Southeast Asia & Australia Travel Blog
Travel tips for while you’re backpacking Southeast Asia and Australia, or some travel inspiration if you’re sat at a desk wishing you were here. Written by backpackers living or traveling around this side of the world. We’ve got travel advice for Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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Mad Monkey Hanoi: Michelin Street Food Guide to Hanoi’s Old Quarter (2026)
TL;DR Why Is Hanoi Famous for Its Street Food? In Hanoi, a good meal can be as simple as finding a busy street-side stall, pulling up a plastic stool and ordering whatever the locals are having. From family-run noodle shops to charcoal-grilled pork stalls, food is woven into the city’s everyday rhythm. The Old Quarter is a good place to start. In the Old Quarter, you’ll find narrow streets packed with phở stalls, bún chả spots and little cafés. Local favourites sit alongside traditional shophouses, giving each street its own food scene. Some have even earned recognition from the MICHELIN Guide, bringing Hanoi’s established food culture to an international audience. From aromatic noodle broths to charcoal-grilled pork and fresh herbs, Northern Vietnamese cooking has its own character. And the best way to get acquainted with it? Pull up a stool and see what’s cooking. Where Can You Find Michelin-Recognised Street Food in Hanoi? Hanoi’s food culture is part of everyday neighbourhood life. Think morning phở stops, busy lunch counters and family-run eateries where generations of cooks have passed down their recipes. The MICHELIN Guide has helped bring some of these places to a wider audience, adding international recognition to a food scene with deep local roots. Its Hanoi selection includes two distinctions worth knowing: Here are a few places to know if you’re planning a food trail around Hanoi. Where to Eat Phở Gà Trộn in Hanoi? Phở Gà Nguyệt: A Different Take on Chicken Phở If you’ve only tried phở in its familiar soup form, Phở Gà Nguyệt is a good reason to try something different. The restaurant is known for phở gà trộn, a dry chicken phở that combines noodles, tender chicken, and a savoury house sauce instead of the usual bowl of broth. Location: 5b P. Phủ Doãn, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam – MAPContact: +84 777 579 966 It’s a different way to enjoy one of Vietnam’s best-known noodle dishes, and the restaurant’s place in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 Bib Gourmand selection makes it a name worth adding to your Hanoi food trail. Where to Try Bún Chả in Hanoi? Bún Chả Đắc Kim: A Hanoi Old Quarter‘s Go-to Lunch If there’s one dish to make time for at lunchtime in Hanoi, it’s bún chả. At Bún Chả Đắc Kim, you’ll find the classic combination of charcoal-grilled pork patties, grilled pork belly, rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a bowl of sweet-sour dipping sauce. Location: 51 P. Hàng Mành, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam – MAPContact: +84 243 828 7060 The best part is bringing it all together. Dip the pork into the sauce, add some noodles and herbs, and enjoy each bite with a little of everything. In the Old Quarter, Bún Chả Đắc Kim features in the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 MICHELIN Selected category, making it a worthwhile stop on your Hanoi food trail. Where to Eat Miến Lươn in Hanoi? Miến Lươn Đông Thịnh: Michelin Bib Gourmand Eel Noodles in Hanoi For something different from Hanoi’s usual phở and bún dishes, try miến lươn at Miến Lươn Đông Thịnh. They combine glass noodles with eel, with the crispy version served alongside a rich, savoury broth made from eel bones. Location: Hàng Điếu/87 P. Cửa Đông, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam – MAPContact: +84 986 625 555 The restaurant is part of the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 Bib Gourmand selection, giving food-focused travellers another recognised address to explore in Hanoi. What Should You Know Before Exploring Hanoi’s Street Food? Before you start following the smell of…
Mad Monkey Vietnam: 4 Hidden Gems Worth Visiting in Vietnam (2026)
Mad Monkey Vietnam: Volunteer in the Mekong Delta and Explore Vietnam (2027)
Mad Monkey Launches 10-Day Laos Group Trip From USD 400
Mad Monkey Thailand: Where to Shop for Clothes in Thailand (2026)
Budget Travel
Mad Monkey Southeast Asia Trip Planning: How Long, How Much and Which Route First
TL;DR: How Long Should You Spend in Southeast Asia? A week can be enough for a focused adventure. Two weeks gives you more room to connect destinations. What matters is how much of that time you want to spend exploring rather than getting from one place to the next. Seven days in northern Vietnam, for example, gives you time to explore Hanoi before heading into the mountains of the Ha Giang Loop. In Indonesia, a shorter itinerary centred on Gili Trawangan and Lombok puts island time and surfing at the heart of the trip. With 12 to 14 days, you can build in more variety. Vietnam’s longer route connects northern highlights with Ninh Binh and Hoi An, while Cambodia’s itinerary combines Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the coast. Time available Route What to expect 7 days Hanoi and the Ha Giang Loop Mountain roads, village stays and northern Vietnam 7 days Gili Trawangan and Kuta Lombok Island life, snorkeling and surf 12 days, as advertised Indonesia Island Hopping Bali and surrounding islands, including Nusa Lembongan, Gili Trawangan and Lombok 14 days Hanoi to Hoi An Northern and central Vietnam 14 days Phnom Penh to Koh Sdach via Siem Reap and Koh Rong City culture, temples and island time Traveler tip: Every extra destination costs you time, even if it looks close on the map. Build your route around the places you care about most, then leave enough room to enjoy them. How Much Does a Southeast Asia Trip Cost? Your budget depends on how you