First-time travellers to Asia often embark on an itinerary that is recommended by friends or a travel agent, but those who like to travel independently sometimes ask about the safest countries to visit if they don’t have a specific destination in mind.

Making a judgement about which countries are safe and which are not is somewhat subjective, but there is an annual safety index for 163 countries of the world that can provide a guide. It’s called the Global Peace Index (GPI) and is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an organisation based in Australia with branches in the UK and US.

The GPI uses over 20 indicators to determine a country’s ranking. Some of those indicators like the level of violent crime, number of police per 100,000 people, number of deaths from internal conflicts, and ease of access to guns would be directly relevant to determining whether a country is safe for tourists.

Other indicators like nuclear and heavy weapons capacity, deaths from engagement in overseas conflicts, military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, and financial contributions to UN peacekeeping missions are not so relevant. Nevertheless, it’s the best guide we have available to how peaceful a country is.

The 2022 GPI (the most recent published) ranks the following 10 countries in Asia as the most peaceful:

1. Singapore

2. Japan

3. Malaysia

4. Bhutan

5. Qatar

6. Taiwan

7. Kuwait

8. Mongolia

9. South Korea

10. Vietnam

Singapore

The island state of Singapore is often the first choice for first-time travellers for more reasons than safety. It’s clean, easy to get around, offers a mix of cultures and culinary experiences, and has a well-organised tourism sector that offers a lot of quality things to do for older travellers.

Nannette Holliday’s guide to Singapore and Jillian Huntley’s guide to Sentosa are recommended reading for first-time travellers. They cover all of the essential sights to see and things to do. Unless you are a well-heeled traveller, you probably won’t spend a lot of time in Singapore because it is still the most expensive city in the world.

Singapore is safe because its citizens live under strict laws and regulations with severe penalties for non-compliance, it has efficient law enforcement and high conviction rates, and some of the lowest crime rates in Asia. Of course, occasionally there will be a pickpocketing incident in a local market, but it doesn’t happen very often.

Some travellers say they find Singapore too sterile because of all its rules and regulations, and its ban on chewing gum (dental and nicotine gums exempted) is an example of taking things too far. But Singapore has some outstanding attractions, and it would be a pity to miss out on seeing those because of its strict enforcement of public order.

Japan

For those who may find Singapore too expensive and want to spend more than a few days in one country, Japan is undoubtedly the first choice. Whilst Airbnb is illegal in Singapore, it’s not in Japan, so there are opportunities to find good accommodation at more reasonable prices in Japan than in Singapore.

In terms of safety, Japan comes in as a close second to Singapore without so many rules and regulations. That’s because of the general culture of the Japanese people, which is to promote harmony and respect for others, which in turn results in a low crime rate. Of course, most people have heard of the Yakuza – the Japanese mafia – but it’s highly unlikely that a tourist would ever come in contact with a member of that group.

Some people might be concerned about going to Japan because it is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. However, there is probably no country in the world that has developed such comprehensive disaster preparedness measures, including early warning systems and evacuation plans, which contribute to public safety during emergencies.

Japan’s efficient railway network makes it possible to travel all over the country independently and provides first-time travellers with the opportunity to enjoy vibrant cities and unique cultural experiences, see historical landmarks and outstanding scenery (especially during spring and autumn). Outside of the big cities and main tourist areas, not a lot of English is spoken, but helpful locals (often students who want to practice their English) will always go out of their way to try and assist travellers from overseas.

Malaysia

For those wanting to experience a more multi-cultural environment, but can’t afford to spend too long in Singapore, Malaysia is an excellent second choice. It has relatively low crime rates and generally effective security measures, making it the third safest country in Asia according to the GPI rankings. In many of the areas frequented by tourists there are dedicated tourist police units.

However, bag-snatching is quite common in Malaysia, so always be wary when walking along busy streets, and keep your bag close to you on the side away from the traffic. Bag snatchers usually operate in pairs on motorcycles. And don’t leave your phone on the table if you are in a restaurant or café and your table is next to the street. That makes it tempting to snatch.

First-time visitors to Malaysia should read Alan Williams’ Malaysia Travel Guide which contains links to many of his more detailed reports on the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Alan has lived in Malaysia for more than 25 years so knows the country well. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is the home base of AirAsia, so has good connections to almost everywhere else in Asia for budget travellers.

Bear in mind that Malaysia is spread across two land masses. There’s peninsular Malaysia between Thailand and Singapore, and East Malaysia on the northern side of Borneo island. First-time visitors should avoid the far eastern region of Sabah in East Malaysia as there have been kidnappings of foreigners there by Muslim extremists from the southern Philippines. English is widely spoken in Malaysia which makes travelling outside of the main cities much easier than in Japan.

