Ever found yourself searching for the best places to visit in Southeast Asia for that dream trip? Southeast Asia is huge and full of natural beauty, so finding the best destinations can be a real challenge and I am not talking about the best countries to visit in Southeast Asia. This post covers all the top places to visit in Southeast Asia that you absolutely can’t miss.
A trip to Southeast Asia trip is at the top of every backpacker’s list. People who leave their job to become full-time travelers or just want to travel for a bit longer find themselves getting lost in the impressive diversity of Southeast Asia. From beaches to impressive cities to rich history and culture and the local food, there is so much to go for and something for everyone. Whatever your heart desires, Southeast Asia will be able to provide it.
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INTRODUCTION TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
Geography
So, what are the countries that makeup Southeast Asia? Southeast Asia consists of 11 countries that are divided into “mainland” and “island” zones.
Mainland – Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Island – Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, and East Timor (which was formerly the part of Indonesia)
All of Southeast Asia lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. So, there are similarities in climate as well as plant and animal life throughout the region.
Culture
The map of Southeast Asia does little to convey the diversity – of ethnicity, religion, culture, and lifestyle. The Southeast Asian nations have very diversely adapted to these cultural changes and evolved their distinct sophisticated style in lifestyle, visual arts, and architecture.
Buddhist culture is prominent in mainland Southeast Asia. Before the 14th century, Hinduism and Buddhism were the dominant religions of Southeast Asia. Thereafter, Islam became dominant in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Southeast Asia has also had a lot of Western influence due to colonialism. Hence, the Philippines which has been heavily influenced by the United States, and Spain has Christianity as the main religion.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SOUTHEAST ASIA
In general, the time period between November and February is the best time to visit Southeast Asia. However, it will also vary depending on the region being visited. The climate is hot and humid most of the time of the year.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Let’s get started with the best of Southeast Asia that you must see when you are here.
1. Angkor Wat – CAMBODIA
If there is one place in Southeast Asia that everyone must see, it is Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a temple complex located in the town of Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia. It is the largest religious monument in the world and was built in the 12th century as a Hindu temple. Dedicated to god Vishnu, one of the 3 principal gods in Hindu mythology, the history of Angkor Wat is rich which is why it is also known as “The land of the god-kings”.
Angkor Wat is the most popular site and most visited tourist attraction in Cambodia. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, which encouraged an international effort to prevent further damage.
Angkor Wat is one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia that should be on everyone’s list to see once in their life. It is magical at sunrise, has its own charm, and is breathtaking in every single way. There are so many temples like Bayon, Ta Phrom, etc that will leave you speechless.
FACT: Every year, more than 2 million tourists visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Time to visit Angkor Wat: During the dry season between November and April is best.
What not to miss: A sunrise from the reflection pond in front of Angkor Wat.
How to reach Angkor Wat: Rent a scooter or hire a tuk-tuk with the driver.
Dress Code for Angkor Wat: It is important to dress appropriately to visit the site. Be sure to cover your knees and shoulders. No short or revealing clothes.
Recommended days: 2-3 days
2. Vang Vieng – LAOS
Laos is a mountainous country that is popular among backpackers because of Luang Prabang, a city that is bordered by the Mekong River and Nam Khan river but Vang Vieng is a place that can steal your heart.
Vang Vieng is a small town located in Central Laos on the Nam song river. Once known as a party town, it is now a peaceful scenic place that can seriously make you awestruck. The beauty of Vang Vieng is in its natural landscape with limestone cliffs and paddy fields stretched as far as the eyes can see. It is a perfect place to enjoy nature and unwind from the busy and bustling cities of Southeast Asia.
Imagine an early morning hot air balloon ride over the scenic landscape of Vang Vieng with the morning light falling on limestone cliffs. Sounds, breathtaking? Well, it is like a painting coming to life.
Location: Central Laos
Best Time to visit Vang Vieng: During the dry season between November and March is best.
What not to miss: A hike to Namxay Viewpoint
How to reach Vang Vieng: As there is no airport to directly reach here, take a bus/minivan from cities like Luang Prabang or Vientianne.
Recommended days: Minimum 2 days
Read more: Things to do in Vang Vieng
3. Inle Lake – MYANMAR (BURMA)
Inle Lake is a freshwater, unpolluted, and picturesque lake surrounded by hills, famous for its natural beauty and the unique one-leg rowing skills of Intha fisherman. Life on the lake is the reason that makes Inle lake so stunning and it’s so captivating to see a whole village living in wooden houses on the lake.
