Here are the capitals of the eleven countries of Southeast Asia. Most are big river or harbor cities; one is a new city built in the 2000s.
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| Myanmar | Naypyidaw |
| Thailand | Bangkok |
| Laos | Vientiane |
| Cambodia | Phnom Penh |
| Vietnam | Hanoi |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur (see the note) |
| Singapore | Singapore |
| Brunei | Bandar Seri Begawan |
| Indonesia | Jakarta |
| Philippines | Manila |
| Timor-Leste | Dili |
Key idea
Bangkok (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam), Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Naypyidaw (Myanmar), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Jakarta (Indonesia), Manila (the Philippines) and Dili (Timor-Leste).
Why it works
Capitals can move. Myanmar moved its government from Yangon (Rangoon), its biggest city, to Naypyidaw, a newly built city farther inland, in 2005. Malaysia's capital is Kuala Lumpur, but most federal offices are in Putrajaya, a planned city nearby. Singapore is a city-state: the city and the country are the same.
Worked example: Vietnam's capital
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest city. What is the capital?
- Ho Chi Minh City is in the south.
- The capital is Hanoi, in the north, on the Red River.
Answer: Hanoi.
Worked example: Myanmar's capital
Is Yangon the capital of Myanmar?
- Yangon was the capital until 2005.
- The government moved to Naypyidaw.
Answer: No; Naypyidaw.
Rivers help you place the mainland capitals. Bangkok is on the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Vientiane is on the Mekong, on the border with Thailand. Phnom Penh is where the Mekong meets the Tonlé Sap River. Hanoi is on the Red River in the north.
Common mistake
People say Ho Chi Minh City for Vietnam or Yangon for Myanmar. The capitals are Hanoi and Naypyidaw.