Southeast Asia
Great touristic infrastructure, exceptional culture and biodiversity
Southeast Asia is defined as the southeastern region of the Asian continent, located south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Australian mainland. It consists of 11 countries, each characterized by a significant diversity in religion, culture, and historical narratives: Brunei, Myanmar–Burma, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Recognized for its remarkable cultural diversity, Southeast Asia is home to a wide array of languages and ethnicities. Out of the six thousand languages currently spoken around the globe, it is estimated that roughly one thousand can be found within this region.
The negative impact of massive tourism
I explored much of the region during my Asian Big Tour between 1999 and 2000, and subsequently visited Singapore and Malaysia individually in 2016. The region is characterized by its remarkable travel convenience, thanks to its robust infrastructure, welcoming inhabitants, safety, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility from around the globe.
Over the years, the influx of tourists to Southeast Asia has increased significantly, leading to certain areas becoming overcrowded with international visitors, which has resulted in a decline in their original charm and cultural heritage.
The region boasts several remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the historic town of Luang Prabang in Laos, and the stunning Banaue rice terraces of the Philippines. I have yet to fully experience the remarkable snorkeling and diving opportunities that offer the highest diversity of coral species globally, although I have had numerous chances to engage in these activities while island hopping in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Although I arrived too late to experience the unspoiled beauty of Vietnam at the turn of the century, I was privileged to be among the first international visitors to explore Laos and Cambodia as they began to welcome tourists.
The only two small countries remaining on my list in this region are the oil-rich Brunei and Timor-Leste, a nation that has only come into existence in 2002, as the first new sovereign state in the 21st century.
