Cities, Beaches, Flavors and More: The 15 Most Popular Destinations in Southeast Asia
A well-known region for travelers seeking exotic adventures, you could spend years in Southeast Asia without getting bored. But like all tourists, you only have limited time; and it can be tough to work out which pockets of the region are worth visiting. So in this quick guide, we’ve sifted through the rest to bring you the best, featuring only the most impressive (and popular) destinations in Southeast Asia. We’ve featured hikes, hills, temples, parties, peaks, and plenty more. And as an opulent extra, we’ve also included some luxury spots… for those seeking decadent downtime. Today, Amber Kampot are visiting the most popular Southeast Asian tourist spots. And you’re coming with us!
BANGKOK
When you think of Southeast Asia, you probably think of Thailand. And when you think of Thailand, you probably think of Bangkok. The most popular destination in all of Southeast Asia (it’s often the most visited city in the world… and regularly attracts more than 20 million visitors per year), Bangkok is a perfect microcosm of Southeast Asian life. You can expect busy bustle, hulking temples, saliva-worthy street food, packs of tuk-tuks, non-stop nightlife, and just the right amount of culture shock. At the risk of dishing out platitudes, you genuinely can’t visit Southeast Asia without visiting Bangkok... and as a nice bonus, the city also offers some easy-to-find corners of luxury, from Michelin-starred restaurants, to classy cocktail bars, to world-class resorts and hotels.
KOH SAMUI
Another of the top destinations in Thailand, and another of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia. The second-biggest island in the nation, it serves up fresh seafood, Insta-worthy beaches, alluring sunsets, and many other tropical tropes. When you’re imagining a tropical island, you’re probably imagining Koh Samui. Again, it’s a good spot for seeking out some lavish grandeur. Yep, budget-conscious backpackers can nab a beachside bungalow for just a few dollars… but you can also find some of the most elegant overnight stays you’ve probably ever seen (along with many high-end spas).
PHU QUOC
One of our lesser-known entries (at least for now), Phu Quoc is rapidly becoming much more popular. If you’re hunting for a quiet island escape, you’ve found it. Although Phu Quoc sits closer to Cambodia, it’s actually part of Vietnam. It offers everything you’d expect from a Southeast Asian island, including white-sand beaches, hiking trails, waterside bungalows, freshly-caught seafood, affordable resorts, and hefty slices of laconic life.
KAMPOT
Very close to Phu Quoc, it’s the sleepy Cambodian town of Kampot. Previously underrated and under-visited, this little town is swiftly emerging as a Cambodian hotspot—and it’s vastly different to most other parts of the region. It offers throwback architecture, a near-surreal lazy vibe, and endless reasons to fall in love. Expect cultural tours, little-known national parks, and close proximity to the shores and sands of crab-serving Kep. For luxury, Kampot is one of the best places in Southeast Asia. Our high-end Kampot resort recently ranked 4th in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious ‘Beach Island Upcountry Hotels’ category… and that same publication called us “the hottest new hotel in Cambodia.” For more information on the most endearing town in Cambodia, check out our guides to 10 things to do in Kampot, and 8 foods to try in Kampot.
SIEM REAP – ANGKOR WAT
A big contender for ‘most famous religious complex in the world,’ some tourists literally spend a week exploring the temples and treasures of this place. It’s the most well-known destination in Cambodia, and the biggest religious structure on the planet (measuring in at a huge 400 acres/160 hectares). An official UNESCO site, this place is genuinely unmissable.
LAOS
One of the most isolated nations in Asia, Laos only opened its borders to international tourists in 1989. Partially because of that, it’s retained a unique charm… and it feels like Thailand might have felt 30 years ago. You get world-class hikes, perpetually-smiling locals, small-but-loveable cities (you’ll plan to visit for two days, but want to stay forever), and a rugged party scene. That said, Laos isn’t as rural or retro as some people expect… and dotted across various parts of the nation, you can find lots of high-end eco-lodges and luxury hotels. Some of the most popular destinations in Laos include Vientiane (the surprisingly-quiet capital, and a great place to spend a couple of days doing nothing), Vang Vieng (offering low-cost drinks, towering karst peaks, adventure sports, and lots of hikes and caves), and UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang (brimming with temples and markets, it’s the nation’s best city-base for multi-day hikes).
HANOI
If you’ve already traveled in Southeast Asia, you might have convinced yourself that the region’s big-city destinations are all the same. But visit Hanoi, and you’ll see why you’re wrong. The city feels like someone took a village, and inexplicably inflated it to metropolis-sized proportions. It has a population of around 5 million people, but it somehow feels much smaller, much more authentic, and much less globalized than other similarly-sized cities. Packs of young foreigners decide to live here, and you’ll soon see why. Expect anything-goes market stalls, freshly-brewed beer (for less than a dollar!), and endless herds of perpetually-tooting scooters.
STREET FOOD STALLS
While you’re in Southeast Asia, you’ll (of course!) want to take advantage of the low-cost luxury, by munching on some affordable high-end fayre. But you should also immerse yourself in the street food fun of the region—you can find freshly-cooked meals and morsels for only a couple of dollars. Walk the streets, find lines of hungry locals, and join the flavor-filled fun. Make sure you try Cambodian foods like lort cha and fish amok. Thai treats like pad Thai and papaya salad. And Vietnamese fayre like bun cha and steaming-hot pho. Fun fact: if you want to combine low-cost with upper-class, you can even find Michelin-starred street food in Singapore!
BALI
Among the most famous Southeast Asian tourist spots, Bali is way bigger than most people realize. The go-to tropical destination for many travelers in the region, it has a population of over 4 million people. Made up of many cities, towns, and provinces, the island is a magnetic mixture of mountains, forests and beaches. Most famous for its backpacking beach bums, Bali is also a good under-the-radar choice for some alluring luxury. You’ll find private villas, rooftop bars, exclusive beach clubs, elegant spas, and a whole bunch of infinity pools. For living out all your splendor-packed beachside dreams, Bali is the perfect choice. Though you have many Bali destinations to choose from, two of the most popular options are Canggu (a tourist-heavy resort town offering beaches, rice fields and nearby nightlife) and Ubud (a quaint inland area most famous for forests, foothills, and charming slices of traditional life).
THE PHILIPPINES
Another beach-based behemoth, another of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. Made up of more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is huge. It’s waterfalls. It’s hikes. It’s mountains and volcanoes. It’s surprisingly-appealing cities. It’s picture-perfect sunrises and sunsets. But the Philippines is (of course) most famous for its shores and sands. Top beachside escapes include Boracay, El Nido and Bohol—but there are plenty more to choose from.
HA LONG BAY
The most well-known non-city spot in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is another UNESCO site. A misty and mysterious collection of towering limestone karsts, you should hop on one of the area’s startling boat cruises. You’ll see caves, colors and tiny islands, and you’ll understand why numerous movies have been shot here. For going beyond the typical (most tourists just cruise around for a few hours), you might want to book a luxury stay in one of the bay’s high-end hotels. It’s an immersive way to really experience and enjoy the region.
MYANMAR
The top Southeast Asian tourist spot for travelers seeking lesser-known experiences. You probably know people who’ve been to Thailand. And Vietnam. And the Philippines. But maybe you don’t know anyone who’s ventured to Myanmar. Take the trip, and you’ll be rewarded with a retro allure, where simple pleasures still prevail. The nation is more tourist-friendly than visitors expect, and the locals are hyper-friendly. Highlights include the gigantic religious complex of Bagan (Myanmar’s answer to Angkor Wat), some seemingly-stuck-in-time mountain villages, a surprising number of accessible multi-day hikes, and riding on juddering rust-bucket trains (serving up some of the best railroad views the world has to offer).
CHIANG MAI
One of the most popular digital-nomad destinations in Southeast Asia, visiting Chiang Mai is a bit of a cliché—but what a beautiful cliché it is. A loveable mountain city with a busy-but-lazy vibe, it’s somehow both hip and rural; somehow both modern and traditional. You get countless trendy cafes, some of Southeast Asia’s best cycling routes, and lots of healthy eating options. It’s popular with young people, but it’s perfect for everyone. If you like mountain towns, you’ll absolutely love the place.
POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: NOTABLE MENTIONS
We missed a huge number of Southeast Asian tourist spots from this list. Other must-visits include…Singapore: great for hunting out some luxury (it’s the classiest nation in Southeast Asia), and with an incredible food scene. You also get clean streets, swanky hotels, and hyper-modern tourist attractions.
Malaysia: criminally underrated, you can expect surprisingly-hip cities, the most diverse food in Southeast Asia, and lots of quiet beaches. Another highlight is the tea-centric Cameron Highlands, where you can laze and luxuriate in the misty low-level mountains.
- The rest of Indonesia: yes, we brought you Bali. But Indonesia is made up of more than 18,000 islands. If you can find it in Southeast Asia, you can find it here.
MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: FINAL WORDS
There they are—some of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia! If you’re interested in visiting the sleepy riverside town of Kampot, book a few nights in our resort. We offer spa treatments, wellness packages, private-pool access, premium villas, and lots of unique and romantic fine-dining experiences. We also serve up events, activities, and cultural immersion, along with lots of local life. It’s luxury without the artifice, and we offer a perfect combination of indulgence and authenticity. Thanks for reading, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy adventuring around Southeast Asia!