Bhutan

Having lived in Malaysia for more than 10 years, and visited Bhutan several times, I would personally place Bhutan well above Malaysia in the safety rankings. I’ve never heard of any tourists having problems in Bhutan because they are usually accompanied by local guides. But because the GPI uses more than 20 indicators, many of which are not related to personal safety, that’s likely why Bhutan ends up as No 4 on the list.

Bhutan was the last country in the world to have television. Before the first television station went on air in 1999, Bhutan had an almost zero crime rate. Since then, there has been an upsurge in petty crime which observers say is due to the negative influence of television on the traditional Bhutanese culture, but it’s still a very low rate of crime compared to other countries.

When people ask me where I feel safest in Asia, my answer is always Bhutan. It’s peaceful, scenically beautiful, and undoubtedly the cleanest and most unspoiled country in Asia. The only time I felt unsafe in Bhutan was flying into Paro on my first trip. That’s because I hadn’t been warned what to expect. The planes fly through valleys in the Himalayas, unbelievably close to mountains, but upon subsequent investigation I discovered that no Bhutanese airline had ever crashed because the Bhutanese pilots are highly skilled and know those valleys like the back of their hand. On my next flight in, I enjoyed the exhilarating experience.

Bhutan is a bucket-list destination for many older travellers but it’s unlikely to be the first choice for first-time visitors because of the cost. There is a daily visa fee of US$200 per person, and accommodation, food, transportation, and guide will likely add upwards of another US$200 day. Bhutan tourism operates on a basis of limiting visitor numbers so that there is minimal impact on its unique culture and pristine environment.

Qatar

Two of the countries on the GPI Asia rankings are in the Middle East. The first is Qatar, a country that I once described as the most boring country in Asia after Brunei. However, that was back in the days when most of Doha was still under construction, and there was little for visitors to do other than walking along the corniche and admiring the futuristic architectural styles of all the new skyscrapers under construction.

Fortunately, that has changed, and there’s now a lot to see and do in Doha with museums that display everything from vintage cars to Islamic art, many excellent Arabic and international restaurants, atmospheric souqs, and a whole host of interesting tourist attractions that were constructed in advance of the city hosting the 2022 World Cup.

Qatar is the safest country in the Middle East because the Qatari government has invested heavily in security measures to ensure the safety of both its own citizens and visitors. There is a strong police presence throughout the city of Doha and CCTV cameras installed in most public areas.

Crime rates are among the lowest in the Middle East because the standard of living in the country is high. Violent crime is rare in Qatar, but there are occasional reports of petty theft in hotels and in the souqs. Visitors to the Gulf region should be aware of scams targeting tourists, but they are not as prevalent in Doha as they are in Dubai.

Taiwan

With its relatively low crime rates, Taiwan is considered the safest country in East Asia after Japan. Violent crime is rare, and the country has a reputation for being a safe and friendly destination with a well-developed tourism infrastructure. It’s popular with older travellers because of its comfortable sub-tropical climate, scenic national parks, and many opportunities for easy hiking and cycling.

Whilst Taiwan has ruled itself as a sovereign state for seven decades, China considers it a breakaway province and has vowed to reunite it with the mainland, using force if necessary. That makes some first-time travellers nervous about going to Taiwan, fearful that they might get caught up in a military invasion and trapped inside a country from which they may not be able to safely escape.

The question of whether China would really carry out its threats and invade Taiwan is a complex one, and at this point in time it’s impossible for anyone to predict if and when that might happen. The high-risk periods tend to be when China is conducting military exercises – often in response to visits by high-ranking US officials to the island.

Therefore, if you are considering visiting Taiwan, it’s recommended that you make bookings that can be readily changed at short notice, and closely monitor through the media what the Taiwanese and Chinese governments are saying, and limit travel to ‘low risk periods’ as best as you can determine them.

Kuwait

The second safest country in the Middle East after Qatar, according to the GPI rankings, is the small gulf state and city of Kuwait. There are occasional reports of pickpocketing and bag snatching in tourist areas, but because of a strong police presence in the city, violent crime is rare.

There have also been some reports of unauthorised transactions being made to visitors’ credit cards in Kuwait after shop owners have taken them to the back of their shop to process payment for a purchase. Of course, that can happen in almost any country, so always keep your credit card in sight when paying for items in a shop.

