A lot of people headed to South East Asia will be seeing more than one country. Often it’ll be Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and sometimes Laos too. Burma is less frequented because of ongoing human rights issues, with the United Nations reporting incidences of child labour, human trafficking and limited freedom of speech with great frequency. As such, many backpackers boycott the country, although the more up-market trips to Burma seem less affected by politics.

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are all at different stages of development. Thailand has long been the most developed of the three countries, with the other two looking up to it. The slight drawback of Thailand doing so well, is that once unspoiled beaches are now hideously over-developed, and not the images of paradise they once were.

Patong Beach on Phuket is a perfect example of this. Here you will find thousands of tourists milling around the vast number of themed bars with Thai lady boys attempting to lure them in with a flutter of their beautiful eyelashes. And Ko Pha Ngan has become overcrowded with the number of backpackers, seemingly increasing each year as more and more kids take gap years after school.

At home, loads of travel agents put up beautiful images of Phuket in their shop windows. It is the number one destination in Thailand. But as an alternative to Phuket for your holiday, or Ko Pha Ngan, why not go to Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam? Here you can sit on the beach as much as you like and take breaks to do really cool things like motorbiking on the open dirt track roads, or sea kayaking or scuba diving. Photos of you doing all three will beat close-ups of your face any day.

John Hutchinson has enjoyed travelling since he was a young boy when his parents first took him to visit family overseas. Since leaving home, John has tracked down family all over the world and regularly jets off to faraway lands to see distant relatives.

There are several dishes in Vietnam that are regional delicacies. The one you’ll probably hear about the most is beef noodle soup – you may struggle with trying everything if you’re a vegetarian, but you can always try the most similar vegetable-based dish on the menu.

Bún bò Huế or spicy beef noodle soup originated in Huế. It is made with beef bones, shrimp paste (something you will find in many Vietnamese dishes), dried chilli and lemongrass. The best place to eat Bún bò Huế is probably in Huế. Huế is set on the Perfume River, so called because of the scent that emits from the local flowers that drop into the water. Huế has many great restaurants. In keeping with the chilling out vibe, taking a boat up the river before your meal to lazily explore some of the hillsides and pagodas is a lovely way to while away a day.

It is worth noting that because of the French occupation in the 19^th century, you will find amazing pastries in many places in Vietnam. Particularly good, are those in bakeries in the French influenced buildings in Hoi An, where you might have stopped because your guidebook tells you about the tailors here, who can whip up a suit or dress in less than three days for you. Hoi An has its own speciality dish – Cao Lau. Cao Lau usually consists of thick noodles with basil or mint, served with green vegetables or salad and with thin pork slices and croutons on top. Enjoy.

John Hutchinson has enjoyed travelling since he was a young boy when his parents first took him to visit family overseas. Since leaving home, John has tracked down family all over the world and regularly jets off to faraway lands to see distant relatives.

Image: Jared Kelly

First stop was the prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton, made famous more recently for its previous incarceration of US senator John McCain. It was here that American POWs were held during the Vietnam War and visiting it was both fascinating and moving in equal measure. After that myself and my travel buddies headed to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the final resting place of the former president himself. We were in luck as he had just arrived back from a stint of being ‘freshened up’ in Russia, so we were able to enter the tomb and file past his glass-encased body guarded by soldiers. To say he’s looking a bit yellow and waxy would be an understatement, but after years of chemical preservation, who can blame him? It is forbidden to take photos inside the mausoleum, as well as showing any kind of facial expression whatsoever or making any movements with your arms. This just somehow adds to the slightly surreal and intimidating atmosphere.

Image: jgsprenger

From here it was on to Ho Chi Minh’s former residence, a lovely palace and outbuildings along with a placid lake; fairly modest considering who it used to house. And finally, of course, no trip to Hanoi would be complete without a trip to see the water puppet show at Than Long Theatre. The cheaper seats are the best as you get a better view and reduce the chances of getting splashed, but even the most expensive tickets are still low in price. I have to say that I wasn’t as blown away by the puppetry as I had hoped and the production is fairly childish in it’s conception (well, it is puppets after all) but I was glad I had experienced it because it is such a well-known part of the culture and something every visitor should be able to say they have seen.