The people who live on the lake are self-sufficient farmers working on floating farms near the floating village. Life here is simple, ecological, and sustainable. It’s amazing how Intha people have tried to hold their culture and tradition to date but the unique fishing technique of rowing with one leg is sadly dying a slow death.
It is one of the most underrated places in Southeast Asia that people still don’t focus on. It’s one such place that will leave you spellbound and will make you yearn to come back again. Hence, also making it one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia.
Location: Myanmar (Burma)
Best Time to visit Inle Lake: Between November and February is best but also the busiest.
What not to miss: A sunrise boat ride to watch Intha fisherman and the floating village.
How to reach Inle Lake: The most comfortable is to take a domestic flight. The closest airport, Heho is 1 hr away from Inle lake.
Recommended days: Minimum 2 days
4. Bagan – MYANMAR (BURMA)
Undisputedly the most famous place in Myanmar is Bagan. It is an ancient city and a UNESCO world heritage site that attracts more than 2 lakh visitors every year to see thousands of old temples and pagodas. Bagan has been hit by the earthquake over centuries but the recent one in 2016 destroyed even more temples and pagodas (over 400 temples) which in return has made the government close all the pagodas for climbing.
The repair work is ongoing but one can still feel the beauty of abandoned stupas and pagodas, the most at sunrise and sunset. Imagine witnessing several hot air balloons flying over the pagodas at sunrise from the ground of one of these old temples. It’s magical.
Location: Myanmar (Burma)
Best Time to visit Bagan: Between November and February is the best but also the busiest.
What not to miss: A hot air balloon ride overlooking the beautiful temples and pagodas.
How to reach Bagan: Domestic flight is available from every big city in Myanmar. Also, a minivan or bus can be taken from Mandalay.
Dress Code for Bagan: It is important to dress appropriately to visit the temples. Be sure to cover your knees and shoulders.
Recommended days: Minimum 3 days
5. Chiang Mai – THAILAND
Northern Thailand is one of the best places to understand the cultural importance and values of Thailand. With over 300 temples, Chiang Mai is a hot spot for ex-pats to make it their base to explore more of Northern Thailand.
Known for its beautiful ancient temples, Chiang Mai is a place rich in culture. The best way to enjoy it is to do temple hopping in the morning, take a traditional Thai cooking class in the afternoon, and explore the night markets in the evening followed by a traditional Thai massage.
Location: Northern Thailand
Best Time to visit Chiang Mai: Between October-March when the weather is pleasant.
What not to miss: Lantern festival that happens on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month every year which normally means around mid-November.
How to reach Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai can be easily reached by air.
Dress Code for Chiang Mai: It is important to dress appropriately to visit the temples. Be sure to cover your knees and shoulders. Do not speak to monks, unless they speak to you first or take their pictures.
Recommended days: Minimum 3-4 days
Read more: Best temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand
6. Bangkok – THAILAND
Thailand is the most visited country in Southeast Asia and Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is the most visited city in Southeast Asia. It is a city of variations. It is crowded and hot but it gives you a sense of adventure and understanding of Thai culture. From the slow-moving traffic on roads to cruising in a boat through narrow canals, there is a lot going for.
The world-class gourmet food and the vibrant nightlife make Bangkok so charming and one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia. Apart from all the spectacular temples, historical landmarks, and world-famous floating market, Bangkok is a shopping hub. Be ready to get sucked into hours of shopping.
Location: Central Thailand
Best Time to visit Bangkok: Between November-March when the weather is pleasant and heat and humidity are at the lowest.
What not to miss: A trip to Wat pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace, and floating markets to name a few.
How to reach Bangkok: A flight is the easiest and most comfortable no matter where you come from.
Recommended days: Minimum 3-4 days
7. Khao Sok National Park – THAILAND
Khao Sok National Park is one of the 102 National Parks in Thailand and is home to the oldest evergreen forest in the world. It covers an area of 738 square kilometers and rainforest which is older and more diverse than the Amazon Rainforest! It is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia if you are after a unique vacation spot.
Being the most popular mainland national park destination in South Thailand, Khao Sok has a great diversity of plants and wildlife. During rainy months you may spot bears, boars, gaurs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants, and even a tiger. It is home to more than 300 bird species, 38 bat varieties, and one of the world’s largest (and smelliest) flowers – Rafflesia kerrii.
The main attractions of the park are Cheow Lan Lake, iconic limestone hills, waterfalls, raft houses, trails, caves, and rivers.
