Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong

Hanoi is a hectic collage of sights, sounds and smells. Masses of motorbikes roar down roadways, and bike and car horns are constantly honking. Women wearing traditional conical straw hats carry poles with baskets on each end, small shops overflow with colourful embroidery, food vendors sell cooked pigeons with their heads still on, and signs cover buildings. For more than 4,000 years, from a humble fishing village to a busy seaport, the city has thrived along the banks of the Red River in Northern Vietnam. The seaport was given the name Ha (river) Noi (in) by King Minh Mang in 1831. Hanoi is the country's intellectual and cultural heart that draws the best and brightest artisans from around the country. Many streets in the old district are named after the products made there at one time, and you can still come across shrines here and there dedicated to an artisan's god. As the northern capital, Hanoi was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War. Still, there are reminders of the past, including French colonial architecture and 1,000-year-old temples and pagodas. The capital city, home to 6.5 million people, boasts parks with gnarled banyan trees and many lakes, some peppered with swan boats. The Hoa Lo Prison or "Hanoi Hilton" where U.S. Sen. John McCain was imprisoned as a POW is now the site of a high-rise. Really nice hotels and high-end shopping also beckon tourists. Most cruise travellers reach Hanoi via Halong Bay where most of the large cruise ships anchor. The bay itself is one of Vietnam's most celebrated attractions, with about 2,000 limestone islands that make up a spectacular natural UNESCO World Heritage site. A trip on the water of the bay is the kind of awe-inspiring experience travellers crave. Sit in a Vietnamese junk (boat) on silk couches and drink green tea or local beer as you cruise into the mist of the large bay, past giant, craggy limestone formations protruding from the sea. According to legend, a dragon sent by the gods to help the Vietnamese fight Chinese invaders, fell into the bay and formed the islands. In fact, these islands have seen their share of warring -- the bay is in the Gulf of Tonkin, where Vietnamese and U.S. forces first fought. The islands are mostly uninhabited, and many form odd shapes -- one looks like a man's face in profile, another like two roosters fighting. Their sheer cliffs and otherworldly presence has inspired writers, poets and artists. And it's easy to see why. The place is magical.

Hanoi is a hectic collage of sights, sounds and smells. Masses of motorbikes roar down roadways, and bike and car horns are constantly honking. Women wearing traditional conical straw hats carry poles with baskets on each end, small shops overflow with colourful embroidery, food vendors sell cooked pigeons with their heads still on, and signs cover buildings. For more than 4,000 years, from a humble fishing village to a busy seaport, the city has thrived along the banks of the Red River in Northern Vietnam. The seaport was given the name Ha (river) Noi (in) by King Minh Mang in 1831. Hanoi is the country's intellectual and cultural heart that draws the best and brightest artisans from around the country. Many streets in the old district are named after the products made there at one time, and you can still come across shrines here and there dedicated to an artisan's god. As the northern capital, Hanoi was heavily bombed during the Vietnam War. Still, there are reminders of the past, including French colonial architecture and 1,000-year-old temples and pagodas. The capital city, home to 6.5 million people, boasts parks with gnarled banyan trees and many lakes, some peppered with swan boats. The Hoa Lo Prison or "Hanoi Hilton" where U.S. Sen. John McCain was imprisoned as a POW is now the site of a high-rise. Really nice hotels and high-end shopping also beckon tourists. Most cruise travellers reach Hanoi via Halong Bay where most of the large cruise ships anchor. The bay itself is one of Vietnam's most celebrated attractions, with about 2,000 limestone islands that make up a spectacular natural UNESCO World Heritage site. A trip on the water of the bay is the kind of awe-inspiring experience travellers crave. Sit in a Vietnamese junk (boat) on silk couches and drink green tea or local beer as you cruise into the mist of the large bay, past giant, craggy limestone formations protruding from the sea. According to legend, a dragon sent by the gods to help the Vietnamese fight Chinese invaders, fell into the bay and formed the islands. In fact, these islands have seen their share of warring -- the bay is in the Gulf of Tonkin, where Vietnamese and U.S. forces first fought. The islands are mostly uninhabited, and many form odd shapes -- one looks like a man's face in profile, another like two roosters fighting. Their sheer cliffs and otherworldly presence has inspired writers, poets and artists. And it's easy to see why. The place is magical.

