Essence of Vietnam, Cambodia & Luxury Mekong

Wander along the perfumed streets of Hanoi's atmospheric Old Quarter and you could almost forgive yourself for thinking you'd travelled back in time, were it not for the beeping, buzzing morass of motorcycles zipping past. Vietnam's charming capital still retains an authentically Asian feel, home to tranquil temples and teetering houses, and it's also the resting place of 'Uncle Ho' himself, embalmed and on display in his imposing mausoleum. History buffs will find that there are still reminders of the American War (as it's known here) to be found, as well as an attractive French Colonial quarter.

Cat Ba is the largest island in Ha Long Bay, with little fishing villages and sandy beaches hidden amongst the craggy coastline and a wild interior defined by limestone hills, lakes, caves and waterfalls. The island is also home to wildlife including hornbills, macaques and golden-headed langurs.

Wander along the perfumed streets of Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter and you could almost forgive yourself for thinking you’d travelled back in time, were it not for the beeping, buzzing morass of motorcycles zipping past.

By day, Hoi An is a dreamy tropical haze of teetering merchant houses, bustling markets and Chinese temples; at night, the town is lit up with a constellation of colourful lanterns, reflected in the tranquil Thu Bon river. It’s an utterly magical place, and a real highlight of any visit to Vietnam.

Hue’s crumbling Imperial Citadel is one of the highlights of central Vietnam, and merits its UNESCO World Heritage status in spite of the damage sustained during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Further along the Perfume River you’ll also find the octagonal Thien Mu pagoda, another important symbol of the city.

Saigon, as it was known then, was the capital of the South during the Vietnam War, and American-style capitalism has been embraced more enthusiastically here than in the North, with a clutch of shining skyscrapers standing as testament to Vietnam’s surging economic growth.

Cai Be is home to a fascinating floating market, and it’s a great place to observe life along the Mekong. You can learn about the production of rice paper, coconut candy and whisky, and take a trip along the backwaters on a little two-person rowing boat.

The riverfront town of Sa Dec is one of the most appealing destinations in the Mekong Delta, a laid back and peaceful place where boats laden with flowers from the nearby markets ply the waterways, overlooked by beautiful old French colonial villas.

Cambodia’s lively, youthful capital has shown a remarkable resilience in bouncing back from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. The beautiful Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda shouldn’t be missed, while the former Tuol Sleng prison is a harrowing reminder of Phnom Penh’s recent past.

Oudong was once the capital of Cambodia, and served as the royal residence for over 250 years until it was abandoned by King Norodom in 1866. The twin peaks of Phnom Oudong mountain are scattered with Buddhist stupas, and offer great views of the surrounding countryside.

Cambodia’s lively, youthful capital has shown a remarkable resilience in bouncing back from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. The beautiful Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda shouldn’t be missed, while the former Tuol Sleng prison is a harrowing reminder of Phnom Penh’s recent past.

A visit to Kampong Cham will give you an insight into life in a provincial Cambodian city, well off the normal tourist trail. Situated on a bend in the Mekong river, the city is known for its quirky bamboo bridge which is rebuilt every year, and there are also some interesting temples nearby.

The town of Siem Reap is a pleasant enough place in its own right, but that’s not why so many people flock here; this is the gateway to the sprawling ruins of Angkor, the spectacular seat of the ancient Khmer empire.