Khao Sok is in one of the wettest regions of Thailand and remains green all-around the year. So be prepared to get wet! The most rain falls between late April to December, but there’s really no way to predict the rainfall on a specific day.
Location: Southern Thailand in Surat Thani province, Thailand
Best Time to visit Khao Sok: The dry season between November and April is the best.
What not to miss: Jungle cooking and full-day Khao Sok Lake tour.
How to reach Khao Sok: Surat Thani airport is the nearest one but one can also choose Phuket airport if there is no direct flight to Surat Thani.
Recommended days: Minimum 2 full days
8. Hoi An – VIETNAM
Hoi An is Vietnam’s prettiest, historic, and most atmospheric town. The town is a display of the various heritage of Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples, and ancient tea warehouses. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been described as the place “where time stood still.”
The charming night scenes and illuminated riverside bars make it a picturesque setting. The city is mostly free of traffic and pollution. It’s a special feeling to walk in this magical ancient town for the very first time. It’s exactly as attractive as the pictures show, and it gets even more beautiful at night because of all the lanterns.
If there is only one place in Vietnam that should be on everyone’s list, it is Hoi An. It’s one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia.
FACT: Hoi An, which translates to “peaceful meeting place” is considered as one of the most romantic places in Asia.
Location: Vietnam
Best Time to visit Hoi An: The dry season from February to May is the best time to visit.
What not to miss: A stroll around the old town and if you want custom-made clothing, tailors are famous here.
How to reach Hoi An: The only way to get there is by road. You can hire a taxi from the neighboring city of Da Nang, which does have an airport with daily flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other large Vietnamese cities.
Recommended days: 2 days
9. Halong Bay – VIETNAM
Halong Bay is a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. It’s a UNESCO world site that is dotted with 1600 limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes. Some of the islands are hollow, and one can explore many amazing caves with guided tours.
With the increasing number of tourists every year, the raw and ethereal beauty of Halong Bay is getting lost slowly. The emerald waters are becoming dirty but it still holds a charm that makes it so worthy to visit when in Vietnam.
FACT: In Vietnamese, Ha Long means “descending dragon.” Dragons play a prominent role in Vietnamese culture, and the most popular legend has it that one such creature and her children descended from heaven to defend the Vietnamese people from invaders, spraying fire. She and her children then stayed on Earth.
Location: Northern Vietnam
Best Time to visit Halong Bay: The dry season from February to May is the best time to visit.
How to reach Halong Bay: The best way to get to Halong City is by car, minibus, or bus from Hanoi which is only 170 km away.
Recommended days: 2 days
10. Hanoi – VIETNAM
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, located on the banks of the Red River is known for its rich culture and French influence. Being conquered by the French from 1883 to 1945, the architecture of the city is highly influenced by French architecture which is visible to date.
This can be seen through the traditional Vietnamese architecture and French-styled avenues in the city center. The charming old quarter consists of most of the budget and mid-range hotels along with hawker stalls and shops housed in French colonial buildings.
Hanoi is massive, and without a decent public transport system in place, it can be quite confusing to get around.
Location: Northern Vietnam
Best Time to visit Hanoi: October to December
What not to miss: Train street
How to reach Hanoi: It is one of the major entry points with plenty of direct international flights.
Recommended days: 2-3 days
11. Singapore
Singapore is an island city located in Southeast Asia that showcases a beautiful blend of multi-culture with Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Arab, and English cultures mixed with Singaporean twists. It offers a wide variety of culinary experiences from multiple Michelin star restaurants to hawker stalls making it one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia if you love food.
Though Singapore is a small country, it still offers a lot to see. The public transport system is widespread, efficient, and affordable. There are a variety of things to do including a trip to Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium, and Sentosa Island to name a few. Being a city with modern architecture and filled with skyscrapers, it has no shortage of lush green spaces. All of these reasons make Singapore one of the top 5 tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.
Best Time to visit Singapore: Singapore is a year-round destination but dry months of February to April are best.
What not to miss: Gardens by the Bay (both day and night) and Artscience museum.
Recommended days: 4-5 days
Read more: Best Singapore Instagram Spots for Perfect Pictures
12. Kuala Lumpur – MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur is a big travel hub in Southeast Asia for tourists coming to travel or having a connecting flight. It’s the capital of Malaysia and is known for Petronas Twin Towers. Being one of the best shopping destinations in Southeast Asia, expect to see a huge number of shopping malls that are perfect to escape the humid climate.
