Asia · November to March
South-East Asia: which countries to visit
Temples in the jungle, bays of limestone islets, white-sand islands, floating markets and some of the best food in the world: South-East Asia is one of the great winter trips, when much of the region is in its dry season.
Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Indochina
- Asia
Thailand
The temples of Bangkok, the mountainous north around Chiang Mai and the southern islands: where almost everyone starts.
Thailand travel guide - Asia
Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, the old town of Hoi An, Hanoi and the Mekong Delta, from north to south.
Vietnam travel guide - Asia
Cambodia
The temples of Angkor, including Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.
Cambodia travel guide -
Islands
- Asia
Indonesia
Bali, the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in Java and the Komodo dragons.
Indonesia travel guide - Asia
Philippines
More than seven thousand islands, with the lagoons of Palawan and white-sand beaches.
Philippines travel guide
Cities and a mix of cultures
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AsiaMalaysia
Kuala Lumpur and its towers, the island of Penang and the Borneo rainforest.
Malaysia travel guide -
AsiaSingapore
A garden city of skyscrapers, Chinese, Indian and Malay quarters and first-class street food.
Singapore travel guide
Frequently asked questions
Which countries should you visit in South-East Asia?
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in Indochina; Indonesia and the Philippines for their islands; and Malaysia and Singapore for their cities.
When is the best time to travel to South-East Asia?
November to March is the dry season in much of the region; Bali and southern Indonesia, however, have their dry season from April to October.
Which country should you choose for a first trip?
Thailand is the easiest way in: good connections, lots of variety and travellers from all over the world. Vietnam and Cambodia combine well with it.
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Reviewed 20 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Reinhard Onasch (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.