travel. Booking transport and accommodation independently gives you control over individual expenses, but it also means researching connections and arranging each stay yourself. A planned group itinerary brings several of those costs together, making it easier to understand what you’re paying for before you leave. Here’s a rough idea of what you could spend, depending on the route and how long you want to travel: Itinerary Duration Price in USD Daily Cost in USD Vietnam: Hanoi to Ha Giang 7 days $310 $44 Cambodia: Phnom Penh to Koh Sdach 14 days $650 $46 Indonesia Island Hopping 12 days $700 $58 Vietnam: Hanoi to Hoi An 14 days $850 $61 Indonesia: Gili Trawangan and Lombok 7 days $450 $64 *Prices are per person, in USD, and may vary by departure date. Daily costs are estimates based on the starting price and trip length. Check the booking page for current prices. Can You Book an All-Inclusive Trip Around Southeast Asia? Absolutely! All-in group trips in Southeast Asia bundle accommodation, transport, selected meals and activities into one package, with the price set before you travel. Mad Monkey offers ALL IN trips in Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia, ranging from 7 to 14 days. Routes include the Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam, a journey through Cambodia from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and the islands, and an Indonesia trip covering Gili Trawangan and Lombok. Our ALL IN packages bring the main travel arrangements together, including: Explore our Mad Monkey ALL IN trips to compare routes, inclusions and current starting prices. Which Southeast Asia Route Should You Take First? Start with the kind of experience you want, then choose the destination that fits. Mountain roads, ancient temples and island coastlines offer very different ways to spend two weeks. Vietnam: From Hanoi’s Street Food to the Ha Giang Loop Start in Hanoi with street-side phở and late-night cafés, then head north to the Ha Giang Loop, where the roads wind through limestone mountains and small villages. With more time, you can continue south to Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh and Hoi…
Mad Monkey’s Solo Traveler’s Guide to Social Hostels in Europe 2026
Best Second-Hand Shops Near Mad Monkey Hostels: Thrift, Vintage & Backpacker Garms
Group Trips vs. Mad Pass: The Best Way to Explore Southeast Asia
Top Affordable Activities in Manila for Young Adventurers
Sustainable Travel
Mad Monkey Hostels and KrapMaps Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Sustainable Youth Tourism in Southeast Asia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mad Monkey Hostels, a leader in social and sustainable youth accommodation across Southeast Asia and Australia, has partnered with KrapMaps. KrapMaps is an innovative crowdsourced platform for waste management. This collaboration begins with pilot programs in two key destinations: Uluwatu, Indonesia, and Chiang Mai, Thailand. This initiative tackles a critical issue: waste management in popular tourist areas. It empowers travelers with a practical, community-driven solution. The KrapMaps app helps users find and map public waste disposal points, including recycling facilities. This promotes responsible waste practices and helps create cleaner local environments. “At Mad Monkey, our commitment goes beyond great social experiences. We also foster positive community and environmental impact,” stated Lexie Hadley, Head of Marketing at Mad Monkey. “Our partnership with KrapMaps aligns perfectly with our values. It turns environmental responsibility from a passive idea into an active, engaging experience for our guests. This directly helps preserve the vibrant places where we operate. Ultimately, our community becomes part of the solution, ensuring these cherished locations remain sustainable long-term.” Strategic Imperative: Empowering Responsible Travel Tourism brings economic benefits, but it often creates significant waste challenges. KrapMaps offers a scalable, tech-driven solution. It uses collective action. By gamifying the process of finding waste disposal locations, the platform encourages active participation from backpackers. This turns a common frustration into a constructive contribution. Pilot Program: Uluwatu, Indonesia and Chiang Mai, Thailand The pilot programs are currently operational at Mad Monkey Uluwatu and Mad Monkey Chiang Mai. Guests are actively encouraged to download the KrapMaps application and contribute to the mapping efforts within their local surroundings. This engagement is incentivized through a gamified system where top contributors at Mad Monkey properties can earn exclusive rewards, including complimentary stays and recognition on the global KrapMaps leaderboard. “We are immensely pleased to collaborate with Mad Monkey, a brand that deeply understands and champions community engagement,” commented Harley Treagust, Founder & CEO at KrapMaps. “Our shared vision is to cultivate a global network of environmentally conscious travelers who are proactive in preserving the beauty of their visited destinations. Launching this initiative in Uluwatu and Chiang Mai with Mad Monkey provides an ideal foundation for broader adoption and impact.” About Mad Monkey Hostels Mad Monkey is a leading hostel operator in Southeast Asia, known for experience-driven stays that blend affordable accommodation with community, adventure, and unforgettable social energy. With locations across Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Australia, Mad Monkey is more than a place to stay – it’s a place to belong. About KrapMaps KrapMaps is a pioneering sustainable travel application developed by and for backpackers. As the world’s first crowdsourced platform for locating waste disposal points, KrapMaps leverages gamification and community participation to empower travelers in reducing their environmental footprint and promoting cleaner travel habits.