It has a variety of places to see that are scattered around in the city. The best way to travel around is to book a Grab taxi which is similar to Uber. Some places that are worth visiting are Petronas Twin Tower, Batu Caves, Putrajaya mosque, Astaka Morocco, Wilayah Mosque to name a few.
Best Time to visit Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur is a year-round destination as it’s humid overall and one must be ready for rain anytime.
What not to miss: Batu caves and Putrajaya Mosque
Recommended days: 3-4 days
Read more: 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Kuala Lumpur
13. Penang – MALAYSIA
Listed as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 2008, Penang has no shortage of sights and natural scenery. It is a state in northwest Malaysia and has 2 parts: Penang Island and Seberang Perai. There are plenty of must-see attractions that you should definitely include in your itinerary.
Georgetown which is the capital of Penang has become a major tourist attraction and some of its parts are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Some of the top attractions include Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si temple, and a day trip to Penang National Park.
Location: On the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Best Time to visit Penang: November to January is the best in terms of weather and February to April is quieter.
What not to miss: A ride in a funicular train to reach Penang hill and street art in Georgetown.
How to reach Penang: It is easily accessible by air. The cheapest and fastest way is to take a bus from Kuala Lumpur.
Recommended days: 2-3 days
14. Bali – INDONESIA
If there is only one country that needs to be on your list, it should be Indonesia. It offers a variety of landscapes from beaches to mountains, temples, volcanoes, and lakes and is one of the best countries to visit in Southeast Asia. Bali is an Indonesian island that is a highly popular tourist destination. It is not a place, it’s a mood.
Bali is majorly divided into Canggu, Ubud, East Bali, and North Bali. All of these parts offer different types of adventures making Bali one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia. Canggu is majorly a base for full-time travelers and is cafe heaven. Further down south are some of the best beaches and luxurious resorts with a view of the wide ocean.
Ubud is a place to enjoy the natural beauty, see the rice terraces, indulge in relaxation, and get a traditional Balinese massage along with a flower bath. North Bali offers some of the best waterfalls of Bali, Instagrammable places like Wanagiri Hidden Hills and lake Tamblingan. East Bali is one of the best places to see some stunning temples of Bali with views of the volcano.
Best Time to visit Bali: During the dry season between April and October but to see the rice paddies fully grown February-March is better.
What not to miss: Hike Mount Batur, have a floating breakfast, and relax in a flower bath are a must.
How to reach Bali: It is easily accessible by air.
Recommended days: 10 days minimum
READ MORE
13 Things to do in Munduk Bali – The Ultimate Guide
Wanagiri Hidden Hills – A guide to Bali’s Famous Instagram Spot
11 Stunning Temples In Bali you need to see now
Where to Stay in North Bali – Munduk Moding Plantation Bali
15. Nusa Penida – INDONESIA
Nusa Penida is the largest of the 3 Nusa islands in Southeast of Indonesia. It is a paradise with some of the best white-sand beaches. Snorkeling or diving with Manta rays at Manta Bay is one of the few activities to do on the island.
The beauty of the island is being noticed by people all over the world hence they have started to get really touristy. Some of the best places to visit include Kelingking beach, Diamond beach, Atuh beach, Peguyangan Waterfall, and Broken beach to name a few.
Best Time to visit Nusa Penida: May to September is the dry season making it easy to explore the island.
What not to miss: Diamond Beach and Kelingking beach.
How to reach Nusa Penida: Catch the first ferry from the Sanur harbor in Bali to Nusa Penida.
Recommended days: 4-5 days
16. Java – INDONESIA
Java is an island of Indonesia, bordered by the Indian Ocean on the south and the Java Sea on the north. Four of Indonesia’s eight UNESCO world heritage sites are in Java: Ujung Kulon National Park, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, and Sangiran Early Man Site.
Java is over 20 times larger than Bali and is just a 1-hour flight away from it. It has one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Indonesia and the largest Hindu complex of Indonesia is in Yogyakarta. Java also has 112 volcanoes — 35 of which are currently active. It is one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia for people who love nature and historical places.
Some of the not-to-miss places in Java include Borobudur Temple, Merapi Volcano, Kalibiru National Park, Rainbow Village, and Mount Ijen.
Best Time to visit Java: During the dry season which spans from May to September, when days are hot, dry, and sunny. These months are also an ideal time to travel if you are planning on climbing the mountains of Bromo or Ijen.
What not to miss: Climbing Mount Bromo and Tumpak Sewu Waterfall to name a few.
