Recommendations for SE Asia
 

Hello fellow travelers; I’m planning to go to S.E. Asia between the Philippines and Thailand and as far south as Bali (but that seems risky now) I and want to do a beach / resort location for relaxing and then a (or two) Time: December-January. (I've done Singapore a lot, and don't really any place further north than Hong Kong - looking for warmth.

For the City I was thinking Ho Chi Minh, or Siem Reap. Thoughts?
For the beach at Da Nang looks good but I’m not sure if it would be warm enough for the beach though.
So I am looking at Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur but would like some recommendations.
(I’m hoping to use Hyatt points and TSUs but also have Hilton and IHG points or an AirBnB) but those aren’t crucial.

Thanks for any expert tips!

FT offers forums for specific destinations, i.e.:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asia-460/
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I've been to Da Nang twice in December. Once it was hot and once a bit cooler so I don't know what you would find this year. But, the Hyatt in Da Nang is great and right on the water.

Siem Reap is hot - always. December is the best time to go in terms if weather - but it will still be very hot and humid. Other than the temples, there isn't much to see. Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to visit. It will be warm/hot then but the city offers a lot of activities.

Thanks!

I think I'm settled on Ho Chi Minh for the city portion. Now to figure out the beach portion. I do like the look of the hyatt in da nang, but I don't want to risk the weather....

To my taste, Hanoi has a lot more character than HCM.

But if you haven't been to Angkor Wat, it's not to be missed, ever.

Yep. Barring a war or something, it's only likely to get more crowded. Was a great privilege to get to see it in 1997 and 2000.

And that's even after quite steep entrace fee. I've been there twice and after second time have no intention to ever go back. The same applies to Saigon, especially now. I would not consider that place for anything else except transit.

Spent a few hours in Saigon recently - terrible overcrowded airport - Hanoi is the best urban area in Vietnam!