The temples of Siem Reap are one of the highlights of Cambodia and South East Asia. We generally try not to do the same activity twice, but while I had explored the temples of Angkor in 2014, Ben had never seen them, so we had always intended to go back. After all, you can’t go to Cambodia and skip it.
Ninh Binh Provence is located in central north Vietnam and has some of the most spectacular natural beauty in South East Asia. A designated UNESCO world heritage site, the Trang An Landscape Complex encompasses the beautiful limestone karst peaks of Trang An, as well as two of our favourite things in Ninh Binh, the Bich Dong Pagoda and Bai Dinh Temple. While you’ll need a tour or motorbike to see the temples and Pagoda, a Trang An boat tour is the perfect way to see the ‘Halong Bay of the land’. There are so many things to do in Ninh Binh, you don’t want to miss it.
The Imperial City of Hue is one of the biggest draw cards for travellers visiting Vietnam. Construction of the Imperial City began in 1804 under Emperor Gia Long, the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Surviving 143 years and 14 emperors the Nguyen dynasty came to an end when Emperor Bao Dai abdicated the throne and transferred power to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The tombs of the Emperors are in various places around Hue and are equally as impressive as the Imperial City itself. If you’re wondering which tombs to visit in Hue, here is a run down on the best tombs in Hue.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of My Son is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in South East Asia. Once the political and cultural epicentre of the Champa Kingdom, what remains is a beautiful complex of ruins, laid out amongst the mountains.
Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is one of our favourite places in Vietnam. A stunningly beautiful national park with limestone karst mountains covered in forest, tropical landscapes, underground caves and rivers and the Phong Nha Botanical Garden, you could, and we did, spend days wandering through the region. The good news is, you do not need a guide if you’re able to ride a bicycle or motorbike and access the National Park on your own.
The world heritage listed Hoi An Ancient Town is a must see for most travellers in Vietnam. Located near the mouth of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An has managed to maintain the original layout and look of a 15th to 19th century port town. Not an easy feat in Vietnam! After spending two and a half weeks in Hoi An, we’ve put together a list of Hoi An Highlights as well as some information on the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket, which can be confusing at best!