Regional guides
Southeast Asia Travel Guide for Kiwis
Updated 27 September 2026
Southeast Asia is where a lot of Kiwis first learn to backpack, and where plenty keep coming back for the food, the beaches and how far a dollar goes. It's also a region where your phone does a lot of the work: ride-hailing, maps, translation, and a growing list of online arrival forms. This Southeast Asia travel guide is for all of them - first-timers and regulars alike.
Here's what to do in each of the eight most popular countries, what to sort before you fly, and whether one eSIM for the whole trip beats buying one per country.
Quick recommendation
Two weeks in Thailand with maps, Grab, messaging and plenty of photos? Start with the 10 GB plan (30 days, $16.99) on the Thailand eSIM plans page, and size up if you'll be streaming or hotspotting a laptop.
Where to go in Southeast Asia
Thailand
Thailand has it all within a day's travel - Bangkok's temples and street food, the mountains around Chiang Mai, and islands from Phuket to Koh Lanta.
Things to do
- See the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, then eat your way through Yaowarat (Chinatown).
- Visit the old city temples of Chiang Mai and an ethical elephant sanctuary.
- Island-hop Krabi, the Phi Phi Islands or Koh Lanta.
Good to know
- You need to complete the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within the three days before you arrive.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and never disrespect images of the royal family.
Vietnam
Vietnam runs 1,600km from the mountains of the north to the Mekong Delta - Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City all in one trip.
Things to do
- Cruise Ha Long Bay or quieter Lan Ha Bay among the limestone islands.
- Wander the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An and have clothes tailored.
- Ride the Ha Giang Loop or trek the rice terraces around Sapa.
- Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City.
Good to know
Apps worth having before you land
- Grab - The region's all-in-one app for cars, motorbike taxis and food delivery in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia - prices are fixed up front, which saves haggling.
- Offline maps - Download Google Maps areas for islands, national parks and anywhere you'll be on a boat.
- A translation app - Handy for menus and taxis outside the big cities, especially in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
One eSIM or one per country?
If you're visiting more than one of these places, a regional bundle means one eSIM for the whole trip - no new QR code at each border. If you're mostly in one country, its own plan is usually cheaper. Current options:
- Asia · 14 countries - covers 7 of 8 of the places in this guide, from $8.99
- Asia · 20 countries - covers 7 of 8 of the places in this guide, from $9.99
- South East Asia · 8 countries - covers 7 of 8 of the places in this guide, from $9.99
Single-country plans
Things to know before you go to Southeast Asia
- Arrival cards - Thailand (TDAC), Malaysia (MDAC) and Singapore (SG Arrival Card) all want an online arrival form in the days before you arrive, and the Philippines has its own eTravel form. They're free - be wary of paid lookalike sites.
- Visas - Rules vary by country and change often, so check SafeTravel and each country's official immigration site before you book.
- Monsoon seasons - They differ across the region - the Thai islands on the Gulf and Andaman sides have different wet seasons, and Vietnam's north, centre and south all have their own weather.
- Temples - Cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off where others do, and don't point your feet at shrines or monks.
Southeast Asia FAQs
Do I need a different eSIM for each Southeast Asian country?
Not necessarily - a regional bundle can cover several countries on one eSIM. If you're mostly in one country, its own plan is usually cheaper; compare the options above.
How long should a Southeast Asia trip be?
Two weeks suits two or three countries without rushing; a month lets you do a proper loop. Most Kiwis combine Thailand or Bali with one or two neighbours on a first trip.
Is Southeast Asia safe for first-time travellers from NZ?
The popular routes are well travelled and generally safe. Use Grab rather than unmarked taxis, watch for scams around transport and tours, and check SafeTravel's advice for each country before you go.
Is one eSIM for Southeast Asia cheaper than buying per country?
If you're visiting three or more countries, a regional bundle is usually simpler and often cheaper. For a trip mostly in one country, its own plan tends to win - compare the options above.
Do I need data for Grab?
Yes - Grab needs data to book and track rides, which is one of the main reasons to have an eSIM set up before you land.
Can I get by on Wi-Fi in Southeast Asia?
In cities and hotels, mostly. But ride-hailing, maps and arrival-day admin all need data, and islands and rural areas often have no free Wi-Fi at all.
Sources
Information checked 27 September 2026. Entry rules, fees and local details change - confirm anything important with the official source before you travel.
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card - Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Guideline: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) - Tourism Authority of Thailand (tourismthailand.org)
- Malaysia Digital Arrival Card - Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Singapore Arrival Card - Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Southeast Asia Visa Guide 2026: Entry Rules - DMCQuote (dmcquote.com)
- Grab Holdings - Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- Grab rides in Southeast Asia - Grab (grab.com)
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