A 7 day Vietnam and Cambodia tour gives a perfect opportunity to witness the local life, cultural charm, and natural beauty of these uniquely fascinating countries. Any journey that passes through these two countries and takes in the highlights is certain to create a very unforgettable experience.
Let's take a look at a few of the most popular places to visit on the tour of South Vietnam and Cambodia:
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a lively and vibrant city that is now the most populated in the entire country. This dynamic urban area is appreciated for its traditional street food scene, pagodas, and modern offices. Even a short tour of this city on the Vietnam tours package makes it possible to learn a lot about the cities past history and culture.
A few of the places to visit on a sightseeing tour of the city include the Notre Dame Cathedral, which stands at a height of nearly 60 metres and is easily located downtown. The Central Post Office is worth a visit to appreciate its architecture style that combines French, Renaissance and Gothic styles. Other places to visit include the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace.
A great place to shop for gifts and souvenirs to take home to family and friends is Ben Thanh Market which is located in district 1. The market is great for items like Vietnamese art, textiles, clothes and local handicrafts. It is a great place to practice the haggling skills. Also, there are several food stalls selling a wide range of delicious local food options, such as fruits, meat, nuts and spices, as well as drinks.
Cu Chi Tunnel
A very popular historical attraction close to Ho Chi Minh City is the Cu Chi tunnels which were used by the Viet Cong at the time of the Vietnam War. Organising a tour is relatively straightforward and it includes plenty of things to see and do, including the ability to explore a section of the tunnels that have been opened up to tourists.
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is a dizzying array of greens and typically referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam. A visit to this region on the Indochina holiday is a must-visit destination with plenty of historical sights and floating markets to see. The floating markets are a popular attraction and best seen early in the morning. For instance, the Cai Rang floating market is open very early, but will be more vibrant from sunrise until 9AM. There are plenty of consumer goods on offer with colourful and tasty tropical fruits (pineapple, papaya, bananas, mango, etc.) a typical sight. Also, taking a tour of the maze of canals on a traditional sampan is a great way to see and appreciate life on the river and meet the friendly local people.
A visit to Chau Doc will appeal to travellers on the Vietnam tours that intend to use the river route between Vietnam and Cambodia. This is a very peaceful town with communities of Khmer, Cham and Chinese people.
Phnom Penh
Cambodia's vibrant capital city of Phnom Penh is certain to be one of the finest places visited on the Vietnam holiday. The city is well located in the conflux of three rivers, the great Tonle Sap, the Bassac and the Mekong River. A city tour is easily enjoyed by the entire family with a visit to the National Museum of Arts the best way to learn about the culture and history of this ancient city.
Siem Reap
Every trip to Cambodia will include a stay in the tourist city of Siem Reap, which is situated in the north-west of the country. This gives easy access to Cambodia's most famous attraction: Angkor Wat. A multi-day tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park gives a perfect opportunity to explore not only the most popular historical temples like Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei and Bayon, but also many of the lesser-known and visited.
An early morning tour of the stunning Angkor Wat gives access to the best examples of architecture and art of its era, while also being the largest Khmer temple in the park. Other popular attractions include the Terrace of the Leper King, the Elephant Terrace and Bayon temple. Many of the temples have ornamental carvings that not only make them stand out, but also more fascinating to view.
For the adventurous travellers on the Cambodia family tour, a trip to the awesome Phnom Kulen National Park is certain to appeal to those interested in seeing some of Cambodia's local wildlife. The national park is about 45 km from the city of Siem Reap and certain to give a refreshing break after a period of temple sightseeing. A great attraction in the park is the waterfalls which are a must-see sight and perfect for travellers looking to get a little break from the heat. Also, there are plenty of nearby food stalls, so the waterfalls can make a very scenic backdrop for a picnic lunch. A jungle tour by jeep is the best way to explore the most remote regions of the park and see some of the more remote temples, such as Prasat Rong Chen and Srah Damrei which are well hidden in the thick jungle.
Tonle Sap Lake
A visit to the Tonle Sap Lake gives a perfect opportunity to witness one of the finest places in Cambodia. This large lake has a dumbbell shape and stretches for a vast distance over the north-west of the country. It is easily reached by those staying in Siem Reap and best explored by booking a boat tour that takes a tranquil route through one of the many floating villages in the region, which includes seeing floating homes, hospitals and schools. At nearly 2,700 sq km, this lake is a very impressive and listed as the 2nd largest lake in the world.