Southeast Asia
Eco-friendly travel guide to Southeast Asia advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Southeast Asia, Asia.
- Air quality: 3/ 5
- Bus connections: 3 / 5
- Train connections: 2 / 5
- Hitchhiking: 2 / 5
- National parks: 2 / 5
- Outdoor activities: 2 / 5
- Locals' English level: 3 / 5
- Safety: 3/ 5
- Accommodation: US$10 - $40
- Budget per day: US$30 - $150
Contents
Responsible Travel
It is the southern subregion of Asia, which covers a total distance of 4,545,792 kilometer2. The total population was calculated as 655,298,044, which creates a population density of 132.6/ Km2. There are full 11 countries that come under Southeast Asia, and those are Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Timor Leste. There are different official languages of this subregion. Those are Burmese, English, Filipino, Khmer, Lao, Indonesian, Malay, Mandarin, Portuguese, Tamil, Tetum, Thai and Vietnamese. The top three largest cities of this continent are Bandung, Bekasi, Bangkok. It is believed that Asians and Negoritos were the most ancient people who were present here. The ethnic groups present here are Austroasiatic, Austronesian, Negrito, Lolo-Burmese and Tai, East Asians, Han, Chinese, and Singaporeans. While exploring different places and the general idea of tourism is great, it is also harmful for the environment because of the way tourists travel today. It is of utmost importance to be a responsible traveller especially when we are at the verge of a climate disaster.
- Choose green hotels over other accommodation options and if you cannot find a green hotel of your choice then opt for an apartment or hostel. This is because most of the five star hotels and resorts create tonnes of waste every day including 79,000 tonnes of food waste (9% total food waste from the sector) and they do not adhere to sustainable business practices. If you choose to stay in an apartment you can work on your carbon footprint and decide on things like using no plastic, minimum waste etc. This will not only help with reducing your carbon footprint but massively help help with improving the environment.
- Eat Local food and buy the food from street food stalls or small restaurants. This is because most of the big restaurant chains or fast food conglomerates are guilty of producing so much waste and directly contributing the problem of pollution and climate change due to their harmful business models. Not only do the small business owners need the help of tourists to run their business and provide for their family but they also have ethical practices for example most of them do not use plastic.
- Use local transportation or electronic vehicles to keep the region pollution-free and save a lot of money at the same time.
- Shop local. In order to support local craftsmen and artisans always shop local. During your trip to the city, you will come across small shops and food stalls in almost every lane of the different cities. If you want to have an unforgettable experience in the region, then buy goods and handicrafts from these shops. This will not only help you to save a lot of money but you will be supporting a lot of local people who are dependent on their small businesses to earn a livelihood
Air Quality and Pollution
Southeast Asia includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and many more countries with high pollution. Air pollution in the regions varies widely over space and time: in rural areas, you will see that biomass burning is the most dominant air pollution source, along with vehicle emission; in urban areas, industrial emissions are the most critical air source pollution. The impacts of low air quality are significant, with indoor air pollution having the most excellent health effect on the local population.
Respect the Culture
The culture you will see in Southeast Asia is very diverse: on the mainland in Southeast Asia, and you will find that the culture is a mix of Burmese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai (Indian), and Vietnamese (Chinese) cultures. While you visit Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia, you will see the culture is a mixture of indigenous Austronesian, Indian, Islamic, Western, and somewhat Chinese cultures. Again, Vietnam and Singapore show more Chinese influence. Singapore, although being geographically a Southeast Asian nation, is home to a sizeable Chinese population. Indian influence you will see in Singapore and only evident through the Tamil migrants. Vietnam's history has had no direct impact on Indians – the only result is through contact with Thai, Khmer, and Cham peoples. Moreover, Vietnam is categorized under the East Asian cultural sphere and China, Korea, and Japan due to an enormous Chinese influence embedded in their culture and lifestyle.
