What to do in Cambodia

Take on a Khmer cooking class

If you are really interested in the delicious curries of Cambodia, it is advisable to take part in a traditional cooking class where you will be able to satisfy your cravings after leaving Siem Reap. All the professional Khmer chef instructors will bring you through local markets and identify all the essential mysterious ingredients to make your culinary masterpiece. Then take on your pinafore and the hat of chef and get ready to prepare two favorite dishes of your choice at Le Tigre de Papier. Cheap and delicious places to eat in Battambang

However, this pleasant winter climate also has its own drawbacks. In this very much the peak season, most hotel rates always increase, tuk tuk drivers drive a much higher bargain and it can be not easy to find a decent room, and everywhere you go — from beautiful temples to luxury restaurants — can often full of people. Do not forget to book as soon as possible in advance, escape from the bustle of hustle of daily life and find some of the more tranquil temples to relax after long time hard working. What is Cambodian food?

In dry season

From March onwards, any kind of outdoor activity consisting of visiting temples is best confined to early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Moreover, April and May usually predict the beginning of the rainy season with stunning and relaxing afternoon and evening storms that cool down the humans, sweep away the dust and make everything burst

Khmer curry:

Less spicy curries of Thailand 's neighbors , red curry is often cooked ​​with beef, chicken or fish, eggplant, green beans, potatoes, fresh coconut milk, lemongrass and little peppers, so it will be excited to enjoy than the Thai curries. Red curry is often served with bread - affected the French. This special curry is used to eat at special day like weddings in Cambodia, family meeting and spiritual vacations as Pchum Ben, or forebear day - an opportunity the people of Cambodia do the dishes to rise monks on behalf of the people who was dead.

The best time to travel Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh’s climate is generally tropical so that, it tends to be hot year-round with minor variations. The average temperature is between 28 oC and 33oC

Phnom Penh has four seasons in a year: cool and dry from November to February; hot and dry from March to May; hot and wet between June and August; and cool and wet from September to early November.

Top cruises in Hanoi and Mekong

Starlight Cruise Halong Bay
Built in April 2013, Starlight Cruise is believed to be the newest boat in Halong, which features large size room (22 meters square) including private Jacuzzi, mini golf and free photo-taking. The Starlight is a reliable and powerful friend in every cruise thanks to its size 58 meters in length, 11 meters in width and an engine of 330 h. It is able to hold a large amount of people reaching up to 64 passengers, this is the reason why Starlight a flexible cruiser and a great ideal place for family holiday, old-school friends and company celebrations. Indochina holidays

Pandaw River Cruise
Exploreing two countries, two cultures and two ways of life linked by one great river, Pandaw River Cruise is the only luxury cruise vacation on the Mekong River. A shipping link between Saigon and Angkor is immensely practical for the travelers. Mekong river tours

Going on the Pandaw River Cruise, you will not experience an ocean going cruise but very friendly and informal atmosphere more like a party on a private sailboat than a cruise ship. There is no setting up for dinner and no 'captain's table'. Almost everything even your drinks are included in the price and you will not have to pay extras for excursions. An incredibly high level of personal service and care aboard is recorded with a crew passenger scale of 1:2. They are the reasons why many tourists want to come back to enjoy wonderful trips on Pandaw River Cruise more than once more time.

Le Tamarin Cruise
Launched in 2013 with the good quality and diversified services, Le Tamarin Cruise offers an exciting journey to discover and experience the hidden beauty of the scenery and working life of residents along the Mekong River which plays an important role in tourism potential of Southeast Asia. With many advantages, Le Tamarin is expected to be going to complete the role as a perfect partner in your trip.

With 14 cabins and a guide cabin whose maximum capacity of 28 passengers, Le Tamarin ensures to make the most effective use of conviviality as well as the feeling of familiarity. Her voluntarily modest size as well as her shallow structure is perfectly concordant to navigation on all parts of the river unlike enormous cruise ships that create a huge amount of trash.

Le Cochinchine Cruise
Inspired from traditional rice barge, Le Cochinchine Cruise which contains 3 boats of 6, 10, 14 cabins offers comfortable cruise in Mekong Delta. The wooden boats Le Cochinchine brings travelers to the exciting discovery of Mekong delta off the beaten track. Founded by Nguyen Minh Tan in 2006 after the success of Mien Tay sampan generation, together with a team of more than 30 experienced and passinate members, Le Cochinchine ensures to bring you  an unforgettable experience, a garantee of satisfaction.

