Discovering Vietnam and Cambodia

Hanoi: Embracing the Chaos We began our journey in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, where ancient traditions blend harmoniously with modern life. Navigate the chaotic streets filled with motorbikes, bicycles, and street vendors—crossing the road requires a brave heart and a leap of faith, but once mastered, it becomes a thrilling experience in itself! You will witness all sorts on motorbikes including whole families!

We explored the historic Old Quarter with its narrow streets and centuries-old architecture, stopping to sample street food like pho (noodle soup), bun cha (BBQ pork with rice noodles) and banh mi (Vietnamese baguette). The more adventurous can try Bun oc (snail noodle soup). The food is very fresh and so good. There are many cafes and restaurants in Hanoi, but the best experience is eating street-side, sitting on tiny plastic stools.

In 2015, US President Barack Obama and late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain dined together at Huong Liên restaurant. Since then, it has been jam packed. Anthony Bourdain loved Vietnamese food and visited many times. Hanoi is also renowned for its coffee, with traditional Ca Phe Den (Black coffee) and Ca Phe Nau (sweetened condensed milk coffee) being two of the most popular coffees in Vietnam. Egg coffee is also very popular.

Immerse yourself in Hanoi's rich history by visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc pagoda and the charming Hoan Kiem Lake. Take in a water puppet show at the Thang Long theatre. (Tip: Skip the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology unless you’re really bored!)

Sailing Through Halong Bay: A Natural Wonder

An absolute must when visiting Vietnam is to include a one or two night cruise through the breathtaking landscapes of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its emerald waters and towering limestone karsts. The transfer from Hanoi City takes approx. 3 hours.

Sail past picturesque islands and hidden caves, stopping to kayak in the bay's tranquil waters. Buy fresh fruit and snacks from boat vendors that row over and pull up alongside the larger boats. Witness stunning sunsets and starlit skies from the deck of your boat—a truly magical experience. Hue and Hoi An: Echoes of the Past

We flew from Hanoi to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, and explored its ancient citadel and imperial mausoleums, plus Thien Mu pagoda. The perfume river flows through Hue. In the autumn, flowers from orchids upriver from Hue fall into the water, giving the river a perfume-like aroma.

We travelled by car to Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed town known for its well-preserved architecture and beautiful lantern-lit streets. ‘Hoi-An ancient town’ is an exceptionally well preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. We took a motorbike tour past the countryside and rice paddies to the Japanese Covered Bridge. We enjoyed a few nights rest and relaxation at the beach. The streets of Hoi-An are lined with tailors and shoemakers. We got clothes tailor made within a couple of days at a bargain price.

Nha Trang: Beach stay

We flew from the Danang airport (approx. 40 mins from Hoi-An) to the bustling seaside city of Nha Trang, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Whilst the beach is beautiful, I found Nha Trang to be too busy, coming from the quieter beaches of Hoi-An. However, there are many luxurious hotels to choose from in this area, with some properties situated on nearby islands for a more tranquil experience.

Saigon and the Cu Chi Tunnels: A Glimpse into History

We took another short flight within Vietnam, this time from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city. In contrast to Hanoi, it is a modern, vibrant city with more cars, less motorbikes (still a lot!) and lots of traffic lights. We enjoyed the bustling streets and markets of Ho Chi Minh City and took a fun motorbike tour passing Notre Dame Cathedral, reunification palace, the central post office, and the Saigon Opera House.

We visited the Cu Chi Tunnels on a day trip, a vast underground network used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (known locally as the American war). And also visited the war remnants museum back in Ho Chi Minh City. This museum displays photographs and artefacts including military equipment and tells many peoples stories of the horrors of the war in Vietnam. Very few people left without shedding a tear.

Crossing into Cambodia: Temples of Ancient Splendour

We flew from Ho Chi Minh City across the border into Cambodia. We spent 3 nights in Siem Reap, the gateway to the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park. We explored the area with a local tour guide by tuktuk.

For perspective, this archaeological park is the size of Vienna! It is huge. Angkor Wat itself is the world's largest religious monument, covering an area four times the size of the Vatican. It was built by Khmer king Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century. The site boasts an enormous system of artificial canals, dikes, and reservoirs. It is amazing!

A minimum of 3 nights is required to experience this vast complex at a leisurely pace, visiting the temples in the morning, taking time out to relax at your hotel pool during the midday heat and then visiting the temples again later in the day when it is cooler and less busy. It is possible to rush and try to see everything in less time, but I wouldn’t recommend it!

Angkor Thom can be entered via the South Gate which is flanked by 54 devils and gods locked in an eternal tug of war with a huge snake. Inside the high walled citadel, all roads lead to the Bayon, with giant smiling faces watching your every move. The 350-metre Terrace of Elephants makes Angkor Thom a definite ‘must see’.

Aside from the undeniable ingenuity of Khmer architects, another side to Angkor is the quicksilver tree roots that slither and drip over crumbling temple walls such as Ta Prohm. Unlike other temples, Ta Prohm has been preserved pretty much as it was found and is a very popular site, particularly for fans of the 2001 Tomb Raider film.

If Vietnam and Cambodia are on your travel wish list, contact me to discuss these amazing places in further detail.