Top 10 Places to Visit
- U Min Thone Ze Caves Myanmar: Located on Sagaing Hill in Myanmar, U Min Thone Ze Caves are a popular tourist attraction. In fact, in this case, the caves are just a name because, at their core, U Min Thone Ze are covered galleries that house 45 various Buddha statues. Local guides prefer to call this structure "man-made caves," and its name translates as "thirty cave pagodas."In reality, the temple is one long gallery built along the hill, which has thirty recessed entrances, giving the illusion that the mountain is riddled with caves. The building is decorated with gold ornaments both outside and inside, making it very elegant and festive. Inside the temple, you will see 45 Buddha statues arranged in a wide arc. The auspicious number 45 corresponds to the age at which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became a Buddha.
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia: The name of the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is correctly spelled Phnom Penh and means "Penh Hill," or, more consistently, "Aunt Penh's Hill." According to legend, the mound was poured in the direction of a wealthy lady named Penh, where she found four bronze Buddha statues in the river, stuck in the water in the branches of a tree. She considered this a good omen and decided to find a proper place for the statues - so the figures got to the top of the mound, then to the temple built on it, which later became one of the city's main attractions of Phnom Penh.
- Borobudur, Indonesia: This temple is one of the most famous cultural sites in Indonesia. Borobudur was built in the shape of a traditional Buddhist mandala. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered as one of the world's largest Buddhist sites. The massive temple was forgotten for centuries when it is believed that most of the population moved to East Java due to volcanic eruptions. But it was reopened in the 1800s and is, today, one of the exclusive giveaways in Java. Visit at sunrise for a torch-light ascent of the temple and an exciting experience to watch the complex bathed in sunshine.
- Petronas Towers Malaysia: The building, which is rightfully called the symbol of Malaysia, is the famous Petronas Towers. Since their completion in 1998, these towers have been considered the tallest twin towers in the world. Petronas Towers are open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays. During the excursion, tourists will learn about the history of construction, will be able to visit the observation deck located on the 86th floor, and also walk along the bridge between the towers.
- Intramuros area, Philippines: On the banks of the Pasig River is the famous historic district of the capital - Intramuros. At the end of the 16th century, it was built to protect Spanish families. Today tourists from all over the world come here to see with their own eyes the ancient fortress of Intramuros, to visit one of the oldest churches in the country, San Agustin, built-in 1607, and also to get acquainted with the local defensive structure - Fort Santiago.
- Marina Bay Sands Lookout, Singapore: Everyone who plans to visit Singapore and those who have already been there have heard about this place. The rooftop of Marina Bay Sands houses the world's largest infinity pool. There, on the hotel's 57th floor, there is a restaurant and bar CE LA VI (formerly KU DE TA) with an observation deck. The bar has quality drinks, good snacks, and live music. A couple of floors below, there is another observation deck, where paid excursions are conducted.
- Railay Beach, Thailand: Krabi Province is home to some of Thailand's most famous beach resorts. The well-known Railay Beach is considered to be one of the finest in the country. Here, among white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, it seems that you have found your own piece of paradise. To get to the beach, you need to take a boat, which departs from Krabi and Ao Nang. Although the beaches are the main reason to visit Railay, this place is also famous among rock climbers. Both experienced and novice climbers try their hand at climbing limestone cliffs. In addition to rock climbing, you can go elephant trekking, rafting, kayaking, snorkeling. And for those who want to take a break from adventures, there are cooking classes and, of course, Thai massage.
- Koh Phi Phi Island Thailand: Phi Phi Islands are also located in Krabi province and are among the most popular resorts in Thailand. One of the funniest places on Phi Phi Island is Monkey Beach, where you can meet dozens of monkeys face to face. You can get here by hiring a guide with a wooden boat or rent your kayak. You can buy snacks and fruit cocktails and make sure they don't get stolen from you by monkeys. Long Beach is another beautiful place on the island with incredible sunsets. And if you're lucky, there is a lovely path to the island's central part at low tide. Tour operators offer snorkeling and diving packages and excursions to Maya Bogo, where the film Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed. Although you could hardly notice it now, in 2004, Phi Phi Don was hit by a tsunami. Hotels, restaurants, and markets have been rebuilt, and crowds of tourists continue to visit the island. There is a gloomy memorial park here in honor of those who died in this tragedy.
