The best places to go in Southeast Asia depends a lot on what you want. Although each South Asian country is great in its own way, there are always reasons you may favour one over another.
Depending on where you go in a country, your experiences may also be vastly different.
With that in mind, continue reading as we share some insights into planning a trip to Southeast Asia
Thailand is a great place to start exploring Southeast Asia from.
Amazing tourist infrastructure, delicious food, fun, a huge variety of attractions, and yes, plenty of authentic places if you look for them. Hyper-touristy in some places. It was like entering a whole new world with the temples, neon lights, street food vendors, and tuk-tuk and taxis whizzing by.
Thailand is an amazing country, especially if this is your first trip to Southeast Asia.
Thailand makes it easy to get your bearings in Southeast Asia, which can initially be overwhelming; It's exotic enough to make you feel adventurous, but the logistics of getting there are simple, and the renowned Thai hospitality will make you feel at home even when you don't know much about the country.
It is true that Thailand has long been known for its mass tourism(albeit pre-pandemic) and that shows in some places. Phuket's beaches are probably not the place for you if you're looking for a true new frontier! Fortunately, mass tourism is also concentrated in a small number of places, making it easy to avoid if you don't like it.
One great thing about Thailand is that it is easy to meet other tourists who want to socialise. It's a great place for solo travellers in particular. On a trip to Thailand, it is simple to improvise and take things one day at a time due to the abundance of guesthouses, hotels, and hostels.
Thailand has you covered if you're just looking for sun and sand. In addition, there is a well-known party scene, particularly on Khaosan Road in Bangkok and on the islands of Koh Phangan and Phi Phi, which draw a lot of younger vacationers. Those looking for a little bit of luxury at a reasonable price, on the other hand, can enjoy staying at the resorts along the coast.
Searching for a quieter vacation in Thailand? You can enjoy exploring the peaceful southeastern part of Thailand that lies close to Cambodia, particularly Trat and the Koh Chang archipelago. The Mae Hong Son loop is just one of many unusual locations in northern Thailand.
Thailand is a great starting point for travelling to the rest of Southeast Asia because it has so many international flight connections from Bangkok. Thailand was also a rite of passage for many globetrotters who are addicted to travelling. Even though it is a popular spot these days, who cares? It is fun, easy, and, at times, a little wild. There is truly something for everyone.
Known for its remote jungles, peaceful rural areas, river tours, and motorcycle loops Laos makes for a relaxed vacation. There are no big cities and not much of a nightlife (if that is what you're looking for). However, Laos is simply amazing if you value Buddhist tranquillity, views of the Mekong River, unspoiled nature, and authentic villages.
It's true that Laos doesn't have as many famous landmarks as Vietnam's Halong Bay or Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Laos is a landlocked nation with nothing "epic" to draw tourists, but that's also exactly why it's such a lovely place to travel.
The adventurer's dream destination is Laos. It is possible that it is the best country in mainland Southeast Asia for hiking and trekking because of its numerous pristine jungles and karst mountain landscapes. Other outdoor activities like kayaking, zip lining, caving, and rock climbing can all be enjoyed here.
Most of the time, life in Laos is fairly quiet and rural. Contrary to what you might have been told, there isn't much of a party scene there because of midnight curfews. However, Laos is a fantastic destination for ecotourism and adventure travel thanks to these factors.
You can rent a motorbike and explore the countryside, but don't miss the Mekong's laidback 4000 islands archipelago. Also, think about staying at the Gibbon Experience, where you can sleep in tree houses high up in the jungle and zipline around to get a different look at the rainforest.
You won't regret going to Laos.
Exhilarating cities, food, train travel, stunning caves, war museums,there is much to explore in Vietnam. The cities here are truly exceptional; they are among the most vivacious and chaotic in the region. In Hanoi and Saigon, you'll always see a snarl of scooters and small motorcycles packed with everything from construction supplies to entire families. You will be enveloped in a delightful sensory overload at the local food markets, which are buzzing hotspots of activity. The bustling and exciting cities of Vietnam are more fun to explore than even Bangkok or other major southeast asian cities.
