Southeast Asia is a fascinating and diverse region that offers a wealth of travel experiences. 10 days are enough to get a good general view of a single country or sample the top highlights of two countries.
In this article, we have carefully selected 5 itineraries for a 10-day trip in Southeast Asia for your inspiration.
- Which Southeast Asia Countries to See in 10 Days
- Itinerary 1: Thailand and Cambodia Itinerary (Most Chosen)
- Itinerary 2: Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary (More Rustic)
- Itinerary 3: Singapore and Bali Itinerary (Most Relaxing)
- Itinerary 4: Thailand Itinerary for Couples
- Itinerary 5: Vietnam Itinerary for Families
- Costs for a 10-Day Southeast Asia Tour
Which Countries to Visit in Southeast Asia in 10 Days
For a 10-day trip to Southeast Asia, you're suggested to focus on one country or two neighboring countries to have an in-depth experience instead of rushing through multiple destinations. In addition, you would reduce travel fatigue and save money on transportation costs.
Thailand and Vietnam themselves are rich in various experiences, whether you're interested in beaches, mountains, historical sites, or cultural attractions. It is worth spending ten days or even longer in either country.
For more varied experiences, you could also combine Thailand and Vietnam in one tour.
While, if you are looking for a leisurely island tour or a romantic celebration, Singapore and Indonesia (mainly Bali) or tranquil Koh Samui are the best places to go for 10 days.
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Sirin is the BEST!
My recent trip to Chiang Mai was nothing short of magical, and our tour guide played a huge part in making it so memorable. From the moment we met, Sirin welcomed us with warm hospitality and an infectious passion for sharing the beauty, history, and culture of northern Thailand. More
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Alisa did a wonderful job! She was very detail oriented, extremely responsive and answered my questions very promptly. She incorporated all of the places we wanted to visit and was able to book hotels, airline tickets and special event tickets (to the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival which was sold out when I tried booking on my own.) Alisa was great to work with and I recommend that others use her for their trip planning. More
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Excellent experience in Bangkok
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1. A Classic 10-Day Thailand and Cambodia Itinerary: Most Chosen
Thailand and Cambodia are the most popular showcases of Southeast Asia a wide variety of experiences: beautiful islands, majestic relics, diverse cultures, food adventures...
For a quick taste of SE Asia, you could stay 7 days in Thailand and 3 days in Cambodia. See the suggested itinerary below:
- Days 1–2: Bangkok
- Days 3–5: Siem Reap
- Days 6–7: Chiang Mai
- Days 8–10: Phuket
During your 10 days, your travel pace will transition from energetic to relaxed, from engaging Siem Reap and Bangkok to relaxing Chiang Mai and Phuket.
In Thailand, you're suggested to spend a week on its iconic highlights. Get close to the local city life in Bangkok. An elephant sanctuary, Thai cuisine cooking class, and a flower market would feature in your trip to Chiang Mai. Some free days on the beaches of Phuket are saved until last to refresh you before your journey home.
In Cambodia, Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat, is the key attraction that most people come to visit in Cambodia. You could explore it well in 3 days, as well as go to see life on Tonle Sap Lake.
If you're traveling as a family, our exclusive experiences, including a longtail boat ride, food hunting, and an ox cart ride through the countryside, would keep kids engaged.
If you're traveling as a couple, to create romantic moments, don't miss a sunset cocktail on Tonle Sap Lake and a sunset balloon ride over Angkor Wat. If your time allows, join in the mass lantern festivals in Chiang Mai (usually in November).
2. A 10-Day Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary: More Rustic
Compared with Thailand, Vietnam is more rustic and affordable. If you prefer countryside scenery and the laid-back vibe of SE Asia, 5 days in each country is advisable. Here is a well-planned itinerary for inspiration:
- Days 1–2: Phnom Penh
- Days 3–5: Siem Reap
- Days 6–7: Hoi An
- Days 8–10: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay
During your 5 days in Cambodia, you'll discover its capital Phnom Penh and Cambodia's most famous attraction — Angkor Wat. You would get an in-depth experience with a scholar guide during our special walking tour of Angkor Wat.
For the other 5 days in Vietnam, relax in ancient Hoi An, the capital Hanoi, and breathtaking Ha Long Bay.
Apart from history-filled buildings, you could bike on picturesque country roads, paddle basket boats at a fishing village, and make your own lanterns in Hoi An.
In Hanoi, a foodie tour in the Old Quarter and a traditional water puppet show are highlights, especially for families with kids.
