Planning to visit Southeast Asia in the near future? Man, are you are in for a treat! This part of the world is a very special place. Many visitors leave feeling inspired and awed by this part of the world. And pretty much everyone we talk to who has spent any time here has fallen in love with at least one country in Southeast Asia for at least one reason.
Here’s the thing, Southeast Asia is unlike any other place in the world. The lush green colors, the rice terraced hillsides, the smiling people, the insanely delicious cuisine. Not to mention the affordability of it all. It truly is so unique and you need to visit Southeast Asia right NOW! Here’s why…
1. The People
The people of Southeast Asia are some of the nicest and most welcoming people. They are so friendly and you are bound to get a smile from just about everyone! Most people really want to talk to you and get to know you and learn about your culture.
They will ask you where you’re from out of genuine curiosity. And if you get to know them, don’t be surprised if they offer to show you around or even invite you to meet their family. They genuinely want you to feel welcomed in their country and experience all that their culture has to offer. It makes you feel very at home and very safe immediately.
2. The Food
Many travelers will agree that they’ve had the best food of their life in Asia. It’s so delicious. Who doesn’t love Asian cuisine? But, Asian-style food is even better when you’re actually in Asia. But the only way you’ll ever try it is if you GO!
When you go, make sure to eat some street food! Nobody does street food like they do in Southeast Asia. It’s cheap, they make it right in front of you, and it’s some of the best stuff you’ll ever eat. If you can, try to get a home-cooked meal from someone… it’s even better than the street food!
3. The Culture
The way of life in SE Asian countries is slow-paced and simple. It’s not uncommon to see people napping or just relaxing in the mid-afternoon. This way of life can rub off on you if you spend a lot of time here, and for many people that would be a good thing!
While there are a lot of similarities between the countries in SE Asia, there are also major differences. Just as in Europe, traveling from country to country is very easy and just by taking a bus across the border, you’re in a new world. You’ll find new languages, new food, new currencies… a whole new culture to be explored!
The culture of each place is so alive! Take a walk through a market and you’ll see. It’s like an attack on the senses, in a good way.
4. The Nature and Scenery
From lush green mountains to sparkling blue ocean waters, historical and intricate temples, rice fields, palm trees, sunsets sinking into the edge of the world, expansive rivers with long-tail boats, and bamboo forests…SE Asia is stunning.
You are sure to see at least one thing that you just can’t wrap your head around. There will be moments when you’re looking at something IRL, so you obviously know it’s real, but it still doesn’t LOOK real.
Not to mention, the weather is amazing. Sure, it can be really hot or really wet (depending on when you visit). But, if you visit at the right time of year, it’s likely to be sunny and beautiful every day.
5. It’s Changing Quickly
With more and more people visiting Southeast Asia, tourism is growing very quickly. Also, our world is just getting smaller in general. It’s a good and bad thing. Social media is connecting us to places we originally might have had no connection to. These factors are influencing everything!
If you want to experience the most authentic version of SE Asia as it is right now, it’s better to go sooner than later! Things change and develop, it’s the way of the world. So you’d better book that flight ASAP.
Time to go!
We just can’t say it enough… you have got to see these places for yourself! It’s the kind of place that you can only really fully experience in person. You can see a million pictures or read things online, but truthfully, you won’t know until you go! Time to start planning.
Check out some of our Wild Bum travel guides to Southeast Asia:
- Day Trips and Adventure in Malaysia
- A First-Timer’s Guide to Bangkok
- Bali: Off the Beaten Path
- Best of Sunny Metro Manila!
- Everything You Need for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Exploring Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Exploring Penang for All Ages
Ready to visit Southeast Asia but wondering what is exactly considered part of it? The countries that makeup Southeast Asia are listed below.
- Thailand
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Laos
- Brunei
- Singapore
- Philippines
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Andaman and Nicobar Island