The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh overlooks three bustling rivers -- the Mekong, Tonle Sap and the Bassac -- which boast crowded riverfronts that beckon with street food vendors lining the parks, selling everything from spiced curries to noodle bowls. Time seems to have passed Phnom Penh by. Visitors will see colonial French architecture untouched by modern-day life, beautifully wrought pagodas with sparkling ornamentals and staggering monument complexes that have forever made Cambodia famous. Your first few moments in the city will be an onslaught to the senses with the sounds of motorbikes darting through traffic, the smells of different street food stalls hanging in the air and the ever-changing buzz of monks in orange robes passing by as locals push past you to get to the market or work. It can be overwhelming, but once you get a handle on the city's gritty, pulsating heartbeat, it's nearly impossible to not fall in love with the old-style charm and fortitude of Phnom Penh. Unlike that of Siem Reap, the allure of Phnom Penh lies in the city's resilience, rather than its temples. Shattered by war and revolution, the city has spent the better part of 30 years trying to rebuild. Although the city and its people have fought to shed the demons of their past, stark memorials to the reign of Pol Pot are all over the city, and sadness hangs over every monumental landmark, from the Killing Fields to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Visiting these places is crucial to understanding the horrifying history that still plagues so many Cambodians -- lessons often overlooked in Western history.

The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh overlooks three bustling rivers -- the Mekong, Tonle Sap and the Bassac -- which boast crowded riverfronts that beckon with street food vendors lining the parks, selling everything from spiced curries to noodle bowls. Time seems to have passed Phnom Penh by. Visitors will see colonial French architecture untouched by modern-day life, beautifully wrought pagodas with sparkling ornamentals and staggering monument complexes that have forever made Cambodia famous. Your first few moments in the city will be an onslaught to the senses with the sounds of motorbikes darting through traffic, the smells of different street food stalls hanging in the air and the ever-changing buzz of monks in orange robes passing by as locals push past you to get to the market or work. It can be overwhelming, but once you get a handle on the city's gritty, pulsating heartbeat, it's nearly impossible to not fall in love with the old-style charm and fortitude of Phnom Penh. Unlike that of Siem Reap, the allure of Phnom Penh lies in the city's resilience, rather than its temples. Shattered by war and revolution, the city has spent the better part of 30 years trying to rebuild. Although the city and its people have fought to shed the demons of their past, stark memorials to the reign of Pol Pot are all over the city, and sadness hangs over every monumental landmark, from the Killing Fields to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Visiting these places is crucial to understanding the horrifying history that still plagues so many Cambodians -- lessons often overlooked in Western history.

The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh overlooks three bustling rivers -- the Mekong, Tonle Sap and the Bassac -- which boast crowded riverfronts that beckon with street food vendors lining the parks, selling everything from spiced curries to noodle bowls. Time seems to have passed Phnom Penh by. Visitors will see colonial French architecture untouched by modern-day life, beautifully wrought pagodas with sparkling ornamentals and staggering monument complexes that have forever made Cambodia famous. Your first few moments in the city will be an onslaught to the senses with the sounds of motorbikes darting through traffic, the smells of different street food stalls hanging in the air and the ever-changing buzz of monks in orange robes passing by as locals push past you to get to the market or work. It can be overwhelming, but once you get a handle on the city's gritty, pulsating heartbeat, it's nearly impossible to not fall in love with the old-style charm and fortitude of Phnom Penh. Unlike that of Siem Reap, the allure of Phnom Penh lies in the city's resilience, rather than its temples. Shattered by war and revolution, the city has spent the better part of 30 years trying to rebuild. Although the city and its people have fought to shed the demons of their past, stark memorials to the reign of Pol Pot are all over the city, and sadness hangs over every monumental landmark, from the Killing Fields to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Visiting these places is crucial to understanding the horrifying history that still plagues so many Cambodians -- lessons often overlooked in Western history.

Sa Đéc is a captivating destination that enchants tourists with its vibrant charm. Nestled in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, this idyllic town boasts breathtaking landscapes of lush green fields and winding waterways. Visitors can explore the renowned flower markets, where colourful blooms permeate the air with their intoxicating fragrance. The town's rich cultural heritage is evident in its French colonial architecture and ancient pagodas, offering a glimpse into its fascinating history. Sa Đéc is truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Sa Đéc is a captivating destination that enchants tourists with its vibrant charm. Nestled in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, this idyllic town boasts breathtaking landscapes of lush green fields and winding waterways. Visitors can explore the renowned flower markets, where colourful blooms permeate the air with their intoxicating fragrance. The town's rich cultural heritage is evident in its French colonial architecture and ancient pagodas, offering a glimpse into its fascinating history. Sa Đéc is truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

With its scenic riverside views, lush fruit orchards, and bustling floating markets, Mỹ Tho offers a delightful glimpse into Vietnamese culture and the vibrant daily life of locals. A boat trip along the canals is a must-do experience.

