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Travel Inspiration: Vietnam and Cambodia

Tales of a Country Specialist Traveling #TheAudleyWay

By Audley Travel

July 10^th, 2014

Looking for your next immersive adventure?

Look no further. From trekking through the Tonkinese Alps in Northern Vietnam to cruising by luxury junk boat through Halong Bay to exploring the complex temples at Angkor in Cambodia, I’ll show you how to travel #ThAudleyWay.

Travel Inspiration: Vietnam and Cambodia

The tonkinese alps

Endless terraced paddy fields nestled amongst the Tonkinese Alps set the backdrop for the small French region of Sapa. The northern-most part of Vietnam is extremely remote and home to minority villages such as H’mong and Dao, where traditional dress is still worn and ancient beliefs are followed. This region has not been affected by the modernization that has occurred in many other parts of our world.

My colleague and travel buddy, Hannah J., and I decided to trek to one of the nearby villages. It was quite wet and muddy, and, at one point, Hannah lost her footing and slid down the bank we were walking up.

Unfortunately for me, I was walking too close behind her, and she took me out with her! We both slid down the slope through the mud becoming a complete mess. A local Red Tzao woman trekking near us thought this was highly amusing, and we all burst into laughter. It was a great way to interact with the locals while they helped clean us up!

Mist, Sunshine and Junk Boats

I boarded the beautiful Halong Violet Junket early in the day while the mountain islands were still coated by the morning mist. This boat is one of the more luxurious in Halong Bay showcasing traditional Vietnamese elegance mixed with modern comfort. There are only six cabins and four are suites, boasting air conditioning, mini bars, private balconies, LCD TVs and jacuzzis. Mine even came with a butler!

I still remember that afternoon sitting on the deck drinking champagne while cruising around the thousands of limestone islets and caves that make up Halong Bay. The views were spectacular, and I felt like I was in some far-away world. After watching the sun set, we enjoyed a fabulous meal under the stars. Traveling by junk boat is an experience not to miss.

charming vietnam

Full of restaurants, old houses, craft shops and art galleries, the charming UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An is one of my favorite places in Vietnam. They are known for the silk dresses and suits they make so I advise you head straight to one of the local tailors when you arrive to get measured for any garments you’d like. I had two beautiful dresses made that are perfect for cocktail parties.

Head to STREETS Restaurant Cafe in the historic central district of Hoi An to support a local charity and try Cao Lau, a speciality noodle soup.

STREETS International is an innovative social enterprise initiative with the purpose to develop and operate sustainable programs for street kids and disadvantaged youth in Southeast Asia and throughout the world. It provides training to prepare them for careers in culinary arts and hospitality. Youth in the program spend part of each week at this restaurant applying what they have learned in their classes.

Phan Thiet's gem: Mui Ne

A small town on the South Central coast of Vietnam, Phan Thiet is known for its fish sauce used in local cuisine. The real gem of this area, however, is the Mui Ne Peninsula and the Anantara Resort & Spa.

Located on the peninsula that jets out over the South China Sea, Anantara Mui Ne is a little paradise. I spent the days riding my bike along the palm trees and red sand dunes or lounging on the beach. In the evenings, I enjoyed the fresh catch of the day while watching the sunset with views next to none. A few relaxing days at this beautiful luxury resort left me ready for the next part of my adventure.

siem reap night markets

If you love shopping, the Siem Reap night market requires a visit! From colorful silk-woven scarves to beautiful handmade silver jewelry and other unique trinkets, there is something for everyone. The hustle and bustle atmosphere of the market gives you a great energy, and it is a wonderful way to interact with the locals. Don’t forget to try some of the delicious street food.

The Angkor temples at dawn

When Henri Mouhout returned to Europe from his travels in Siem in 1961, he wrote of a magnificent city engulfed in the jungles of northern Cambodia. The ‘lost city’ of Angkor immediately captured the imagination of European archeologists and explorers and has continued to be a major fascination by travelers alike today.

The ‘Big Three’ temples of Angkor include Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and the Bayon. Built in the 12th century as a funerary temple for Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat is the largest and most complex of all the temples and Cambodia’s national symbol. Ta Prohm has been engulfed by the jungle and roots of strangler fig trees and looks just like it did when explorers discovered the site in the mid-19th century. Lastly, the Bayon is a collection of 54 towers carved with 216 enormous smiling faces reminiscent of its architect King Jayavarman VII.

Not only is seeing Ta Prohm temple at dawn a magical experience, but you have the temple practically to yourself. The way the plants and trees take over the temple in that early morning light make it look really mysterious. As the sun breaks, a beautiful green light seeps through the canopy highlighting the moss-covered pinnacles and mystical courtyards.

About hannah g.

Travel has always been a huge passion of mine – my Father used to work for American Airlines so from the age of eight, I traveled the world with my family experiencing new places and cultures. After college I took a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and fell in love with this part of our world. I tried my hand at a number of different jobs, but the travel bug never shifted.

I’ve worked with Audley Travel for nearly four years now, and I can’t think of working anywhere else! I started off on the Southeast Asia team focused on Vietnam and Cambodia. Gradually my country coverage expanded to also cover Laos and Malaysian Borneo. More recently, I joined the team in our new Boston location, and have been lucky enough to add South Africa to my repertoire, which I subsequently visited again for my honeymoon as I loved the country so much.

-Hannah

Footnotes

You see more when you know the right people. Experience the vibrant culture, landscapes and wildlife of Southeast Asia,#TheAudleyWay. Visit audleytravel.com/us to book your next adventure!

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FootNotes

You see more when you know the right people. Experience the vibrant culture, landscapes and wildlife of Southeast Asia,#TheAudleyWay. Visit audleytravel.com/us to book your next adventure!