Brunei is one of the world’s least traveled nations. Few people can even name the Sultanate as a physical location on a map, much less plan a vacation there. Brunei’s tranquility will be appreciated by those who have been overrun by mass tourism in Thailand and Vietnam. They haven’t succumbed to the temptation of a chunk of the tourist pie.

Brunei’s proximity to Malaysian Borneo is another compelling incentive to pay a visit. Sarawak and Borneo are separated by a narrow strip of land. Two-hour bus rides link Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan. Sabah and Sarawak cities are connected by daily flights. To get to duty-free Labuan, visitors may take a boat from Bandar Seri Begawan to Labuan. 

Kampong Ayer, Brunei’s national treasure, is known by a variety of names. Bandar Seri Begawan’s floating hamlet, which spans the Brunei River, is home to 13,000 people. Kampong Ayer is divided into several neighborhoods, each of which has its library, mosque, and school. To move from the land to their settlement, speedboats are used much like a bus. One of our favorite things to do in Brunei is to get lost in the labyrinth and take pictures of the locals going about their daily lives. 

Brunei is perhaps the safest travel destination in Southeast Asia. Bandar Seri Begawan is a safe city for solitary travelers at any time of day or night because of the city’s low crime rate (apart from the rare case of petty theft). Drunken and loutish behavior has been eradicated in the nation because of its prohibition on alcohol. Brunei, compared to its neighbors, is a considerably safer place for tourists to visit. 

Brunei is an exception

Litter is a major issue in Southeast Asia. Brunei is an exception. Sultan Abdullah II and his administration have made great efforts to maintain their kingdom spotless. If you take a walk around the neighborhood, you won’t notice (or smell) any trash. It’s hard to see the Brunei River’s margin from Kampong Ayer, but Bandar Seri Begawan looks spotless. 

Brunei was extracting oil from the South China Sea as Malaysia and Indonesia cut down their jungles on Borneo. Today, Brunei’s deep rainforest has not been cleared for development. Approximately 80% of Brunei is covered by virgin rainforests. The forest has mostly remained untouched for thousands of years. 

There are 500 square kilometers of Ulu Temburong. This represents roughly 10% of the total land area of the nation. Only 1% of the original rainforest is accessible to tourists. Longboats transport visitors into and out of the national park under the strict control of licensed guides. Jungle treks, canopy hikes, and bathing in natural lakes are among the options. In this national park, researchers have also found interesting exploding ants.

Brunei’s natural beauty is one of our top reasons for visiting the nation. The nation is brimming with picture opportunities, from the opulence of Jame& Asr Hassanil Bolkiah and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosques to Kampong Ayer. Brunei’s capital and the Bornean jungle may be photographed as you stroll the streets or shop the marketplaces. 

The Sultan of Brunei’s luxurious lifestyle is well-documented, and it’s not a secret. However, he also invests much in the nation. Many sites and museums are thus free to visit (as of the time of this writing in 2018). For Kampong Ayer, water taxis cost B$1 ($0.66).

Brunei’s cuisine is another incentive to visit the country. It’s no surprise that the Sultanate’s cuisine is a delectable mashup of flavors from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Some of Bandar Seri Begawan’s restaurants provide Malay-style fried rice and noodles blended with Indonesian favorites such as fiery Rendang. Since the cuisines of Brunei incorporate the finest of many different regions, it is simple to get delicious Bornean specialties, spicy Indonesian dishes, and other regional favorites. 

Finally, visitors to Brunei will be struck by the warmth and friendliness of the people who live there. Everyone goes out of their way to assist a foreigner with a modest and dignified demeanor. Depending on the hotel, visitors may be provided with complimentary airport transportation and even city tours.   BT News