Dramatic mountain landscapes dominate Vietnam's central and northern regions. You can see some of the world's largest caves at Phong Nha-K Bàng. Numerous limestone cliffs give the famous HaLong bay the appearance of a mysterious pirate's hideout. You can cruise around these stunning islands in one, two, or three days; however, don't expect to be alone at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is very commercialised. Bai Tu Long Bay is a quieter option for those looking to get away from the crowds.
Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, and Mui Ne, a fishing village, are all great places to visit in Vietnam, but the local tours can sometimes put people off. If you take the standard day trips and tours to popular destinations like the Mekong Delta, Halong Bay, or Chi Chi Tunnels, you might feel like you're stuck in a kind of tour factory, where you won't get a lot of personal attention or have experiences that aren't real. Some tourists who have only been on these trips may complain that Vietnam is too commercialised or tell stories of scams that tourists have been involved in. However, this is not all there is to Vietnam. If you deviate just a little from the standard routes, Vietnam becomes completely different. Phong Nha, Ninh Binh, and Ha Giang, for instance, are amazing places to visit among others.
Moreover, riding a motorcycle or scooter is one of the best ways to travel throughout Vietnam. Vietnam is thought by many tourists to be the best place in the region to ride a motorcycle because it lets you see a side of Vietnam that not many tourists get to see.
Angkor Wat's temples, laid-back islands, the Cardamom Mountains, Sihanoukville, and Chinese casinos are only some of the most popular places to visit. Cambodia is a smaller country with fewer attractions. As a result, it is frequently added on to trips to Thailand or Vietnam.
The stunning Angkor Wat, one of the world's largest ancient temple complexes, is the primary destination. One of Southeast Asia's most popular attractions, this vast site can take a few days to thoroughly explore. Siem Reap, a nearby city, has developed into a fun starting point for trips to the Angkor Wat archaeological park.
However, there are many more reasons to stay in Cambodia for longer. The Cambodian islands, which are still much less developed than those in Thailand or Vietnam, are quite amazing. Among other islands, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem have a fun backpacker vibe and offer much cheaper lodging than some Thai islands that have their own airports and large resorts by now.
Cambodia offers fantastic ecotourism opportunities. For instance, Chi Pat is an ecotourism-focused small village in the middle of one of Asia's last truly uninterrupted rainforests. Kratie is another great place to visit; a charming town on the Mekong River where you can see rare Irrawaddy dolphins in the water and see relics of French colonial architecture.
A hassle-free, multicultural country, Malaysia has nicer islands than Thailand and the wildlife in Borneo is popular among visitors. While Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam were colonised by France, Malaysia was once part of the British empire. That adds a unique flavour to its historic cities. Because it is home to a mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and various minorities, Malaysia also frequently gives the impression of being more cosmopolitan and multicultural. It's capital Kuala Lumpur is where sleek mordern buildings are can be seen along with older colonial style building; Where you will find sudden patches of intense greenery sourrounding hyper mordern structures.
Compared to its neighbours, Malaysia is a little wealthier, more orderly, and more conservative. Malaysia is not as extravagant as Thailand, despite the fact that it lacks the rough-and-tumble atmosphere that piques the interest of many Western tourists visiting the other countries. The majority of its other destinations are family-friendly and well-organised, as are its beaches and islands, such as the Perhentian Islands.
The other part of Malaysia on the island of Borneo may intrigue adventure travellers. In the eastern state of Sabah, visitors can climb Kota Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, go scuba diving at Pulau Mabul and Pulau Sipadan, and visit national parks like the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary where, even on a bad day, you can see a lot of monkeys, hornbills, and crocodiles. While rows of identical palm oil plantations dominate Borneo, the inland wilderness is absolutely thrilling.
However, do keep a slightly larger budget for Malaysia, as local tours, hiking excursions, and admissions to national parks add up a little faster here, even though the cost of lodging and food is very reasonable.
