Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia - March 2024 - Hostess Round Up - Dawn Caputo

Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia Tour

Our Vietnam adventure began in the capital city of Hanoi a city with a population of over 8 million people and 6.5 million scooters!  Our morning cyclo tour allowed us to explore the city and meander through the small streets and marketplaces to its wide tree-lined boulevards and old French quarter, a reminder of its past colonization. An afternoon visit to the famed Ho Chi Minh mausoleum where thousands visit every day to pay homage to the revered “Uncle Ho” before finishing off our day with a traditional water puppet show.

160 km east of Hanoi is iconic Halong Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site and home to thousands of limestone karsts that jut out from the ocean. We boarded the recently refurbished Indochina “Royal Lotus”  where we were accommodated in our comfortable “junior suite” cabins. The weather was overcast and hazy but this only added to the serene and magical atmosphere and didn't deter the “sisters” from taking advantage of the activities offered on board to the many day trips and excursions to the neighboring islands.

A short flight from Hanoi to Hue, where a wonderful day was spent in a village founded in the 17th century,  we explored the village by bike (or cyclo), went on a sampan and fished in the local river, and were warmly welcomed into the homes of the local villagers. It really was the “essence “ of Vietnam!

 Continuing our journey south to Hoi An via Ba Na Hills we visited “Sun City” an amazing architectural feat, at an altitude of 1,487 meters lies a replica of a French village, who would've thought!, along with its famed “ Golden Bridge” and beautiful manicured gardens is a must visit.

Hoi An, definitely” the jewel in the crown” of Vietnam and a UNESCO-listed destination with its many historic buildings and colorful lantern-filled streets,  was a delight to spend 4 nights. 

Hoi An is the place to have clothes, shoes, bags, glasses and anything else you may fancy, made and ready within 24 hours - heaven! Our days were filled with shopping at the local produce market followed by a cooking class, relaxing by the pool, visiting the local beach and taking advantage of the Hotels in-house Spa.

Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City with just enough time to check into our hotel before going on an evening vintage Vespa foodie tour.What an exhilarating experience as we rode through the streets stopping at different locations from cocktails to street food. Ho Chi Minh is a big and modern international city with tall high skyscrapers and designer brand shops, whilst comfortably sitting beside the old town, French-inspired buildings and local markets. From Ho Chi Minh our excursions included the town of Cu Chi and the infamous Cu Chi tunnels used to fight the French occupation and later during the Vietnam War. A full day to My Tho, a prosperous town on the Mekong Delta where we had the opportunity to enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River and view the rich fertile land with sprawling coconut plantations and exotic fruits.

A short flight and we are in Siem Reap , Cambodia, another country, another language and hardly any bikes nor cars!! Siem Reap is calm and relaxed with its beautiful green countryside and where time seemed to have stood still. A short drive to Tonle Sap Lake, a UNESCO biosphere and one of the richest fishing areas in the world providing the livelihood of the people living on its shores and floating villages.  The following day and travelling by tuk tuks we explored the Angkor Archaeological Park visiting Angkor Thom , the iconic Angkor Wat and lastly Ta Prohm made famous by the movie “Tomb Raider”.

Our tour had come to an end. We explored Vietnam from North to South and into Cambodia. We sailed on Halong Bay, canoed, swam, fished in local rivers, ate amazing food, shopped, explored the Mekong River, sailed on sampans, rode bikes, cyclos, Vespas and many a tuk tuk, along with these treasured experiences is the laughter, time shared and life long friends made with 15 amazing sisters xo

Hostess Dawn Caputo