Practical Information

So your journey through Southeast Asia starts relaxed and well prepared, we've gathered the essentials here – from money and staying connected to luggage, safety, tipping and health. With a little planning behind you, you can arrive ready to focus on the temples, beaches, food and warm welcomes that make an Asiaventura trip so special.

Whether it's your first time in the region or you already know it well, these notes will help you feel confident from the moment you land.

Southeast Asia is still largely a cash economy, so it's wise to carry local currency for markets, street food, tuk-tuks, small shops and tips, while Visa and Mastercard are accepted in city hotels, larger restaurants and shops. ATMs are plentiful in towns and cities and are the easiest way to get cash – note that local ATMs often charge a withdrawal fee, so take out sensible amounts.

Each country has its own currency – the Vietnamese dong (VND), Thai baht (THB), Cambodian riel (KHR) and Malaysian ringgit (MYR) – and in Cambodia US dollars are widely used alongside the riel (bring clean, newer notes). Tell your bank you're travelling, and keep some small notes handy for tips and taxis.

Southeast Asia is well connected: mobile coverage is good in towns and cities, and Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and restaurants. It can be patchy on islands, in the mountains and in national parks, so download offline maps and key information before you set off.

A local SIM or eSIM is cheap, fast and very handy for navigation and messaging – tourist SIMs are easy to buy at the airport in most countries, or set up an eSIM before you travel. For occasional browsing, hotel Wi-Fi is usually enough. Grab (the region's ride and delivery app) is worth installing for getting around.

We suggest a main bag of around 15–20 kg plus a small daypack for day trips and hand luggage. A soft holdall or wheeled case works best and is easiest to handle on boats, trains and in busy places.

If your trip includes internal or regional flights (common when combining countries), checked and hand-luggage limits can be lower than your international flight, so pack light and check your itinerary. A daypack is ideal for temples, walks and day trips. A packing list is included with your booking confirmation.

Southeast Asia is generally a very safe and welcoming region to travel in, and your guide makes sure the group is well looked after. The main things to be aware of are everyday ones: keep an eye on bags and phones in busy markets and cities (bag-snatching from passing scooters can happen, so wear bags across your body away from the road), and be firm but polite with persistent touts.

Take care crossing roads – traffic, especially scooters, is constant, so move steadily and predictably. Use metered taxis or the Grab app, be wary of overpriced tuk-tuk 'deals', and don't leave valuables unattended. Trust your instincts, and your guide is always on hand.

Tipping isn't a deep-rooted tradition in Southeast Asia, but it's increasingly common and always appreciated, especially in tourism. On your trip it's customary to thank your guide and driver at the end – as a guide, around £5–8 per couple per day for the guide and £3–5 per couple per day for the driver is a reasonable benchmark. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving around 10% is welcome where a service charge isn't already included, and small tips for porters, spa staff and boat crews go a long way. It's always a personal choice – never feel obliged.

Mosquitoes are present across Southeast Asia, and while much of the region is low-risk for malaria in the main tourist areas, dengue fever (also mosquito-borne) occurs year-round, particularly in the wetter months. The single best precaution is to avoid bites:

• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, both day and evening (dengue mosquitoes bite by day).
• Wear long, light clothing at dawn and dusk.
• Sleep under a net or in screened/air-conditioned rooms where provided.

Speak to your GP or a travel clinic about whether antimalarial tablets are advisable for your particular route – it depends on exactly where you're going.

For legal reasons we can't make specific vaccination recommendations, so please see your GP or a travel-health clinic in good time – ideally 6–8 weeks before you go. Commonly recommended jabs for the region include hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus, and sometimes hepatitis B or rabies depending on your itinerary. If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, a certificate is required.

To keep your stomach happy, drink only bottled or filtered water (avoid ice where you're unsure), favour freshly cooked hot food, and pack rehydration sachets and any personal medication in your hand luggage. Arrange travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation, and check the latest advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Protecting nature and wildlife

Southeast Asia's rainforests, reefs and rivers are precious and, in places, fragile. Please avoid attractions that involve riding, touching or posing with captive wild animals, don't buy souvenirs made from coral, shells or endangered species, and use reef-safe sun cream when snorkelling. On treks and boat trips, take your litter with you and follow your guide's lead – so these habitats are protected for the future.

In tune with local communities

Meet people with openness and respect, buy handicrafts and produce directly from local makers, and always ask before photographing someone – a smile crosses every language. Giving money or sweets to children is well-meant but can encourage begging; it's better to support schools and community projects through your guide. A little of the local language and a friendly greeting are always warmly received.