How to reach Java: Most of the international flights go to Jakarta and some of them fly to Surabaya in East Java. Depending on where you want to go in Java, you can choose domestic flights or travel by road.
Recommended days: 10-15 days
17. Komodo National Park – INDONESIA
Komodo National Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in the East Nusatenggara province. The Park encompasses a total of 29 volcanic islands (including the 3 major islands Rinca, Padar, and Komodo) and is home to approximately 2,500 Komodo Dragons. It currently holds a place on the list of the 7 New Wonders of Nature.
The park’s terrain is uniquely diverse, consisting of a mountainous hillside, tropical rain forests, grass-woodland savannah, and pristine white sandy beaches that harbor rich marine biodiversity.
National Park’s main attraction is Komodo Island and is particularly notable as the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on Earth. Komodo dragons are 3 meters in length and weigh around 70 kgs. They can run and swim at a speed of 20 Kmph and can also eat up to 80% of their body weight in one go.
After Komodo another famous island in the park is Padar. It’s a small island located between Komodo and Rinca islands. It is the third-largest island and has four deep bays with beaches in different colors, most of them are white sands, while some beaches have grey and pink sands.
Another key tourist destination is Pink Beach or Pantai Merah. It is one of seven pink beaches on the planet.
Best Time to visit Komodo National Park: Komodo Dragon can be seen all year round but the best time to visit is during the dry season between April and December.
What not to miss: Hike up Padar Islands and walk on a sand bar.
How to reach Komodo National Park: Take a flight to Labuan Bajo from Bali or a ferry to Komodo island.
Recommended days: 2-3 days
18. Palawan – PHILLIPINES
Palawan, officially known as the Province of Palawan is a group of islands that are located in the region of Mimaropa. It is the largest province in the country in terms of total area with some 1,780 islands that feels like nothing less than paradise. It is truly one of the best places in Southeast Asia for people who love water.
Palawan has everything from gorgeous karst limestone geography to gorgeous beaches, caves, mountains, and jungles, with the occasional settlement. It also offers rustic Filipino food and bottomless Filipino beer. Palawan is famous for some of the amazing scuba diving sites all around the area as well as reefs that are friendly for snorkeling. The underground caves should not be missed and the same goes for the lagoons.
Some of the best islands in Palawan are El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and New 7 Wonders of Nature. It’s one of the most famous sites in Palawan.
Best Time to visit Palawan: Between February and March is the best temperature.
What not to miss: Island hopping and scuba diving.
How to reach Palawan: Puerto Princesa International Airport is an international airport to fly to.
Recommended days: 4-5 days
19. Cebu – PHILLIPINES
Cebu is a province located in the Central Visayas region in the Philippines. It consists of the main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets. Cebu City, which is the capital of the Philippines is known as the “the Queen City of the South”.
Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines and Cebu City is the global hub for commerce, trade, education, and industry. Mactan–Cebu International Airport, located on Mactan Island, is the second busiest airport in the Philippines.
Cebu is known for its white-sand beaches and spectacular diving, especially in the north of Cebu at Malapascua and down on the southwest coast at Moalboal. On the other side, Cebu City has many lively bars, emerging eateries, and increasing retail appeal. It is the only place where you can get western food easily because of multiple mega shopping malls.
Best Time to visit Cebu: March to May is very hot and humid so winter months are recommended where days are sunny and night cooler.
What not to miss: Kawasan falls
How to reach Cebu: Mactan International airport located on Mactan island is the best choice.
Recommended days: 3 days
20. Siargao – PHILLIPINES
The teardrop-shaped island is fast becoming the Philippines and Southeast Asia’s travel destination of choice. Siargao is a hidden paradise covered in palm trees and surrounded by turquoise waters. You will find more palm trees than civilians and surfing is practically a religion there. Hence, this place is often referred to as “the surfing capital of the Philippines”.
Even if you are not a surfer, you shouldn’t be upset and must visit Siargao. As this place offers much more than its waves. You can swim with stingless jellyfish in a blue lagoon or paddleboarding through ancient mangroves. There are rock pools, mangrove swamps, twisty rivers, offshore islands with strange rock formations, and wildlife. It’s one of the eco-friendly destinations that promote sustainable tourism.
Cloud 9 is the best surfing spot in Siargao and delight to watch surfers here. This is one of the reasons why this island got the attention of international travelers and is becoming more famous. Del Carmen is another spot that is getting popular because of the Sugba Lagoon.
Best Time to visit Siargao: The dry season is between March and October which is the peak tourist season. For surfers, the best time is between August to November.