- Hoi An ancient town Vietnam: Hoi An is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of a medieval commercial and port city and will be a delight for any sightseeing lover. It is also a city of craftsmen and artists. But even if you are not impressed by the abundance of historical and architectural monuments here, the romantic atmosphere will not leave anyone indifferent. All in all, Hoi An is just beautiful. Hoi An can be visited as excursions for a few days from Nha Trang or Mui Ne, but it is much more interesting to come and plunge into its atmosphere on your own, without an excursion group. Some tourists choose it as their central vacation spot because there are also beautiful beaches.
- Triumphal arch of Patusay Laos: It is the monument made in honor of Lao warriors who died in the war. The memorial was installed in the center of the capital, on one of the main avenues. Nearby there is a small park, ponds, and musical fountains. An observation deck is located at the very top of the arch.
Explore
This region appeals to active, adventurous travelers who want to trek in Southeast Asia's misty forests, diving in is one of the best coral reefs in the world, rafting, or camping in new rivers. But the area also offers something to less active travelers, those who want to relax in a luxury hotel after a day of visiting temples and other cultural sites.
City Parks
- Turtle Island Park, Malaysia: The Turtle Island Park, which lies 40km north of Sandakan within the Sulu Sea, comprises the small islands where Selingan is the tourists' main island. It is a secure haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles as they are available ashore to get their eggs almost nightly. Hence, you can study the local turtles' conservation activities, witness them coming ashore to get their eggs, observe the gathering of eggs, tag their mother turtles, and release baby turtles back into the sea.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens, Thailand: Nong Nooch, which has the most extensive botanical garden in Southeast Asia, was established on 600 acres. While it was a small garden taken under protection before, it was opened to visitors and exhibited a wide variety of flower and plant species.
- Ninh Kieu Park, Vietnam: Ninh Kieu Pier is an attractive and enduring tourist destination in Can Tho, with a scenic and convenient location near the Hau River. The Ninh Kieu pier has long been a beautiful symbol of Can Tho's city and attracts hundreds of tourists. This pier is also widely quoted in Vietnamese literature. Ninh Kieu Pier became Ninh Kieu Park, a 19th-century water port in Can Tho, and a tourist and cultural area. The Pier of Ninh Kieu is located on the Hau River's right bank, between the Hau River and the Can Tho River. This pier is next to Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan An District, in Ninh Kieu District Can Tho.
- Maha Bandula Park, Myanmar: You will get to see an ample public space within the middle of Yangon. There are many reasons to visit and linger. The park, the buildings around it - many with historical significance - but the simplest of all is people watching.
National Parks
- Komodo National Park, Indonesia: Komodo National Park is located in an archipelago close to Flores Island. The islands are populated by thousands of giant lizards referred to as "Komodo dragons" due to their appearance and aggressiveness. The park is the only place where the world's largest lizards can be found.
- Niah National Park, Malaysia: Niah National Park is one of Malaysia's top tourist attractions as it provides much more than just an archaeological site. Not only known for caving, but it is also famous for activities such as research, nature education, bird watching, wildlife observation, photography, and of course, a river cruise you can enjoy on your next trip to Malaysia.
- Khao Yai National Park, Thailand: Khao Yai National Park, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is one of Asia's most extensive monsoon forests. There are 3000 kinds of plants, 320 types of birds, and 66 types of mammals in the park. It is possible to see various wild animals, waterfalls, and viewpoints by participating in the forest tours. The national park is usually visited by tours organized from Bangkok but can also be reached individually using public transportation options. Here you will find an entrance fee of about 400 baht as the Khao Yai national park covers it.
- Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam: Perhaps the most scenic and best-preserved area in Vietnam, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng is home to some of the world's largest caves. Sharing a border with Laos' Hin Namno Nature Reserve, the park covers about 900 square kilometers and stops those who ride the fantastic Ho Chi Minh Highway. Gibbons and Macaques roam the forests, but karst cave systems made Phong Nha a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hundreds of underground labyrinths run beneath limestone giants reaching towards the sky.
Beaches
- Danang Beach, Vietnam: Danang Beach in central Vietnam is based on several islands: Danang or Da Nang (if you are local) and sometimes My Khe. Regardless of what you decide to say, it is the main beach in Da Nang, the midpoint between the north and south. With over 28 kilometers of coastline and sections of soft sandy beach, you'll find shade from the midday sun under coconut palms. You look into the distance as the blue ocean turns into the horizon floor of the dense, deep-green forest. Locals enjoy this beach, so they probably get a moment of everyday life and unique round bamboo boats on the water. If you're planning to stay in a resort-like Belle Maison Parosand Danang, you can take a break from the midday heat and enjoy magnificent views of the port city from the large windows in the rooms if you are a beach boat.
- Coral Beach, Malaysia: If you like to dive into soft white Sand, dream in a hammock under the shade of coconut trees, swim in clear warm water, and snorkel, Coral Beach will not disappoint you. This small quiet beach (only 500 m long) is considered the best snorkeling spot on the island.
- White Sand, Thailand: The White Sand beach got its name because of the gorgeous white Sand, which is replaced by shingle and rocks only at its southern top end. The oldest on Koh Chang island, the three-kilometer White Sand beach, still remembers the days when there have been few tourists, and rather than luxury hotels, there have been only plain bungalow-houses, rented by local Thais for the weekend.
- Palawan, Singapore: Palawan is the most significant, quiet beach in Singapore located within the central part of the coast, in Sentosa. The southernmost point of continental Asia, with tourists from everywhere the planet flocking to go to it, is found on the resort's territory. An observation deck with a wide-ranging view of the endless sea and drifting ships are located nearby.
Landmarks
- Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia: Mount Kinabalu, rising 4095 meters above North Borneo, is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. The mountain's central peak can be climbed easily by a person in the right physical condition and does not require mountaineering equipment. However, mountaineers must always be accompanied by a guide.
- Perhentian Island', Malaysia: This island is a small island surrounded by beautiful, wonderful coral islands on the coast in northeast Malaysia, not far from the Thai border. While its two main islands, Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil, the most important settlements serve more to families and those who do not want to enter the party environment of backpackers, Kecil attracts more travelers young people due to cheaper accommodation.
- Halong Bay, Vietnam: Located in northeastern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay has a beautiful view that looks like it came out of a fantastic story where thousands of limestone karst islands are of different shapes and sizes. Some islands have lakes, some giant sinkholes, and other colorful caves with underground chambers. There are four fishing villages in Ha Long Bay, consisting of floating houses, where the locals keep 200 different fish and 450 types of mollusks.
- Taman Negara, Malaysia: Taman Negara maybe a park located in Malaysia's Titiwangsa Mountains. Taman Negara is the best place to visit in Southeast Asia for eco-tourists and travelers who want to explore a tropical forest up close and personally. Popular activities include hiking in the woods, sometimes trekking across the forests along rope bridges, white rafting, rock climbing, fishing, and camping. It would help if you had a high energy level to cope with all the activities in the park offers during your visit.
Museums
- Vietnam National Museum of History, Vietnam: You can have the chance to examine the history of the country in different periods at the National Museum of Vietnam, which hosts its visitors in an old building inherited to the city from the French colonial years. The striking museum building is also worth seeing, with its features reflecting the traditional Vietnamese style. In the museum, you can find the opportunity to examine and capture exciting details about Vietnam's many periods, especially the country's most challenging war years.
