14 spots every traveller needs to visit in Southeast Asia

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As I write this I’ve just crossed the border from Cambodia into Vietnam on a cruise down the Mekong. It’s been 12 years since I last sailed down this river and while there may be some new developments, so much remains the same. From watching the sun rise over the temple complex of Angkor Wat to exchanging waves with smiling children, this part of the world has me wrapped around its little finger. As Australians, we’re lucky to be so close to the joys of warm, affordable Southeast Asia. Here are some of the highlights to explore.

THAILAND

The capital: Bangkok

Cruise down the Chao Phraya River on your way to Bangkok’s Grand Palace, shop till you drop in sparkling malls and bustling markets, and get the ultimate Thai food fix from street food to fine dining experiences.

Where to stay: Splash out on a riverside escape at The Siam where the suites by Bill Bensley feel like super-styling luxury apartments rather than hotel rooms.

Where to eat: Join the street food fun at Yaowarat Road in Chinatown. For a fancier treat, book ahead for Potong, helmed by Thai-Australian chef “Pam” Pichaya Soontornyanakij, Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024.

Don’t miss: The mega market experience at Chatuchak where more than 15,000 stalls selling almost anything you can think of are spread over 14ha.

The hot spot: Koh Samui

Picture-perfect beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, caves and temples make Koh Samui one of Thailand’s most popular holiday spots.

Where to stay: Tembo Beach Club & Resort has 10 bungalows on the beach starting from $150 a night.

Where to shop: At the Fisherman’s Village you can combine night market and boutique shopping with fresh seafood dinners.

Tip: Don’t fall for the old “the temple/palace is closed today” trick from tuktuk drivers who want to take you for a ride.

INDONESIA

The capital: Jakarta

As Jakarta slowly sinks, the Indonesian capital torch has just been handed to Nusantara in Borneo. Nusantara is still a work in progress, but Jakarta is a city full of history and culture, with an old town, Chinatown (Glodok), museums and the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, the Istiqlal mosque.

Where to stay: Swim in the rooftop pool in a heritage-listed Dutch Colonial building at The Hermitage in Jakarta’s central Menteng district.

Where to eat: Head to the Gang Gloria alleyway in Glodok for food stalls with signature dishes, or for fine dining, August is one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Don’t miss: The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a cultural park with replicas of traditional houses, a reptile and bird park, cable car rides and more.

The hot spot: Sumatra

Volcanoes, deserted beaches and lush jungles with orangutans, tigers and elephants are just some of the calls of the wild in Sumatra.

Where to stay: The Ecolodge Bukit Lawang is in the gateway to orangutan country.

Where to see orangutans: Trek through rainforest in the Gunung Leuser National Park to see them in the wild, or pay a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre in Bukit Lawang.

Tip: Use cycle rickshaws known as becaks to get around. Ask your hotel staff for tips on fair prices before you get in.

VIETNAM

The capital: Hanoi

Let’s hear it for Hanoi where you can take a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, see national treasures at the Fine Arts Museum, visit temples and pagodas, and tuck into the traditional local street food, bun cha, while sipping cheap bia ho’i (fresh beer).

Stay golden: Definitely one of a kind, the Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake is covered in 24-carat gold and has a gold-plated infinity pool and golden bathtubs, sinks and toilets.

Get a coffee fix: Famous for its café culture, Hanoi is where your Vietnamese coffee can come with whisked egg yolks, yoghurt, coconut milk and condensed milk.

Don’t miss: Hoan Kiem Lake is a serene retreat in the city where you can visit the Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the lake, join a tai chi class and see a water puppet show.

The hot spot: Hoi An

A Unesco World Heritage site, Hoi An’s Old Town is an enchanting mix of cobblestone streets, lanterns, riverside scenes and European and Asian architecture.

Where to stay: Little Hoi An is an affordable boutique hotel with river views a five-minute stroll from the night market.

Where to shop: In the Old Town, have clothes tailor-made just for you, or pick up ready-to-wear silk numbers in shops like Metiseko.

Tip: Crossing the road in Vietnam is something you’ll never forget. Breathe, walk, and whatever you do, don’t change your pace.

SINGAPORE

The city

In Singapore, famous favourites like Gardens by the Bay have been joined by newer attractions including Sentosa Sensoryscape’s immersive garden experience, glass-bottomed spherical SkyOrb cabins on the Singapore Cable Car, and candyland dream scenes at the Museum of Ice Cream.

Where to stay: This month, the QT Singapore will open as a stylish new Singapore stay with a rooftop bar and pool playground, while the Pan Pacific Orchard is sustainable luxury mere metres from Orchard Road.

Where to bar hop: You’re spoiled for choice in Singapore, where 11 of Asia’s 50 Best Bars can be found. Top spots include Jigger & Pony, Native, Night Hawk and Employees Only.

