Visiting Every Southeast Asian Country by 2030: My Long-Term Travel Plan
- Mario Ng
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
When I was younger, I set myself a simple but ambitious travel goal: to visit every Southeast Asian country, covering at least two major cities where applicable, by the time I turned 30.
On paper, it sounded easy enough. Southeast Asia is home to just eleven countries (ten when I first had the goal), many of which are a short flight away from where I live. The real challenge, as it turned out, was not distance or cost: it was follow-through.
Life happened. Other destinations took priority. And after a partner came along, multiple trips to Vietnam followed, quietly pushing this long-standing goal into the background.
A good friend once remarked, more than once, that my love for planning often comes with a lower-than-expected execution rate. Over the years, I built up an impressive collection of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets detailing trips that never quite materialised. By 2025, this habit had become a recurring topic in our conversations: a gentle reminder that while I was very good at planning travel, I was occasionally less effective at turning those plans into actual journeys.
By 2026, the goal remained unfulfilled. And truth be told, it is not exactly a difficult one. We are talking about visiting ten countries in the region, ten of the nearest countries to where I live. At some point, I ran out of excuses.
Since experts often say that writing down your goals makes you more likely to achieve them, I decided to do exactly that. This article is my way of publicly and deliberately committing to finally completing a goal I first set for myself as a kid.
Countries I Have Visited in Southeast Asia
(At least two major cities, where applicable)
Cambodia — Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
Check out our Cambodia 🇰🇭 articles here!
Indonesia — Jakarta, Bali
Check out our Indonesia 🇮🇩 articles here!
Malaysia — Kuala Lumpur, Penang
Check out our Malaysia 🇲🇾 articles here!
Singapore — Home
Check out all our hotel reviews (including Singapore 🇸🇬) here!
Thailand — Bangkok, Phuket
Check out our Thailand 🇹🇭 articles here!
Vietnam — Da Lat, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang
Check out our Vietnam 🇻🇳 articles here!
Southeast Asian Countries I Have Yet to Visit
Brunei
Laos
Myanmar
The Philippines
Timor-Leste
My Roadmap to Visit Every Southeast Asian Country (2026–2030)
I am now aiming to accomplish my goal of visiting every Southeast Asian country by 2030, covering at least two major cities in each country where applicable. This time, however, I have planned it out in words and not just in spreadsheets.
As I will already be travelling quite a bit to Vietnam in 2026, the intention is not to overburden myself in the first year. Instead, I plan to start slowly, with one new destination, before ramping up to two new destinations per year beginning in 2027.
I am also mindful of ongoing geopolitical issues in parts of Southeast Asia. With that in mind, some destinations have been deliberately scheduled for later years, in the hope that conditions will be more stable and the risk of cancellations or sudden changes minimised.
2026
The Philippines — Cebu
2027
The Philippines — Manila
Brunei — Bandar Seri Begawan
2028
Laos — Vientiane and Luang Prabang (one trip)
2029
Timor-Leste
2030
Myanmar — Yangon and Mandalay (one trip)
Why This Travel Plan Is Realistic
This plan is realistic and entirely feasible — provided I stay focused and resist the temptation to get distracted by too many other destinations along the way.
The trips are spaced out, aligned with existing travel patterns, and allow flexibility should circumstances change. More importantly, they remove the psychological barrier of trying to “do everything at once”, which has often been my undoing in the past.
Tracking Progress: Annual Report Cards
To keep myself accountable, I will publish a year-end report card at the end of each year, documenting whether I:
Met my target
Fell short
Or exceeded expectations
By turning this into a living, public record, I hope to shift from endless planning to consistent execution finally.
Final Thoughts: Turning Plans Into Journeys
At its core, this roadmap is not about ticking countries off a list. It is a reminder of why we travel in the first place — to relax, have fun, and experience local culture along the way.
By putting this plan in writing, I am committing to finishing something I started many years ago. Not perfectly, not rushed, but deliberately.
Here’s to a brand new year — and a blessed 2026!
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Southeast Asia
Q: How many countries are there in Southeast Asia?
A: There are eleven countries in Southeast Asia, making it a manageable region for travellers with long-term goals.
Q: Do you need to visit multiple cities in every country?
A: Where possible, visiting at least two major cities provides a more balanced view of each country, though smaller nations may not require this.
Q: Is it better to travel slowly or quickly through Southeast Asia?
A: It really depends on each traveller's preference. Personally, I feel that slow travel often leads to deeper cultural experiences and less burnout, especially when trips are spread across several years.
Q: Is Southeast Asia suitable for long-term travel planning?
A: Yes. Frequent flights, relatively affordable costs, and diverse destinations make Southeast Asia ideal for multi-year travel plans.
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