Indochina at a glance: Vietnam and Cambodia

Today you'll arrive in Hanoi for the start of your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday and a transfer will be waiting for you at the airport. On the road to your hotel, you'll catch a glimpse of Vietnam street life. Small houses, peddlers on the side of the road and lots of motor cycles. The hotel you're staying at is centrally located in the old Hanoi city centre. There is a large number of food stands and small restaurants here. This city once became the centre of all trade in the area due to its location on the banks of the river. Small streets run criss-cross past each other and sidewalks have a wide variety products for sale. In the 13th century the 36 streets in this district were divided. Each profession received a street (Hang) and this is why silver is sold on Hang Bac and silk is sold on Hang Gai.

There is also a fascinating market with live chickens, fish and sweet-smelling herbs and spices. Your hotel is a classic example of Vietnamese small construction. The hotel is only one room wide. Each of the inviting rooms has a bathroom with warm water, air conditioning, a television and a refrigerator. After arrival at your hotel, you may want to take some time to recuperate after your long flight. In the afternoon you can walk through the small streets or visit the Hoan Kiem Lake for a Vietnamese spring roll. 

Similar to Lenin in Moscow, Ho Chi Minh can also be viewed by people in his glass sarcophagus in the mausoleum built for him after his death. Everyone can come to visit 'uncle Ho', who has a slightly orange hue and is surrounded by guardsmen. His body is bathed in an orange/red light so his body is not discoloured by regular light. Being able to visit the embalmed body is a great honour to the Vietnamese and a great experience on your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday. 

After a day of shopping and getting to know the historic district, you might like to visit the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre. The theatre is located on the banks of the Hoan Kiem Lake and is open most evenings. Just as the farmers once performed puppet shows in the paddy-fields to avoid boredom in quiet times, the puppets slide through the water in traditional style. Hopefully, you'll find it a really enjoyable experience of your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday .  

Today marks the last day in Hanoi before you continue your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday to your next destination. If you feel up to it, you might like to go for an early morning visit to Hoan Kiem Lake. Shortly after sunrise, the Vietnamese head out to the lake for an energizing early morning work-out. Men and women practice Tai Chi, play games of badminton and walk around the lake. Along the way, they'll do stretches for their arms and legs. An energising way to start the day...

Hanoi has lots of temples, pagodas and museums. The temple of literature is an oasis of peace and tranquillity amidst a bustling city. You can spend some time visiting these temples by rickshaw. It usually doesn't cost more than a few dollars and it's an excellent way to see more of the city.

Since you'll be travelling quite some distance on Day Nine of your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday, this part of your trip will be covered by domestic flight from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City. We'll arrange your air travel but you'll be able to arrange your own transfers to and from your hotel. In HCMC you'll have your own luxurious air conditioned room in a hotel chosen for its central location. After checking into your hotel, you'll have time to explore the city on your own. Tham Street, Saigon's popular backpacker street, is right around the corner. There are many fine restaurants and small stores nearby. 

Spend the rest of the day people-watching on a lively terrace, strolling through town to get a feel for the surroundings and visiting the city's attractions. You can visit Reunification Palace, Saigon's many pagodas or the War Remnants museum. You may also want to rent a bicycle rickshaw for a day and have a guided drive through this interesting city. 

You'll probably consider day sixteen to be one of the highlights of your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday as today you'll visit a part of the Angkor temple complex with your guide. In order to see the entire complex, you would need to spend several days here. There are dozens of temples spread out over an area of about 25 kilometres. You can wander endlessly through the statues, temples and historic remnants. Be sure to stay on the defined and marked paths as there are still mines in some of the unchartered areas. The temples were all built in different time periods and each ruler built his own temple. This has caused each temple to have its own character. The most famous temple, Angkor Wat, features Hindu influences. However, the Angkor Thom temple features Buddhist influences. After a day of exploration, you'll spend another night in your hotel in Siem Reap.
 

On day nineteen of your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday, you'll head out of Battambang for the Thai border by private car, quite early in the morning. About a 3-hour bumpy drive later, you'll reach the border. After receiving an exit stamp in your passport, you can take one last look at Cambodia and cross the border by foot. You'll be amazed to see that the border is nothing more than two small offices with a gate between them. On the Thai side of the border, another driver will be waiting to take you to Trat. Your driver will take you to the Trat bus station where you'll catch a bus to Bangkok. It's best to purchase your own bus ticket here and your driver will help you with this. You'll arrive in Bangkok at the end of the day where your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday comes to an end.

You can decide whether to add on one of our bite-sized Thailand tours or to catch an international flight back home. Another option would be to end this trip in Trat, before boarding the bus to Bangkok. Right off the coast lies the tropical island of Ko Chang, an ideal location for some relaxation at the end of your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday.