January
Bali:
January on the island is warm and wet but the sun is never far away. Pack light clothes and keep close to the coast as humidity is high this month and the sea breezes will be very welcome. You'll probably experience some tropical showers but they won't last long and they'll help cool things down bit. This isn't a good month for heading into the mountainous interior. New Year is a peak time for tourists on the island.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Bali
Cambodia:
An ideal month to visit Cambodia as breezes keep the humidity levels down and rainfall is at a minimum. The average monthly temperature is 30°C. This is peak tourist season at the beaches and around the temple complexes but also an excellent time for travelling around the countries as the road as at their best.
January 7 is Victory over the Khmer Rouge Day.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Cambodia
Hong Kong:
January is a dry, cool month with an average temperature of 19°C and relatively low humidity, making this an excellent time to see the sights of Hong Kong and even head off on one of the city's picturesque hiking trails. The region's beaches are very quiet at this time of year but the start of the month is a busy shopping time as the Christmas/New Year holiday period comes to an end.
Chinese New Year occurs in January or February (depending on the lunar calendar) and is one of the most important festivals of the year. Everyone celebrates with food, noise, street performances and fantastic firework displays over the harbour.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Hong Kong
Laos:
January is peak tourist season in Laos as it offers dry, sunny weather, warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. This is a good time to travel around the whole of the country by road or river but higher altitude spots may become chilly at night.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Laos
Malaysia:
A good month for visiting the Peninsular west coast with plenty of sunshine between the short showers. Expect resorts to be busy this month.
The east coast and parts of Borneo are wet and windy.
The Chinese New Year is welcomed in January or February with dancing, parades and noisy celebrations.
The Hindu festival of Thaipusam takes place in January or February and at its most impressive in a procession to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Malaysia
Myanmar:
One of the best months to visit the country as the temperatures aren't too high and rainfall is minimal. The hills can be cool, particularly at night.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Myanmar
The Philippines
A great month to visit as dry weather prevails and the daily temperatures are slightly lower than average. The New Year period is very busy.
9 January - the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila.
Third Sunday in January - the Sinulog festival brings parades, music and feasting to Cebu City.
Find out more about holidays and tours in the Philippines
Singapore:
The temperature is slightly cooler this month and humidity lower but expect showers every day.
Chinese New Year comes to Singapore in January or February bringing with it 15 days of noisy celebrations.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Singapore
Thailand:
January is peak season all across the country as the average daily temperatures are at their coolest but still very warm, sunshine is in abundance and rainfall is minimal. A great month to visit all of the beaches, the northern hills and Bangkok.
Find out more about holidays and tours in Thailand
Vietnam:
Cool and dry in the north, warm and dry in the south and somewhere in between for the central part of the country. Plenty of warm sun on the coast.
Tet is the most important festival in Vietnam and welcomes the New Year in January or February with seven days of feasting and noisy celebrations. An exciting time to be in the country but the resorts are crowded and travel more difficult.
