Tomas Zagoda

Taipei knows what it is doing. Okay, that initiates all sorts of conversations about the relative sentience of cities, but stick with us; this is a capital city that has embraced all of its influences and created something spectacular, a city that has thrown itself into the future while remaining defiantly proud of where it came from. The best things to do in Taipei cover all this and much more, from observatories exploring the skies to the ruggedly beautiful national parks on the ground, via memorials, museums and a lantern-lit town that will take your breath away. Taipei is magnificent.

Get ready for chaos because Manila isn’t hanging about. The vibrant capital of the Philippines is a thrilling blend of Filipino, Spanish and American cultures and influences that will leave your jaw closer to the floor than the nose. All you need to do is go with the flow, and you’re in for the experience of a lifetime. The best things to do in Manila cover everything from the city’s long history to the financial acumen of the present day, with great restaurants, fun bars, water parks and churches mixed in the middle. There’s nowhere quite like Manila.

This is undoubtedly one of the most popular island destinations in the Philippines, and it’s easy to see why. The best things to do in Boracay draw almost two million visitors each year, arriving to see the postcard-perfect beaches with dreamy turquoise waters, drink at excellent bars and learn to kite surf or snorkel. The tropical island’s popularity almost became its downfall, requiring a temporarily closure to all visitors during 2018 for environmental rehabilitation and new infrastructure to be put in place. Boracay’s future is looking good, as the island will be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Here are the very best things to experience on one of the best islands in the world. Note: Boracay has been closed since April, 2018 due to environmental issues. The government hopes to have a soft opening for locals in the fall of 2018 and then to gradually increase visitor numbers every three months to a target of maximum of six thousand overnight guests per day. If you're lucky enough to visit sometime soon, please do your part to leave Boracay better than you found it! Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

For many years, travellers have flocked to this Cambodian city to explore the majestic UNESCO-listed temples of Angkor, the former centre of the Khmer Empire which ruled from the 9th to the 15th centuries—but there are so many more things to do in Siem Reap. These days the town is more than a gateway to Angkor: it’s a destination in its own right. After a day of sightseeing, tourists and locals alike seek out rooftop cocktails, live music, design shops, tasty street eats and world-class hotels to lay their heads. You should really join them. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Looking for the best things to do in Hanoi? Vietnam’s capital city is known for many things: its historic and beautiful Old Quarter, its tumultuous history, and the seemingly endless wave of scooters, for a start. No visit to Hanoi can be complete without seeing a traditional water puppet show, eating mountains of mouth-watering street food, sipping specialty coffee and exploring ancient temples. There is a lot to love about Hanoi, and here are our top tips on how to make the most of your time here. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most attractive, atmospheric and distinct cities. Welcoming travellers for generations as a former spice trading port, the city’s cultural legacies from China, Japan, France and even Portugal are clear. The calm cobbled streets of the UNESCO listed Ancient Town are a shopper’s paradise during the day, while the lazy river threading itself through the city is illuminated by bars at night. Couple this with great street food, and some of the country’s best palm tree-lined beaches only a short bike ride away, it’s little wonder that travellers flock here from around the globe. Here are our top things to eat, drink and do in Hoi An. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.