Solo Travel
Mad Monkey Manila: Solo Female Travel Safety Guide in Manila 2026
TL;DR Is Manila Safe for Solo Female Travelers? Manila is a destination solo female travelers can explore, with a little more planning needed for getting around than for deciding where to eat or spend the afternoon. In Makati’s Poblacion, cafes, Filipino restaurants, and bars sit along streets around Don Pedro and Ebro, giving the neighborhood a social feel, especially in the evening. A few blocks away, the pace can change, and crossing Metro Manila often takes longer than the distance on a map suggests. For many travelers, the adjustment is less about avoiding the city and more about getting used to its rhythm: busy roads, unpredictable traffic, and neighborhoods with very different atmospheres. Poblacion offers places to meet other travelers and explore local food, while a ride-hailing app can make journeys between neighborhoods easier to navigate. Mad Monkey Tip: Manila traffic can change your plans quickly. Keep your accommodation address saved offline and check your return route before heading out, especially if you have an early flight the next morning. Where Should Solo Female Travelers Stay in Manila? For solo female travelers who want to explore Makati on foot, Poblacion puts cafes, Filipino restaurants, and evening hangouts within the same neighborhood. Don Pedro Street and the surrounding lanes are part of the area’s social scene, with a mix of places to eat, meet fellow travelers, and spend an evening out. Mad Monkey Manila is right in Poblacion at 5665 Don Pedro Street, corner Alfonso Street. You can choose between shared dorms and private rooms, with Mad Cafe and the rooftop bar and restaurant on-site when you’d rather stay close to home. It’s also easy to explore the surrounding neighborhood on foot during the day. One thing to keep in mind: Poblacion is a nightlife district, so evenings can get noisy. If you’re a light sleeper or catching an early flight, ask the team about room location before booking. How Should Solo Female Travelers Get Around Manila? Metro Manila has several ways to get around, from ride-hailing apps for door-to-door trips to trains, buses, and jeepneys for everyday journeys. Your total travel cost will depend on distance, traffic, and the time of day. Grab and Taxis Grab is convenient for airport transfers, travelling between neighborhoods, or returning to your accommodation at night. Short city rides often cost around ₱100–₱300 ($1.60–$4.80 USD), while a ride from NAIA to Makati may cost roughly ₱300–₱600 ($4.75–$9.50 USD), depending on the terminal, traffic, and demand. Check the fare in the app before booking. MRT and LRT The MRT-3 and LRT lines connect major parts of Metro Manila, including Quezon City, Manila, Pasay, and areas around Makati. Following the 2026 fare discounts, a one-way MRT-3 journey costs approximately ₱6–₱14 ($0.10–$0.22 USD), depending on the stations. LRT fares vary by line and distance, so check the fare matrix before travelling. Trains can be crowded during rush hour, and designated women-only carriages are available on applicable services. Jeepneys and Buses Jeepneys are useful for shorter local journeys, while buses serve routes along major roads and between key areas. As of late September 2026, minimum fares start at ₱14 ($0.22 USD) for traditional jeepneys and ₱17 ($0.27 USD) for modern jeepneys. Ordinary city bus fares start at around ₱15 ($0.24 USD), while air-conditioned buses start at ₱18 ($0.29 USD). Longer journeys cost more. If you’re unfamiliar with a route, confirm the destination and where to get off before boarding. Carry small cash for fares and keep your belongings close to crowded vehicles. Walking Around Makati Many cafes, restaurants, and bars around Poblacion are within walking distance of Mad Monkey…