- Jim Thompson House Museum, Thailand: Jim Thompson was an American who lived and lived after moving to Smiles Land for 25 years on the Cameron Islands in Malaysia. His story continues to be of interest to anyone who hears him, so the Jim Thompson House Museum joins our list. Instead, he filled his teak family with pieces he collected from all over Thailand. Thompson made famous Thai silk from all over the world, and the museum touched, which is one of Bangkok's best historical monuments. Guided tours are offered to all visitors.
- Museum of Illusions, Malaysia: The Museum of Illusions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital city, astonishes its visitors with its dazzling elements. The museum, located in Bukit Bintang, one of the most crowded squares of the capital, and established last year, offers adults an opportunity to experience the illusion one-on-one and an intelligent development environment for children visitors. Since its establishment, the museum, which has continuously added new items to its body, currently exhibits 70 different illusion-containing elements.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Cambodia: It used to be a school but later turned into a prison. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum clearly shows Cambodia's devastating past. You can navigate and look through all the pictures or take an audio tour, but beware, podcasts aren't too brave! Stories of torture and mass genocide and works of art are displayed on the walls. In this Cambodian museum in Phnom Penh, you see the torture rooms, the walls painted with prisoners' blood, and the cells where they were kept.
Eat
Southeast Asian cuisine is very famous throughout the world. Thailand, lures capsaicin fanatics like moths to a spicy flame. Southeast Asian cuisine can range from simple, filling fare to spicy fusion dishes capable of frightening squeamish eaters. You can try special fried rice or the familiar words. Food prices in Southeast Asia, even Singapore, are relatively reasonable. Malaysia, especially Penang, has some of the best food on offer in Southeast Asia, including tempura. You will see that Vietnamese cuisine is often considered less oily and more healthy than other Southeast Asian cuisine. And many more famous dishes you can try in other countries in Southeast Asia.
Drink
Southeast Asia has some of the tastiest (and most potent) alcohol in the world, not to mention fresh fruit juices, which will suit any detox and a whole variety of different types of tea that are sure to leave your mouth watering. Thick and creamy kopi Tobruk is the most popular coffee in Indonesia. Another very famous drink you will enjoy is Bandung, a trendy Malaysian pink-hued beverage that is especially beloved by the Malai community. Bandrek (pronounced bun-drag) is a sweet and spicy hot drink native to the Sundanese people of West Java, Indonesia, and a very delicious and loving drink.
Tap-water
Brunei's tap water is not fit for drinking; therefore, you must not directly consume the tap water. However, some part of the country has safe drinking water from the available tap. Consequently, you must confirm it before drinking it. Cambodia's tap water is not fit for drinking; therefore, you must not drink it as there might be harmful bacteria and viruses in the tap water. Therefore you must purchase bottled water. In Indonesia, you cannot directly drink the tap water; instead, you can boil it and later drink it. However, you can use tap water for general use. Laos' tap water is not fit for drinking; therefore, you must stick to bottled water. The tap water in Malaysia is fit for drinking, but you can still not consume it directly from the tap if you live in larger cities. You cannot drink the tap water in Myanmar. The tap water of Philippines is not fit for drinking, which is why many of the death is happening there. The tap water of Singapore is perfect and can be consumed directly from the tap. You cannot drink the tap water of Thailand, and you have to purchase bottled water for drinking water.
Activities
There are a lot of activities which you can perform in a different country. The activities depend on the geographic area, land, climatic conditions, and other things such as water bodies' presence. Other than this, in countries where there are mountains or hills, there can be many different types of hill-climbing, mountaineering, trekking, hiking, and others. There will be water-related activities in countries where there are many water bodies, such as water surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and various additional water-related activities. Other than this, in a normal country, you can roam around and visit a lot of multiple tourist attractions. Besides this, exploring is also a good activity that can help you learn about the country in detail and its city parks, national parks, beaches, and other things. You can explore or can take a walk on beaches or take a sunbath on a beach. It can help your body in relaxing and getting refreshed. Walking on beaches is considered better than walking on concrete tracks because you have to move your legs through the Sand.
