Five Cultural Festivals in Southeast Asia You Shouldn’t Miss
Schedule your visit to Southeast Asia right, and you’ll arrive just in time for a festival – the best occasion to encounter the region’s many cultures face-to-face. From Cambodia to Vietnam, every country in Southeast Asia celebrates a festival (or more than one) that best encapsulates their respective history, beliefs and values. These festivals draw […]
How to Stay Safe while Traveling in Southeast Asia
Is Southeast Asia safe for travelers? The answer to that should be – is any place in the world safe for travelers? While travelers in the region are relatively free from crime, disaster and armed violence, some parts must necessarily be riskier than others. “There are a few small regions I would probably avoid because […]
Cambodia: Community-Based Tourism
Don’t just visit a Cambodia community – be part of it, by sleeping in a local homestay and participating in local activities. 1.1. Chi Phat Community-based Ecotourism in Koh Kong Province Chi Phat in Koh Kong province is one of Southeast Asia’s largest tracts of rainforest, and combines both natural and cultural treasures in a […]
Shopping in Southeast Asia’s Traditional Markets
Malls may be taking over Southeast Asia’s cities, but don’t count traditional markets out yet. Markets are still going strong, even in the region’s increasingly air-conditioned shopping landscape. That’s because old habits die hard: families in Asia still prefer to get their fresh produce, traditional crafts and household items from open-air (and very aromatic) traditional […]
Top Senior-Friendly Destinations in Southeast Asia
“Baby boomers” – today’s traveling seniors – practically discovered Southeast Asia travel for the West. Boomers discovered Bali’s surfing. Boomers opened up Indochina. And boomers invented the backpacker hostels that now crop up at every top Southeast Asia city. Now that boomers are retired with spending money to spare, they’re coming back to Southeast Asia […]
Lao PDR: Community-Based Tourism
Laos’ communities provide unique experiences in all forms, from exposure to Laos’ traditional crafts to ziplining above an extinct volcano. 1.1. Homestay Ban Naduang Village, Vang Vieng District The village of Ban Naduang is as close as you can get to living the Lao farming life: an immersive overnight stay at a local’s house, eating […]
ASEAN World Heritage Sites Off The Beaten Track In Laos and Thailand
The definition of a World Heritage Site is quite straightforward, notably a place, of outstanding cultural and/or natural value to humankind. Most tourists to SE Asia are aware of the concept and able to mention one or more sites, though mostly limited to the famed ones. Quite a few sites, like the National Parks Mount Lorentz in Papua (Indonesia) or the Subterranean […]
Secluded World Heritage Sites in Cambodia, Indonesia & Malaysia
Irrespective the geographic area or country of interest, a tourist browsing through a guidebook almost certainly will come across what is called a “World Heritage Site”. This is a cultural or natural heritage considered by UNESCO to be of ‘outstanding value to humanity’ and as such an appealing tourism destination. To date, some 1,000 have […]
Myanmar: Community-Based Tourism
These community activities allow visitors to see tribal and countryside life in Myanmar – with magnificent natural wonders as a backdrop. 1.1. Kyaing Tong, Eastern Shan State The capital of Myanmar’s Golden Triangle Region is also a cultural hub for 13 tribal communities. At Kyaing Tong, travelers can encounter tribespeople from the Ahku, Ahka, Palaung, […]
“Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao”
A small Vietnamese girl flies high, kicks and uses both legs to grasp and trip an enemy’s soldier: one of the catchiest scenes from the Vietnamese movie ‘The Rebel’. The technique the young girl used, “flying scissors”, is one of the most recognizable tactics of “Vovinam”. Vovinam is a genuine Vietnamese Martial Art (“Vo” means “Martial […]