Vietnam And Cambodia Riverway Tour, 11 days

On arrival at  Ho Chi Minh Airport, you are met by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have some time free to relax or discover at your own leisure. The bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by many locals, was originally a fishing village built up on a vast swampland, but it has developed into Saigon under the French domination. The effervescent development has bought Ho Chi Minh some cosmic changes from a war-torn city to a thriving metropolis. However, the architecture, local culture and lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences. This fast growing city is now punctuated with elegant international hotels and exclusive restaurants, crowded with motorbikes, cars and vociferous cyclo drivers, and excited by numerous shopping areas, sidewalk cafés and noodle stalls. They have formed a dynamic urban area in very special sense and make for an endless exploration in this  south Vietnamese gem.

Today, we explore Ho Chi Minh with a walk along  the vibrant and beautiful Nguyen Hue Boulevard. This broad walking promenade is fringed with many  shopping malls, eating spots and French colonial structures. We pay a quick look at the ornate City Hall and the old Opera House before we head towards the striking European style­ landmarks of  Notre Dame Cathedral and  Old Sai Gon Post Office. The tree lined boulevards lead us until the Reunification Palace, a former residence of the southern Vietnam President until a dramatic end on April 1975. The president palace was built on base of the French governor-general mansion and had all for the president life, plus shelter, helipad, and command bunker. We visit this sight before going to the War Remnant Exhibit, which contains a wealth of images and real objects reflecting the notorious Vietnam- American War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists. They make your visit like taking a step back into the war time. We continue seeing the Jade Emperor Temple  and the crowded Saigon Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with various sacred temples and mysterious and narrow market lanes. The major attractions in place are the Binh Tay Market and  the Thien Hau Pagoda. They will give us some interesting views of the local culture and traditions.  We round off our city tour with a walk around the retail  Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts appealing to every taste!.

The incredible underground network of Cu Chi  was constructed by Vietnamese fighters during their long struggle for independence. These extensive tunnels stretched nearly 200km from the South Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border and were several stories deep in some places. They included countless trapdoors, living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. We head out of the town this morning to Cu Chi Area where we will see an exposition hall and a widened section of Cu Chi Tunnels to get a feel of the underground life and learn a little more about the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. We set for Tay Ninh, driving along a crammed road linking Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia. The rubber plantations go along our journey until Tay Ninh Town, the headquarters of Cao Dai Sect. This religion was founded in 1926 and now numbers over 2 million members throughout Vietnam. We arrive in time to attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes. These costumes are a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. We also have a look at  the ornate Cao Dai Holy See, of which the vaulted mosque and multicolored temple represent the many great spiritual figures of the Cao Dai religion, including Buddha, Mohammed, and Victor Hugo.

Heading out of the town, we travel by road to My Tho, a gateway to the Mekong Delta. This incredibly fertile region was formed by the mighty Mekong River, which winds its way from Tibet - China through  Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and finally into Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho, we board a private boat to explore the Mekong Delta. This river trip gives some fantastic views from the red water surface to floating fish farms and lush plantation backdrop. Along the way, we anchor on the Unicorn Island and stroll around with our guide to visit this large island, where village lanes are fringed with fishponds, fruit gardens and rice fields. We make some stops at local houses to taste seasonal fruits, listen to traditional music performed by a villager ensemble, and sample honey tea. The interlaced canals are truly a lifeblood of the Mekong Delta; however, many channels can be accessed only by small boats. We enjoy a short sampan trip rowing under the palm grove to venture into this maze of canals before we continue our motor boat to the coconut kingdom of Ben Tre. This luxuriant region offers various activities from bicycle ride to horse cart carriage and motorbike pulling cart. We take one of them to discover the traditional lifestyles, culture, and history of local people and  visit some industry cottages. They may be brick-kiln ceramics, coconut candy and coconut handicrafts,... We round off our excursion and continue our drive to Can Tho, the largest trade center  in the Mekong Delta.