Accommodation
Different countries have different areas due to which there is a difference in accommodation options. The best and most famous type of accommodation available in almost every country is the hotels. Hotels rooms have different facilities, which form its main difference, and this difference is calculated based on stars. These stars vary from 1 to 5 in which 5-star hotels are considered the most luxurious hotel rooms available. Other than this, there are private villas and resorts with more luxury features in many countries. As these resorts fifer premium facilities, therefore, they always charge higher. Other than this, there are guesthouses, hostels, apartments, campsites, cottages, Inns, and other accommodation options, but they are not as popular as hotels. Different accommodation options charge an additional amount as they differ in the size of the room and facilities. There are many benefits of staying in a hotel, which means that many hotels have Wi-Fi that you can access. You do not have to worry about the room and its cleanliness; the room service department will take care of it. Other than this, you can even select breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the menu provided by the hotel. You cannot stay for longer in hotels because the charges are calculated per night; therefore, they are useful if you want to stay for a week or two.
Green Hotels
Green hotels are different from ordinary hotels as they are best known for conserving nature and its components. While preserving nature, they provide comfort to their customers. Other than this, there are certain benefits of staying in green hotels. The first benefit includes staying or supporting green hotels. You are helping them in conserving and protecting nature. Other than this, the electricity that these green hotels use consumes is generally generated by their power plants that use solar energy or wind energy, which is later converted into electricity. It stops them from using ordinary electricity supplied by the cities' electricity body using power plants that run on fossil fuels. By using or generating their electricity day reduces the consumption of those fossil fuels from their side. These green hotels save a lot of electricity as they have specific devices installed, and their switch cuts off the electricity automatically when they are not in use. The Bedsheet and the towels that these green hotels use are made up of a natural fabric.
Hostels and Guest Houses
Hostels are rooms that are available for rent and offer necessary facilities. Other than this, there are specific merits and essential points which you must keep in mind while accommodating in a hostel. You must not expect privacy from these hostels because the room which you will get will be shared by another person also. Some hostels have time restrictions and can be a trouble if you reach after the fixed time. This policy is mainly built for students so that they can be disciplined and value their time. Other than this, the bathrooms are often shared, so that hygiene might be a concern. Hostel rooms are best if you are traveling alone, and you can also save a lot of money through this accommodation option.
Apartments
Apartments are flats that are available for rent. There are certain benefits of staying in an apartment. Apartments are suitable for long term stay in option because the tent is fixed for specific days. More, these apartments are best in providing privacy so you can spend some time with your friends or family. Other than this, with the help of flats, you can also meet many people living there. You do not have to pay the maintenance charge of apartments, and even if something breaks out, the landlord will be another one who will be paying for it. If you do not have any plan for the day, you can sit with your loved ones and relax on the apartments' balconies. Different apartments offer different facilities other than furnished flats. Many flats have gardens or grounds where you can visit for a morning or evening walks, or else you can also perform yoga.
Couchsurfing
Couch surfing means staying with the local family who is ready to welcome you without paying them. It means that you do not have to pay for staying at a local house. There are many benefits of co surfing such as it can help you save a lot of money you will have to spend on accommodation. Other than this, you can experience the way the locals treat their guests or foreigners. Other than this, you can even share the culture and tradition of that country. The host can even tell you many things about the country, such as its history, tourist spots, etc.
Camping
Camping is an adventurous activity that involves sleeping in a tent, campervan, or caravan. It is best practiced in campgrounds, mountains, or near lakes because of the freshness it provides. Other than this, you must keep in mind that you should not camp in bad weather or if the weather is stormy. Camping is free accommodation, but essential equipment types such as tents will cost very much. It is a temporary type of transportation which means that you will start getting bored. If you are camping on a hill or mountain, you must keep in mind that there might be shortage of food.
