Travelling in Laos wasn't easy because we tried to discover the north part of the country our own way. The roads weren't in a good condition (for instance 39km in 2.5hours). When we walked through jungle we found isolated villages where people were touching our white skin. We were treated to opium too. It was nice to spend the night with one family, where the river was a bathroom, oil lamp was a light, fire outside house was a kitchen and sun was a clock.
People here were very poor but they seemed happy. Living day-by-day, not worrying, even if they had to work very hard. These people were just happy where they were and what they were doing. During Christmas time we travelled on Mekong River by cargo boat. When you are in Central Laos I recommend you visit Luang Prabang (temples) and Vang Vieng (swimming inside a deep caves).
Prices in Laos were very low. Rice with meat only for AUD$0.90, 1 litre of water AUD$0.20, accommodation from AUD$1.3 per night. Vietnam was a commercial country, everything was perfectly prepared for you. You have an "open ticket" for tour buses which drop you off at the hotel of your choice and pick your up when you ask them to. You are automatically offered cheap excursions that are organized by them. You have no worries, full service provided.
By travelling this way you will not discover the "true life" in Vietnam. You see only the things that they show you. This didn't satisfy me. If you are interested in visiting non-commercial tourist places, you should go to the North-East of Cambodia but hurry up because the invasion of tourist is already spreading there too. I travelled to North-East of Cambodia in a pick-up truck. It was almost 50°C and very dusty. The record of transported people in this small car was 6 people inside, 20 on outside and a lot of luggage too. We had to be extremely careful not to fall off.
Here I've seen the "forest people" who live in the forests. They collect resin, which they later trade for a food and clothes. It was amazing to see them at work. We hired a ranger who showed us villages in the jungle. Nights in hammocks were cold with a lot of ants and leeches.
In Buang Lang I separated with my friends and from here I started the most amazing part of this journey. I bought a lot of water, took 25kg bag and keeping compass in my hand I started walking southerly direction. There were no roads, no cars, just a truck available but only in dry season. I've met a buffalo-powered cart. It was slower then me, nevertheless people helped me carry my bag and invited me for a dinner and to sleep over.
I travelled on foot, went by a buffalo-powered cart or motorbikes. Around every 30km new village appeared of about 6 houses. For dinners we ate fish caught from rivers. On the last day of this 200km trip I was picked up by a Cambodian army truck. We drove non-stop for 6hours for about 80km. You must be careful in Cambodia. You can't go wherever you want. Guerrillas of Rouge Khmers still fight in the north of the country. Always ask the locals where it is safe to go. In the capital city of Cambodia, Phom Phen, you can visit jail where Pol Pot murdered 2 million of Khmers. It is still a fresh history of this nation.
The symbol of the country is Angkor, the biggest religious complex in the world (200 square km). You can visit the 9th century Buddhist temples by motorbike. One-day visit costs AUD26 plus AUD11 motorbike rental with a driver. It is worth visiting this place.
If you would like to feel like in Europe, go to Bangkok. There is a lot of backpackers, western food, night life and cheap flight tickets. The authentic living floating market you can see at early mornings in Damnoen Saduak (not that one in Bangkok) and good place for snorkelling or diving is the famous Phi Phi Islands (South Thailand). 
It can get extremely crowded but anyway, it is such a beautiful area with turquoise lagoons between high limestone pillars. It's worth to take a day trip to Myanmar (Burma), there is a big contrast with Thailand. Poor countryside, but as usual filled with friendly people who wear traditional clothes and paint their faces.
In Malaysia it was nice to see good relations and tolerance between people from many kinds of religions, and their temples are standing besides each other. In Georgetown, Penang Island, they form together with former colonial architecture buildings very nice town. The main attraction in Kuala Lumpur was the two highest buildings in the world (at this time), 452m high (88 floors) Twin Towers. You can get up to 41st floor and see the city view.
Singapore wasn't attractive to me but in Sentosa Island I spent a good relaxing time. As I was standing here on the Southern Cape of Asia, I knew I had to take a boat to continue the trip.