Geography
The number of countries are globally recognized as being in Southeast Asia?
11 countries (Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)
This actress, born in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, is the first Asian woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once and most recently played Madame Morrible in Wicked Part I & II.
Michelle Yeoh
This Indonesian island is known for its Komodo dragons.
Komodo Island
This Vietnamese soup features broth, rice noodles, and herbs, often served with beef or chicken.
Pho
History:
This was the name given to the mainland section of Southeast Asia by European geographers, noting the geographic and cultural influences from neighboring regions of China and the Indian subcontinent.
Indochina
This is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.
Laos
Born in Houston, Texas, this Vietnamese-American singer blends lo-fi pop, acoustic elements, and R&B and has become a staple within Asian American communities.
Keshi/Casey Luong
This temple city in Cambodia was originally built as a Hindu temple before becoming Buddhist.
Angkor Wat
I am a Thai dessert made with sticky rice, coconut milk, and fresh mango, then who am I?
Mango sticky rice
History:
This Southeast Asian country was never under colonial control.
Thailand
This city-state is both a country and its capital.
Singapore
He is an actor from Southeast Asia who has made his name on the international stage, such as Hollywood, thanks to his work in the film Crazy Rich Asians. Born in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, he played Nick Young in the films Crazy Rich Asians and A Simple Favor.
Henry Golding
Added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2023, this is a sacred urban complex northeast of Siem Reap, featuring a concentration of temples, sanctuaries, stone inscriptions, sculptures, and wall paintings. Founded by King Jayavarman IV, this place briefly served as the capital of the Khmer Empire between 928 and 944 CE. Known in inscriptions as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, the city was built following ancient Indian cosmological principles.
Koh Ker
This Southeast Asian fruit is sweet, has a nice yellow color. In Singapore, this kind of fruit officially banned on all public transport, including MRT trains, buses, and taxis, due to its overpowering, lingering odor.
Durian
Traveling Tip:
Non-Muslim passengers are permitted to bring their own alcohol on board, up to 5 liters of spirits (24-70% ABV) or unlimited beer and wine under 24% ABV. However, alcohol is banned in this SEA country, meaning its sale is prohibited, and consumption is illegal in public.
Brunei
This country has the most active volcanoes in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia
This Filipino singer won The Voice USA Season 26 in 2024, then joined The Voice Kids Philippines 2025 as a Coach.
Sofronio Vasquez
This country has The Istana Nurul Iman, which boasts 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a mosque, a garage for 110 cars, five swimming pools, and a super huge banquet hall. It's no wonder the iconic building is the world's largest residential palace.
Brunei
Do you ever find yourself enjoying a plate of Pad Thai and wondering how this iconic dish got its name? The name “Pad Thai” comes from the Thai language, with “Thai” signifying the country’s national identity. Then, what does "Pad" mean?
stir-fried/ stir-fry
Sport:
This was the professional nickname of the Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao, who became the first eight-division world champion.
Pacman
Spanning six countries, including Indonesia, this region lies at the intersection of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and contains over 500 reef-building coral species, which are more than anywhere else on Earth.
Hint: 2 words
Coral Triangle
LISA (BLACKPINK)’s hometown is a small city in Isan, the predominantly rural northeastern region of Thailand, where papaya salad originated.
Buriam
This place is a mysterious megalithic site featuring thousands of stone jars scattered across the landscape in Laos. Dating back to the Iron Age (500 BCE–500 CE), its purpose remains unclear, though it is thought to be linked to burial practices. The jars are associated with the ancient Mon-Khmer people, who inhabited the region before the rise of larger Southeast Asian empires. The site offers a glimpse into early funerary customs and social organization.
Hint: 3 words
Plain of Jars
Considered the national comfort food of the Philippines, this dish began as an indigenous pre‑colonial method of preserving meat using vinegar, salt, and garlic to withstand the tropical climate, long before Spanish colonization. Although its original native name was lost, Spanish settlers in the 16th century gave it its current name because it resembled their own marinades.
Adobo
Traveling tip:
This country uses the United States dollar (USD) as its official currency and legal tender for all transactions. The country has been fully dollarized since January 2000, adopting the currency to maintain economic stability. This nation is one of only countries in the region that use USD.
Timor-Leste (East Timor)