Regions
Cities
Getting There and Moving Around
There are different methods for different countries to reach there. The most convenient method is through flights to get to your destination within a short period. There are other ways to reach Southeast Asia countries, such as some road connections with the neighboring country. Other than this, there are a lot of ways to move around in different countries. For the smaller ones in size, you can roam around the city through walking or even bicycling. These two methods will save you money as well as they can help you to remain fit.
Air
There is only one airport in Brunei, which is the country present in Southeast Asia. It is because the area of this entire country is 5,765 Km2. Therefore the airport is sufficient to have air connections with major cities, or if the flights do not have proper relationships with the rest of the world, you can reach here through indirect flights. There are 17 airports present in Cambodia which have established connections with the rest of the countries. Out of these 17 airports, the main airport is Phnom Penh International Airport. There is a total of 29 international airports in Indonesia, which means you can reach here conveniently. These airports deal with around 34.9 million passengers calculated in 2017. There are four international airports in Laos which handle all the passengers who get here through flights. There are seven international airports present in Malaysia, and the rest airports are domestic airports. There is a total of 25 international airports present in Myanmar, which are enough for the country and its flights. The Philippines have 70 airports that daily handle international, domestic, and charter flights that reach and fly from this country. There are two international airports in Singapore which have connections with almost every major city of other countries. Thailand is a famous country. Therefore, there .is a total of 38 airports present. There are around three medium-sized airports present in Timor and five small airports. There is a total of 33 airports present in Vietnam.
Bus
Buses play an essential role if you want to travel from one city to another or if you want to move around in the city. As every country has a specific tourism rate; therefore, buses play an essential means of transport to help them move around r to travel intercity. There are certain benefits to buses. The buses' price or fare charges are not too high; therefore, buses are affordable for almost every citizen class. It can also help you to save a lot of money. Instead of using public or local buses if you hire a taxi to move around it will create a lot of pollution, and if there are no buses, then the pollution rate will be very high therefore buses reduce pollution a lot. As buses minimize pollution and help many people travel, they create less fossil fuel use such as petrol or diesel. Buses are fuel-efficient. If every individual starts using the taxi or their vehicle to move around or to travel then not the only pollution but also there will be a lot of traffic in that particular city or country. Therefore, buses help in reducing traffic. However, if the crime rate of that specific country or city is high, you must avoid using night buses because there will be high chances of robbery and other scams. Other than this, as the fare prices are low, it is recommended that you have the exact change or use a credit card to pay for the bus fare. Many of the countries offer bus passes to their regular passengers.
Train
There are narrow gauge trains present in Brunei, which was mainly established to transport steel and other essential materials; however, rail transport has no vital role in Brunei's development. There are trains present in Brunei with a total length of 612 kilometers; however, no electrified or high-speed trains current. There were no regular passenger trains from 2009 till 2016, but the train tracks were re-established due to the increased tourism and locals. Indonesia is a famous country and faces many tourists every year; therefore, rail transport is necessary. The total length of the railway present here is 6,000 kilometers. This country also has electrified railways or trams, which covers 471 kilometers. There are different types of trains present in Malaysia, with a total length being 1833 kilometers. The size of double-track railways is 767 kilometers, and electrified is 767 kilometers. Myanmar has a well established and long railway system covering around 10,296.01 kilometers and has about 1225 stations. There are railways present in the Philippines with a total length of 212.4 kilometers and a double track with 78.3 kilometers. MRT and LRT trains present in Singapore with a distance of 231.6 kilometers and electrified are 240 kilometers. Thailand has a well-established railway system with a total length being 4346 kilometers.