Ho Chi Minh City, on the Saigon River just a few miles from the South China Sea, has evolved from its roots as a small Khmer fishing village in the early 1600s. In its earliest days, the city welcomed Vietnamese refugees who had fled from the north to escape a civil war; they in turn helped to develop the village into a thriving seaport, eventually renamed Saigon. In the mid-1800s, France took over much of the country and developed the city further with French architecture, culture and a unique blend of cuisine. Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976. Many locals still use the name Saigon, and you'll find it on T-shirts in the markets. With nearly 13 million inhabitants, it's the largest city in Vietnam and drives the country's economic engine. It's fast-paced, innovative and quite chaotic. Skyscrapers rise across the landscape alongside brightly coloured Buddhist and Hindu temples and French colonial buildings. The city proper rises on one side of the Saigon River, while one- and two-story, low-rise houses and commercial enterprises line the opposite bank. Most cruise ships call during the dry season, which lasts from November through April. Temperatures at this time range from a low of about 70 to highs in the 90s, with high humidity, too. And while many Americans are most familiar with the city from its role as a major site during the Vietnam War, a trip to Ho Chi Minh City is much more than a visit to a former war zone. Today, French-style wide boulevards lined with elegant buildings remain a hallmark of the city. It's a vibrant destination offering cruisers great shopping, exciting cultural and historic treasures, and friendly people.

Ho Chi Minh City, on the Saigon River just a few miles from the South China Sea, has evolved from its roots as a small Khmer fishing village in the early 1600s. In its earliest days, the city welcomed Vietnamese refugees who had fled from the north to escape a civil war; they in turn helped to develop the village into a thriving seaport, eventually renamed Saigon. In the mid-1800s, France took over much of the country and developed the city further with French architecture, culture and a unique blend of cuisine. Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976. Many locals still use the name Saigon, and you'll find it on T-shirts in the markets. With nearly 13 million inhabitants, it's the largest city in Vietnam and drives the country's economic engine. It's fast-paced, innovative and quite chaotic. Skyscrapers rise across the landscape alongside brightly coloured Buddhist and Hindu temples and French colonial buildings. The city proper rises on one side of the Saigon River, while one- and two-story, low-rise houses and commercial enterprises line the opposite bank. Most cruise ships call during the dry season, which lasts from November through April. Temperatures at this time range from a low of about 70 to highs in the 90s, with high humidity, too. And while many Americans are most familiar with the city from its role as a major site during the Vietnam War, a trip to Ho Chi Minh City is much more than a visit to a former war zone. Today, French-style wide boulevards lined with elegant buildings remain a hallmark of the city. It's a vibrant destination offering cruisers great shopping, exciting cultural and historic treasures, and friendly people.

Ho Chi Minh City, on the Saigon River just a few miles from the South China Sea, has evolved from its roots as a small Khmer fishing village in the early 1600s. In its earliest days, the city welcomed Vietnamese refugees who had fled from the north to escape a civil war; they in turn helped to develop the village into a thriving seaport, eventually renamed Saigon. In the mid-1800s, France took over much of the country and developed the city further with French architecture, culture and a unique blend of cuisine. Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976. Many locals still use the name Saigon, and you'll find it on T-shirts in the markets. With nearly 13 million inhabitants, it's the largest city in Vietnam and drives the country's economic engine. It's fast-paced, innovative and quite chaotic. Skyscrapers rise across the landscape alongside brightly coloured Buddhist and Hindu temples and French colonial buildings. The city proper rises on one side of the Saigon River, while one- and two-story, low-rise houses and commercial enterprises line the opposite bank. Most cruise ships call during the dry season, which lasts from November through April. Temperatures at this time range from a low of about 70 to highs in the 90s, with high humidity, too. And while many Americans are most familiar with the city from its role as a major site during the Vietnam War, a trip to Ho Chi Minh City is much more than a visit to a former war zone. Today, French-style wide boulevards lined with elegant buildings remain a hallmark of the city. It's a vibrant destination offering cruisers great shopping, exciting cultural and historic treasures, and friendly people.