After spending three months working through Southeast Asia, it was easy to see why so many people have a SE Asia vacation on their bucket list. It felt so new and different compared to the cities in the United States that I’ve called home. It was challenging, rewarding, and inspiring. At the same time, it was hot, sweaty, and at times, overstimulating. If you are trying to figure out where you should travel next, I encourage you to scroll through these photos and see if this part of the world speaks to you. Each country offers unique cultures, destinations, and stories. I can’t wait to return to this corner of the planet someday.
Reasons to Plan a SE Asia Vacation and Some Photos for Inspiration
1. Explore strange and colorful places.
From cafes where you can hold hedgehogs to colorful temples with monkeys who love stealing backpacks (like the Batu Caves pictured here in Kuala Lumpur), SE Asia is colorful and home to some of the most unique architecture and cultural attractions.
2. Enjoy some of the best coffee in the world.
You can fight me on this, but the coffee in Vietnam was the greatest we’ve ever had. Each shop has its own unique way of preparing it. Many options are incredibly sweet, but nothing is better when served up frozen on a hot day. The shop pictured below claims to be the original spot offering egg coffee. Read more about it in our post about the best cafes in Hanoi. The coffee and tea alone should motivate you to plan your SE Asia vacation.
3. See the brightest color of green.
The tropical climate in SE Asia makes it the perfect place to grow tropical fruits and rice. The rice fields are the most beautiful shades of green and make for some incredible drone subjects. The picture below was taken in Sidemen, Bali.
4. Take in views from some wild spots.
In the US, every viewing platform is surrounded by thick walls or fences, so there are no safety issues. Outside of the US, I learned those are few and far between. The picture below is a helipad on top of a skyscraper, and when the work day is done, they set up tables and serve drinks up here. Nothing keeps anyone from the edge. It made me a little nervous, but the photos were great. Live on the edge for your SE Asia vacation.
5. Check out futuristic cities.
I have lived in New York City and thought I had experienced city life. Then I got to Singapore. It’s like a clean version of the Big Apple, and it felt so futuristic. I was instantly in love. We swung through multiple times, thanks to the giant airport, and explored different neighborhoods. It’s the coolest city and even with multiple visits, I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.
6. Experience the peace of a Buddhist temple.
If you’ve never tried meditation, you might be inspired to after you visit a temple. Orange Robe Tours was one of our favorite experiences in Laos. Retired monks teach you different meditation techniques and you learn more about their daily life.
7. Take a wild ride on some crazy methods of transportation.
Safety feels a little different in SE Asia. You’ll ride from the airport in the back of an open truck or cruise around town on the back of a local’s motorbike. Don’t worry, there are apps in SE Asia that will help you find a ride, it just might look a little different than an Uber.
8. Experience tropical temps and beautiful weather.
Escape from winter weather or gray skies with a trip to this tropical paradise. Don’t make the mistake I did, though, and try to overdo it on those hot days. Do as the locals do, where you get out early in the morning, explore, and then plan to spend the hot afternoons relaxing or dipping in your pool. We settled in quickly to this routine in Ubud, Bali, but we definitely overheated trying to see the sites in Singapore. Swap a trip to the Caribbean with a SE Asia vacation.
9. Watch a pace of life that is much slower and more relaxed than the US.
The big cities are metropolitan and modern, but just like anywhere else, there are plenty of beautiful smaller towns where the pace is slower. Luang Prabang, Laos, was one of our favorite spots on our entire adventure around the world, and I cannot wait to return again and spend more time.
10. Climb through temples that were built centuries ago.
There is nothing in the United States that has been standing for thousands of years. The temples that you get to visit in places like Chiang Mai, Thailand, have seen a lot of history and they are still used and being lived at today.
11. Drink sunset beers surrounded by volcanoes.
The views on the islands were incredible, and we made it a habit to watch the sunset from somewhere new each night. The shot below is from Amed, Bali, with the volcano in the background.
12. See the Insta-famous spots with your own eyes and appreciate the madness.
Travel bloggers and Instagrammers over-edit photos so often or wake up and make sure they are at the front of the lines to get the shot. We don’t travel like that, so when we visit some popular spots, we just giggle about how unrealistic the pictures are. But the spots are so worth seeing, even with the crowd. The golden hands bridge is at BaNa Hills in Vietnam, and it was one of our favorite days in the country.
13. Get lost in the tunnels of old temples.
There were many situations where we kind of felt like Indiana Jones. The carvings in these stone walls are centuries old, and it’s incredible to think about the history that has happened in these buildings. This picture is from Angkor Thom in Cambodia.
14. Appreciate UNESCO World Heritage Sites all over the place.
We explored the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and cruised through Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. These were just two of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites we visited in this region. These sites receive this designation for a reason, so it’s worthwhile to check them out.
15. Night markets, need I say more?
One of the best ways to get to know any new city is to visit a market. The night markets in Southeast Asia were a really good time. There was live entertainment, tons of food stalls, and beautiful artwork and pieces to purchase. The lanterns below were from the night market in Hoi An which was a highlight.
16. Witness so many religions beautifully coexisting.
There was so much diversity in the religions and beliefs, from temples to mosques to cathedrals. It was so fascinating touring the sacred buildings and hearing the long history. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were home to every kind of religion, whereas in Bali, almost everyone practiced Hinduism.
17. Connect with the most welcoming and gracious people.
Every person we met was welcoming. There might have been some misunderstandings, but people were always smiling and did their best to work with us to figure it out. We were constantly fed and checked on and just always felt welcome.
18. Challenge yourself and your comfort levels on a daily basis.
Sometimes, the simplest tasks can be challenging in foreign countries, but that’s part of the experience. The tough moments turned into the best memories and the fun travel stories. We got ourselves in many awkward situations with language barriers and not totally understanding the cultural norms.
19. Appreciate the culture and learn the stories.
Taking walking and guided tours allowed us to chat more with people who call these places home. In Bali, we took a driving tour with a guide and driver, met people they knew, and explored their neighborhoods. It was incredible.
20. Allow yourself to be in awe of humanity and the beauty of it.
There were so many moments when we just watched people move around in their daily routines, and we were in complete awe. Life looks so different but also so similar. It’s wild. This is one of my favorite things about traveling anywhere that isn’t home.
Start Planning Your Adventure to SE Asia!
Did this help inspire you to visit Southeast Asia? Let us know where your favorite spot is in this part of the world or if you have it on your bucket list. Drop any questions in the comments below, and we will get back to you!
