What We Love
Food: It's hard to pick a favorite, from the curries and noodles of Thailand to Vietnam’s noodle soups and beef dishes, and Indonesia’s satay meat skewers, fried chicken, and nasi goreng (stir-fried rice) eaten with sambal (red chili sauce).
Shopping: Southeast Asia is a shopper's paradise. Pick up authentic lacquer in Vietnam, gorgeous silks in Thailand, and batik fabric from Indonesia.
Best Known For
Temples: From Bangkok’s shimmering Grand Palace to Siem Reap’s spectacular Angkor Wat complex, Java, Indonesia’s stunning Borobudur, and Myanmar’s pagodas, Southeast Asia is packed with religious monuments of all kinds.
Best Ports
Hanoi: Historic Hanoi is a walkable city with great museums, dining, and shopping, and the colonial-era French Quarter and even older Asian quarter are a step back in time.
Penang, Malaysia: This city’s old quarter is a lovely area of colorful shop houses, old temples, and narrow lanes that gives you a good indication of what Singapore was once like.
Langkawi, Malaysia: Outdoorsy types will like the jungle treks to waterfalls and kayaking excursions through mangroves teeming with birds, not to mention the island’s beautiful sugar-white beaches. Langkawi is unspoiled and naturally beautiful.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
Be Prepared for the Weather: It can get boiling hot in Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia, especially in February, March, and April. On the other hand, northern Vietnam is chilly between December and March.
