Whether you are a budget traveler or finding an opportunity to have a luxury vacation, Southeast Asia can never bore you. You can find top tourist attractions in Asia, some bizarre and some worth visiting at least once before you die.
It sedates the wanderlust and conjures you to pause for a moment. The countries here enable you to recharge and delve into nature and the humdrum culturally-infused cities. Be it the quintessential natural landscapes of Indonesia or the abundance of beautiful beaches of the Philippines. Every traveller is in for a treat.
An all-year travel destination in Asia with a summer vibe, there is nothing that can go wrong. Except, if you do not book flights to Southeast Asia that is!
So, here are some of the Southeast Asian countries to travel to in 2022. Are you ready?
Myanmar (Burma)
Capital: Naypyidaw
Currency: Myanmar kyat
Sharing the borders with India, Burma or Myanmar is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Asia. While it may be an affordable country to westerners, including other Asian countries, it has rich historical and natural places to explore.
Top Places to Visit in Myanmar
- Bagan: Breathtaking pagodas
- Yangon: The largest city in Myanmar
- Mandalay: Second-largest city in Myanmar
- Inle Lake: Stunning floating villages
- Ngapali: Famous beach destination in Myanmar
Mrauk U: Archaeological important place
Cambodia
Capital: Phnom Penh
Currencies: United States Dollar, Cambodian riel
Home to the stunning colossal temples of Angkor Wat and the majestic landscape, Cambodia is wrapped in nature, history and culture. A country that witnessed horrific deeds during the brutal Khmer Rouge era is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.
Top Places to Visit in Cambodia
- Angkor Wat and Siem Reap: Historic Angkor Archaeological Park and Beautiful Town
- Phnom Penh: The capital city of Cambodia
- Koh Rong Samloem: White sand beaches
- Ratanakiri: The rustic outback of Cambodia
- Battambang: Tranquil rural scenery in Cambodia
Kampot: Charming riverine town in the country
Indonesia
Capital: Jakarta
Currency: Indonesian rupiah
What is so fascinating about Indonesia is its wide number of islands. The country has the largest archipelago in the world, and some of these islands are not habited by humans. Consisting of secluded beaches and tourist-filled attractions, Indonesia marks to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
Top Places to Visit in Indonesia
- Bali: Rice paddy fields, beautiful beaches and volcanic hills
- Yogyakarta: Famous temples of Borobudur and Prambanan
- Komodo National Park: The Komodo dragon and smaller islets
- Lombok: Stunning beaches and resorts
- Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park: Expansive barren land and volcanic calderas
Toraja land: Unique culture, rice fields, limestone peaks and roof houses
Malaysia
Capital: Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Currency: Malaysian ringgit
Malaysia has a mix of colonial architecture, tons of natural places and diverse cultures with Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities. It is home to the tallest twin tower in the world, Petronas Twin Towers. With so much diversity and influence, Malaysia is easily one of the most interesting places to visit to delve into religion, food and landscape.
Top Places to Visit in Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur: The capital, home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers
- George Town: A historic town with stunning houses and gastronomic food
- Gunung Mulu National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site ideal for trekking, caving, and hot springs
- Kuantan: Famous for its beaches and a turtle sanctuary
- Perhentian Islands: Popular for water activities and jungle trekking
Borneo Rainforest: One of the oldest rainforests in the world-famous for eastern Sumatra rhino and the Bornean orangutan
The Philippines
Capital: Manila
Currency: Philippine peso
A tropical paradise, the Philippines is a famous country in Asia for vacationers from across the world. Just like Indonesia, this country also consists of several islands, more than 7,000. Each island has its own charm. If you are planning to visit the Philippines, you are definitely in for a treat.
Top Places to Visit in the Philippines
- White Beach in Boracay: Most populous beach with ample opportunities for water sports
- Manila: An exciting and vibrant city with tons of tourist attractions
- Sangat Island in Coron: Best diving site, well-known for the sunken ship
- Mayon Volcano: An active stratovolcano at an elevation of 2,400 meters
- Chocolate Hills in Bohol: A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring over 1,200 mountains
Subterranean River National Park: Popular for an underground river tour
Singapore
Currency: Singapore dollar
A well-known island country Singapore is famous for Sentosa Island and Changi Airport. While it is a small island nation, there are many things to do in Singapore. This Lion City has a diverse culture, vibrant neighbourhoods and lip-smacking food from every country in the world.
Top Places to Visit in Singapore
- Gardens By the Bay: Large variety of gardens like Heritage Gardens, Cloud Forest etc.
- Kampong Lorong Buangkok: Small historic village for a casual stroll
- Marina Bay Sands: It has Singapore’s iconic landmarks, top bars and restaurants
- Pulau Ubin: Island attraction to catch a glimpse of the old Singapore life
Sentosa Island: Spend a day filled with activities
Thailand
Capital: Bangkok
Currency: Thai baht
The top tourist place in Asia is Thailand. A country that offers balmy beaches, skyscrapers, bustling markets and tons of ladyboys. Probably, Thailand is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly Asian countries, despite not recognising same-sex unions. Apart from that, the country is highly popular and often the first country every first-time traveller visits.
Top Places to Visit in Thailand
- Bangkok: Cosmopolitan capital city and vibrant street life and street food scene
- Chiang Mai: Cool temperatures, thick tropical rainforests and forest hiking activities
- Ayutthaya: Historical city, the formal capital of Thailand, UNESCO site
- Koh Samui: Popular holiday destination in Thailand, with rainforests and sandy beaches
- Phuket: Largest island, popular island for a beach vacation
- Krabi: Famous for Railay Beach in particular and island hoping activities
Kanchanaburi: Connected to WWII where the infamous ‘death railway’ connected Thailand to Burma
Vietnam
Capital: Hanoi
Currency: Vietnamese dong
A country that has a great mix of natural landscapes and cultural diversity cities is a must-visit country in Asia. From the jagged peaks to vibrant markets, lively nightlife and sandy beaches, Vietnam consists of so much to do and see.
Top Places to Visit in Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City: A buzzing commercial city with tons of tourist attractions
- Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: A World Heritage-listed site with karst mountain formation and huge caverns
- My Son: A ruined Cham-era temple city which has tons of old ruins dating back to the 4th century
- Hoi An: The country’s most atmospheric city with several historic architectures
- Sapa Countryside: Lush rice fields, calm villages, Hoang Lien peaks and deep valleys
- Hanoi: The heart of the country, bustling city life
Nha Trang: The beach destination with beaches stretching up to six kilometres
So these are some of the top Southeast Asian countries to visit in 2022. We have not mentioned a few countries such as Brunei, Laos and Timor-Leste. Although, these countries are an equally important part of Asian tourist places.
Note: These countries have so much to see and do, not everything can be pinned on the top places to visit section. So, if you are planning a visit to any of these countries, it is best to go there and find out the places of interest through locals.
