Your insider guide to Southeast Asia asiaunmasked.com Your Week in Southeast Asia This week, in what is possibly the region’s most progressive country, Vietnam’s northern highlands, the world’s largest bamboo resort has just opened inside a national heritage landscape – offering us a reminder that luxury and environmental responsibility don’t need to pull in opposite
Phu Quoc ranks third globally. Five villages earn UNESCO recognition. Ten eco-hotels set new standards. But can Vietnam sustain this—or will success become its undoing? Phu Quoc ranked third globally in 2025 for service quality, scenery, beach beauty, and local hospitality—but rapid tourism growth creates both opportunity and risk Vietnam is doing something genuinely different
The journey from backpacker guesthouses to eco-luxury resorts shows how a region transformed tourism whilst learning to balance profits with environmental preservation I still remember my first glimpse of Phuket in the early 2000s. Even then, it felt crowded compared to what my Thai friend described from the 1980s – endless stretches of genuinely deserted
Where cutting-edge sustainability meets uncompromising luxury in the Garden City I’ll confess something that might surprise seasoned Southeast Asia travellers: Singapore was never on my “must-see” list. The gleaming metropolis seemed too sanitised, too removed from the cultural authenticity I sought in places like Luang Prabang or Yogyakarta. “It has a great airport” was my
How Indonesia’s most beloved island is quietly revolutionising responsible tourism without sacrificing an ounce of indulgence The Bali I encountered on my latest visit bears little resemblance to the island I first explored thirty years ago, when a dog-eared copy of Lonely Planet’s “South East Asia on a Shoestring” was the backpacker’s bible. Yet surprisingly,
Vietnam’s luxury islands represent the pinnacle of sophisticated Southeast Asian travel—destinations where pristine national park waters meet world-class hospitality, where thousand-year-old fishing traditions coexist with cutting-edge sustainability, and where true exclusivity emerges from respect rather than restriction. From Con Dao’s remarkable transformation from historical footnote to luxury sanctuary, to Phu Quy’s virtually undiscovered beaches where
After decades of Bangkok building skyward with concrete-and-steel ambition, something magical has finally emerged from the urban sprawl. The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, which opened its doors in December 2024, doesn’t just offer another luxury hotel experience – it provides an entirely new perspective on Thailand’s capital. Rising from the prestigious One Bangkok development, this isn’t merely
The big brands may dazzle with infinity pools and star chefs, but it’s the intimate hideaways of Southeast Asia that truly capture its soul. As a travel writer who’s endured countless corporate hotel loyalty programs across the region, I’ve had my most memorable nights tucked away in converted shophouses and bamboo treehouses where the owners
As demand for travel rebounds across the globe, discover how to indulge in Southeast Asia’s most spectacular destinations while treading lightly on this fragile paradise After spending over a decade exploring Southeast Asia’s evolving luxury travel landscape, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in how sustainability and indulgence intersect. What was once a niche concern has
From award-winning urban retreats to stunning waterfront escapes: How Thailand’s homegrown hospitality powerhouse is reshaping the region’s accommodation landscape Few developments in Southeast Asia’s hospitality scene have captured my attention as consistently as the remarkable ascent of ONYX Hospitality Group. Having spent years traversing the region’s ever-evolving hotel landscape, I’ve watched with genuine interest as
Vietnam’s Best Michelin Restaurants in 2026: The Practical Guide for Conscious Travellers
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