For a couple's trip, a 2-day Ha Long Bay cruise is a must. Travel with us for a private cruise to explore the unspoiled areas of Ha Long Bay in a more private and intimate setting.
Want a personalized itinerary? Simply contact us to see what we can do for you.
3. A 10-Day Singapore and Bali Itinerary: Most Relaxing
Singapore and Bali are excellent destinations for couples and families seeking a leisurely vacation in Southeast Asia.
Since Singapore is smaller than Bali, more travel time is suggested in Bali: 3 days in Singapore and 7 days in Bali. The following itinerary schedule is suggested: fast paced city to relaxed vibe island.
- Days 1–3: Singapore
- Days 4–6: Ubud, Bali
- Days 7–10: Beach time, Bali
In Singapore, food, culture, and cityscape views stand out as attractions. Its Night Safari is a unique and unforgettable night-time experience, especially suited for families with kids.
In Bali, we recommend dedicating three days to exploring Ubud and its cultural-town activities, jungle adventures, and rice terraces.
Thereafter, you could allocate four or more days to unwind and relax on Bali's beautiful beaches. Nusa Dua is a more family-friendly beach area with abundant water activities, while Uluwatu has a more serene and romantic atmosphere, which is ideal for couples.
If you have more time, you could extend your itinerary to nearby Indonesian islands, like Lembongan Island (an extra 2+ days) or Java (5+ days suggested), discovering more undisturbed tropical views and enjoying more peaceful island hours.
4. A 10-Day Thailand Itinerary for Couples
For a milestone romantic celebration, Thailand is the best choice with its fine resorts on tropical islands, abundant adult-only hotels, and exotic cultural celebrations.
Get some inspiration from the itinerary below:
- Days 1–2: Bangkok
- Days 3–7: Chiang Mai
- Days 8–10: Koh Samui
After exploring the city highlights in Bangkok, you would have the chance to experience the chaotic local life at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market.
In this 10-day itinerary, a highlight at Chiang Mai could be walking with elephants, which would bring you closer to this endearing species.
If you travel around November, the mass sky lantern release during the Yi Peng Festival would be an excellent opportunity for a romantic memory-maker for couples, in particular. Travel with us to have a premium experience: release your own lanterns into the sky, and capture enchanting moments with thousands of floating lanterns.
This itinerary also includes the island of Koh Samui. It offers tranquil private hours, luxury resorts, and fine dining that are ideal for a couple's big celebration. Contact us for swim-up pool rooms or hotels with infinity pools. Read more about planning a couple's trip to Southeast Asia>>>
If you're traveling with your family, you can also discover the family-friendly activities we offer in our well-organized Thailand family tour>>>
5. A Classic 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary for Families with Teenagers
Vietnam offers diverse experiences for families with teenagers, particularly if you want some interesting outdoor adventures.
The itinerary includes a mix of city tours, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities, making it a great way to keep teenagers engaged and interested throughout the trip.
Check the following hand-picked itinerary:
- Days 1–2: Arrival, Hanoi city tour
- Day 3: Ninh Binh day tour
- Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay cruise
- Day 6: Hoi An
- Days 7–8: Ho Chi Minh City
- Days 9–10: The Mekong Delta
A representative Vietnam trip would not be complete without charismatic capital Hanoi, picturesque Ha Long Bay, relaxing Hoi An, bustling Ho Chi Minh City, and vibrant floating markets in the Mekong Delta.
Besides these landmarks, you could explore off-the-beaten-path Ninh Binh. Your kids could get something thrilling to do when rowing a boat through a tunnel-like karst cave.
Our special farming experience and fishing tour would allow your children to see authentic local life. The Cu Chi Tunnels could be educational as well.
A water puppet show, the A O culture and art show, and an evening food tour would add more fun into your family trip.
Costs for a 10-Day Southeast Asia Tour
Southeast Asia offers great value for money. A private tour in Southeast Asia is actually an affordable luxury, which would add exclusivity and convenience to your trip.
A 10-day Southeast Asia tour costs around US$200–250 per day per person, when offering quality 4/5-star hotels, nice meals, and private tailored touring. Kids below 10 would get around 30% to 50% discounts.
So, beyond the international flights from/to your country, you would need to spend around US$6,500–8,500 on a 10-day private trip for a family with 2 adults and 2 kids. For a couple, the cost would be around US$4,000–5,000.
Plan Your Trip to Southeast Asia
You are warmly welcomed to have us customize your trip based on your group size, interests, and other needs.
Read more 10-day itineraries in Southeast Asia:
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.