There’s no denying that Australians love to travel, and with so many great destinations to explore across the Asia Pacific, we have the luxury of choice when it comes to deciding where to set our sails next.
But it can also be really easy for us to fall into old habits and do the same destinations for every family getaway. If you’ve have been guilty of planning multiple trips to the Gold Coast in the last few years, why not get off the beaten track and try out a new destination instead – like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, or any of the other fascinating countries that make up South and Southeast Asia?
Although there are plenty of opportunities for new experiences, cultural foods, and breathtaking sights to take in at these new South Asian destinations, it is important to keep in mind that there are risks to travelling somewhere new. So what safety and security risks should you be preparing for in South and Southeast Asia specifically?
This is precisely the question we’ll be answering today, as I share my top six safe travel tips for visiting South and Southeast Asia.
1. Make sure you’re appropriately covered
While you may have been able to book a cheap flight or find low-cost accommodation, it’s still important to keep in mind that you’ll be travelling internationally – which means any number of things can actually go wrong. What if your luggage gets misplaced, placed on the wrong flight or heaven forbid, stolen?
Thankfully, having the right international travel insurance cover can help you to relax knowing that you can claim back if anything does go wrong. This includes incidents like missing or stolen luggage, or if you find yourself in need of medical attention during your time abroad.
It’s also important to remember that while Asia may be cheaper than most continents, it can be trickier to get appropriate medical attention, which is one of the prime reasons why insurance cover is an absolute must-have. Yes, it can be an added expense to your holiday planning, but the age-old adage “if you can’t afford the cover, you can’t really afford to travel” really is worth following because at the end of the day you want to have fond memories of your holiday over feeling like you’ve just ended up paying a lot of money just to be miserable across the sea.
2. Be alert and keep possessions secured
One of the most popular places for Aussies is, of course, the Indonesian island of Bali. While it has its beautiful beaches and lovely cultural attractions, Bali is also renowned for its strong population of pickpockets. The same goes for some regions across Cambodia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
Half of the battle when it comes to protecting yourself against thieves and scammers is simply maintaining your awareness. Read up on scams that have occurred in the area, just so you can detect the early warning signs if you do happen to cross paths with an opportunistic scammer. This includes requests to give you a lift somewhere to an unknown but apparently ‘amazing’ tourist attraction like a temple. As a general rule of thumb, never accept a lift offer from anyone outside of a rideshare app like Uber.
As for protecting yourself against pickpockets, carrying secure bumbags with you can help keep your valuables safe. Check out some of the most popular travel scams here so that you can know what to watch out for.
3. Be mindful of health and get vaccinations
This time of the year, Australian airports are always busy with travellers looking to escape the winter blues. But just because you’re avoiding cold and flu season here in Australia, it doesn’t mean you won’t still get sick abroad.
This is why travel immunisations are so important. For those looking to travel in South and Southeast Asia, your GP will likely recommend getting immunised against Hepatitis A and B strains, as well as Typhoid, Cholera, Rabies, Meningococcal, and Malaria.
It’s also important to have a medical clearance for any of your current medications, as there’s a chance that some medications may be banned or restricted in countries on your travel list. For this reason, it’s wise to consult your doctor or a medical clinic before you travel – especially if you’re looking to travel to multiple countries and will likely need additional immunisations for each destination.
4. Read up on local laws and customs
It’s common to experience a little culture shock here and there whenever you travel across South and Southeast Asia. This doesn’t just include culture shocks relating to culinary experiences, but also across religious events, practices, and cultural customs.
The religious landscape of Asia is far reaching, from Islam to Buddhist to Christianity and Hinduism, and with that, comes different rituals and ceremonies that, if you choose to observe, should be treated with respect. If you are planning to visit any religious sites, for instance, you’ll want to dress respectfully and in alignment with local customs, both out of consideration for locals and also to reduce your risks of sticking out like a sore thumb – and perhaps even being targeted by some opportunistic pickpockets and scammers.
Thankfully, you really only need to do a little bit of preliminary research to make sure you’re conducting yourself respectfully across all your travel destinations. And if you’re ever in doubt, you can always ask your hotel concierge and any tour guides you’ll be travelling with as well.
5. Pack for the climate
Being mindful of local weather patterns is essential for travelling comfortably across South and Southeast Asia. This is especially important across countries like India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, that experience monsoons. Even if you live in tropical Queensland, you really cannot be prepared for just how hot, humid, and generally uncomfortable it can get during monsoon season.
If you are planning to travel during monsoon season, however, you’ll want to pack accordingly. Breathable clothing is advised, as well as clothing that can cover your head, arms and knees. This is also great for temples and other religious spaces, where uncovered skin is considered disrespectful.
It’s also wise to carry plenty of sunscreen to protect against the harsh equatorial sun, as well as netting and insect repellent to protect yourself against mosquito bites, leeches, and other pesky pests. These insects can also bring risks of malaria and other diseases, so it’s better to play it safe.
6. Be mindful of what and where you eat
While your travels across South and Southeast Asia will see you experiencing and learning about all of the region’s vibrant local cultures, this trip to the subcontinent can also be an expedition for your taste buds. The streets of Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka in particular are filled with delectable street food offerings, from steaming pad thai to freshly fried roti, big banh mis, and plenty of other familiar, comforting street eats.
While eating from markets and the local street food can be enticing, it’s still wise to make sure you’re eating from established eateries. This way, with any luck, you’ll still get the full taste of flavour of the continent without risking food poisoning and medicinal relief on the flight home.
Be mindful of street vendors selling drinks as well. If beverages have been made with local tap water, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting a stomach bug. Instead, it’s best to stick to bottled tap water for the duration of your travels.
Travel across South and Southeast Asia with Confidence
With these safe travel tips in mind, you can make sure your expeditions across South and Southeast Asia are comfortable and enriching every step of the way. Just make sure you do plenty of research on your selected Asian travel destinations to ensure you have a strong understanding of that region’s local risks and safety hazards. That way, you can arrive at your destination prepared for whatever you may experience.
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