Globalization is making many countries more connected than ever, which is good for travelers who want to experience new things. One of the most interesting things that globalization does to many countries worldwide is integrating culture and modernization. This interesting combination has made many cities in Southeast Asia quite interesting, especially for many travelers.
There are more than thirty cities in Southeast Asia, each having its own unique personalities and looks. Moreover, each of these cities has a generous mix of culture and modernization. In this article, we will be looking into cities that are innovative in their own unique ways. These cities are the best to visit if you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys both culture and modernization mixed into one.
Changi, Singapore
Innovation has always been at the heart of Singapore. Being one of the poorest countries in the region more than 40 years ago, it has its own share of problems alongside its millions of citizens. Today, the country has one of the best economies globally, and one of its cities, Changi, is considered one of the most innovative cities worldwide.
Changi is at the heart of Singapore. Its airport has been ranked to be one of the best airports worldwide. However, there are many things you can do at Changi aside from visiting its beautiful airport. A beautiful coastline surrounds the city, and many five-star restaurants can be found there. You can also go shopping inside the beautiful city center, where all sorts of brands can be found from Zara, Uniqlo, Nike, and more.
The city also has places for Pokemon fans. Do you know that Changi has a Pokemon Center, and it’s only one of the few outside Japan? Feel free to visit it if you’re into all things Pokemon. They sell all sorts of Pokemon collectibles and accessories, great for people who want to widen their Pokemon collection.
Changi has everything you need, and it’s a great vacation spot if you’re the kind of person who enjoys modernized structures with a good mix of cultures. However, if you truly want to go shopping, another city is just great as Changi, and that city is Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, or KL for short, is the country’s capital, and it’s considered its main urban center. Many Malaysians visit KL for their shopping needs, while many tourists visit the city because of its recent innovations, such as the Petronas towers.
Many years ago, KL was one of the cities still defining its legacy. No one knew whether if it should stick to the traditional Malaysian culture or become a modernized city, much like everyone else was doing at the time. As time passed, the government decided that KL can be its own city, one that showcases the beautiful culture of Malaysia in a modernized fashion.
If you visit KL, you’ll see many of its beautiful malls. But what’s inside these malls will surprise you. You’re going to see all sorts of restaurants selling Malaysian dishes and unique specialties. Many stalls also sell handcrafted items, which are great gifts for people back home.
Shopping is also much cheaper here when compared to the states. Prices are much lower, especially for expensive brands like Zara. This is one of the best places to go shopping and if you want to experience Malaysian culture without going deep into its old cities. However, if you truly want to experience the culture of a particular country, one of the best cities to visit is Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Unlike the two other innovative cities we’ve discussed in this article, Ho Chi Minh isn’t known for its elegant combination of Southeast Asian culture and modernization, but rather, it’s known for how it has preserved its culture for many centuries.
Ho Chi Minh is a place where you can truly experience Vietnam and what the country offers. It has many street foods on offer, alongside rickshaws willing to take you on the ride. Some museums contain war remnants from the country’s rich history. If you enjoy the opera, the Saigon Opera house is also nearby.
There are so many things in Ho Chi Minh you can experience in just a matter of days, and just like the other cities on this list, you don’t need to visit any other city in Vietnam to experience its culture. Everything is there, already laid out in front of you.
These are some of the innovative cities you should visit when you go to Southeast Asia. Each city has everything you need to have a great cultural experience.
