Return to Vientiane by bus, arriving in the evening.
Included above, 4h

8:30pm

Light dinner near guesthouse

Have light noodle soup or spring rolls at street vendor before bed.
GBP2 per person, 1h00m

Day 8: Travel to Cambodia

Vientiane to Siem Reap, Cambodia on June 24, 2025

8:00am

Flight to Siem Reap

Fly with a budget airline from Vientiane to Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Wat.
GBP45 per person, 1h20m

10:30am

Check-in and Breakfast

Settle in a budget-friendly guesthouse and enjoy a Khmer-style breakfast with noodles and coffee.
GBP2 per person, 1h00m

12:00pm

Angkor National Museum

Start your temple exploration with the informative museum showcasing Angkor archaeology and art.
GBP9 per person, 2h00m

3:00pm

Visit Old Market and Pub Street

Explore the vibrant market stalls and enjoy a lively atmosphere ideal for cheap souvenirs and street food.
Free entry, 2h00m

7:00pm

Dinner at Lucky Restaurant

Enjoy tasty Khmer dishes like fish amok at a popular budget-friendly venue.
GBP5 per person, 1h00m

Day 9: Angkor Temples Day 1

Siem Reap, Cambodia on June 25, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast at a local stall

Grab a quick and cheap breakfast of traditional Cambodian rice cakes and coffee.
GBP1.50 per person, 30m

7:00am

Explore Angkor Wat

Visit the iconic Angkor Wat temple at sunrise to avoid crowds and see stunning views.
USD37 for 1-day pass (approx GBP30 per person), 4h00m

11:30am

Lunch at Chanrey Tree

Have affordable and flavorful traditional Khmer lunch dishes in a relaxed garden setting.
GBP6 per person, 1h30m

2:00pm

Visit Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm

Explore the stone faces of Bayon and the jungle-overgrown Ta Prohm, famous from Tomb Raider.
Included in ticket, 3h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Marum Restaurant

Enjoy social enterprise dining with delicious Cambodian food supporting local communities.
GBP7 per person, 1h00m

Day 10: Angkor Temples Day 2

Siem Reap, Cambodia on June 26, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Sister Srey Café

Try great coffee paired with healthy and affordable breakfast options in this cozy café.
GBP3 per person, 45m

8:30am

Visit Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean

Day trip to these more distant sites showcasing exquisite carvings and riverbed sculptures.
GBP15 for transport shared taxi, 6h00m

3:00pm

Return and rest

Return to accommodation to rest after a long day of sightseeing.
Free, 2h00m

6:00pm

Dinner at New Leaf Eatery

Enjoy affordable and tasty Khmer food in a welcoming environment.
GBP5 per person, 1h00m

Day 11: Siem Reap to Bangkok

Siem Reap to Bangkok, Thailand on June 27, 2025

10:00am

Flight to Bangkok

Fly budget-friendly from Siem Reap to Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital.
GBP35 per person, 1h15m

12:30pm

Check-in and Lunch at street market

Sample cheap and delicious Thai street food such as pad thai or mango sticky rice near your guesthouse.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

2:00pm

Visit Grand Palace and Wat Pho

Explore Bangkok’s famous Grand Palace and see the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, open until 6:30pm.
GBP13 per person combined, 3h30m

6:30pm

Dinner at Thip Samai Pad Thai

Try arguably the best pad thai in Bangkok, served at very reasonable prices.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

Day 12: Bangkok City Tour

Bangkok, Thailand on June 28, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at On Lok Yun

Enjoy an old-school Thai-Chinese breakfast with coffee and eggs on toast at budget prices.
GBP1.50 per person, 30m

9:30am

Explore Chatuchak Market (Weekend Market)

Shop and sample street food at one of the largest markets in the world (weekends only), open 9am-6pm.
Free entry, 4h00m

2:00pm

Visit Jim Thompson House

Learn about Thai silk and explore a beautiful traditional home museum in central Bangkok.
GBP5 per person, 1h30m

5:00pm

Dinner at Raan Jay Fai

Experience famous but affordable street food, especially crab omelette and seafood dishes.
GBP6 per person, 1h00m

Day 13: Day Trip Ayutthaya

Bangkok, Thailand on June 29, 2025

7:30am

Train to Ayutthaya

Take a local train from Bangkok to the ancient city of Ayutthaya for historic ruins.
GBP2 per person one way, 1h30m

