Hoi An, on Vietnam’s central coast, is enchanting. This once-bustling port town offers a colourful blend of French, Chinese and Japanese-influenced architecture, canals, bridges and temples, and the lack of noisy traffic (no cars are allowed on the main streets) means you can discover the town in relative peace and quiet. Its waterfront area is alive with boutique hotels, eateries, tailor shops, and art and craft shops. If you have time, try to fit in a visit to the ruins of My Son Sanctuary, an ancient Hindu tower temple complex, get custom-made clothing created by a local tailor and pick up one of the many beautiful locally-made Vietnamese lanterns.
The perfect complement to the more serene Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has a pulsating energy that is impossible to resist. Attractions include the bustling Ben Thanh Market, where vendors sell everything from food, sweets and spices to tobacco, souvenirs and clothing - including custom-made suits, and Nha Hang Ngon, where you can taste traditional street food served up from food stalls in a leafy garden. Other notable sites and experiences include the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Jade Emperor Pagoda for its statues and woodcarvings, the War Remnants Museum, and the Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda, said to be the only pure Taoist temple in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s coastal province of Ben Tre lies in the Mekong Delta, within the southern part of the country. Known for its charming waterfront, leisurely pace, and its interesting historical attractions, the town makes for an excellent holiday destination. Visit the colonial Ben Tre Museum in the capital to see artefacts and photos about Vietnam's revolutionary history, or wander through the beautiful Buddhist statues of the Vien Minh Pagoda. Cycle along the pretty riverside promenade, or take a boat tour around Turtle Islet. The island is famous for its delicious, sweet coconut candy, and visitors will be able to go 'candy tasting' (there are numerous flavours to try), and watch demonstrations. Make sure to sample the locally grown fresh fruit too. Animal lovers and twitchers will delight in the chance to visit the Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary, home to roughly 84 species of birds.
Set roughly halfway between My Tho and Can Tho in Vinh Long Province, Vinh Long is an idyllic town boasting gorgeous temples, a delightful floating market, and a wonderful island, as well as plenty of restaurants and services. The beautiful Co Chien River, lined by colourful orchards and farms, is home to the Cai Be Floating Market, where visitors can buy deliciously fresh produce and souvenirs while watching the sunrise, as part of a boat tour of the area. Cruises and tours also visit the pretty An Binh Island, where guests can also rent bicycles to explore. Culture enthusiasts should make sure to visit the fascinating Van Thanh Mieu (Temple of Literature) and the historic and rare Confucian Van Thanh Mieu Temple. While you’re here, make sure to try the local, freshly made sugarcane juice.
The Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam is comprised of a 60,000km long web of interconnected waterways which spans across three Vietnamese provinces. This lush, tropical delta is dominated by Southeast Asia’s mightiest river, the Mekong. The Mekong splits in Cambodia into two main rivers, the Bassac and the First River, then in Vietnam into a more complex system, creating a maze of small canals, rivers and arroyos. Exploring these rivers and their numerous tributaries by boat is an ideal way explore the Mekong Delta at a leisurely pace and provides an opportunity to experience the truly unique Mekong River lifestyle. The area is brimming with small craft villages, Khmer Pagodas, magnificent mangroves, picturesque orchards and some remarkable floating markets.
Located at the meeting of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Cambodia’s energetic capital, Phnom Penh, is known for its rich history, friendly locals and world-class food scene. The primary drawcard of the city its visible heritage - the National Museum of Cambodia features a millennium’s worth and more of an incredible Khmer design. The monumental Royal Palace, the official residence of King Sihamoni, houses the famous Throne Hall, used for coronations and ceremonies. Within the Royal Palace is the spectacular Silver Pagoda, named for its floor covered with five tons of gleaming silver. The Tonle Sap riverfront area provides a charming place to enjoy a meal and some fine French wine (an enduring colonial legacy), while the local nightclubs provide a fun time out on the town, complete with karaoke singers and stage dancers.
Named for the Cham Muslim residents who immigrated here centuries ago, Kampong Cham is one of eastern Cambodia’s largest urban centres and a key transit point for onward travel connections. It is nevertheless a laid-back city with a picturesque riverside setting and an evocative mish-mash of historical architecture – which includes traditional Chinese shophouses, elegantly weathered French colonial buildings, and the so-called ‘New Khmer Architecture’ that was developed in Cambodia’s 1960s heyday. Several ancient temples and shrines are dotted across the town’s surrounds, adding to the town’s timeless, mystical allure.
Best known as the gateway to the magnificent ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is a pleasant town with lovely French colonial and Chinese architecture and a laid-back ambience. The main attraction here is of course the Angkor complex. Covering an area larger than Paris, it encompasses scores of exquisite temple structures featuring intricately carved detail – dancing ladies and lotus flowers embellish the walls, five-headed naga (serpent deities) fan out from chunks of rock. Abandoned for unknown reasons thousands of years ago, it was rediscovered in 1860 by a French explorer, Henri Mahout, and has been Cambodia’s crowning glory ever since. Other attractions in and around Siem Reap include an array of arts and crafts shops, a cultural village that allows a glimpse into traditional local life, and a bird sanctuary on the outskirts of town.