According to the traditional sampans which have navigated on the Mekong flows, they created the Authentic Mekong sampan. With the size at 21.5 meters long and 4 meters wide, built from ‘’Sao’’ wood, a variety of oak, very resistant to water, Le Cochinchine Cruise is well appreciated by people who spend all their life working and living on water.

L'Amant Cruise
Launched in 2009, L'Amant is a dreamlike paradise for you to rediscover the colonial era to bring you back in a time. More than a simple boat having charming beauty this boat has a soul. Impersonating itself all this "Golden age" period, it provides all its travelers with it.

Containing 12 modern and comfortable cabins with the maximum capacity of 24 passengers, L’Amant Cruise is a traditional boat-building to cruise the Mekong in luxury. Built in a colonial style of 39 meters in length and 7 meters in width, L'Amant Cruise is suitable for any individuals, couples as well as families who want to enjoy the beauty of Mekong Delta.

Things to do in Siem Reap

Cambodia - Siem Reap
Famed for its archeological temples, Siem Reap, meaning the 'Defeat of Siam', is one of the world's premier travel destinations in Asia today. The awe-inspiring Angkor Temples, including the largest religious monument in the world - Angkor Wat, is the main draw card. Indochina travel Cambodia
The Angkor Temples tell the story of the rise and fall of the Khmer Empire and civilisation. A designated UN Heritage Site consisting of hundreds of structures with some dating back over 500 years, the Angkor Temples span 300km across northwest Cambodia and are a must visit.
However, Siem Reap is not all about temples. No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional performance. As Siem Reap's popularity flourishes, the Cambodian people have created a vibrant tourism mecca with a range of authentic local cuisine and cultural experiences. Tours in Cambodia
The culinary delights of Cambodian dishes are a combination of influences from the Khmer people, French colonialism and Asian culture.
1. Go temple hopping
There’s no right or wrong way, but there’s a way to visit them to avoid the crowds. Start with Angkor Wat at sunrise, landing a spot either just outside of the temple, or inside by the famous lake so that you can snap that iconic reflection photo.
Go temple hopping.
2. Visit temples off the main grid
Those looking to explore more temples, but have no time to spare, should go to the 10th century temple Banteay Srei. For the more adventurous you can take a one-hour ride outside of town to Beng Mealea, which takes on a quiet beauty with the surrounding jungle.
3. Visit the floating village
Those that want to marvel at the fisherman way of life will want to visit Tonle Sap Lake. This is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, but the real treat is seeing how the fisherman live. Wooden houses are built on long, sturdy stilts to avoid getting soaked by the flooding that makes this area so perfect for fishing.

Visit the floating village.
4. Explore Pub Street
Siem Reap’s Pub Street is full of life at all times of the day. Café Central comes highly recommended for daytime coffee gossiping. By night, neon lights guide the way to a frenetic mix of Khmer and Western restaurants, like Red Piano, which serves ones of the best Khmer curries in town. And we can’t forget about playfully named Angkor What- Bar for drinks and fun that last late into the night.

Mekong Delta Vietnam

The ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a landscape carpeted in a dizzying variety of greens and slashed with mighty waterways. It's a water world where boats, houses, restaurants and even markets float upon the innumerable rivers, canals and streams that flow through the region like arteries. At times you can quite simply lose sight of land. Mekong delta tours Vietnam
The area is both riparian and deeply rural, but it's also one of Vietnam's most densely populated regions, with nearly every hectare intensively farmed. Visitors can dwell on southern charm in little-visited riverside cities, sample fruits traded in the colourful floating markets, or feast on home-cooked delicacies before overnighting as a homestay guest. Mangrove forests, sacred Khmer pagodas and off-the-beaten-track attractions round out the picture.

The Mekong Delta is the culmination of the great Mekong river’s journey through south east Asia from the mountains of Tibet. The river is the world’s 12th largest in terms of length and 10th largest by volume draining an area of 795,000 km². From its source in the Jifu Mountains of Tibet it runs 4909 km through China’s Yunnan province (where it is called the Lancang River), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Between Cambodia and the Vietnamese border near Chau Doc the Mekong splits into two and the Bassac River runs parallel to the main river as they enter Vietnam. South Vietnam travel packages

Mekong Delta Vietnam

This Mekong River map will help you to get a clearer idea of the river’s journey.

