Hotelupwell.com – Southeast Asia has a fascinating mix of traditions and cultures, with some of the most incredible temples, palaces and natural sites on planet Earth.
The region is home to several famous destinations, from Angkor Wat to Ha Long Bay, as well as major cities including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as well as the unspoilt beaches of Indonesia and the Philippines.
While places like Bangkok and Singapore have been favorite destinations for British tourists for decades, other destinations are starting to attract more attention. Starting from Laos which is less well known to Cambodia which is a favorite of backpacker tourists.
Whether you want to explore a city or wander around some peaceful tropical islands, your choices are endless in this corner of the world.
The following is a selection of the best countries in the Southeast Asia region to visit while on holiday, as summarized from The Independent, Friday (28/6/2024):
1. Thailand
Thailand has long been a favorite with British tourists, both for first-time travelers and entrepreneurs. The capital, Bangkok (known locally as Krung Thep), was the most visited city in the world for several years in a row before the COVID pandemic and is close to the ancient city of Ayutthaya.
With dozens of famous white sand beaches throughout the country (such as Railay and Ko Phi Phi), as well as several beautiful natural areas (one of the most unique is Khao Sok National Park) and dozens of temples and palaces, Thailand offers a diverse mix of attractions, experiences city, and relaxation for anyone visiting this country, don’t forget its delicious cuisine.
With the rainy season between July and October, the best time to visit Thailand is between November and April, when temperatures are higher (with averages in the early 30s). May is usually a quieter time to visit, but the sunshine can be interrupted by brief showers.
2. Vietnam
Vietnam has various natural areas that are the most striking tourist attractions in the country. Ha Long Bay is a famous natural area, while Phu Quoc beach and the Cham Islands offer the same beauty in different views. Other natural attractions include the Phong Nha and Hang Son Doong caves, the Marble Mountains, and the sand dunes of Mui Ne.
As for urban areas, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang are the best destinations for those who want to experience the ‘busy life’ of Vietnam (Da Nang also has a beach area), while Hoi An is sometimes called the ‘Venice of Vietnam’ because of its canals and The well-preserved Old Town consists of wooden Chinese shops and French colonial buildings.
The best time to visit Vietnam is April and September, as they fall just before and after Vietnam’s high season and also offer lower humidity and lower temperatures than peak summer. With the weather can vary greatly across the country in different months, you should consider the best weather when visiting.
3. Singapore
A popular destination for British expatriates, there are an estimated 50,000 people living in Singapore. This is a country almost unlike any other; strategic urban planning has created a metropolis and allowed nearly six million people to live in an area roughly half the size of London.
Despite its small size, the country offers a variety of attractions, from the Botanical Gardens (a UNESCO world heritage site) and history and art museums to Gardens by the Bay, a 101-hectare nature park, and the Universal Studios theme park.
Singapore also hosts the Formula 1 race, which takes place in September at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
4. Indonesia
The largest country in Southeast Asia by far, Indonesia is located at the southern tip and consists of around 17,500 islands, including the islands of Sumatra and Bali. With so many islands, it is not surprising that this archipelago has some of the most interesting areas in the region.
Bali, in particular, is a tourist hub, while many other islands offer tropical rainforests, rocky areas, and even volcanoes (Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire region and is prone to eruptions and earthquakes).
Jakarta is the capital and largest city in the country and is located together with the popular tourist city of Yogyakarta on the island of Java. Beautiful locations include Lombok and the Raja Ampat Islands; Bromo Tengger Semeru and Komodo National Parks offer unforgettable nature and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The dry season usually lasts from April to October, which is also the time when the country welcomes the largest number of tourists. If you want to avoid overcrowding, May and June, however, have an average high temperature of around 31 degrees Celsius and more than eight hours of sunshine each day.
5. Malaysia
Malaysian culture is an eclectic mix of European, Chinese, Indian and Malay influences, and the country itself is known for its rainforests, beaches and capital, Kuala Lumpur, with the iconic Petronas Twin Towers being one of the country’s best-known symbols.
Outside the capital, many tourists decide to visit the Malaysian part of Borneo, in the north of the island where you can adventure in the rainforest, see wildlife and relax on the beach. Everything can be done. The Perhentian Islands and Sipadan are two other popular destinations, while nature lovers often visit Batu Caves, Mount Kinabalu and Cameron Highlands.
To determine the best time to visit Malaysia, you can expect to encounter smaller crowds from March to June. These months have an average temperature of around 28 degrees Celsius, while June is the driest month of the year (although keep in mind that you can still get some rain every month).
6. Philippines
Another archipelago, the Philippines consists of more than 7,000 islands. Having been in Spain for more than 300 years, the Philippines is one of the majority Roman Catholic countries on the entire continent and has been influenced by Western culture and traditions. For anyone who wants to see the cities, Manila is the capital while Quezon is the largest city.
Tropical white sandy beaches abound on the country’s thousands of islands, while the Mayon and Tail volcanoes offer dramatic views that look straight out into the air. Other sites include the Sigma Lagoon, Pagsanjan Falls, and the rice terraces of Batad.
The Philippines’ dry season falls right in the middle of the low tourist season. The driest months are between January and March, with little rain and humidity dropping to more tolerable levels. The temperature is estimated at 24 degrees Celsius and the lowest is up to 15 degrees Celsius every day.
7. Cambodia
Cambodia has always welcomed tourists who want to learn about its complex history and experience its blend of Asian and French cultures. A largely rural country, only three of its cities have more than 100,000 residents despite the country’s population of 16 million.
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city, while Siem Reap is another metropolitan center that is also the gateway to Angkor Wat, an ancient temple that is now the largest burial structure in the world.
The country’s islands, such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, have pristine white beaches, sandy bays and coral reefs. The islands are popular places for partying too. The Cardamom mountain range, which stretches over 4.4 million hectares of rainforest across Southeast Asia and into eastern Thailand, is home to a variety of wildlife, including sun bears, elephants and Siamese crocodiles.
Tonle Sap Lake is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, with its air and floodplains home to more than three million residents and hundreds of different animal species.
Best time to visit Cambodia:
The lowest temperatures occur in the dry season between November and February, so these months are the best time to visit Cambodia. However, you will still experience an average high temperature of 30 degrees Celsius.
8. Laos
Laos is one of the smallest countries on the continent, bordering Vietnam to the east, Thailand to the west, and Cambodia to the south. These countries provide an indication of the geography you will find here.
Whether you want to traverse dense jungle on a cruise along the winding Mekong River, adventure around the jagged karst around Vang Vieng, or just relax in the laid-back capital, Vientiane, it will be worth doing.
The most important building in Laos is Pha That Luang, a golden Buddhist stupa in Vientiane, while other highlights in the capital include temples such as Wat Si Saket and the old quarter. If you have time, visit the peaceful Song River and the city of Vang Vieng, before exploring the Unesco city of Luang Prabang and its natural surroundings, including waterfalls, swimming pools and the banks of the Mekong River.
October and April are the best months to visit Laos, when conditions are not rainy and not too hot. For river cruising, November to January is best as air levels are high, while August is the rainiest and most humid month.