Neighbours Vietnam and Cambodia provide a brilliant holiday experience to those who decide to break with the norm and visit them. With something for everybody, it is impossible not to be enraptured by the Far East. But what are the pick of the bunch in terms of things to do and see in these two countries? Here’s a brief top ten.
10. Monkey Island, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Nha Trang is an unspoilt beach resort, but for a change of scenery, visitors can take a boat the short distance to Monkey Island, so-called because of the animals that call the island their home. The monkeys are used to being fed by tourists and have been known to try their hand at pick pocketing too!
9. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Hanoi, Vietnam
Creepy yet fascinating, the chance to see Uncle Ho’s embalmed body inside a magnificent monument is something that most tourists can’t miss. The reactions of ordinary Vietnamese people are simply fascinating.
8. Floating Villages, Chong Kneas, Cambodia
Take a boat trip and discover the extraordinary way of life of the people who live in houses docked to the edge of the river!
7. Imperial Vietnam, Hue, Vietnam
Witness the splendour of Vietnam’s history by taking a visit to the citadel and the Thai Hoa Palace, before visiting the tombs of the Nguyen emperors.
6. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Beautiful palace situated by the riverfront, with the sparkling Silver Pagoda within its grounds which you can climb to the top of. The Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City is also well worth a visit.
5. The Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Take a boat trip through local markets and visit the centre of agricultural production in Vietnam. Surrounded by lush rice paddies, the Delta is a fascinating place to visit and offers relief from the bustle of the cities.
4. Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
See the remnants of Cambodia’s appalling recent history by visiting Tuol Sleng, the school turned into a prison by the murderous regime of Pol Pot and witness the scene of many of the killings my travelling just out of the city to the chilling Killing Fields.
3. Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam
Walk through (widened) parts of the tunnel network used by the Viet Cong during the American War of the 1960s. Unbelievably thin and dark, they were used to administer the area and spring attacks on the enemy.
2. Halong Bay, Vietnam
Without doubt the natural wonder of Vietnam, and one the most impressive natural sights in the world. With more than three thousand islands rising out of the bay, Halong Bay is a truly breathtaking sight when explored by boat.
1. Angkor Wat Complex, Cambodia
The magnificence of Angkor Wat, the biggest and most famous temple in the complex, is well-known, but there is much more to see in the expansive complex, including the brilliant Angkor Thom and the maze-like Bayan.
With so much to see, these two countries are perfect destinations for a holiday. If you’re planning on visiting Vietnam and Cambodia and want to book accommodation before you get there, Hostelbookers.com has good selection of hostels in both countries. Also, you'll want some low cost travel insurance before you go, for which Go Travel comes as highly recommended.