GUIDE TO Vietnam & Cambodia INSIDER GUIDE TO VIETNAM & CAMBODIA Vietnam & Cambodia Picture the enchanting countries of Vietnam and Cambodia. Are you soaking up the incredible history and culture of the vibrant capital cities? Discovering the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat? Cruising the emerald-green waters of Halong Bay in a traditional junk? Perhaps you’re relaxing on the gorgeous beaches or trekking through the lush landscape… Wherever your mind wanders to when you picture Vietnam and Cambodia, welcome to our mini destination guide to these two breathtaking destinations. Vietnam Cambodia Population: ca. 95 million Population: ca. 16 million Capital: Hanoi Capital: Phnom Penh National anthem: Tien Quân Ca National anthem: Nokor Reach (Royal (Marching Song) Kingdom or Majestic Kingdom) Currency: Vietnamese Dong Currency: Cambodian Riel Official Language: Vietnamese Official Language: Khmer Average Monthly Temperature: Hanoi, Vietnam Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 17° 17° 21° 24° 28° 29° 29° 29° 28° 25° 22° 18° Average Monthly Temperature: Phnom Penh, Cambodia Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 26° 27° 29° 31° 30° 29° 28° 29° 28° 27° 27° 26° Vietnam & Cambodia Interesting facts... Around 70% of the Vietnamese population The Vietnamese keep potbelly pigs as pets own motorbikes Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashews In Cambodia, it is considered rude to point in the world, and the second largest exporter feet, particularly the soles, towards a person of rice. or things The Cambodian flag is one of only 2 national Traditionally, birthdays are not celebrated in flags to feature a building Cambodia particularly in the rural areas. Our 5 favourite sights Wondering what there is to see and do in Vietnam and Cambodia? Majestic temples, stunning waters, vibrant cities and captivating culture await! Marvel at the majestic temples of Cruise the waters of breathtaking Angkor Wat Halong Bay The majestic temples of Angkor Wat are a No trip to Vietnam would be complete without a definite must-see during your time in cruise along the emerald-green waters of the Cambodia. Located close to the charming UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. French-influenced town of Siem Reap in the Board a traditionally designed junk boat and drift north-west of the country, Angkor Wat is along the calm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, the most famous temple complex in the marvelling at the beautiful islets, towering world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and limestone peaks and stunning scenery as you go. one of Asia's most important archaeological sites, these magnificent temples set deep within the forest will take your breath away. Explore the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels in During your time in this incredible place, Ho Chi Minh take a tuk-tuk ride to the northern end of Head to captivating Ho Chi Minh City, the Angkor to see the Preah Khan Temple, the former capital of French Indochina, and superb statue of Balaha and the historic discover a whole host of historic landmarks Elephant Terrace. including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre- Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace. Perhaps the most fascinating sight in the city formerly known as Saigon are the legendary Cu Chi tunnels: an amazing network of tunnels and passageways built deep underground by Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War with America. Discover the mighty Mekong A great way to discover the delights of both Vietnam and Cambodia is along the mighty Mekong River. Take the enchanting journey from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia and discover the lusciously green expanse of agricultural land and rice paddies, which line the river bank. Stop off to meet the friendly people who live in the heart of the Mekong Delta and find out all about their traditional way of life. Delve into the history of Phnom Penh The Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh is a beautiful city that’s bursting with French colonial charm. Having overcome its turbulent past at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, Phnom Penh is now vibrant and prosperous, with a whole host of buzzing bars and first-rate restaurants to discover. To really get to the heart of this incredible destination, soak up the culture at one of the city’s wealth of museums. A must for any visitor is the National Museum, which houses an impressive collection of Khmer sculpture and artefacts, and the emotive Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in the grounds of Pol Pot’s secret prison, where you can learn all about this heartbreaking period of Cambodian history. To share your special holiday memories, please upload your images to your social media account using #TCexperience Try something a little different... Relax on blissful beaches After soaking up so much