What not to miss: Surfing but for non-surfers, island hopping.
How to reach Siargao: There is no international Airport but you can take domestic flights from Cebu and Manila.
Recommended days: 4 days
Final Thoughts
Southeast Asia offers a lot of variety and there is something for everyone. All the places in this article are the ultimate bucket list places and some of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia that shouldn’t be missed.
If you like this post, make sure to pin it for later!!
These places all look incredible, and I’ve definitely added a few of them to my bucket list!
I’m dying to get to SEA!!!! I really want to get to Malaysia – my grandparents taught English and Geography there for 10+ yrs but I never got to visit. I want to get to Laos and Thailand too. Thanks for the inspo – these photos are gorgeous!
I loved reading about all of these incredible ideas! The Phillipines are absolutely stunning! Bookmarking this post for the future 🙂
These destinations look incredible! I cannot wait to visit all of these places!
This is an amazing blog post Suvarna! There are so many places in SEA I still need to visit. I’ve done Bali, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, but next I want to do Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines. 🙂
I’ve been to some parts of SE Asia, but I’m looking forward to visiting Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines in the future. They look like such amazing and interesting places.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit 6 of these so far but Indonesia and Cambodia are high on my list so hoping I’ll get to them soon. Amazing list
Wow! I just moved to Melbourne, Australia, so I’ll be sure to put these on my list for next year !!!! …i think Philipines will be my first!
Great post! Southeast Asia is one of my absolute favorite regions in the world and I love the tropical climate and vibrant culture. Some of my favorite places include Mindanao (Philippines), Singapore, Cameron Highlands (Malaysia), Bangkok, and Saigon but I really hope to visit all the places on this list!
Wow, such a thorough post! Thanks for sharing all these details. I can’t wait til we can travel again as I would love to spend some time exploring Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar 😊
Ah I miss traveling Southeast Asia. It’s such a beautiful part of the world. Hoi An is one of my absolute favourite places. I’ve yet to visit Myanmar, so this is top of my list! Your photos are so beautiful too!
This is such a great list! I’ve been to many of these places but still need to visit Malaysia and the Philippines. I would also love to revisit some of the places in Indonesia and Vietnam. At the moment I am missing Southeast Asia so much! Wish we’d be able to travel soon! Thanks for the inspiration!
For years while I grew in India, I missed the chances of visiting any south East Asian countries! That in itself is a big regret for me. But I am sure I will visit these beautiful countries one day, perhaps! Lovely list and informative post, altogether.
Oh wow! So many amazing options, it’s hard to narrow it down.
What a beautiful post and so many bucket list destinations on here. Philippines is a big one for me – hopefully soon!
What a beautiful list of places!! Still dying to go to Laos, and Palawan looks like a dream. And I loved Komodo — definitely want to go back someday! 🙂
Such an awesome list of places in South East Asia. I have never been to Myanmar and Philippines. They are surely in my list and I will ensure I add these places while planning my itinerary.
Ok girl you just literally enumerated my own bucketlist!! Apart from the places I have done already of course ahah.This is such a great and efficient blogpost, it made me miss travel even more, which I didn’t think possible! Can’t wait to travel again and explore all those wonderful gems.
What an incredibly thorough guide, this is awesome, thanks for sharing!
I’d love to get back to the Philippines one day! These places sound so amazing!
Suvarna this is such an amazing post!! It is so incredibly thorough and makes me want to visit Southeast Asia
You will love SE Asia Kirsten. Definitely visit when it’s allowed.
So much travel inspo!! I’m dying to go to Cambodia and Laos, also want to go back and see more of the Philippines. Hopefully I can go back to Asia soon!
There are so many good places in South East Asia. I really want to go back to Vietnam, that’s where I met my husband!
Oh, that’s so wonderful. Vietnam is one country I am eager to visit after Corona.
Great post! There are so many places on this list that I would like to visit. where would you go first?
Yes, there is so much to see. I have a lot left to see in Indonesia and Thailand. Also, Vietnam is high on my list.
What a fantastic, comprehensive list! I still need to check out Myanmar and the Philippines, and I’ve seen far too little of Indonesia, so will definitely refer back to this when it’s safe to travel again.
Love the guide. I’m heading over in a few weeks so this is getting me even more excited
Nice,I want to go for a balloon ride in Bagan(Myanmar)
Love this post! I have pinned many times because I keep telling myself that it’s time to hit all 20 destinations 😂 Such an inspiring article