Don’t miss: The hawker stalls at the Amoy Street Food Centre where the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded stalls include A Noodle Story for Singapore-style ramen and Han Kee for umami-lovers’ soups.

The hot spot: Bintan Island

It may be part of Indonesia, but Bintan Island is only about a one-hour ferry hop from Singapore and has beautiful beaches, temples, resorts and golf courses.

Where to stay: The Banyan Tree Bintan is an all-pool-villa luxury resort with a private beach, infinity pools, spa, kids club and 18-hole golf course.

Temple time: See more than 500 life-sized individual stone statues, including Tripitaka from Journey to the West, at the slightly surreal 500 Lohan Temple, Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Tip: Pack light for the hot and humid weather, but always carry a scarf for blasts of airconditioning in taxis and shops.

MALAYSIA

The capital: Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur’s charms include the temples in the Batu Caves, KLCC Park picnics with Petronas Towers views, exploring the markets and malls, and – coming soon – the view from the 116th floor of the world’s second tallest building, Merdeka 118.

For a family-friendly stay: The Parkroyal Collection: Kuala Lumpur has Choo Choo Train and other kid-themed rooms with bunk beds and play areas.

Where to eat nasi lemak: Everywhere from street stalls to restaurants. For one of the best try Nasi Lemak Tanglin where they’ve been serving the classic Malaysian dish since 1948.

Don’t miss: Central Market Kuala Lumpur, which started as a wet market in 1888 and is now a great spot to shop for Malaysian arts and crafts.

The hot spot: Kuching, Borneo

Kuching means cat in Malay and you can expect lots of cat statues and interesting architecture, plus orangutans at the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.

Where to stay: The Pullman Kuching is an affordable five-star hotel with a swimming pool, spa and views of the city and Sarawak River.

Book a tour: To the Bako National Park where you can see proboscis and silver leaf monkeys, bearded pigs and more.

Tip: Malaysia has special Tourist Police to help travellers. Look out for the letter I on the shirt pockets of their dark-blue uniforms.

CAMBODIA

The capital: Phnom Penh

The Phnom Penh skyline has recently been transformed with lots of new buildings and sky bars popping up, while the history and beauty of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda remain.

Where to stay: The Raffles Hotel Le Royal combines French Colonial, Khmer and Art Deco styles in a historic hotel where you can have a Raffles experience from $270 a night.

Take a ride: In a cyclo, traditional pedal-powered transport that has been on these city streets since the 1930s.

Don’t miss: The former capital of Cambodia, Oudong, is about an hour from Phnom Penh and has stunning temples, stupas and Khmer architecture.

The hot spot: Siem Reap

The gateway to the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap is a city where no building can be taller than Angkor Wat, and where interesting creations can be found in galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bars.

Where to stay: The Moroccan-inspired Sarai Resort & Spa in Siem Reap is an affordable luxury find with two pools and a spa within walking distance of the Old Market and Night Market.

Drink it in: Head to the seductive speak-easy stylings of Miss Wong for 1930s vibes with quality cocktails.

Tip: In Siem Reap, the all-female tuktuk drivers’ group, Driver Srey, offers tours and transfers to empower local women.

PHILIPPINES

The capital: Manila

In Manila, visit an ancient city within a city at Intramuros, give your brain a treat at the Mind Museum, and shop for souvenirs while snacking on traditional street food at the Quinta (Quiapo) Market.

Budget stay: In Manila’s cultural and entertainment hub of Makati, the Hotel Durban has rooms from about $35.

Where to shop: To really get your retail cardio in, head to the linked malls metropolis of the Greenbelt complex. Or for fewer shops and more photo ops, you can ride full-size gondolas and sip cocktails at Venice Grand Canal Mall.

Don’t miss: The chance to get a history lesson while riding a bamboo bike around the city with Bambike Ecotours.

The hot spot: Cebu

Beaches, waterfalls and sardines: at Moalboal in Cebu you can swim with millions of them as they swirl around you in a silvery, shimmery dance.

Where to stay: The Dolphin House has spacious rooms, bungalows and a private villa, along with dive instructors and a scuba program.

Where to eat: Enjoy healthy bites at the vegetarian and vegan VEN’Z Kitchen.

Tip: Make sure you have cash and break anything bigger than a 1000 peso ($26) note as soon as you can.

UNDER THE RADAR ASIAN DESTINATIONS

While Myanmar is sadly off our travel plate for now, carrying a Do Not Travel advisory, Southeast Asia has more in store.

1. East Timor

Swim at the world’s most biodiverse coral reef, hike up jungle-covered mountains and discover Timorese food and crafts.

2. Laos

Drift down the Mekong and     visit the Buddha Caves, or get an adrenaline fix zip lining, cave tubing and hiking in the mountains.

3.  Brunei

This small nation on the island of Borneo has rainforests, beaches and beautiful mosques, including Jame’Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, which has 29 golden domes.

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