The Best South East Asian Countries

The Top Ten
1 Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It is situated in the western Pacific Ocean and consists of around 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines is bounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east,... read more

Unlike other countries, Philippines houses one of the most adaptive people towards their environment, socially, economically, or geographically. It may be hard to supply the government's support to the remote areas due to it's geography (a 7107-island-archipelago), the faith, hope, and love for the country expressed by the people remains constant. I may be one of the Filipinos who almost lost hope on Philippines as a better country, I just realize that unlike Singapore, Philippines has "things" that Singapore can never have, like natural beautiful landforms, and naturally arranged forests. Another one is the vast area for improvement, due to the fact that Filipinos are open-minded to comments, and wouldn't raise themselves up high (unlike the Malaysians) and let themselves get consumed by their own temporary pride, instead, these people consume every negative and positive comments and be considered for improvement. The only element that Philippines would always lack will be a supportive AND non-corrupt politicians.

2 Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia. Ruled by the Dutch for over 300 years and Japan for 3 years and 6 months, the country gained independence in 1945, or exactly in 17th August 1945. Jakarta is the capital city, located in the island of Java. Major languages include Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian), Javanese, Sundanese and Minangkabau. Islam is the largest... read more

Indonesia is not the rich country, but INDONESIA is the richest country that has so much cultures in SE Asia, even in the world!.
Indonesia has many beautiful parts that each of them has its own feature, such as Bali, it is a heaven, Bali has so many beautiful beaches. Komodo Island, it's the ONLY one place that has so big population of Komodo Dragons.
Sumatra, it has a popular flower which is called Raflesia.
Kalimantan (Borneo) has Orang Utan, that ONLY place has it. Pontianak (west borneo) is passed by equator line.
Yogyakarta, you can find Candi Borobudur (temple) there, candi Prambanan
Lombok, Jakarta, Solo, Bandung, papua, and many more..
There are a lot..
I can't explain 1 by 1.

Indonesia is the one of several most populated country in the world. Almost 88% people in Indonesia are muslims, but in Indonesia we can find another site, we have a biggest Budhist Temple in the world "Borobudur", we have a largest Hindus temple in the world "Prambanan", a biggest mosque in Asia, etc. We have a more than 1700 dialect, ethnic that spread in Indonesia. Nowadays Indonesia also become a new tiger of Asia. Our economical development is the one of highest economical country, the stability and our economy development can make and change Indonesia. Now Indonesian military are the strongest in South East Asia we build a rocket center at biak, Aeroplane and Battleship Factory Center in Bandung and Surabaya, Nuke Center at Jogja, and Center of Java, Weapon and Artillery Factory and all of them were exported to African, Middle East country, malaysia, vietnam, cambodia, myanmar etc you can find out that news on internet. If we talking about cultural side, Indonesia have Bali, Papua, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and a lot city which is have their culture. Talking about Tourism, we have Raja Ampat as the best destination for coral in the world, we have a biggest indoor theme park in the world, For Educational side, based on 4icu.org Indonesia stand with singapore which is make a good education and university. It couldn't compared with Phil, Malay, and Vietnam. After the reformation Indonesia change to be the best and the brightest country in South East Asia. Indonesia is a part of Heaven on earth...

3 Malaysia Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country occupying the Malaysian Peninsula and part of the island of Borneo. It's known for its beaches, rain forests and mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. The sprawling capital, Kuala Lumpur, is home to colonial buildings, busy shopping districts such as Bukit Bintang and skyscrapers including the iconic, 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers.

First, I'd like to thank for making this number 3. Usually, it is always at the bottom of other lists but I love this country. Second, thanks for putting it above Singapore. If you're a Malaysian, you'll know why Singapore's overrated and I wouldn't like to give you this long explanation right now. Thanks for this placing. Let's keep voting to get it to the top!

How is Singapore or Malaysia not at the top of this list? Why is Philippines at the top? Sorry, I am Filipino but I do not agree with the ranking of Philippines. Hardly as livable as Malaysia. Malaysia has better infrastructures, better place to do business, better food, better educational system. This list is quite a joke.

I'm indonesian, I support malaysia and singapore to be better nation, but I hope indonesia is also improving in everything, because I want this three nation can be friend forever, to be honest I like malaysia more than my own country ( indonesia ) in beaches and rain forest plus the dishes.

4 Singapore Singapore, officially known as the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It is situated approximately one degree of latitude (137 kilometers or 85 miles) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It borders the Strait of Malacca to the west, the Singapore Strait to the south, the South China Sea to the east, and the Straits of... read more

Singapore was once a great place until year 2000. People were hardworking and full of hope for the future. Now it is just too small and crowded like airport transfer lounge. The government tries to jam 6 million into this tiny island which in turn decrease the quality of living and make the citizens stressed and miserable.
Some countries choose to nurture their citizens to be clever enough to compete against the world, but Singapore chooses to outsource its citizens and run the country like a money making business.
Result is a whole bunch of foreigners who use Singapore as a springboard, a stopover, a one night stand for their careers. Most have NO intention to settle down there. They live in their gated communities and refuse to integrate, nor adopt any of its culture, despise the locals. Singapore is like a sex worker, everyone wants to use and abuse but not marry. Loyalty cannot be bought by glitzy shopping malls and fancy restaurants. It is the sense of belonging. One day if Singapore is invaded, all those foreigners and PRs will flee and Singapore will find no loyalty in its hard pressed, underclass and over exploited citizens.

