Vietnam and Cambodia: This has to be your destination for your next holidays!

There are so many countries in the world that planning trips and vacations is difficult just because of the sheer amount of choices. If you want to really get out of your comfort zone, somewhere exotic and mystifying, or if you want to get away from the urban lifestyle, why not consider taking a Vietnam and Cambodia tour in 2018? These two countries are one next to the other and share the very long Mekong River, that starts in Cambodia and ends in Vietnam. They provide travelers with almost any type of geography, from jungles to beaches, to plains, as well as very interesting historical and religious buildings. Plus, there are important differences between them, which is to be expected, as well as several similarities, which is surprising. So, why not travel to Cambodia and Vietnam in 2018?

The Capitals
The first thing to visit when planning your tour of Vietnam and Cambodia in 2018 is the capital. Whether you start in Vietnam and then move to Cambodia or vice versa, do not leave out Phnom Penh or Hanoi when travelling Cambodia and Vietnam in 2018. They both have tragic stories to tell and you should definitely listen to them.

By the side of the Red River, Hanoi takes pride in being one of the oldest capitals. The Vietnam’s capital features astounding history ranging from the colonial era to the ancient pagodas. If you love handicrafts then this is the best place to find some impressive pieces. Moreover, Hanoi is the hub of cultural integration featuring the taste from Russian, Chinese and French traditions. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is suggestive of the glorious Vietnamese tradition. The flag post here reaches as high as 40 meters to earn its place as the Hanoi’s symbol. 

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, you’ll find the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum that documents the Cambodian Genocide, an event most people don’t know about. If you want something more fun to do and distract yourself within your 2018 Vietnam and Cambodia tour you have other options. The Royal Palace, where the King of Cambodia lives, and the Wat Phnom Temple, the tallest building of the city, remind you that tragedy isn’t all there with their gorgeous architecture and painting.

This has to be one of the prime destinations for those wanting to relax during their 2018 Vietnam and Cambodia tour. Sit back and let the natives narrate to you the legends about the great dragon.

Explore the Heritage in Vietnam and Cambodia

Both countries have very important and interesting places protected by the UNESCO World Heritage program: Angkor Wat  Places you shouldn’t ignore when building your 2018 Vietnam and Cambodia tour. Siem Reap in Cambodia is the closest city to the Angkor Park and the temples found inside. Though this is the most known building of the 400 square kilometer site, but those travelling Cambodia and Vietnam in 2018 should remember that there are other things to see.

There is the Ta Prohm Monastery, for example, that brings to mind two things, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and The Jungle Book published in 2016. The temples and buildings in this monastery have been invaded by the jungle, quite drastically. Trees and plants are growing right through the structures, giving it an eerie feeling. 

Don’t miss out Hoi An, Vietnam an ancient urban zone staying at lower section of Thu Bon River, and it used to be an international bustling port, where ships coming from Japan and China arrived at this place for trading commodities during 17th and 18th centuries. The ancient urban zone is a typical traditional port in the Southeast Asia with ancient houses built in close proximity to each other and a place of religious and belief architectures proving time of establishment, development and fall. One of most noticeable places tourists cannot miss whenever they visit Hoi An is Bridge of Pagoda (or called as Cau Nhat Ban or Lai Vien Kieu by local people), which was built in 1817 by Japanese traders and place where people worship Bac De Tran Vo (the god of prosperity and people’s aspiration of good things).

In addition, there are also many other attractive destinations tourists need to visit once when they are in Hoi An, including Tan Ky ancient house (one of the most long-standing ancient houses in Hoi An as it was built in late 18th century with specific architecture lines), Trieu Chau club house or Ong Bon Pagoda (a place luring tourists’ attention with fine carving lines and sharp design), Phung Hung ancient house (another ancient house with combination of architecture of three cultures of Japan, China and Vietnam), Quang Dong Club House, House of Worship of Tran Tribe, Hoi An Market (where tourists can buy typical handicraft goods as well as enjoy tasty dishes), Hoi An Handicraft Workshop, Hoi An Culture and History Museum, Phuc Kien Club House, Cua Dai and An Bang seashores, Thanh Ha Pottery Village and Tra Que Vegetable Village), to see the masters of the art controlling the puppets on a stage which is unknown to most of the world – the liquid stage – a spectacle never seen anywhere else in the world.
Then you must attend the Traditional Art Performance in Hoi An. This is the perfect place to witness the glory of the local culture as well as the traditions from the colonial era.

Mekong River

For those planning to travel through Cambodia and Vietnam in 2018 this river not only provides a way to travel from one country to the other but also a tourist attraction. In Cambodia, there is the Tonle Sap Lake, the second largest fresh water lake in the world, where you can see more floating villages. Slightly similar and different from those in the Ha Long Bay, there are no monoliths. Here you’ll see floating houses, schools, and even a hospital. These, too, move with the tide, going up and down.
Another thing to do while touring Vietnam and Cambodia in 2018, is observe the rural lifestyle, more than a million people make a living from fishing in the lake. Also, on the river but right by the end in Vietnam there is the delta. Mekong Delta is a place full of farms and floating markets that benefit from the water. Be it for agriculture, where villagers grow several fruits like coconuts, flowers, and rice, or as a business medium, where import and export between cities takes place.

Think, Plan, Decide and Take Off…
There are so many places to go, activities to do, habits and customs to learn when planning your 2018 tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, that you can become blinded by your goals. Before you can actually do all you’re planning, you need to get to the country, you need to know the best way to travel, and you need to check the weather. The first thing that needs to be taken into account when travelling Cambodia and Vietnam is obtaining a visa. The process is very simple in the case of Cambodia, which offers three different options you’ll need to review, and the requirements are the same as most countries. Vietnam offers only two options to acquire a visa, through embassies and On Arrival, no E-Visa in this case. The requirements are complex and always changing so you should check the requirements in the Immigration Services. If you really wish to travel to Cambodia and Vietnam you’ll be able to find tips and advice that you can use when planning.