Remarkable Tales

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Largely unspoilt, much of this land is mountains, mists and natural beauty, with charming cities, and it’s safe to say we’d go back in a heartbeat. Calm and tranquil, its saffron-robed monks moving silently between centuries-old monasteries, Luang Prabang is possibly the best-preserved city in this part of the world. For us, the most magnificent temple here was Wat Xieng Thong (The Golden Monastary) – within walking distance of the town, and situated above the point where the Mekong and Nam Khan River meet, this beautiful golden-clad temple is one of Laos’ most important, and an absolute delight to wander around.​

They flock here for its beautiful beaches, fascinating Khmer culture, absorbing cities like Phnom Penh (the modern day capital on the banks of the Mekong and perfect for an overnight stop if you’re heading over to Song Saa) and cultural centres like Siem Reap. We loved this place (especially staying at the extraordinary Amansara), it felt very relaxed and spiritual, with oodles of wow factor due to the mix of culture, vibrant restaurants and bars, great shopping, and lovely riverside setting. ​​

Its proximity to the lake means that you can use Siem Reap as a centre from which to take a boat trip on the lake to see some of Cambodia’s natural beauty, some interesting birdlife and the famous floating villages that are located on the lake. An Aqua Mekong cruise between July and November is also a great way to see some more of Cambodia without hopping on and off planes. 

​Ho Chi Minh City (previously known as Saigon) is Vietnam at its liveliest, where commerce and culture combine in a flurry of chaos. The locals are constantly on the move, and it’s another city of great contrasts, where gleaming skyscrapers rub shoulders with ramshackle wooden shops and old French colonial architecture. For a more leisurely way to see the city, take a Cyclo Tour. The guide sits in the saddle behind and pedals you around sites like the History War Remnants Museum; Reunification Palace, the replica of Notre Dame Cathedral and the local markets. Formerly known as the ‘Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes’, the History War Remnants Museum is a very interesting stop – it doesn’t pull any punches but it does give visitors a real insight into what happened during the invasions by France, China and the USA from the Vietnamese perspective.

​This is one of the region’s oldest trading centres and while its Old Quarter is beautifully preserved, the town’s quiet narrow streets are filled with cafés and up to 500 of Asia’s finest and fastest tailors (you can visit one of the local shops and have a made-to-measure outfit created for you within a matter of a few hours at very reasonable prices).