Mekong River

Once into the Mekong Delta area of Vietnam the river splits further into a complex series of small canals and rivers where sediment from the river has been deposited and turned the region into an extremely fertile agricultural zone. This area is heavily cultivated and the rich soil enables enough rice to be produced to feed the whole country. The colourful villages and floating markets are one of Vietnam’s most important tourist attractions.

Historically the region was part of the Khmer kingdom and to this day is still called ‘Lower Cambodia’ by neighbouring Cambodians. Following attempts by the Khmer Rouge to take control of the region the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia in 1979 and ejected the Khmer Rouge from power.

Geographically, the Mekong Delta is the result of the build up of silt deposited by the Mekong river which extends the shoreline at the mouth of the river by around 80 meters per year. The result is a highly fertile area where intensive farming produces vast quantities of rice, sugarcane and fruits. Thanks to this fertility Vietnam is not only self-sufficient in rice production, the nation’s staple food, but is also the world’s 2nd largest exporter after Thailand.

Getting to the Mekong Delta and Getting Around

Mekong Delta VietnamMost visitors to the Mekong Delta arrive on scheduled tours from Ho Chi Minh City (see Mekong Delta Tours ). Some such tours are just for one day which barely scratches the surface of this vast area whilst others include overnight stays which allow you to go deeper into the region.

Travelling independently of these scheduled tours is the only way to really get deep into the Mekong Delta and really experience daily life off the tourist circuit. Options include renting a motorbike to get around or hiring a private vehicle with guide from HCMC.

A popular route these days is to spend a few days travelling around the Mekong Delta then continue on into Cambodia via the river border crossing at Vinh Xuong near Chau Doc.

Saigon Diaries – A Day Trip to The Mekong Delta

Saigon Diaries – A Day Trip to The Mekong Delta
Most flights to Vietnam land in its chaotic business hub – Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon. Now we can definitely forgive you for staring at postcards with picture-perfect Vietnamese panoramas of rice paddies while you are surrounded by Saigon’s nightmarish traffic. These postcards seem to be selling a bucolic haven, enveloped by mist, that’s nowhere to be found. The only ‘mist’ you’ll see here is a result of the fumes arising from thousands of motorbikes on Saigon’s busy roads. If you have over a week or two, it’s possible to experience idyllic Vietnam in all its glory at Halong Bay, Phu Quoc, or Mui Ne/Phan Thiet. If not, then a Day Trip to the Mekong Delta is the perfect way to get a taste of the gorgeous Vietnamese countryside.

A 2-hour drive through suburban Saigon leads to My Tho, an important market town and the gateway to the bustling floating markets of the Mekong Delta. The Mekong River, known as The Mighty Dragon or The River of the Nine Dragons in Vietnam, is the life-line of six countries in Asia (Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and China). It passes through temple cities, lush tropical forests, swamps, rice plantations and boasts of some of the richest and most fertile landscapes in the world. Jasmine Cruise

So we decided to go for a sampan cruise on one of the tributaries of the Mekong.
We opted for a private tour and had the entire boat to ourselves

Our guide Nam, a young university student, gave us a short geographical lesson before we boarded a small boat that took us to Unicorn Island, named after a Chinese mythological figure. We sat on a wobbly bench under a thatched roof as we sampled Vietnamese honey tea. Regular tea is flavoured with the juice of kumquats (a small citrusy fruit, similar to limes) and sweetened with home-made honey. Southern Vietnam Discovery

Bee pollen might be the newest health fad to hit the western world, but here in the backwaters of Vietnam, it is generously spooned into every cup of tea. We sipped on the tea and munched on the accompanying candied ginger, banana chips, and peanut bars as we observed the ritual being repeated for dozens of tourists around us.

Saigon Diaries – A Day Trip to The Mekong Delta

Moments later, we were treated to a rather weary song and dance routine by local musicians before being ferried to a neighbouring island, known as the Kingdom of Coconut. Ben Tre Island boasts of over 45,000 hectares of coconut trees, so make sure you carry an insect repellent spray or wear a mosquito repellent band when you venture to this part of the country. Every day hundreds of tourists visit this island, so the thrill of stumbling on something new is almost non-existent. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less fun.