Unless you have a specific reason for visiting Kuwait, the country is unlikely to be a first choice for new visitors to the region given that Turkey to the north and the UAE to the south have so much more to offer first-time travellers. However, it might appeal to those who prefer destinations that are less crowded.

For those interested in the history of the region, there are more older buildings in Kuwait than Doha or Dubai, and there are some excellent museums and a vibrant performing arts scene. The Al-Mubarakiya Souq is around 200 years old and is not so touristy as some of the other souqs around the Gulf.

Mongolia

This is an interesting inclusion in the GPI list because Mongolia is not a country that first-time travellers would normally consider visiting. It’s more a country that experienced travellers might add to their bucket list once they’ve done the more popular countries in Asia.

However, for those who dislike cities and crowds, a visit to the vast Machurian grassland steppes to the north of the Gobi Desert may be appealing. Here they can observe the traditional nomadic life of Mongol herders and sleep under the stars at night in one of the most isolated places in Asia. And they can be assured that a trip to Mongolia will be much safer than trying to do something similar in China or Russia.

Like other countries on this list, there’s a small amount of petty crime in Mongolia, but the crime rates are generally low and there’s not a lot of violent crime. The main safety issues in Mongolia relate to road safety and weather. Outside of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, the roads are not good (or non-existent), so it’s important that visitors tour with a company that has reliable vehicles and drivers.

And if visiting at any time of the year other than the summer months, visitors need to ensure that they have suitable clothing. Mongolia has one of the harshest climates in Asia. There are several winter festivals that attract tourists, but with temperatures around minus 15 to 30 degrees C throughout the day, extreme cold weather clothing is required.

South Korea

After Japan and Taiwan, South Korea is considered the next safest country in East Asia. It has a higher level of petty crime than Taiwan, but violent crime is low as in Japan and Taiwan. Visitors to popular tourist spots such as Myeong-dong in Seoul and Haeundae Beach in Busan should be especially cautious of petty crime. These areas are known to be targeted by pickpockets and scammers.

Away from the busiest tourist areas, South Korea is a safe country to visit, but take care when crossing the street wherever you are. South Korean drivers can be aggressive. Whilst they are required to stop at pedestrian crossings, many do not. About 50,000 pedestrians are injured by motor vehicles every year in South Korea, and around 400 are killed on pedestrian crossings.

You won’t need to drive yourself in South Korea, because the country has one of the most extensive and efficient public transportation systems in Asia. Read Nannette Holliday’s South Korea Travel Guide for more information and for recommendations on where to go. Although not a lot of English is spoken, there are usually signs in English in train stations, and as in Japan, there are often students around who will help you out.

The tensions between North Korea and South Korea may concern a few first-time visitors, but the likelihood of the North invading the South is much less than a possible invasion of Taiwan by China. South Korea has a strong military presence along the border with the North and the presence of more than a dozen US military bases in South Korea means that a direct attack on the country would likely be quickly repelled.

Vietnam

After Singapore and Malaysia, Vietnam is considered the next safest country in Southeast Asia. It has lower petty crime rates than South Korea, but traffic safety is also a big issue, especially for tourists who are not familiar with the country. Trying to cross the street in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can be near impossible in some places, and outright dangerous in others.

The streets of most cities are clogged with thousands of motorbikes and scooters that come at you from all directions. Some travel blogs recommend that visitors follow the lead of locals, and just cross the street slowly, keeping eye contact with the oncoming traffic, and allow the motorbikes to go around you. In theory that sounds fine, but it doesn’t work when the motorcyclists are looking at their phones and not the road ahead.

Out on the open road, traffic speeds can be dangerously high, and accidents are common.  When researching tours and daytrips, look for reviews that highlight safe driving. And be aware of unlicensed tour operators or taxi drivers. Taxi scams are common in Ho Chi Minh City, but that’s more something that will hit your pocket rather than your safety.

However, don’t let the traffic safety issues deter you from visiting Vietnam. It is a beautiful country with a lot to see and do for first-time visitors. Just exercise caution when on the streets and don’t assume everyone is following road rules. Always look in both directions when crossing one-way streets, because there are often vehicles going against the flow of the traffic.

Once you’ve chosen your destination country for your first visit to Asia, you’ll undoubtedly want to explore more on future trips. Asia has a habit of drawing visitors back, time and time again. For a while you may wish to confine your trips to those on this ‘safest’ list, but I have no doubt that you’ll soon want to go beyond.

For those interested to know the next 10 safest countries in Asia according to the GPI rankings, they are:  Indonesia, Laos, Timor-Leste, Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Cambodia, Oman, Nepal, Uzbekistan, and China.

Header image: © Nana Margono