25 days in Asia Itinerary

Formerly known in the West as Saigon and affectionately referred to as the "Pearl of the Far East," Ho Chi Minh City is a study of old and new, woven and piled together in a fast-paced urban hub.

Ho Chi Minh City is known for sightseeing, nightlife, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Cu Chi Tunnels, get a sense of history and politics at Central Post Office, get engrossed in the history at War Remnants Museum, and browse the eclectic array of goods at Ben Thanh Market.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Ho Chi Minh City vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Sydney, Australia to Ho Chi Minh City is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. Traveling from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City, you'll gain 3 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in December; daily highs in Ho Chi Minh City reach 36°C and lows reach 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Phnom Penh.

On the confluence of two major rivers, Phnom Penh occupies a scenic location largely responsible for its nickname the "Charming City." On a trip to Phnom Penh you'll discover one of Asia's most dynamic cities, where the natives live much of their lives outdoors, on the streets, and in the bustling markets filled with scents of spicy foods.

Phnom Penh is known for historic sites, museums, and shopping. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate the long history of Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, get engrossed in the history at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Wat Phnom, and pause for some photo ops at Independence Monument.

For photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Phnom Penh trip planner.

You can drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of car and bus. In December in Phnom Penh, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 27°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Fri) to allow time for the flight to Siem Reap.

Once a small village in northwest Cambodia, Siem Reap now serves as a gateway to the Angkor region's World Heritage-listed temple and other attractions.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Fri): delve into the distant past at Angkor Wat. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the ancient world of Bayon Temple, delve into the distant past at Angkor Thom, then explore the ancient world of Ta Prohm, and finally look for gifts at Ambre.

For ratings, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Siem Reap trip itinerary maker app.

Fly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in December, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to Bangkok.

Enjoy cultural, historical, and culinary exploration during your holiday in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and the most populous city in the country.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Mon): contemplate the long history of The Grand Palace, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Wat Pho, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Temple Of Dawn (Wat Arun), and finally walk around Lumpini Park. On the next day, get a taste of the local shopping with Chatuchak Weekend Market, then admire the landmark architecture of Jim Thompson House, and then buy something for everyone on your list at Siam Paragon.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Bangkok journey planner.

Fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Bangkok are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Phitsanulok.

Phitsanulok is rarely seen as a vacation highlight, but rather a stop on the way to popular attractions in the north.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Wed): see the interesting displays at Sgt. Maj. Thawee Folk Museum and then explore the ancient world of Phra Si Ratana Temple (Wat Yai). Here are some ideas for day two: take a memorable drive along Phitsanulok-Lom Sak Route (Highway No. 12), then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Phra Buddha Chinnarat, then make a trip to Nang Phaya Temple (Wat Nang Phaya), and finally don't miss a visit to Phitsanulok Railway Station.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Phitsanulok trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Bangkok to Phitsanulok takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Bangkok in December, plan for little chillier nights in Phitsanulok, with lows around 23°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) so you can go by car to Mawlamyine.

Mawlamyine, formerly Moulmein, is the fourth largest city of Burma (Myanmar), 300 km south east of Yangon and 70 km south of Thaton, at the mouth of Thanlwin (Salween) River. On the 27th (Fri), explore the ancient world of Mahamuni Paya, Head underground at Sadan Cave, and then make a trip to Santawshin Pagoda. On the 28th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: don't miss a visit to Win Sein Taw Ya - Reclining Buddha and then take in panoramic vistas at Kyaikthanlan Pagoda.

For traveler tips, photos, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Mawlamyine vacation builder tool.

Getting from Phitsanulok to Mawlamyine by car takes about 6.5 hours. Traveling from Phitsanulok to Mawlamyine, you'll gain 0.5 hours due to the time zone difference. December in Mawlamyine sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 24°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Naypyidaw.

Naypyidaw, officially spelled Nay Pyi Taw is the capital city of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Kick off your visit on the 29th (Sun): learn more about the world around you at The Gem Museum, make a trip to 20 Lane Highway, then don't miss a visit to Uppatasanti Pagoda, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Thatta Thattaha Maha Bawdi Pagoda.

For more things to do, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Naypyidaw road trip planning app.

You can drive from Mawlamyine to Naypyidaw in 6.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of bus and flight. While traveling from Mawlamyine, expect much colder days and little chillier nights in Naypyidaw, ranging from highs of 20°C to lows of 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Mandalay.

Built on a large scale by a king needing to impress and rebuild after defeat in battle, Mandalay deserves exploration.

On the 30th (Mon), take in the spiritual surroundings of Bagaya Monastery, get great views at Mandalay Hill, then admire the striking features of Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Shwenandaw Monastery. On your second day here, take in the spiritual surroundings of Mahamuni Image and then snap pictures at U Bein Bridge.

For reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Mandalay online visit planner.

You can drive from Naypyidaw to Mandalay in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Tue) to allow time for the flight to Kathmandu.

Once synonymous with the mysterious and inaccessible Shangri-La, today Kathmandu draws an ever-increasing number of tourists, catering to independent travelers of various budgets.

On the 1st (Wed), shake up your sightseeing with a climbing tour and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Swayambhunath Temple. On the next day, take in the spiritual surroundings of Boudhanath Stupa and then get the lay of the land with Walking tours.

To find maps, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Kathmandu trip itinerary planning tool.

You can fly from Mandalay to Kathmandu in 10 hours. Another option is to drive. The time zone difference moving from Myanmar Time (MMT) to Nepal Time (NPT) is minus 0.8 hours. In December, daytime highs in Kathmandu are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to fly to Dhangadhi.

Dhangadhi is a sub metropolitan city in Far-Western Nepal. On the 3rd (Fri), examine the collection at Aircrafts Museum.

To find maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Dhangadhi trip planner.

Getting from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus, train, and car. You will leave for New Delhi on the 4th (Sat).

Designed by notable English architects and proclaimed India's capital in 1931, New Delhi sits in the middle of a sprawling metropolitan area with a population of over 25 million.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Sun): take in panoramic vistas at Qutub Minar, admire the striking features of Humayun's Tomb, and then steep yourself in history at India Gate. Keep things going the next day: admire the landmark architecture of Rashtrapati Bhavan, then contemplate the long history of Red Fort, and then let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour.

For where to stay, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the New Delhi road trip planning tool.

Getting from Dhangadhi to New Delhi by car takes about 9 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 0.2 hours traveling from Dhangadhi to New Delhi. In January, plan for daily highs up to 23°C, and evening lows to 9°C. On the 7th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.