Image: Kirk Siang

I can’t profess to having seen all of Hanoi. Even my over-priced cyclo ride back to the budget hotel through rush hour traffic didn’t manage to open my eyes to all it had to offer. The people of Hanoi certainly make you work for their kindness unlike in other parts of the country. But it is all these eccentricities which make it a fascinating city and one which is worth taking time to explore.

Currently trying to downsize her life in an attempt to be able to travel more, Julia has a penchant for good food and cheap beer. Most recently having visited parts of SE Asia, her confused ramblings can be found over at Homeless and Confused. 

So what exactly did I get up to?

- Nearly drowned whilst tubing.

- Trekked through the jungles of Thailand.

- Didn’t sleep for 5 days when I went to the Full Moon Party.

- Chilled out with a slice of Pai.

- Witnessed what happens when a tiger wants revenge.

- Lost myself in the paradise that is Koh Phi Phi.

- Watched Neanderthals discover fire in Bali.

- Cruised down the Mekong River.

- Saw a baby elephant give tourists quite a scare.

- Found Nemo!

Quite an experience wouldn’t you agree? South East Asia is an incredible region of the world and I intend to spend much more time there in the future. If you want to see more highlights check the video above!

Before I leave just wanted to give you a little present. Asia really is incredible and here is just a glimpse of some of the beauty here. Enjoy!

Having recovered from my tubing injuries I made my way down to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, to catch a flight with Laos Airlines to Hanoi, northern Vietnam. Most travel agents would laugh when they gave me the choice of Laos or Vietnam Airlines and I choose Laos (it’s cheaper!). This of course filled me with so much confidence.

I can’t say I have been on a plane where it’s had propellers or when they have been pumping up a flat tire as the passengers boarded. I think what clinched it for me was the signs that said “You’re safe with us”. I was thinking… are you sure? Despite that, Laos Airlines was rather pleasant and even better than some of the low budget airlines back in the UK. It definitely beat the alternative 36 hour bus ride which came complete with no leg room, bags of rice and animal feed.

Something I have always wanted to see was Halong Bay. Google it, it’s beautiful. I booked on a three day boat trip where you stay on a private island in luxury bungalows on a private beach. Sounds amazing right? What was also great to hear was that 5 people died doing the same trip a few days ago due to a typhoon. Even though it is clearing up now another typhoon is on the way and I just thought is it really worth the risk. I’m not that strong a swimmer…

I am pretty much stuck here in Hanoi which is the worst city I have ever been in. I am sure it has its beauty somewhere but I am yet to find it. I’ve been hit by a moped once and it’s hardly surprising considering that they drive like nutters and there are thousands of them around. What also worries me is that you never see a dog here where as anywhere else in Asia there are loads of them. Either they all have got run over or they end up in peoples dinner. I’m sure I saw one on a spit when I was driving in to the city…

The storms have royally messed up some carefully laid plans. There are reports that parts of Vietnam are under 3 metres of water and it can take up to two weeks for things to clear up. There are no buses or trains going south at all. My trip to Vietnam has ended before it had really begun. It’s a shame that my impression of Vietnam is based solely on this one city.

Weighing up my options I have decided to fly back to Bangkok and head south in search of beautiful beaches and weather. This does mean that I won’t get to see the rest of Vietnam and I won’t be going to Cambodia now either. It’s a shame that it has come to this but there is nothing I can do about it. Maybe I’ll come back here later in life, who knows!

This does have a knock on effect for the rest of my trip but I can’t really think about that now. I’ve got a Full Moon Party to look forward to!

As there is a strong French influence here (for example, you can’t get bread only baguettes) I’ll simply end with this.

Auf wiedersehen….

Erm… wait, what…?

That’s what happens when you travel with a German…

Au revoir.