We visited a local coconut factory and tried our hand at making coconut candy. We failed miserably, so we drowned our sorrows in snake wine- yes that’s a thing! Don’t believe us? Take a look

But we didn’t stop there – our guide treated us to a calorie-laden lunch comprising fried fish, scrumptious Pho, and Vietnamese rice-paper spring rolls. Once we were suitably stuffed, we decided to go on a bike-ride through the Vietnamese country side (yes, that’s how smart we are). As you might have predicted we were panting for breath in no time :-)

Towards the end of the day, we decided to go for a Sampan cruise on one of the tributaries of the Mekong. We stepped into our boat tentatively but started enjoying the ride almost as soon as our boat started making its way past lush palm trees and stunning green foliage. Day trips such as this are bound to feel ‘touristy’, but one look at the brightly-coloured boats bobbing along the calm waters of the Mekong made us fall in love with the river. We’ll definitely be back for more….

FACT FILE
A Day Trip to the Mekong Delta is the perfect way of getting a taste of the Vietnamese countryside if you only 1 day to spare. If you have 2-3 days, make sure you visit the floating markets in Can Tho as well.
We booked our Day Trip to the Mekong Delta with Impress Travels – their staff arranged everything well and promptly responded to all our queries within hours over email. Highly recommended.
The tour costs anywhere between $35-65/person depending on group size. Private tours cost $75/person.
We opted for a private tour – this gave us the flexibility of customising the tour according to our taste. Moreover this ensured we did not feel rushed at any time.

Motorbiking in Vietnam, Tips for Vietnam Motorbike Trip

Renting a motorbike is an increasingly popular way to explore Vietnam. But the traffic conditions, roads and rules are extremely different from those in America or Europe. In the West, rules are strictly (in most cases) adhered to. Generally speaking, drivers stay on the correct side of the road, stop at red lights and don’t carry water buffalo on their scooters! Vietnam travel Packages

Here, things are a little different. Reading these tips will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable journey!

1. Protect your head
Vietnam law requires both motorbike drivers and passengers to wear a helmet. It’s also just plain common sense. If you can, make sure your helmet is made by a reliable manufacturer such as Protec.

2. Learn before you ride
Many travelers have never ridden a motorbike before they rent one in Vietnam. Before setting off, ask someone for a five-minute rundown on how to start/stop/accelerate etc. Paradise Cruise in Halong

3. Left are gears, right is brake
Self-explanatory, really.

4. Think right
In Vietnam, people drive on the right. Especially important to remember when you turn corners!

• MEKONG EYES CRUISE MEKONG

5. Expect the unexpected
Drivers don’t follow the rules. Be prepared to think on your feet.

Motorbiking in Vietnam, Tips for Vietnam Motorbike Trip

6. Park it
Most cities have parking areas to leave your motorbike. This usually costs around 2,000VND, so don’t listen to entrepreneurial parking attendants who try to charge you more than 10,000VND - they are likely trying to hustle you. Hold onto the ticket to get your bike back!

7. Fuel up
When you rent a motorbike, check the tank (don’t trust the fuel gauge) and find out where you can fill up if needed.

8. Biggest wins
The biggest vehicle has the right of way. So avoid buses, cars and trucks!

9. Think about what kind of bike you need
100 cc-or-more semi-automatic motorbikes are best for roads in Northern Vietnam’s mountainous areas. Look for a strong engine, gasoline-saving potential and flexible packing space.

10. Be well-prepared
When traveling to remote areas, bring a motorcycle repair tool kit. It might also be advisable to bring a spark-plug and extra key. Remember to ensure the motorbike is in working order before setting off. Change the oil and check the tyres, brakes, mirrors, horn and light. Fill up your motorbike with gasoline and make sure you know where you can make your next filling stop!

11. Check the weather
Plan the season of your trip carefully. The best time for exploring mountain areas is from late September to the beginning of December or after Tet Nguyen Dan (Vietnamese New Year, in January or February), when there is almost no rain and the temperature is cool. Spring rain and summer heat are hazardous not only for your own health but for the road.

