Travel in Brunei: Everything You Should Know Before You Visit

①A Wealthy Nation with the Sultan’s fortune estimated to be 39 Trillion Won.

The Brunei royal family hosted an extravagant 10-day royal wedding for Prince Abdul Mateen, the fourth prince of Brunei. The festivities began on January 7 and concluded with a ceremony on January 16.

Although the prince is sixth in line to the throne, he boasts a substantial following of 2.5 million on Instagram, for he is handsome, athletic, successful, famous, and incredibly rich. He has served as a national representative of Brunei as a polo player in the 2019 Southeast Asia Games. Currently, he is serving as a helicopter pilot with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force.

In Brunei, the 10-day celebration of Prince Martin and Anisha Rosna Isa-Kalebic was in full swing. The wedding ceremony consists of traditional Brunei ceremonies, Islamic ceremonies, wedding receptions, and parades. The Istana Nurul Iman Palace, where the wedding ceremony occurred, is a marvelous palace with 1,788 rooms. Royalty from around the world, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as top-ranking officials and celebrities, participated.

The official wealth of the King of Brunei is approximately $30 billion. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is $36,000. Brunei is indeed making its name as a wealthy nation.

② A Closed Country to Tourists

With the news of the lavish wedding in Brunei, interest in Brunei is increasing. Brunei is a monarchical state rich in oil and natural gas. Generating vast wealth as an oil-rich nation, Brunei citizens are not required to pay taxes and have access to free education. The country has long maintained a welfare state, providing its citizens various social services, such as free medical services, housing, old age pensions, and more.

Brunei is particularly famous for its pristine nature, earning its nickname Amazon of Southeast Asia. The state religion is Islam, making it the only Islamic nation in Southeast Asia. It’s also a closed country where visitors should not reveal their religious colors.

The law forbids the teaching or promotion of any religion other than Islam to Muslims or persons of no faith. Brunei strictly prohibits the missionary purposes of other religions, particularly Christianity. Even carrying a Bible around should be avoided. It’s a strict country when it comes to religion.

As an Islamic state, the sale of alcohol is completely banned in Brunei. It does not serve alcohol on national flights, and the Quran is recited during takeoff. Although alcohol isn’t sold in Brunei, travelers can bring their own to drink. However, alcohol can only be brought in within the range of the permit. Alcohol must be declared in the airport, and it must all be consumed within 72 hours.

Bringing in cigarettes is not allowed as well. Pork is also not sold in Brunei. Drinking beverages in public places is also prohibited during Ramadan.

During the trip, a traveler should refrain from any behavior that criticizes or insults religion or the royal family. Upon violation, there can be severe punishment.

③ The Only Islamic Nation in Southeast Asia

Brunei can be a bit boring for tourists. There are hardly any duty-free shopping malls in the airport, and it’s hard to find souvenir shops in the city.

Brunei is one of the countries with one of only two 7-star hotels worldwide. This hotel was initially built as a palace for visiting royalty but was opened to the public. From its magnificent exterior to its facilities, everything is top-notch. The lobby is covered in gold, attracting much attention.

However, even with its 7-star hotel, it’s not a very open country for travelers. There are many restrictions, and travelers may feel repressed. Revealing clothing in public places should be watched out, and shorts or short skirts are not allowed when visiting temples.

To visit a mosque in Brunei, one must adhere to quite strict conditions. Women must cover all parts of their bodies except their faces and hands. Men cannot enter wearing shorts. In addition, photography is prohibited, as is smoking and eating. A guardian must accompany the children.

Brunei applies the Islamic legal system Sharia as national law. Therefore, Brunein women must wear a hijab according to the teachings of Islam. Although it’s a country with good welfare benefits, it’s also a place where human rights controversies are unending. International human rights organizations have labeled Brunei as a “human rights repressive country.” In Brunei, one can be sentenced to up to five years in prison for celebrating Christmas since 2015.