A land of temples, waterfalls and slow days, Luang Prabang is sandwiched between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Once the royal capital of Laos, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a song of traditional Lao façades and colonial French influence. Wander flower-lined alleys to visit Buddhist temples Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai. When the sun climbs higher and the city heats up, escape to Kuang Si Falls, where milky blue pools cascade through the jungle.

Laotian cuisine is equally underappreciated. At Café Toui, try the mok pa – steamed river fish infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime and tamarind. For a more refined dining experience, book a table at Alamea Restaurant or take a cooking class at Tamarind to bring a little taste of Laos home with you. 

On Borneo’s northern coast, Kota Kinabalu stands out for its sense of adventure. Rise at dawn to hike Mount Kinabalu, witnessing a sunrise above clouds, while down at sea level, private yacht charters cruise around the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where snorkelling and diving reveal coral reef kingdoms. Excursions to the Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley promise sightings of orangutans, pygmy elephants and other rare species.

The city itself is lively and inviting, with a beautiful waterfront promenade, and its Waterfront Seafood Night Market is a must for food lovers, offering the freshest local catch grilled to order. For an elevated meal, dine at On22 Restaurant and Sky Bar, where the sweeping views are only upstaged by decadent Malaysian cuisine. 

A mystical land of caves and countryside calm, Phong Nha, a quiet town in central Vietnam, is the gateway to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and home to otherworldly caves. Adventures here go deep – zipline into caverns, kayak through underground rivers or explore the cathedral-like Hang En Cave. If tight spaces aren’t your thing, bike through buffalo-dotted fields and swim in clear rivers. The food is hearty and humble – think bun cha-style pork, grilled river fish and cold beers by the water. 

Often overlooked in favour of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, Battambang is Cambodia’s second-largest city and one of its most charming. With leafy colonial streets, riverside cafes and a growing local arts scene, the city is at once relaxed and buzzing with creativity. Ride the bamboo train, visit local temples and catch a performance at Phare Ponleu Selpak, a Cambodian circus arts school transforming local lives through art. The farm-to-table movement is flourishing here – Jaan Bai leads the way with elevated Khmer dishes made from local produce. 

If Borneo calls, stay at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, a 400-acre resort with its own beach, 18-hole golf course and private forest reserve. Or book at the white-walled and green-shuttered Amantaka, in Luang Prabang, Laos. Centrally located with sacred Mount Phousi as a backdrop, the hotel is seconds from the town while retaining a sense of peaceful bliss and calm. Of course, you can explore these hotels and more on ASMALLWORLD Collection.