Things to Do and Places to See in Southeast Asia
By Michael Aquino, About.com Guide
Dazzling Beaches
Southeast Asia has tens of thousands of islands - one of them may have your name on it! Discover Southeast Asia's beaches and find out what you can do with unlimited sea, sand and sun.
- 6 Unforgettable Beaches in SE Asia
- Boracay Island, Philippines
- Introduction to Bali
- Gili Islands, Indonesia
- Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
- Kadidiri in the Togean Islands, Indonesia
- Beaches in Phuket, Thailand
- El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
- Dapitan City and Dakak, Philippines
- Mui Ne, Vietnam
- Nha Trang, Vietnam
Sports & Thrills
Southeast Asia is gaining fame for its sports activities, from Formula One to football. Discover the experiences that the region has to offer the thrill seeking tourist.
- Five Extreme Sports Adventures in Southeast Asia
- Surfing in Bali, Indonesia
- Le Tour de Langkawi, Malaysia
- The Singapore F1 Grand Prix
- The Malaysia F1 Grand Prix
- The Singapore Flyer
- White Water Rafting in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
- Buon Don Elephant Races, Vietnam
- Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, Malaysia
- Diving in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
- Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos
Sacred Spots
Despite its inexorable march to modernity, Southeast Asian societies are very closely linked to ancient religious traditions. Many religions have left their mark on the region, with temples, pagodas, and mosques wherever you look.
- Five Sacred Sites in Southeast Asia
- Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
- Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, Vietnam
- Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang
- Wat Phnom Pagoda, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Walking Tour of Wat Phra Kaeo, Thailand
- Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Thailand
Historical Sites
Empires have risen and fallen throughout Southeast Asia, leaving ruins in their wake. These relics of Southeast Asia’s imperial and colonial past have been preserved or resurrected outright. If you want to experience Southeast Asia's past first hand, you can't go wrong visiting any of these historical sites.
- Must-See Temples in Angkor, Cambodia
- Candi Prambanan, Central Java, Indonesia
- Borobudur, Central Java, Indonesia
- Walking tour of Hue Citadel, Central Vietnam
- The Royal Tombs of Hue, Vietnam
- Walking Tour through Melaka, Malaysia
- Walking Tour of Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
- Plain of Jars, Laos
- Fort Cornwallis, Penang, Malaysia
- Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam
- Banten Lama, West Java, Indonesia
War Memorials
The wars of the last century have not left Southeast Asia unscathed. In Indochina and the Philippines, memories of World War II and the Vietnam War live on in a number of battlegrounds, museums, and cemeteries dedicated to those who fought and died.
- Memorial Day Sites in Southeast Asia
- Cu Chi Tunnels, South Vietnam
- Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Corregidor Island, Philippines
- Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
Shopping
Come taste from the region's many dining traditions, or max out your credit card on the limitless shopping opportunities that Southeast Asia has to offer.
- Shopping in Singapore
- Shopping at the Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Jalan Surabaya Antique Market, Jakarta, Indonesia
- The Great Singapore Sale, Singapore
- Great Shopping Bargains in Bangkok
Dining & Nightlife
Southeast Asia - where dining is an adventure! Find top restaurants and eating joints throughout the region, and eat your way through the region's many food traditions.
- Ten Dishes to Try in Singapore
- Padang Restaurants in Indonesia
- Penang's Chinese New Year Foods
- Food in Indonesia
- Ramadan Foods in Malaysia and Singapore
- Pho Noodle Soup From Vietnam
- Penang Food in Malaysia
- Where to Eat in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
- Malaysian Noodle Dishes
- Delicious Malaysian Indian Food
- Four Singapore Hawker Centers You Dare Not Miss
- Top Penang Food Finds
- Food in Vang Vieng, Laos
- Nightlife in Hanoi
Wild Encounters
Southeast Asia is a major center for biodiversity, and a number of tourist spots allow you to get up close and personal with the region’s wildlife.
- Singapore Zoo, Singapore
- Night Safari, Singapore
- Taman Safari Zoo, West Java, Indonesia
- Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Sabah, Malaysia
- Komodo National Park, Indonesia
- Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, Indonesia
- Monfort Bat Sanctuary, Samal Island, Philippines
Nature Parks
Go trekking through Southeast Asia's nature reserves to discover the real wealth of the region - stunning geological formations, unfamiliar flora and fauna, and a natural history you'll find nowhere else in the world.
- Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, Java, Indonesia
- Anak Krakatau, Sunda Strait, Indonesia
- The Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Philippines
- Kelimutu Lakes, Indonesia
- Mount Bromo, Indonesia
- Mount Rinjani, Indonesia
- Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Penang National Park, Malaysia
- Sagada, Philippines
- Peam Krasop Eco-tourism Sanctuary, Cambodia
- Tham Kong Lo Cave, Laos
Urban Adventures
Southeast Asia's cities bring the best of each country together into compact urban spaces that are easier to explore and enjoy!
- Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Things to Do in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Things to Do in Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Must-See Sights in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Singapore Family-Friendly Adventures
- Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Hoi An, Vietnam Travel Guide
- A Weekend in Saigon, Vietnam
- Phnom Penh, Capital of Cambodia
- An Introduction to Penang, Malaysia
- Singapore DUCKtours Amphibious Tour
- Battambang, Cambodia
Cultural Experiences
Dive into one (or all) of Southeast Asia's multitude of cultures, influenced by thousands of years of religious tradition and hundreds of years of colonial influence.