If you’re using major hotel chains, don’t book direct. Use a booking agency such as Asiarooms.com as prices are invariably lower than enquiring at the check-in desk.

Especially during peak times – new year, Tet, Full Moon, Songkran and a gazillion other festivals and parties can cause nightmares with room bookings.

If in any doubt, don’t even wash your toothbrush in tap water. This includes “developed” countries unless you know for certain the tap water is fine.

Injections, tablets and current health alerts. Don’t let this scare you off anywhere, just take sensible precautions and do it sooner, not later. Some courses of drugs (e.g. malaria) must be started a good time before you travel, but you can usually get the medication cheaper in the country you’re going to. So buy enough to get you started at home, and the remainder once you reach your destination. Mephaquin, for instance, is half the price in Singapore it is in Brisbane.

Put all the clothes you’re going to take on your bed. Remove a third. Then another third. Now pack. It’s cheaper to buy new ones in Asia anyway.