Hi! I am planning a trip to SE Asia in May and have a couple of places that I know I will be visiting but would like some suggestions for the in between times. Here is my very rough itinerary:

May 20th- Hong Kong

May 23 or 24th- open to suggestions please! Thinking about Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia

May 30th- need to arrive in Phuket, we have reservations at a resort for 1 week here

June 6th- Malaysia/Singapore

Sometime after that will be flying to Australia for 2 1/2 weeks and then to New Zealand for 1 1/2 weeks

I would really love if anyone had any suggestions on places that we shouldn't miss.

Also if anyone has any suggestions for cheap accomodations for Hong Kong it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Some great info on Hong Kong on this post

Hong Kong accommodation options here.

Hi there,

I've spent the past 4 months or so in SE Asia. Given your limited time before heading to Phuket, you'll really only be able to go to a couple of places. Assuming you are flying you could do Sapa, Halong Bay and Hanoi in N Vietnam (I'm here right now, its awesome!). Or you could hang out in Siem Reap and do Angkor in Cambodia. Or you can do a week in and around Luang Probang in Laos. All are terrific so it really depends on what interests you.

In Malaysia, don't miss Taman Negara and the Cameron Highlands. Totally the highlights of my time there.

In New Zealand, definitely stick to the South Island. So incredibly gorgeous. Although it will be quite cold when you get there....

Have a terrific trip!

Happily Lost, I couldn't agree more.

You really only have one place you can visit with the week you have open. Depends on costs too. Hanoi, Halong and Sapa would give you a great step into Vietnam without much hastle. By the way, stay at Serenity Hotel in Hanoi... it's amazing.

Laos is great, but hard to get to without that much time. I would really invest my time in Vietnam of all those choices.

Here's another option though... go straight to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I know it doesn't give you another country to experience... but it's awesome. Go straight to the Elephant Nature Park and volunteer for as much time as possible. A week is the best... you'll get to go into villages and meet the locals, trek with (not on) the elephants, came out in the jungle, go cliff jumping in secluded pools... and help an endangered species at the same time! Also you'll meet lots of friends and have a fantastic time.

Malaysia/Singapore... go to Kuching and do Bako National Park and you can see Orangutans and eat tremendously well.

Finally, what do you want to see in Australia and New Zealand. If you're a beachy person, then Australia is a must... but if you're not... consider spending all that time in New Zealand (I know this is a radical opinion) but it's a country that just begs for more time. The South Island is AMAZING, but the north is really cool too. We spent 3 weeks in both islands and it wasn't enough.

Sydney was really cool though, I loved the city.

Oh, don't stay in Mirador Mansions in HK. Not nice at all.

You'll probably need to spend almost $75 for a decent room. Bring extra for great meals too

Not cheap, but an awesome city.

For the couple days - I would suggest spending some time in Bangkok. I stay near Lumphini Park and go over there in the day to do Yoga - it is really nice. I stay at teh Malaysia Hotel - but there are many to choose from.

As for a cheap accomadation in Hong Kong - I never stay there. I always take the metro to Shenzhen - it is a lot cheaper and the pace seems not so over whelming - less touristy - You can get a 3 star Hotel for about 120 rmb ($15) in a good area of town - usually includes breakfast.

best regards