5 Thailand Thailand, historically known as Siam and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of Mainland Southeast Asia, spanning 513,120 square kilometres (198,120 sq mi), with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bordered to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to... read more

Thai people are probably the most loyal, kindest and happy people of all of South East Asia. There's a reason why people call it The LAND OF SMILES and the LAND OF ENCHANTMENT. Thai people are very religious since 95% if the country is Buddhists. Thai people are loyal since they dearly love their king, who has one a Guinness world record. Thai food is one of the most recognizable and best in the world. Thailand is also the only country in south east Asia to never been taken over or occupied by Europeans. Thai people are very nice and happy, hence the name the Land of Smiles.

Thailand is a safe destination. People are usually tolerant and nonjudgemental towards foreigners who're overweight or look different.
Tourists aren't simply seen as money cows to be ripped off.
I think most Thai buddhists actually try to follow their beliefs, so generally they treat people decently. They're a humble people, and what I most like about Thais is their respect towards others. Of course, there'll all ways be the odd exception.

6 Vietnam Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia.

Everyone is loud because they are not embarrassed to show themselves and the atmosphere makes you feel fit in. The economy may not be rich it it is still growing. Plus, everything there is cheap, you can even change the price of anything (even if the price say so). Vietnam makes you feel free and it's the country that loves foreign but doesn't show it. So make sure you vist it.

Vietnam is the preeminent or best country in the planet. The people is very aptitude and shrewd. Other country is probably affluent but they don't prepossessing or beautiful forest, lake, and mountain like we do! And is very exhilarate when it World Cup. There are a ton of beautiful women walking around the city.

In my opinion, Vietnam is the best country in South east Asia. I have ever gone there. It has many beautiful landscapes and nice long beaches. The locals are not only friendly but also kind-hearted. Moreover, there are cultural kinds of food and drink. I vote Vietnam Number 1.

7 Cambodia Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. Its busy capital, Phnom Penh, is home to the art deco Central Market, glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum's historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country's northwest lie ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer... read more

Obviously, I'm being pushed to vote for Cambodia. In my opinion, I think that Singapore is the best. However, Cambodia, considered as a strongly corrupted and anti-poverty country, is very good in some ways. Such as it's characteristics. Although the nowadays environment is a not so that eye-capturing, the ancient appearance is very vintage and retro. For some people who like to be reminiscent, Cambodia is the best. Another reason might be the human resources. Since Cambodians are very creative and resourceful, I believe that in 10 year times, this country will sky-rocket to be the best of all, even better than the states. Overall, from a foreigner's perspective, I think I'm starting to love Cambodia even though I'm being less-convinced about all of these.

In my oppinion, Kingdom of Cambodia is one of the greatest cultural country in the world. Even this country just waked up from Khmer Rough and was invased by Vietnam or Thai recent centuries, they still preserve their good culture, protect relics, temples, which many of them is the greatest heritage of the world.

Cambodia now become more open, development, and was waiting for all of you to visit, help this country take all best that was belong to them before. I'm living in India and I pretty pity about Mekong delta and many lands in Thai, that was invade, should belong to Khmer people.

8 Myanmar Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country's largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes, and the towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century.

Myanmar is the jewel of Southeast Asia. Locked away from the world for decades under the rule of the Burmese military, Myanmar is a country to be understood and explored. Myanmar possesses the last of the world's undiscovered islands, the ancient crumbling city of one the most powerful southeast Asian civilizations, the highest elevated lake, and the largest pagoda in the world gilded - in pure gold. Myanmar has also been widely accepted as the country with the most welcoming and friendly people. This country is a must visit when visiting Southeast Asia.

Myanmar also known as golden land. So many pagoda are made of real gold. That is the most beautiful country in south east Asia, rather than Malaysia, Indonesia. I have been Malaysia, Indonesia such country is popular for only modernize things for E.G. in Malaysia Twin Tower, but Myanmar is not like that. There have so many historical things. I love that so much. If you are looking to go for travel around the South East Asia first place you need to go Myanmar and Bagan. Bagan is the historical city in Myanmar. If I have a time I also want to go again.

9 Brunei Brunei, officially the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, the country is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state completely on the island... read more

Yes Darussalam mean peace.

Brunei is really peaceful with an ecosystem to die for to live at

10 Laos Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), or commonly referred to its colloquial name of Muang Lao is a landlocked country in the heart of the Indochinese peninsula of Mainland Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand to the west.

This country has a lot of pretty views like the natural mountains and waterfalls. While it's landlocked, the beautiful landscapes make up for it. The people are very nice and if you find the right place, the food will be very good. The country has so many ancient ruins from the past. Awesome sightseeing spots too! Overall, Laos is underrated and a hidden gem.

Laos is the hidden treasure in the heart of Indochina. It's the most sought vacation spot for tourists. Especially in the southern part of Laos. It has amazing waterfall and resorts.

Laos is the best coutry in midle southeast asia because they have a unque traditional which very old and they are keeping it until today. No kinapping in Laos. No booming in Laos and Laos also have recognize as a peaceful country.

The Contenders
11 East Timor
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