Paradise Is a Place Called Southeast Asia

What’s your definition of paradise?

When people imagine paradise, they often think of a Southeast Asian destination: Bali, Boracay, Phuket—the usual suspects.

And who could blame them? Our side of the world’s chock-full of white sand beaches, lush forests with a secret or two, and vibrant local cultures that love having a good time (and look great while doing so, too), among other things that make for an idyllic retreat.

But even if you go beyond its usual definition, you’ll see that however you define ‘paradise,’ you’ll find it here. Is retail therapy your idea of heaven? Go to Bangkok. A gastronomic feast? Enjoy the hawker centers of Singapore. Dancing to the beat ‘till dawn? Take your pick: Saigon, Koh Phangan, or Poblacion—you’re spoiled for choice. 

Our April digital issue proposes this bold claim: the world escapes to Southeast Asia because paradise, in all its forms and iterations, will always exist here. 

It’s surely the case for our cover star, Indonesian-American actor Yoshi Sudarso, whose idea of ‘paradise’ has evolved from achieving fame and chasing that ‘next level’ to something that’s more grounded and meaningful: being that present family man for his wife and kids. In his cover story, we talk about how the high-flying actor and stuntman braved the leap from California to Jakarta not only for work, but also to raise his boys and leave a legacy in a place he once called home.

And if you’ve seen how Yoshi looks like, you’ll understand why with him back in Southeast Asia, the heat index here’s bursting through the roof. That’s why we’re also rounding up ‘summer-ready’ local brands that will keep you looking cool. Literally. We start with the vibrant capital of Kuala Lumpur, and in the coming days, please look forward to more recommendations from the region’s fashion centers.

Speaking of centers, regular contributor Lex Celera explores the retail heaven that is Bangkok, scouring repurposed complexes, vintage shops, and malls for the best shops and styles. It’s a different kind of paradise that, he learns, is made possible by Thailand’s growing emphasis on ‘soft power.’ It’s also the reason why Songkran has now shifted from Bangkok’s wettest party into a key player in positioning Thailand as a global festival and tourism destination.

And we can never talk about ‘paradise’ without revisiting places like Bali, often called the world’s worst-kept secret. But as Jakarta-based writer, editor, and longtime visitor of the island Ardhana Utama writes in his guide to the Island of Gods, though Bali’s always crowded and ever-changing, it has still kept its lasting charm—if you know where to look. 

However, if going beyond the usual’s your thing, you’re in luck—we’re also exploring more destinations across the region this month, so stay tuned for those stories. 

Lastly, we explore Southeast Asian music and how it has shaped ‘paradise’ as much as it has evolved through the region’s countless festivals and parties through time, from Thailand’s full moon parties to Siargao’s laid-back sunsets. Dayne Aduna writes that, in our side of the world, ‘the music doesn’t just echo the landscape. It becomes the landscape.’

Welcome to VMAN Southeast Asia’s paradise issue. Enjoy reading these stories while sipping your favorite cocktail in Bali, shopping tirelessly in Bangkok, or just simply lounging at home. After all, in Southeast Asia, your own definition of paradise is always more than welcome.