Extremely clean, well-organised, and modern, Singapore has amazing food courts and more creativity and charm than you might think. Do note that it can be rather expensive. Given how starkly it contrasts with other nearby destinations, the city-state of Singapore makes for an interesting visit. It is a world away from the chaos, smells, and congestion elsewhere, with the city being high-tech and absolutely spotless. It has been designed with great care, and it frequently gives the impression that you are wandering through glittering futuristic visions from an architect's dream.
The conveniences of Singapore can be a welcome change after travelling through Southeast Asia's more remote regions. A visit to Singapore would not be complete without a stop at one of the numerous hawker centres—a type of food court—where you can sample virtually any Asian cuisine at a very affordable price and with hygiene standards that are significantly higher than those of street food in other nations.
Singapore is a destination that is simple and comfortable, but there are parts of the city that can feel too businesslike and neatly maintained. However, it has become more imaginative and vibrant, and the gardens and architecture are stunning. Singapore can be a convenient pit stop on a longer trip or a gentle introduction to Southeast Asia.
Keep in mind that, with the exception of food, prices in Singapore are almost identical to those in the West.
Volcano hikes, unspoiled beaches, snorkelling, scuba diving, wildlife, and a whole new world to discover waits for you in Indonesia. The country is enormous. It actually extends further than the United States. Most visitors explore just a little part — the island of Bali — yet past it lies a huge region to investigate, with unimaginable potential. Indonesia is a popular destination for surfing, trekking, diving, and wildlife spotting (with the possibility of seeing orangutans). It is blessed with 17,000 islands and numerous volcanoes. It is also culturally diverse, with various islands adhering to the Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, or Protestant religions.
If you're short on time, a week in Bali is actually not a bad idea. Although Kuta, Bali's capital, is extremely commercial and solely focused on mass tourism, deeper into the country you'll find numerous beautiful Hindu temples such as the Temples of Prambanan, lush rice paddies, and laid-back beaches.
In a typical longer itinerary, you'll start in Yogyakarta on Java, visit Borobudur's ancient temples, Bromo's massive volcano, and end in Bali. You can cover these in one week, though we recommend at least two or three weeks ideally.
Lombok, the island next to Bali, is full of spots for surfers, waterfalls, and beaches that are quieter. You may also enjoy exploring rural Flores further east and visiting Komodo National Park to see Komodo dragons. Some say that the nation is one of Southeast Asia's real highlights, despite the fact that it seems oddly overlooked by travel bloggers at least outside of Bali.
Terraced rice fields, extraordinary islands, friendly locals, lots of underwater delights, stunning mountains, volcanos, and absolutely untainted shoreline. The Philippines isn't typically one of the first countries in Southeast Asia that visitors go to, yet it is really a stunner that should not be missed.
You can also get much closer to the culture because most Filipinos speak fluent English. The language barrier can put you in a bubble elsewhere in Southeast Asia, but it's much less of a problem here.
In addition, the Philippines has the absolute best beaches and islands. Even though some places, like the islands and lagoons around El Nido, are finding fame, there are far fewer tourists than you will find in other destinations.
With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines will never run out of amazing places to visit! Palawan is always a big hit, but the central Visayas, especially Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, and Camiguin, are also great places to go.
The religion, architecture, and language of the Philippines are all influenced by their past as a Spanish and later an American colony. The dishes here feel less focused with Asian spices, but they are heavily influenced by American fast food and Spanish asado. When compared to the amazing Thai cuisine, for instance, I can understand why so many Western travellers complain about the food, even though if you look hard enough, there is something for everyone.
We believe that the Philippines is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia due to its stunning rice terraces, beautiful islands, friendly people, and fascinating culture. The capital, Manila, tends to be crowded and many find it unappealing compared to the rest of this otherwise stunning nation
Still unsure of which of Southeast Asia's top destinations to visit first? Talk to our travel experts at (+968) 24400822 or contact@zaharaholidays.com to find the best Southeast Asia package for you.
It is a huge region, as should be obvious, and we know that it can feel a little overwhelming to plan your trip. Try picking a few countries that sound interesting to you, maybe think about northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia if you have a limited budget. However, the prices in the other nations are not significantly higher, and you can always find the best deals with Zahara Holidays.