Southeast Asia is full of historical, cultural and natural attractions. Where you should go will depend on your interests and what time of year you plan to travel. Since most of the region lies in the tropics, all of the countries are subject to annual monsoons to some degree. The monsoons are marked by heavy rainfall, and so are the less popular time of year to visit. However, the rainy season is not necessarily really a bad time to visit. The rains usually only come in drenching afternoon thunderstorms, leaving the rest of the day to explore the sights.
The region straddles the equator, so when it's cool and dry in the north, it's hot and wet in the southern part of the area. We've drawn up the list below based on when the conditions are best for each destination. However, keep in mind that in many cases this is when these places are most crowded and accommodations are at their most expensive.
Thailand is still the major destination in mainland Southeast Asia, but there is so much more to see, and some of it is quite accessible. Many people have their sights set on seeing the splendors of Angkor at least once, but why not spend more time in Cambodia, taking in the bustling capital of Phnom Penh and the lazy coastal area of Kampot?
For the more adventurous, there are the rivers, ancient monuments and 4,000 islands of Southern Laos. Or, if Thailand is still your thing, why not get a little off the beaten path in a place like Sukhothai.
Asia for Visitors is your on-line travel guide to Southeast Asia, with all the information you need to plan and book your trip to one or more of the eight countries covered. The top destinations are all linked at the top of the page. If you haven't decided on your destination yet, knowing when you are going can help narrow down the choice of where, since the weather patterns vary greatly from the northern countries to the south. See our Where to go page for an idea of when each country is at its best. If a beach holiday is your primary objective, then you may want to have a look at our thoughts regarding Southeast Asia's best beach destinations. There are dozens of fascinating historical sites around Southeast Asia, if you're interested in the rich history of the region.
Destination Guides
Burma / Myanmar
Myanmar, or Burma as it was once known, presents both a unique opportunity and a challenge to the prospective visitor. The opportunity is the chance to see a country and culture still largely untouched by mass tourism. The challenge is whether or not to go to a place where the government has such a questionable human rights record. Setting aside for a moment whether or not it's "right" to go, let's discuss why you may want to go there in the first place.
Cambodia has taken its place as one of the world's top destinations. While the ruins of the ancient Khmer capital around Angkor Wat are truly one of the wonders of the world, there's much more to Cambodia than that. You can easily spend weeks, or months, exploring all that the country has to offer, from bustling seaside resorts to virgin rainforests.
Indonesia presents a unique challenge to the traveler (not to mention the travel writer). It consists of more than 10,000 inhabited islands spread across about 3,000 miles of ocean from the Asian mainland well into the Pacific. A tradition of trade stretching back nearly 1,000 years has given the many islands a diverse set of cultures to explore. Although events of the last few years may lead many to believe that Indonesia is a place rife with unrest, the fact is that in most of the country it's business as usual.
After two decades of isolation following the Vietnam war, Laos began to open up to the outside world late in the last century. For centuries, although ruled by its own kings, this mountainous land formed a sort of buffer between more the powerful kingdoms of China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Siam.
Now this landlocked nation is open to tourism, although this openness is on its own terms. Development of large scale facilities for visitors has proceeded at a very slow pace. This means Laos is still relatively unspoiled by mass tourism.
Malaysia is the often over-looked neighbor of Singapore. Occupying the Malaysian peninsula between Singapore and Thailand, as well as the Northern part of the island of Borneo, Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy of 13 states, plus three federal territories.
Nine of the peninsular states have heriditary sultans as heads of state. Malaysia is an odd sort of constitutional monarchy, with the king elected to a five-year term by the sultans from among their ranks.
Around Asia you will often hear some good-natured jibes at Singapore. It's often referred to as the “nanny state” for the government's apparent interest in the minutiae of its citizen's lives. However, there's no doubt a little jealousy behind the sarcasm. Singapore is, by just about any measure, a highly “successful” country. Its citizens enjoy a standard of living that is at or near the top of Asia. They have one of the best educational systems anywhere, with English as the common language. The heart of Singapore is a modern city center very much in the western style, with an efficient and integrated transportation system. One business associate of mine even refers to Singapore as “Asia for beginners.” Perhaps, given the recent trend in self help books, it should be “Asia for dummies.”
Thailand offers the tourist a somewhat unique experience in all of Southeast Asia. Unlike all of its neighbors, the country was never colonized by Western powers. At least not in the traditional sense. A long history of openness and adaptation means that the capitol of Bangkok in particular is a very western city.
However, you only have to scratch the surface to find old traditions and a style of doing things that isn't seen much any more. A very tourist-oriented economy insures that Thailand has something for just about every one. Explore the main cities and destinations at the top of the page, or read on for an overview.
Vietnam — Just the name conjures up all kinds of images. After years of relative isolation, Vietnam is opening up to the tourist trade, sort of. There is quite a bit on offer, and it doesn't all necessarily have to do with recent history.
Between the rich cultural heritage, tropical beaches, rural villages and shopping opportunities, Vietnam has something for just about everyone. The highlights below will give you some idea of the main tourist areas. Explore the links at left for more information on specific topics.
