Top Places to Visit in Southeast Asia in 2025

Traveling through Southeast Asia is a rite of passage for many backpackers on a budget, but this stunning region also appeals to adventurers and nature lovers too, with people coming back year on year. Whether you are learning how to drive a motorbike or heading out in scuba gear to dive with reef sharks, Southeast Asia offers fantastic experiences at a fraction of the price found elsewhere.

Leading with curiosity and patience will serve travelers well as they navigate their way through the region. There are many highlights, but the spots that you stumble upon are likely to be the ones you remember most fondly. To help you plan your route, and find your own favorite places, here are our picks of where to visit in Southeast Asia and what makes them so special.

1. Amed, Bali

Best for diving and snorkeling sites

Amed — a coastal area located in northeast — has maintained the local charm and warm welcome that initially made the island of Bali so popular. Snorkelers and divers in particular love it here because it's home to iconic dive sites like the Japanese Shipwreck – shallow enough to snorkel – and Jemeluk Bay, packed with colorful coral. From here, take a trip to Bali’s famous Gates of Heaven, Pura Lempuyan, to see one of the holiest temple complexes on the island. Sunsets here are stunning: go to Lahangan Sweet viewpoint or Sunset Point for views over Mt Agung, Bali’s highest peak.

2. Cao Bang, Vietnam

Best for getting off the beaten track

Cao Bang, in the north of Vietnam, has some of the most impressive natural sites in the country, but without the crowds. Start at Phat Tich Truc Lam, a temple near the Chinese border, that offers wonderful views over the region’s rolling hills. Ban Gioc Waterfall – one of the most magical waterfalls in Southeast Asia and the largest in Vietnam – cascades over multiple tiers and can be visited on a boat trip or bamboo raft. The nearby Nguom Ngao Cave system extends for several kilometers underground, and is home to many breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites.

3. Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

Best for animal lovers

Khao Sok is a stunning national park that is home to hundreds of animal species including bears, monkeys, leopards and wild elephants. If you're lucky, you can see them wandering around on a safari or boat trip. Located just a few hours north of Krabi, Khao Sok National Park also boasts ATV tours, cave trekking, and Elephant Hills, a sanctuary where rescued elephants are allowed to roam freely in the nature park.

Chiaw Lan Lake's limestone cliffs and dense rainforest will make you feel like you've been transported to another planet. For the ultimate experience, book a night on the lake in a floating bungalow where you can soak in the park's natural beauty from late-night stargazing to a sunrise safari.

4. Luang Prabang, Laos

Best for Buddhist culture

The former royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang, is nestled in a valley in the north. It remains an important site for Buddhist culture with its wonderfully preserved temples (wats) and other spiritual sites.

Those who visit are encouraged to participate in almsgiving, a centuries-old daily ceremony where monks collect alms from locals and visitors. Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most spiritually significant temples in Laos. It was built in 1560 for coronations, and is home to large mosaics and an elaborate library. Another important site is Phu Si, which translates to “sacred mountain” and is dotted with temples and shrines.

Luang Prabang is also close to one of Southeast Asia’s dreamiest waterfalls, Tat Kuang Si, made up of three tiers that cascade into natural pools of mineral-rich water colored milky white by limestone.

Source: Internet