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 Vietnam: 4 Hidden Gems Worth Visiting in Vietnam (2026)
TL;DR: Allow two to three days for each destination, plus additional time for transport. If you’re visiting all four, a 16- to 20-day trip is a more comfortable starting point. Where Should You Go in Vietnam Beyond the Popular Tourist Destinations? Vietnam’s usual backpacker route gets plenty of attention. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City. But what happens when you take a turn away from the familiar stops? You end up in mountain villages where rice terraces shape the landscape, at waterfalls marking the border with China, inside cave systems that stretch beneath the jungle, and along a coastline where fishing boats still set the rhythm of the day. These four places are a reason to look beyond the usual route. Destination Best Experiences Ideal For Time to Allow Pu Luong, Thanh Hoa Trekking through rice terraces, visiting Hieu Waterfall, exploring Thai and Muong villages Slow travel, countryside stays and guided hikes 2 nights Cao Bang Visiting Ban Gioc Waterfall, exploring Nguom Ngao Cave and seeing Khuoi Ky Stone Village Waterfall trips, mountain scenery and cultural experiences 3 days Phong Nha, Quang Binh Taking a boat into Phong Nha Cave, exploring Paradise Cave and kayaking on the Son River Caving, outdoor activities and nature 2-3 days Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Swimming at Ky Co Beach, walking along Eo Gio and trying local seafood in Nhon Ly Coastal escapes, food and Cham heritage 2-3 days Each destination has its own landscape, local traditions, and character. And together, they reveal a side of Vietnam that many travellers miss while following the usual backpacker route. What Is Pu Luong Like, and Why Should You Visit? Around 150 to 160 km southwest of Hanoi, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a quieter stretch of northern Vietnam, with limestone mountains, forested hillsides and rice terraces carved into the valleys of Thanh Hoa Province. The drive takes roughly four to four and a half hours, but the change of pace starts well before you arrive. The scenery is a big draw, of course. But Pu Luong isn’t just somewhere to stop for a viewpoint and a few photos. The reserve is home to Thai and Muong communities. Their villages, traditional stilt houses, bamboo water wheels, and farmland make the landscape feel lived-in rather than simply scenic. What Can You Do in Pu Luong? Pu Luong is best explored on foot, with trails leading through rice fields, traditional villages, and limestone valleys. Here are a few stops worth adding to your itinerary: A half-day guided trek typically costs around ₫350,000–₫500,000 ($13–19 USD), depending on the route and group size. How Much Does a Trip to Pu Luong Cost? Pu Luong has accommodation for different budgets, from simple guesthouses to private bungalows and eco-lodges overlooking the rice terraces. For an easier booking experience, look for places around Don Village, one of the main areas to stay when exploring the reserve. Here are some estimated costs to help you plan: Expense Budget Around Approx. USD Budget guesthouse ₫300,000–₫600,000 per room/night $12–23 Mid-range resort or bungalow ₫1,200,000–₫2,500,000 per room/night $46–96 Local meal ₫50,000–₫100,000 $2–4 Daily food budget ₫150,000–₫300,000 per person $6–12 Half-day trekking guide ₫350,000–₫500,000 $13–19 Motorbike rental ₫100,000–₫200,000 per day $4–8 Bamboo raft on Cham Stream Around ₫50,000 per person Around $2 For food, budget around ₫150,000–₫300,000 ($6–12 USD) per person per day for three simple local meals. Look out for northern Vietnamese favourites such as com lam (rice cooked in bamboo), vit co loi (a local duck dish), grilled stream fish, and rau rừng (wild forest vegetables). Many restaurants and local eateries serve these alongside…
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)
Mad Monkey Phuket: What to Know About Beach Conditions During Rainy Season (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…