Hitchhiking
There are high possibilities of hitchhiking in almost every country in Southeast Asia. Besides this, hitchhiking has many benefits, which states that with the help of hitchhiking, you can save a lot of money that you otherwise have to spend on other travel options. The crime rates of that particular city-state that whether the hitchhiking conditions in that city are reasonable or not, you must get proper knowledge of crime rates before trying hitchhiking. If you want to reach a place in a hurry, you should not be dependent on hitchhiking because, many of the times, hitchhiking can cause a delay. Hitchhiking makes you dependable on someone.
Others
There are many ways to move around in these countries. The ones which are not mentioned above are walking, bicycling and taxis. Countries that are advanced in technology have electric taxis that are very much beneficial for conserving the environment. Electric taxis and vehicles are often low maintenance, and they do not consume fossil fuel to run themselves; therefore, most tourists prefer electric taxis. Other than this, there are bicycles available for rent, or else if you live for a longer time, you can purchase a second-hand bicycle from the nearby stores. Bikes and walking are known to be the best for traveling for a shorter distance. Walking can be the best to explore the city in detail. Taxis are also present in this country, but using these taxis is not advised because it will create a lot of pollution and increase your carbon footprints. Therefore you must only use it when you want to reach any place in a short period.
Sustainable Shopping
Everything which we buy has an impact on nature, our health as well as on society. Sustainable products are different from standard products as there do not harm nature and their components. The production of this product mostly consumes the renewable source of energy. It means that the machines consume electricity generated from solar panels to run themselves. There are grocery stores that sell organic fruits and vegetables, which are beneficial for our health. Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals; therefore, they are useful for human health. Second-hand stores are selling second-hand products Such as furniture, mobile phones, bicycles, and other things. These products are available at a low cost.
Recycling
Recycling means reusing the product in a different way. Many items can be recycled, such as paper, steel, Plastic, and other substances. They put in the most recycled item which is used to make the newspaper. As newspapers are recycled in a large quantity, it reduces the cutting down of trees used in paper production. Other than this word can also weather cycle and can be used to make furniture. Recycling eliminates waste and helps in reducing.
Waste
Waste is something that cannot be used further and needs to be dumped. There are different types of garbage classified into gaseous waste, solid waste, and liquid waste. Gaseous waste includes all those waste which are generated from factories and industries in the form of smoke. They are responsible for air pollution. Solid waste contains different types of solid waste, such as polythene, wrapper waste, etc. They create land pollution. The third one is liquid waste, which involves liquid which releases from drainage or wastewater discharged from industries. Trash consumes a lot of land in the form of landfills.
Work and Study Abroad
Some South-East Asia countries are very famous; therefore, many of the businessmen felt an opportunity to establish their organization or branch in these countries. Due to the growth of industrialization and organizations, there are many job opportunities in many countries. You can even get managerial or high profile jobs if you have an excellent educational background. However, if you are from her different country and want to get a job in South East Asia, there are high chances that the organization Will conduct a background check. Other Countries follow different education pattern.
Exchange Student
It is a good program for students who are ready to adapt to a different country's changes. Many students apply for this program; therefore, to select the deserving students, universities with access to this program take an entrance test and their cut-off to qualify for this program. Most universities offer free education abroad, and students only need to pay for staying and living there. It helps a student to have a fresh start in a new country.
Au Pair
An Au Pair is a person who stays with a local family and work taking care of the child. Au pair is famous in countries like Singapore, where they have both the mother and the father working. Therefore, they are always searching for someone who can take care of their child while not at home. It is seen that smaller countries have females, mostly Housewives; therefore, they do not need an au pair. By becoming an au pair, you can stay in a particular country for a long time without paying for accommodation. It is very responsible work; therefore, you must pay attention to all the child's activities of whom you are taking care of.
Volunteering
More significant countries have a lot of volunteering organizations that have different work. Some volunteer organizations help homeless people by providing them with small jobs or by providing them with food. Some of the organization helps stray animals by providing them with shelter and food. Some organizations become active during some natural disaster or crisis and help the government provide help to the crisis victim. You can volunteer readily in those organizations as they are always searching for people who can expand their teams.