fascinating history and culture, you’ll surely be ready to relax! Both Vietnam and Cambodia are home to a plethora of blissful beaches, where you’ll find a choice of vibrant resorts and secluded luxury hotels. In Vietnam, the beaches are typically in the southern half of the country, with Phu Quoc being the country’s most upmarket and popular resort. The Cambodian beach resort of choice is Sihanoukville, an idyllic destination on the country’s southern coastline. Lang Toi My Village Show – Hanoi, Vietnam The world-renowned Lang Toi My Village show is a delicate combination of tradition and innovation, where the poetic beauty of Northern Vietnam’s village life is presented with a cirque approach. Agriculture, construction, traditional games and the lifestyle of Northern villagers are portrayed through ancestral bamboo props, rhythmic dance and awe-inspiring acrobatics to the sound of diverse and syncretistic Vietnamese folk music played by more than 20 musical instruments. Learn to cook like a local Discover the secrets of mouthwatering Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine at a traditional cooking class. In Vietnam, learn all about the unique flavours and spices of this delectable cuisine at the Red Bridge Cooking School in Hoi An. Browse the local markets, cruise along the Hoi An River and pick fresh herbs from the garden before learning to cook several traditional delicacies, including sublime spring rolls and sensational seafood. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to learn the secrets of authentic Cambodian cuisine too, with Khmer cooking classes available in the capital of Phnom Penh and in the countryside surrounding Siem Reap. Learn to cook delicious favourites such as Fish Amok, Lok Lak and much more besides! Discover the stunning caves of Phong Nha Head to the stunning Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and discover an amazing complex of over 300 caves and grottoes situated in the limestone mountains. This incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the breathtaking 19-mile long Paradise Cave, the longest dry cave in Asia, and Hang Son Doong, also known as the Mountain River Cave, the world’s largest cave and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sights in Southeast Asia! What tasty morsels can you expect from a visit to Vietnam and Cambodia? From delicious noodles to mouthwatering fish to crispy spring rolls, there are plenty of dishes to delight foodies! Here are a few specialties we think you Taste should try… Pho Bo This famous Hanoi dish is a breakfast favourite for locals and tourists alike. A delicious soup with beef, rice noodles and lots of herbs and spices, you may want to enjoy it at any time of the day! Fish Amok Amok is on every visitor’s 'must do' list in Nom Tong Noun Cambodia. Cooked in coconut milk If you have a sweet tooth, these delicious and inside a banana leaf, Amok is a smooth slightly sweet Khmer brandy snaps will be curry that can be made with either fish, impossible to resist! chicken, or tofu. It’s sometimes served in a coconut and looks incredible! Nem These Vietnamese spring rolls can be filled with pork, shrimp, crab or chicken. Together with black mushrooms, soya sprouts, vermicelli, chives, eggs and spices, they really are most delicious when eaten in their country of origin! They are usually served with a nuoc mam (fish) sauce, rice noodles, mint and salad leaves. Prahok A Cambodian speciality, Prahok is a paste of fermented fish, with a strong spicy smell and a really special taste! It may take you some time to become accustomed to the pungent flavour but this traditional dish is well appreciated by foodies and used in numerous Khmer dishes as a sauce or side dish. Another similar dish is the Kapi, which is a paste of fermented shrimps. TC Recommended: Vietnam Read more about our Travel Counsellors’ recommendations for a unique experience in Vietnam… Travel Counsellor Richard visited several Vietnam destinations on his trip and praises its excellent value for money: “We had an early start the next morning as we were going to Halong Bay for our overnight cruise. We were keeping our fingers crossed for good weather as we knew it was the rainy season but as it turned out, the sun shone brightly so we endured the high humidity to enjoy a lovely and well-equipped cabin. The food – wow! We had four endless meals, dish after dish of delicious food came out. We then headed to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). This was my favourite part of Vietnam. The streets were much cleaner than Hanoi, with decent pavements and it felt much safer crossing the roads! I recommend visiting the Grand Palace, the prison and the museum, which has lots of history and is very popular with tourists. Overall, Vietnam was excellent value. The service was great, the people were friendly and curious, there was really good food, and all our transfer buses were early apart from one and they called to say they were delayed.