4 Southeast Asian neighborhoods named among world's coolest

Pererenan, a seaside village in Bali, Indonesia, claimed the third spot on the list. Time Out editors recommend visiting Pererenan during the dry season, from April to October, and avoiding the peak months of June to August and December to January.

Visitors can stop by Brunch Club Pererenan for smoothie bowls or shakshuka halloumi toast before heading to Pererenan Beach for a swim or surf. For a different experience, they can visit Woods, a jungle-inspired all-day restaurant offering global cuisine, Sunday roasts, and live music on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Thao Dien Ward, home to the largest expat community in Vietnam's HCMC, ranked 16th.

Visitors are recommended to stop by Bakes, a creative Vietnamese-French bakery, or Tre Dining, a Michelin-recommended restaurant offering tasting menus that blend classic Vietnamese flavors with premium ingredients.

Formerly part of District 2 and now within Thu Duc City, Thao Dien is home to over 20,000 residents, mostly expats. The area is known for its luxury bars and restaurants that stay open until midnight.

Bangkok's Ekkamai neighborhood, which stretches from Ekkamai Road (Sukhumvit 63) to PhraKhanong Road (Sukhumvit 71), secured the 27th spot.

A restaurant surrounded by green trees is located near the Ekkamai neighborhood in Thailand's Bangkok. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

"A magnet for young Bangkokians and digital nomads, the neighborhood is known for its thriving coffee scene, with dozens of cafés concentrated on Ekkamai Soi 21," Time Out noted.

The magazine advised tourists to enjoy coffee at WWA Chooseless Café, explore vintage leathershoes and bags at Fashion Vintage Collection, and experience bar culture at Mikkeller Bangkok, a brewery located in a 1950s Thai house.

Singapore's Orchard, a famous shopping district, ranked 37th.

It features a state-of-the-art adventure complex with surfing and snowboarding, pottery workshops, an art gallery spotlighting Asian artists, and a rooftop garden offering a breath of fresh air amid the concrete jungle.

The Orchard shopping road in Singapore is lit up at night. Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor

Tourists can begin their day with brunch at Surrey Hills Grocer before admiring city views from the 56th-floor observation deck at ION Sky, which offers free entry. For dinner, Michelin-starred Cote Korean Steakhouse is highly recommended.

Time Out compiled this annual ranking by surveying its local experts and editors to identify the coolest neighborhoods in their respective cities. The list was then narrowed down and ranked based on criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community, and unique local flavor.