1. 11 Countries are included in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia is comprised of 11 countries squeezed between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, East Timor, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam.
The entire region is in the same time zone, GMT+8.
2. Southeast Asia is a perfect vacation destination combining sun, sea, and culture.
Known for its idyllic islands, endless beaches, plenty of resorts, tasty cuisine, world-class restaurants, and diverse cultures, Southeast Asia is one of the best vacation destinations on the planet. It has everything you need to have a luxurious holiday on a budget.
Whatever your interests are, you can find something to entertain you from enjoying a sunset on a beach in Thailand and visiting the Buddhist monasteries in Laos to tasting street food in Malaysia.
3. The climate in Southeast Asia is tropical all year round.
Due to its location on and around the equator, Southeast Asia stays warm throughout the year, with midday temperatures of 30°C (86°F) on most days. Most countries have two seasons: wet and dry.
Generally speaking, the wet season extends from June through October and the dry season runs roughly from November through May.
In dry months, famous tourist destinations are usually crowded with people. In the rainy season, you might encounter some inconvenience but you'll see fewer tourists and gain better prices on accommodation.
Click to know the best time to visit Southeast Asia.
98.8% Positive Customer reviews among 10,000+
|
Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
|
Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
|
Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
|
Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
|
Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
|
My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
|
A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
|
Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
|
I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
|
Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
|
We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
|
Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
|
Guide - Chai
We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More
Customer,
Jun 2023
|
Our guide Tanni was kind
Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More
Marissa Manson,
Jun 2023
|
We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip…
Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More
Diane Creitz,
Jun 2023
|
Tanni for the win!
14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More
Megan McGlynn,
Jun 2023
|
This isn't my first trip with Asia…
This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More
Katie Potesta,
Jun 2023
|
Amazing service
Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More
Alex,
May 2023
|
I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
|
Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
|
4. Southeast Asia is one of the cheapest parts of the world to travel in.
Compared to traveling in Europe or America, Southeast Asia is extremely cheap for travel. You can live on an average daily budget of about $50–60/day for two people (about $35–40/day for solo travelers).
Laos is the cheapest country, lacking mass tourism. You can easily find rooms costing less than 10 USD per night. Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand are all countries where you can enjoy a wonderful vacation at a good price.
Singapore is the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia and one of the most expensive cities to travel to but still acceptable.
It is no problem to travel around Southeast Asia for years with one year's salary as a white-collar worker in America.
5. There are over 20,000 islands in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia includes over 20,000 islands scattered through the Pacific and Indian oceans. Indonesia has over 13,500 islands on its own!
Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines provide a wide range of beach options. No matter whether you are seeking islands for scuba diving, snorkeling, breathtaking beaches with luxury resorts, or amazing sunsets, you will find one.
Click to see the Top 10 Beautiful Islands in Thailand.
6. Southeast Asia offers a variety of choices for shore excursions.
There are many cruise ports in Southeast Asia. The popular ports of call include Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in Vietnam, and Singapore, among others.
It is very convenient for cruise ship passengers to enjoy a variety of choices for shore excursions, day trips, and tours.
7. Southeast Asia's culture is predominantly influenced by Indians and Chinese people.
The history and culture of Southeast Asia are diverse but are mostly influenced by the Indian and Chinese cultures.
Chinese people make up significant minority populations in most Southeast Asian countries, especially in Malaysia and Singapore.
You can see many temple ruins that relate to Indian religion, astrology, and architecture. Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is the largest Hindu temple in the world.
8. Southeast Asia is a land of temples.
One must-do activity when traveling around Southeast Asia is visiting ancient temples. Blessed with a deep history and unique culture, this region is home to some of the most impressive temples in the world. There are about 35,000 temples in Thailand alone.
You should not miss the world's largest religious monument, Angkor Wat, in Cambodia. Make sure you pay a visit to Bagan in Myanmar —this ancient city is lined with gorgeous temples. You can explore over 2,000 temples from above with a hot-air balloon ride.
Visiting temples requires modest clothing, meaning no shorts or sleeveless shirts.
9. The local people across Southeast Asia dress conservatively.
Locals in Southeast Asia usually dress traditionally and conservatively. You need to know something about the dress code before you travel around, especially if you plan to visit temples.
When visiting a temple, you should dress modestly, covering your shoulders and your legs. Remove your shoes before entering and don't point the soles of your feet at worshippers or sacred objects.
10. Southeast Asia is extremely diverse in religion.
Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam are generally Buddhist countries while Indonesia and Brunei are mostly Muslim countries.
The Philippines and East Timor are two predominantly Catholic countries.
11. Southeast Asia is a perfect region for coffee lovers.
Coffee has been grown and consumed in Southeast Asia since the late 17thcentury. You can taste a different type of coffee in each country in the region.
Laos is said to be home to the best coffee in Southeast Asia. In fact, coffee is its biggest export. Don't forget to take some coffee back home with you.
12. Males in Thailand were all Buddhist monks for a while.
There was a time when all young men in Thailand (including royalty) were required to become Buddhist monks–even if only for a short time–before they turned 20. This practice, however, is not observed anymore like it used to be.
13. Vietnam is the country of motorbikes.
When you visit Vietnam, you will find that the roads are filled with motorbikes. Motorbikes are the main form of transportation in Vietnam.
There are more than 45 million registered motorbikes in the country, which means that almost half of the population owns their own motorbike. In Vietnam, motorbikes are everywhere!
It is a great experience to take a motorbike ride in Vietnam.
14. Most countries in Southeast Asia have relaxed visa policies.
Visa requirements differ for every country in Southeast Asia, depending on where you're from and where you're going. Generally, it is not a problem to get a visa. Most countries in Southeast Asia allow fairly easy visa-free entry, or a visa upon arrival, for stays ranging from 2 weeks to 3 months.
Click to see visas for Southeast Asian Countries.
15. Southeast Asia is a backpacker's adventure playground.
With convenient inter-country transport, affordable prices, rich outdoor adventures, and diverse cultural and historic sites, Southeast Asia has long been a haven for backpackers.
Visit Southeast Asia Your Way with Us
Can't wait to explore this incredible region? Contact one of our local experts for a more authentic experience to enrich your once-in-a-lifetime Southeast Asia tour.
Our specialists have explored the region's facets and can help plan your vacation as a unique tailor-made trip to match your preferences.