12. Statistics don’t lie
Thousands of people die on the roads every year. Drive safely so you can make the most of your Vietnam road trip!

Everything about traveling Can Tho

As the centre city of Mekong Delta region, Can Tho is one of the most attractive and interesting destinations in the region as it gathers the most featuring beauties of a water land along Mekong River tours Vietnam
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Time to travel
With favorable weather condition, you can come to visit Can Tho any time in year. However, visiting in summer is the best chance to enjoy delicious fruits. South Vietnam tours
How to travel
There are 2 means of transports which can travel to Can Tho
Airline: there are 2 airlines opening the flight Hanoi- Can Tho
Vietnam Airlines: the price of return tickets are from $114 USD to $214 USD. Besides, there are other flights from Can Tho to Phu Quoc and Con Dao Islands.
Vietjet Air: the price of return tickets are from $85 USD to $130 USD for the flight Hanoi- Can Tho. Moreover, the Da Nang-Can Tho flights are also available from July 2014.
Bus: From Ho Chi Minh City or other province on the South, you can take a bus/coach and get to Can Tho in few hours. The price ticket is very reasonable.
Accommodation
Can Tho is a big city of Vietnam. Thereafore, you should not worry about where to stay because there are plenty of hotels in the city. Besides, you can choose to homestay at the orchards which is a very interesting experience. Indochina Sails cruise

What to eat
Fish paste hot pot: it is the most featuring food in Can Tho. The hot pot is the mixture of many kinds of seafood such as fish, shrimp, squid and other local herbs. Especially, the broth of the hot pot contains fish sauce and coconut milk, which makes it different from other hot pot.
Xeo Cake: one of the famous street foods in Vietnam. And in Can Tho, the special things in this cake are its stuffs inside (including chicken, river shrimp, duck meat, sesbania sesban, etc. It is also served with various species of vegetable and herbs.
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Ca loc nuong trui (grilled snakehead fish): one of the most idyllic and delicious food of the Mekong Delta region. The way to make it is very easy but also requiring a skillful hand. The grilled fishes are put on banana leaves, removed the black burning layer outside to expose the interesting part inside. The food is eaten with various fresh herbals and vegetables as well as tamarind fish sauce.
Grilled snail with pepper: it is simple-made but really amazing street food.
What to see

Everything about traveling Can Tho

Cai Rang floating market
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Cai Rang floating market is one among three biggest ones in Can Tho. It opens all day but busiest from the sunrise to 9:00AM. In the river area of about 1km length, there are hundred boats and canoes gathering together, selling and buying diversified products, from local agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood to other services such as foods, coffee, drinks,… Visiting this special market, you can get to know the amazing cultural aspects of southerners.
The best time to visit Cai Rang is from 6 AM to 8 AM every morning, except for Tet Holiday and Doan Ngo Festival (5th in the fifth months of Lunar Calendar). From city centre, you can take motorbike taxi or taxi to Cai Rang wharf, then take a boat to visit the floating market.
Bang Lang stork sanctuary
It is the gathering address of thousands storks in every afternoon. There are 11 different kinds of flork such as fly stork, egret, heron, pelican, woodpecker, etc. Watching thousands of storks flying around and gather in the garden is very exotic scenery. The Bang Lang stork sanctuary is located in Thoi Thuan Ward, Thot Not District.
Orchards: like other provinces in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho has a lot of orchards with many kinds of fruits, especially the ones in Phong Dien and Tan Loc district. Walking under incredible trees full of fruits and pick them by yourself and eat them right away are wonderful experience.
My Khanh ecotourism village
Built in 1996 in a nice position between Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating market, My Khanh is an ecological complex, containing various services and green space. You can enjoy the beauty of Southern countryside with water, green mangrove forests and peaceful surrounding. There are many interesting services in here that you can join such as fishing, rowing, exploring the life of ancient landlords and farmers or joining traditional games. You also have chance to enjoy special ancient foods of the South.
Binh Thuy ancient house
Everything about traveling Can Tho
Located in Long Tuyen ancient village, the ancient house are very unique in architecture, beautiful in narutal scenery (lying along Can Tho River) and valuable in history and culture. It was built in 19th century; with the architecture is the combination of Orient and Western style.