Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most interesting regions, encompassing a variety of cultures, languages, and landscapes. From the beaches of Thailand to the temples of Cambodia, from the mega-metropolis of Kuala Lumpur to the rice paddies of Vietnam, there’s plenty to see and do for any visitor to the region.
Thailand offers visitors a wealth of activities. Bangkok is an exciting, chaotic city with a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Thailand also has a wide variety of islands and beaches, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, scuba diving, and other water sports. The country is also known for its delicious food, including signature dishes such as Pad Thai.
Singapore is a vibrant, modern city-state. The diversity of people in Singapore makes it a perfect place for eating, drinking, and exploring. There’s lots to see and do, including casinos, a night zoo, and a variety of shopping malls. In 2005, Singapore created a gambling policy that allows licensed casinos to operate within the country. Ever since, these casinos have blossomed into the leading gambling tourism destinations in the world. Visit www.onlinecasinobluebook.com for information about casinos and gambling.
In Cambodia, historical places of interest intersect with beautiful, quiet beach towns. Siem Reap is a popular destination due to the presence of Angkor Archaeological Park, where travelers can visit the famous Temple of Angkor Wat.
For exciting, vibrant cities, great beach towns, and wonderful food, a visit to Vietnam is in order. Cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are fun, interesting places to see, and trips to towns such as Hoi An provide a glimpse of the Vietnam of yesterday in its well preserved old quarter.
Malaysia also provides a quintessential Southeast Asia experience, with the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur providing a cosmopolitan backdrop for dining and shopping, and a variety of jungles, beaches, and mountains available for those who enjoy the outdoors.
For visitors to Southeast Asia who want to island hop, two of the best places to do so are the Philippines and Indonesia. Both have excellent beaches on the thousands of islands available, and both countries, particularly Indonesia, have a variety of interesting cultural sites.
Travelers to the region who are looking for a more laid back, relaxed atmosphere with a distinct culture should visit Laos. The country is blissfully uncrowded, with beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and well preserved towns such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane.