Where to travel in Southeast Asia with a 5-month-old baby?

hi, I had planned to take a gap year with my 4-year-old daughter starting this fall. A happy but unplanned event is changing the plans: a new baby arriving in just a few days. So now I’ll be waiting until she’s 5 MONTHS old. Which countries would you recommend for traveling in Southeast Asia where I’d have adequate healthcare infrastructure in case of any issues? What travel insurance do you suggest? What itineraries have you done? thanks

Hi there,

So I’ll be waiting until he’s 5 MONTHS old. Which countries would you recommend for travel, please, in Southeast Asia where I’d have adequate healthcare infrastructure in case of any issues?

Thailand, Indonesia (Java only).

Hi Anais, First of all, congratulations! And it's great that you're not giving up on your plans. I think all countries are well-equipped in terms of medical infrastructure as long as you stick to the main cities. Same goes for baby supplies and food (they have babies too, so they must take care of them, right?). I’d avoid areas where malaria prophylaxis is recommended to prevent tolerance issues with the treatment. And bottled water, of course. For insurance, I always stick with the coverage from Visa cards, but watch out for the duration of your trip—it can be limiting. For organization, try to book accommodations where you can cook a little or at least prepare Western-style food, even for your 4-year-old daughter—it’s nice to have that option sometimes. Or alternate with hotels that offer Western dishes. For getting around, renting a car is best if the country allows it.

Here’s a list of countries we’ve visited, in case you have more specific questions once your itinerary is set: - Philippines twice (as a couple, but we have friends there who can help) - Vietnam (as a couple, but we have friends there who can help) - Thailand last year with our daughters, aged 1, 4, and 6. My very detailed account: https://www.voyagesetenfants.com/thailande-centrale-en-famille-et-koh-chang/ - China—we went as a couple, and we’re heading back with the family in a few days.

Happy planning!