9:30am

Bicycle tour of Ayutthaya

Rent bicycles to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Temple Ruins scattered around the city.
GBP1.50 per person bike rental, 4h00m

2:00pm

Lunch local street food

Enjoy inexpensive Thai dishes from market stalls near the river.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

4:00pm

Return to Bangkok

Train ride back to Bangkok and relax at accommodation.
Included above, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at street vendor near hotel

Try cheap skewers and noodle soup close to your guesthouse.
GBP2 per person, 1h00m

Day 14: Travel to Bali

Bangkok to Bali, Indonesia on June 30, 2025

9:00am

Flight to Bali (Denpasar)

Fly direct or with one-stop budget airline from Bangkok to Bali’s Denpasar Airport.
GBP50 per person, 4h30m

2:00pm

Check-in and Lunch

Arrive at affordable guesthouse in Kuta or Ubud area and relax with authentic Balinese lunch.
GBP4 per person, 1h00m

3:30pm

Beach Walk and Sunset at Kuta Beach

Relax on Bali’s iconic beach and watch the sunset, a free and beautiful experience.
Free, 2h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Warung Murah

Enjoy cheap Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng and satay at this budget-friendly local warung (restaurant).
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

Day 15: Cultural Bali

Ubud, Bali on July 1, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at local café

Try Balinese sweets and coffee at an inexpensive café in central Ubud.
GBP2 per person, 30m

9:00am

Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Explore the forest inhabited by playful monkeys with ancient temples within the sanctuary, opens 8:30am to 6pm.
GBP4 per person, 2h00m

12:00pm

Lunch at Warung Bintangbali

Enjoy delicious and cheap local Balinese dishes in a friendly setting.
GBP4 per person, 1h00m

2:00pm

Explore Ubud Market and Royal Palace

Browse crafts and souvenirs at the market and visit the nearby palace, a cultural highlight.
Free entry, 2h30m

6:30pm

Dinner at Sari Organik

Dine affordably on organic food grown nearby, a favourite of budget travellers wanting healthy food.
GBP6 per person, 1h00m

Day 16: Nature Day

Bali, Indonesia on July 2, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at local street stall

Grab quick roti or banana pancakes with fresh coffee before heading out.
GBP2 per person, 30m

8:00am

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Visit the famous rice terraces for photography and short hiking, a free natural attraction.
Donation-based entry, 2h00m

11:00am

Visit Tegenungan Waterfall

Take a short drive to this popular waterfall for fresh air and swimming, small entry fee applies.
GBP2 per person, 2h00m

1:30pm

Lunch near waterfall

Eat simple Indonesian dishes at local warung close to the waterfall.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

4:00pm

Relax at accommodation or beach

Unwind at your guesthouse or beaches like Sanur for sunset and calm vibes.
Free, 3h00m

7:00pm

Dinner at Made's Warung

Enjoy affordable Indonesian and international food at this budget-friendly warung.
GBP5 per person, 1h00m

Day 17: Relax and Explore

Bali, Indonesia on July 3, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a simple breakfast included with accommodation or nearby café.
Included, 30m

10:00am

Visit Uluwatu Temple and Beaches

Explore cliffside temple and nearby beaches like Padang Padang for beautiful sea views.
GBP2 per person, 4h00m

2:00pm

Lunch at local warung

Cheap, tasty Balinese food like nasi campur or mie goreng.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

4:00pm

Free time and packing

Prepare for departure day or enjoy your last evening in Bali.
Free, 3h00m

7:00pm

Dinner at Warung Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki

Enjoy one of Bali’s famous chicken rice dishes at affordable prices.
GBP4 per person, 1h00m

Day 18: Departure

Bali to UK on July 4, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast and final shopping

Have a light breakfast and pick up last-minute gifts or souvenirs.
GBP3 per person, 1h00m

10:00am

Travel to Denpasar Airport

Take budget taxi or shuttle to Denpasar Airport for return flight to UK.
GBP6 per trip, 1h00m

1:00pm

Flight back to UK (via Bangkok or another hub)

Depart Bali with budget airline, arriving back in UK late evening or next day.
GBP200 per person, 16h estimated