Southeast Asia has always been a charming and captivating destination, ideal for those who long for an unforgettable exotic holiday. Nothing compares to the stifling afternoons when you do nothing but lie in the sun, the dizzying scent of exotic spices and Vietnamese food floating in the narrow alleys of the historic cities, or the deep sense of appreciation for the local culture and traditions.
The Mysteries of Indochina
Vietnam & Cambodgia
Exotic Holidays in Vietnam and Cambodia
Defined by a rare geographical diversity, Vietnam is a vast land with jungles, beautiful beaches at the South China Sea, incredible natural beauty and a complex history, marked by numerous wars. You will have the opportunity to discover them all: from the historical monuments of Hanoi and the incomparable charm of Hoi An, with its imperial buildings and entertaining street food vendors, to the dramatic landscapes of Ha Long Bay and the waters of Nha Trang. From the mysteries hidden in the Cu Chi tunnels of Ho Chi Minh, to the traditional agriculture practiced in the Mekong Delta, all will create the complete image of one of the most full of character destinations in Asia.
Cambodia, on the other hand, is shrouded in an aura of mystery. It is the place where the ancient civilization of the Khmers still lives, whose secrets you will find out right from the mouth of a scholar, in the shadow of the fig trees from the Ta Prohm temple.
Our proposal is a two-week exotic holiday, intense and full of unique experiences, the perfect way to see these two captivating countries in all their splendor.
Hanoi
Hanoi, also called the "Old Lady of the East", successfully combines the French colonial charm with the bustle and frantic enthusiasm of a modern Asian capital. Some see Hanoi as one of the most pleasant cities in Asia. The reason could be its wide, European-style sidewalks, a real refuge from the overwhelming traffic, or its streets that have kept the names of the trades practiced here – Pottery Street, Fishermen Street, Jewelers Street – and which give this capital the image of a very organized city.
The surroundings of Lake Hoan Kiem are a very beloved promenade place, both among the locals and among tourists, and the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the father of Vietnam, still attracts many devoted followers, who come here to pay homage to him. In the distance, the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, is a real green oasis in the middle of the city, a sanctuary of peace and calm, conducive to reading and meditation.
In the cool air of the evening, relax with jazz and cocktails at the legendary Le Club, or get inspired by one of Vietnam's top chefs and taste some Hanoian specialties.
Golful Ha Long
1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited and untouched by human activity, make up the Bay of Halong and give birth to a spectacular marine landscape, with limestone columns that rise steeply from the greenish waters of the South China Sea.
Legend has it that dragons jumped to the defense of the Vietnamese during an invasion of the Chinese, and in their descent from the heavens they spat thousands of pearls, which, reaching the water, turned into jade islands. They formed a defense shield in the way of the invaders, whose ships hit the rocks and sank.
The atmosphere here is mysterious, almost mystical, and the best way to explore the bay is by sailing around monoliths covered in lush vegetation, aboard a cruise ship.
Sapa
Lao Cai, a mountainous province located in northwestern Vietnam, on the border with China, is the home of some of the most famous Vietnamese ethnic communities - Hmong, Red Dao or Tay - with their very colorful traditional dress and black velvet leggings covered with colorful ribbons.
This natural landscape, rarely included in the tourist circuits and little explored until now, is visited especially by travelers who want to experience the life of the Sapa tribes and enjoy spectacular natural landscapes with waterfalls, rice terraces and traditional mountain villages.
The journey to Sapa takes eight hours, by the Victoria Express night train, and it is an experience in itself, a unique opportunity to relive the golden age of travel, when train cabins were the best way to travel quickly and comfortably. Once you arrive in Lao Cai, open your eyes to immerse yourself in a new episode of the Vietnamese adventure.
Hoi An
30 km south of Danang, on the central coast of Vietnam, is the city of Hoi An. Formerly a commercial port since the seventeenth century, the city still retains the influences of Japanese and Chinese merchants who stopped here. The arrival of the first Portuguese missionaries from Europe also marked the founding of the first Christian community.
A walk through Hoi An is like a time travel; the historical center, UNESCO World Heritage Site, charms its visitors with the architecture of the old houses, with carved doors and wooden beams, transformed into shops or handicraft workshops, restaurants, or cafes. The city is also called "The City of a Thousand Lanterns" – numerous lanterns light up every evening, creating a magical atmosphere.
A visit to a lantern factory cannot be missed, it is a unique opportunity to initiate yourself in the mysteries of this delicate craft.
Siem Reap
Along the Siem Reap River, nestled between rice terraces, lies the town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the former empire of the Khmer civilization – the Angkor. Its name, "Defeat of Siam", refers to gaining independence from the Thai kingdom.
Until the discovery of the temples by the French, in the nineteenth century, the city was only a series of villages developed around Buddhist pagodas. A true tourist hub today, Siem Reap offers you a once in a lifetime mystical experience.
Discover culture and history, impressive relics of the ancient Khmer empire, long gone, Buddhist shrines and temples hidden among the roots and leaves of fig trees!
Ho Chi Minh
The economic capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh is a hot, frantic, rebellious, and cosmopolitan city. Named Saigon until 1975, and once the largest commercial center of Indochina, the city has a busy history: a century of French influence, the invasion of the Americans, and then the conflict with North Vietnam and its occupation in 1975, when it became Ho Chi Minh and ceased to be the country’s capital.
Its old residential districts, the city hall (a beautiful French colonial style building, built between 1902 and 1908), the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the central post office (built by Gustave Eiffel) make up the portrait of a colonial Saigon.
But the atmosphere is quite different on the hallways of the War Museum or on the alleys of the picturesque Chinatown in "Cho Lon", all contributing to the irresistible charm that the Vietnamese metropolis has.
Con Dao
Just a 45-minute flight from the bustling streets of Saigon, you can find Con Son, an idyllic landscape of remarkable natural beauty, a unique oasis of relaxation on one of the islets of the Con Dao archipelago. White sand beaches, clear waters and mountain ridges covered with virgin forests, untouched nature – this is the setting where you will spend the last part of your trip in Vietnam.
Today a marine reserve and habitat for many endangered species (including the huge turtles that lay their eggs here every year), the island has a controversial past. Originally discovered by Portuguese merchants, Con Son was an important point on the route of the East India Company ships.
Due to its isolation, it became a French penitentiary colony, in 1864. In 1954 it was taken over by the Vietnamese, who kept its destination: opponents of the regime were brought here, in the cells called "Tiger Cages", which can still be visited today.
Experiences
We have selected a list of experiences that will bring you closer to the nature, people and culture of the places visited. Whether you prefer outdoor activities, adrenaline, you like to enjoy local cuisine or you are passionate about history and culture, choose one or more experiences that suit your style, so you can fully enjoy an exotic holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Hanoi on Wheels
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Flavors of Hanoi with Daniel Hoyer
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Rice Fields and Tribes of Sapa
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The Seventh Wonder of the World - Halong Bay
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Hue - the Imperial Capital
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Life at Mr. Phap's Farm
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In the Footsteps of the Khmers at Angkor
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Tonle Sap
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Saigon - Viet Cong and “Flair Francais”
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Floating Markets in the Mekong Delta
DetaliiHotels
For a complete, authentic experience, we have selected several hotel options, each with its specificity and charm. Our selection represents only a small part of what each destination has to offer. If the hotel of your dreams is not part of our selection and you want to receive other proposals for your exotic holiday in Indochina, contact us.