The floating markets are truly a highlight of the Mekong Delta. They  are usually animated from dawn to midmorning only. Today we get up early to take a private boat downstream on the Mekong River towards the Cai Rang floating market. This bustling trading hub still keeps its traditional trading way; each boat usually  sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes,…To make customers know where to shop, they hang that item from the highest part of the boat. We circumambulate many barges heaped with tropical fruits to explore the amazing scene of trade and take some wonderful photos close up. We  leave Can Tho this morning and make our way past many rice fields fringed with palm trees, fruit orchards and canals crammed with boats and rice barges to Chau Doc. This border town is less affected by the flash and glitz of  the fashionable young people in Ho Chi Minh although it is a major hub of trade along the Mekong River. We continue driving  to the Tra Su Forest, one of the lesser-known attractions of the Mekong Delta region. This lush swampland forest is now a wildlife reserve housing a large variety of wildlife.  We take a boat trip venturing into the small canals and explore the jungle a vast swamp beneath a beautiful thick canopy of tall trees and vines. This boundless cajeput forests are dissevered by numerous narrow canals surrounded by aquatic grass and plants, tall trees and vines. The cool and humid air mixing with the fragrance of  flowers plus the beautiful song of bird in the quiet environment, make for an unforgettable excursion. Upon leaving this forest we take a short drive to Chau Doc and check in our hotel.

Today, we travel by boat along the Mekong River from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh. This river trip takes anything within 4 or 5 hours, but it is still a perfect way to explore the local life and the scenic countryside along the Mekong River. On arrival at  Phnom Penh Port , you are met by our guide and taken to hotel by a private transfer. The bustling  city  of Phnom Penh has long remained little more than a large village. However, it became the permanent capital of Cambodia since 1866 and had developed into a sizeable, largely French designed city. The crossroads of cultures, peoples and worlds have made Phnom Penh on the edge of everything. We can find the Cambodian elements together with the Chinese and French influences in the gleaming temples, sidewalk coffee, vibrant markets, and colonial structures and tree lined boulevards amidst the monumental Angkorian architecture. The cityscape undergoes rapid changes from the ashes to take its place among the hip capitals of the region, with an alluring cafe culture, bustling bars, world-class food scene and international chains of hotel. We start our tour of Phnom Penh with the stunning Royal Palace, which is now home to the royal family, therefore  it is very close to the public. We walk across the beautiful royal gardens to see the Throne Hall where the king coronation  and the royal receptions are often  held.  The magnificent Silver Pagoda set at the northern palace ground would not to be missed. This country most sacred pagoda  is named  after some 5000 silver tiles covering the floor,  each weighing 1kg. We round off our day with a walk along the Tonle River. The riverfront seems the best place crammed with bars and nightlife venues.

The contemporary and ancient history makes for a highlight of Phnom Penh. We find it while seeing the Cambodia National Museum, a graceful terracotta structure inspired by temple architecture. This exquisite masterpiece with an inviting courtyard garden concentrates various incredible sandstone sculptures and intricate bronze objects from the pre-Angkor, Angkor and post-Angkor periods. The following stop is  Wat Phnom which dominates the skyline of Phnom Penh and  has an interesting legend about this city name. We come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge as we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a former high school turned into a centre for interrogation, torture, and death by the Khmer Rouge. Heading out of the town,  we follow the same route of Tuol Sleng  prisoners  to the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek that is  an extermination camp for political prisoners. The painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the memorial stupa.  We round off our day with a walk in the Central Market, a showcase of the local product richness. This flagship trade center of Phnom Penh was built in shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways crammed with  countless stalls of goods. You spend the remainder of day to  explore Phnom Penh at your leisure. You  can try your hand at bargaining in shopping area, sample many tasty local foods and enjoy the traditional Cambodian dance performances, a musical fusion of historical, well-worn dance steps and modern Cambodian sounds.

