180 days · Solo exchange student
7 Days in Southeast Asia — Bangkok + Hanoi + Da Nang (Solo Budget)
Three destinations across 7 days: Bangkok (3 nights), Hanoi (2 nights), Da Nang (2 nights). Chosen for French visa-free entry, safety, budget friendliness, and cultural contrast. This preview covers the first 7 days of a 180-day trip — claim it to build the full itinerary with Voyaige.
Built for solo exchange student spending 180 days in Southeast Asia (multi-country: Bangkok confirmed, Vietnam/Philippines/Taiwan/other under consideration)
Budget Estimate
$245
~$35/day for 180 days · USD
Before You Go
French citizens get 30 days visa-free in Thailand and Vietnam; no action needed, just carry your passport.
Book Bangkok–Hanoi flight on VietJet or AirAsia at least 3 weeks out to hit the €25–45 sweet spot.
Book the Hanoi–Da Nang overnight train (SE2/SE4) on baolau.com or 12go.asia; soft sleeper sells out fast.
Download Grab app (Southeast Asia's Uber) and set it up before arrival — it works across all three countries.
Get a local SIM at Bangkok airport arrivals (AIS or DTAC); buy a Vietnam SIM on arrival at Noi Bai.
Good to Know
Always negotiate tuk-tuk and non-metered taxi prices before getting in — agree on a number, not a range.
Hostels in Hanoi and Da Nang often include free breakfast; factor this into your food budget calculations.
Dress modestly at temples — carry a light scarf to cover shoulders and knees; most lend wraps at entrances.
As a solo woman, stay in social hostels rather than guesthouses — common rooms mean built-in travel companions and safety networks.
Vietnamese dong confuses people: 1 million VND is only about €37 — double-check before handing over notes.
September is shoulder season in Vietnam; expect occasional rain in Hanoi but generally fine beach weather in Da Nang.
Street food eaten by locals with high turnover is almost always safer than tourist restaurants with laminated photo menus.
Day by Day
Bangkok Arrival — Temples & Street Food Initiation
Check in at hostel, Khao San Road area
Drop bags, orient yourself, grab a cold drink nearby.
€8–12/nightWat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
See the 46-meter gold reclining Buddha; budget 1.5 hours here.
200 THB (~€5)Chao Phraya River Walk
Stroll the riverside promenade as the Grand Palace lights up at dusk.
FreeKhao San Road Evening
Walk Bangkok's backpacker hub; buy nothing your first night, just absorb.
FreeWhere to eat
Pad Thai Thip Samai
Order the egg-wrap pad thai, ~60 THB.
Bangkok Temples, Markets & Rooftop
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Arrive early to beat crowds; the Emerald Buddha is worth the entrance fee.
500 THB (~€13)Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Cross the river by 15 THB ferry and climb the steep prang for city views.
100 THB (~€2.50)Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
Ride the orange-flag public boat upriver to Asiatique area; scenic and cheap.
15 THB (~€0.40)Chatuchak Weekend Market (if Saturday/Sunday)
Biggest market in Asia — clothing, crafts, and street snacks across 8,000 stalls.
Free entry, budget €5–10 spendingVertigo Rooftop Bar (or free alternative: Lhong 1919 at sunset)
Lhong 1919 is a free heritage riverside venue with great photo spots.
FreeWhere to eat
Roti-Mataba near Khao San
Roti with egg and condensed milk, 40 THB.
Street stalls near Wat Arun
Boat noodles, two bowls for 60 THB.
Or Tor Kor Market
Premium Thai street food, clean and affordable.
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Bangkok: Jim Thompson House, Lumphini & Night Scene
Jim Thompson House
Guided tour of the Thai silk tycoon's beautiful home filled with Asian antiques.
200 THB (~€5)National Museum of Bangkok
Best overview of Thai history and Buddhist art; free on Sundays.
200 THB or free SunLumphini Park
Walk or rent a paddle boat; watch locals practice tai chi around the lake.
FreeSilom Road & Patpong Night Bazaar
Browse the famous night market — great for souvenir shopping and people-watching.
Free entry, shopping optionalAirport check-in and evening flight to Hanoi
Head to Suvarnabhumi; budget airlines like VietJet connect Bangkok–Hanoi nightly.
€25–60 booked in advanceWhere to eat
7-Eleven or hostel breakfast
Quick and cheap, save for lunch.
Foodland Supermarket Silom
Hot deli counter, full meal under 100 THB.
Hanoi Arrival — Old Quarter on Foot
Arrive Noi Bai Airport, transfer to Old Quarter
Take the 86 bus (9,000 VND) or a booked Grab taxi to Old Quarter.
9,000 VND bus / ~€4 GrabCheck in and walk the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter
Each narrow street historically sold one trade; now a chaotic, photogenic maze.
FreeHoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
Cross the red Huc Bridge to the lake island temple; leisurely 45-minute visit.
30,000 VND (~€1.10)Vietnamese Women's Museum
Excellent, underrated museum on Vietnamese history through women's experiences.
40,000 VND (~€1.50)Ta Hien Beer Street
Sit on plastic stools, order bia hoi (draught beer, 5,000 VND) and snacks.
€1–3Where to eat
Banh mi cart, Old Quarter
Pork banh mi, 20,000 VND (~€0.70).
Pho Gia Truyen, 49 Bat Dan St
Iconic beef pho, arrive before 12 PM.
Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama's spot)
Grilled pork bun cha, 60,000 VND.
Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature & Night Train
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Complex
See HCM's preserved body (closed Mon/Fri); the stilted house and museum are always open.
Free (mausoleum) / 40,000 VND museumTemple of Literature (Van Mieu)
Vietnam's first university, 1,000+ years old; beautiful courtyards and stone steles.
30,000 VND (~€1.10)Dong Xuan Market
Hanoi's largest covered market — chaotic, cheap, and very local in feel.
Free entryHoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
Colonial-era prison with French and Vietnam War exhibits; thought-provoking and sobering.
30,000 VND (~€1.10)Board overnight train to Da Nang
SE2 or SE4 train departs Hanoi Station; book a 4-berth soft sleeper.
€12–18 soft sleeperWhere to eat
Xoi Yen, 35B Nguyen Huu Huan
Sticky rice with toppings, 30,000 VND.
Bun Bo Nam Bo, 67 Hang Dieu
Cold beef noodle salad, quick and cheap.
Train station food stalls or pack snacks
Buy convenience food before boarding.
Da Nang: Dragon Bridge, Marble Mountains & My Khe Beach
Arrive Da Nang Train Station, check in
Da Nang hostels open early for check-in; drop bags and freshen up.
€5–10/night hostelMarble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son)
Climb these five marble-and-limestone hills with Buddhist caves and panoramic views.
40,000 VND (~€1.50)My Khe Beach
One of Asia's best urban beaches — swim, walk, or rent a sun lounger.
Free / lounger ~30,000 VNDHan Market
Local covered market near the river; buy snacks, fabric, and cheap souvenirs.
Free entryDragon Bridge Fire Show
The Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water every Saturday and Sunday night at 9 PM.
FreeWhere to eat
Banh mi or pho near train station
Any street cart, under 30,000 VND.
Be Man Seafood, My Khe Beach
Fresh grilled seafood, order by weight.
Mi Quang 1A, 1 Hai Phong St
Signature Da Nang turmeric noodles, 50,000 VND.
Hoi An Day Trip & Departure
Day trip to Hoi An Ancient Town
30 km south of Da Nang; hire a Grab or shared taxi for the scenic coastal drive.
€5–8 each way GrabHoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour
Buy a 120,000 VND combo ticket covering 5 heritage houses, museums, and Japanese Bridge.
120,000 VND (~€4.50)Japanese Covered Bridge
18th-century bridge with shrine; one of Hoi An's most iconic and photographed spots.
Included in combo ticketAn Bang Beach (4 km from town)
Quieter alternative to Cua Dai; swim and rest before the return journey.
FreeReturn to Da Nang Airport
Head back for your onward or return flight; Da Nang Airport is 5 km from city center.
€3–5 GrabWhere to eat
Hostel or banh mi before departure
Eat before leaving Da Nang city.
Banh Mi Phuong, 2B Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An
Anthony Bourdain's pick; 35,000 VND.
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