I'm looking into the same thing. You can find online TEFL certs for dirt, less than $300 US. I've had friends teach in South Korea, and while it isn't the most exciting place, they say, the pay is high for inexperienced TESOL teachers, round trip airfare is often included, living accommodations are provided, and health insurance/vacation is granted.
I've got opportunities in Cambodia and Costa Rica. I'd prefer SE Asia, but a $2k round trip is out of my range. So, with a year in S. Korea, which would be time to bank, I could then venture into the Mekong peninsula for a while and live well.
Search the web, meet people. you're going to read horror stories about anywhere. Depends on if you want the horror of a mundane life or the horror of somewhere else for a year. Even if it sucks, it's only a year...