The following destination of our journey  is Siem Reap Town via a half day drive by tourist bus from Phnom Penh. We get a chance  to explore the new image of Cambodia from the cityscape to  the rolling rice fields and tranquil villages. On arrival at Siem Reap terminal, you are met by our guide and driven to hotel. The tranquil town of Siem Reap is a gateway to the ruins of Angkor Temple Complex, which is regarded as the largest religious structure in the world. This archeological site,  stretches over an forested area of some 400 square kilometers and contains the magnificent remains from the different capitals of the Khmer Empire between  802 AD and 1350 AD. They range from stunning architectural marvels to ordinary edifices full of rubble.  Heading out of the town, we take a short drive to explore the Roluos Group  representing an early capital of the powerful  Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. This ancient capital was established by Jayavarman II and  served as the Khmer royal city for over 70 years under four successive kings. There are several remaining temples, including  Lo Lei, Preah Ko and Ba Kong, which are  mostly built by end of the ninth century.  The oldest temple of Preah Ko was dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu while Lo Lei was built in an artificial island, to honor the ancestors. We have a look at these two small temples before we pay a visit to Ba Kong, the first large mountain temples in Angkor.

The majestic monuments draw a line for our exploration of Angkor Complex.  We start this day tour with Angkor Thom, an epic collection of striking structures encompassed in quadrangle area. The best preserved South Gate comes into view with a causeway fringed with 54 demons and 54 gods pulling a giant snake. This scene is focusing on a famous Hindu story in bygone time. We walk through two ranges of status on a cosmic scale to the gate tower with colossal human faces carved in stone. The walkway leads us to  the Royal Enclosure where remains some  mysterious ruins, including the Royal Palace, Phimeanakas Temple, and  Royal Terraces. These structures built from perishable materials have long vanished. The memorable climax of our visit is Bayon Temple  built in the centre of Angkor Thom. This enigmatic complex contains  54 towers, each topped off with the four faces of  Compassion Buddha. Upon leaving Angkor Thom Area , we take a short drive to  the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. The iconic monument  of the entire complex was built in the 12th century and reflects a perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry, bringing the pride and strength to all Khmers. The distinctive five towers of this temple are now emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. We stroll around this massive monument, unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs from Hindu mythology to the glories of the Khmer empire. The footsteps lead through the upper levels of the inner sanctuary to the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry. We round out day tour with a walk up the Pre Rup Temple to enjoy the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments.

Heading out of the town, we drive beyond the towering Angkor Complex  to Banteay Srey Temple. This intricately carved temple despite the lack in size is still a jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The architecture style features a mixture of the archaic concept and the innovative materials since Banteay Srey Temple  was largely built from sandstone in pinkish hue, with brick and laterite used for the enclosure walls and some structural elements. We stroll around this beautiful landmark and admire the marvelous sculpture at every step. Upon leaving Banteay Srey , we keep driving to see Banteay Samre, which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and  Krishna. Today we also have time to visit Prasat Kravan with a line of five brick towers, and Srah Srang which was once used for the royal baths and the ritual bathing. The following stop is Banteay Kdei Temple, a monastic complex of  enclosure walls, concentric galleries and towers. We venture into the jungle where Ta Prohm Temple is standing.  This famous structure is relatively untouched for centuries by its secluded location. There are enormous fig trees and creepers which embrace themselves in temple stone foundation, giving it a distinctive feature. The sightseeing also includes Neak Pean, which is originally designed for the medical purposes with four connected pools representing water, earth, fire and  wind. We continue onto  Preah Khan , a good counterpoint to Ta Prohm Temple.  The large ruin of Preah Khan was all but partly destroyed by the climate impact. However, it is till interesting to walk around, exploring the legends, towered enclosures and  shoulder hugging corridors.

The temple exploration is not only activity in Siem Reap Town. We spend this morning on a boat trip out, to discover Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest natural fresh water bodies in  Southeast Asia. The traditional boat navigates along a small river towards this large lake, giving us a chance to see friendly children on small boat, many vendors making a shift floating market, and fishermen pulling in day catch. Along the way we anchor to visit a floating village where are everything from schools, shop houses to police station. The village life goes on as it would anywhere else in Cambodia. This enjoyable stop gives a good insight into the lifestyle of local people who call this grand lake their home and mostly rely on the lake for their livelihood. They may move from a place to place following the water level and current of Tonle Sap Lake. You may have free time to do your last minute shopping opportunities and own exploration of  the town or simply look back upon your trip images. The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your departure.