Lanterns & lotuses

Semarang is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It has an area of 373.78 square kilometres (144.32 sq mi) and a population of approximately 1.8 million people, making it Indonesia's seventh most populous city after Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Bekasi, Medan, and Tangerang. The built-up (metro) area had 3,183,516 inhabitants at the 2010 census spread on 2 cities and 26 districts. Greater Semarang (a.k.a. Kedungsapur) has a population of close to 6 million (see Greater Semarang section), and is located at 6°58′S 110°25′E. A major port during the Dutch colonial era, and still an important regional center and port today, the city has a dominant Javanese population.

Amidst the endless city lights, Jakarta emerges as a true metropolis of contrasts, where modern skyscrapers stand alongside ancient temples and open-air markets. This city is a real cultural kaleidoscope: Chinese quarters, colonial architecture, and modern business centers blend here in an amazing harmony. Tourists can stroll through the old Kota Tua district, where Dutch-era buildings have been preserved, and then head to modern shopping malls offering goods from around the world.

Food lovers will be delighted by the diversity of dishes, as Jakarta is famous for its street food — aromatic satay, nasi goreng, and fresh seafood are must-tries. For those seeking cultural experiences, the city offers museums, theaters, and art galleries. This is a place where you can feel the pulse of modern Indonesia while touching its rich heritage.

Among the tropical islands of Thailand, Koh Samui stands out with its unique nature and atmosphere. This island attracts travelers from all over the world with its white sandy beaches, picturesque waterfalls, and dense jungles. It's an ideal place for relaxation, whether it’s engaging in water sports, exploring nature, or simply enjoying peace and beauty.

Moreover, Koh Samui is known for its cultural heritage, including many Buddhist temples and sanctuaries. One of the most famous is the Big Buddha Temple, which is not only a religious center but also one of the island's main attractions. The local cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and exotic fruits, will make the trip even more exciting and delicious.

Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand, and has a population of over eight million, or 12.6 percent of the country's population. Over fourteen million people (22.2 percent) lived within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region at the 2010 census, making Bangkok the nation's primate city, significantly dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in terms of importance.

Ho Chi Minh City, also known by its former name of Saigon is the most populous city in Vietnam with a population of 8.4 million (13 million in the metropolitan area) as of 2017. Located in southeast Vietnam, the metropolis surrounds the Saigon River and covers about 2,061 square kilometres (796 square miles).

Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1902 and again from 1945 to 1954. Saigon would later become the capital of South Vietnam from 1955 until its fall in 1975. On 2 July 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Định Province and was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City after revolutionary leader Hồ Chí Minh (although the name Sài Gòn is still widely used).

Ho Chi Minh City is the financial centre of Vietnam and is classifed as a Beta+ World City by Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, the largest stock exchange by total market capitalization in Vietnam and the headquarters of many national and international banks and companies.

Ho Chi Minh City is the most visited city in Vietnam, with 6.3 million visitors in 2017. Many of the city's landmarks which are well known to international visitors include the Bến Thành Market, Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Independence Palace and the Municipal Theatre. The main passenger airport serving the metropolitan area is Tan Son Nhat International Airport, it is the busiest airport in Vietnam handling 36 million passengers in 2017.

Ho Chi Minh City, also known by its former name of Saigon is the most populous city in Vietnam with a population of 8.4 million (13 million in the metropolitan area) as of 2017. Located in southeast Vietnam, the metropolis surrounds the Saigon River and covers about 2,061 square kilometres (796 square miles).

Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1902 and again from 1945 to 1954. Saigon would later become the capital of South Vietnam from 1955 until its fall in 1975. On 2 July 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Định Province and was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City after revolutionary leader Hồ Chí Minh (although the name Sài Gòn is still widely used).

Ho Chi Minh City is the financial centre of Vietnam and is classifed as a Beta+ World City by Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, the largest stock exchange by total market capitalization in Vietnam and the headquarters of many national and international banks and companies.

Ho Chi Minh City is the most visited city in Vietnam, with 6.3 million visitors in 2017. Many of the city's landmarks which are well known to international visitors include the Bến Thành Market, Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, Independence Palace and the Municipal Theatre. The main passenger airport serving the metropolitan area is Tan Son Nhat International Airport, it is the busiest airport in Vietnam handling 36 million passengers in 2017.