Indochina has it all for those who are looking for a truly Asian holiday.Beautiful beaches and deserted islands along Vietnam and Cambodia coastal lines, cruising opportunities in Halong Bay or along Mekong rivers, strolling historic alleys in world heritage towns of Luang Prabang or Hoi An. More than that, world class luxury hotels and resorts are all available for any pampering you need, amazing local cuisine and customs would definitely make your holiday an unique experience for a life time.
Hanoi
The best place to begin in Hanoi is with the city's top tourist draw - the Old Quarter. Here centuries of commerce can be charted amid labyrinthine streets and tiny alleyways.
Hanoi, however, isn't all about classic images of old Asia.
You’ll find classy lounges that wouldn’t be out of place in any world metropolis and bohemian hangouts where locals, foreign residents and visitors gather to soak in the atmosphere.
Nha Trang
While the main beach can get overcrowded on weekends and in late afternoon, the beach is pleasant and the town has plenty of decent options for drinking, dining and accommodation.
For something a bit more relaxed, the idyllic beaches of Doc Let and Jungle Beach are found north of the city. Spotless white sands can be found south toward Cam Ranh Airport.
Halong Bay
The jewel in Vietnam’s crown, Halong Bay retains its luster despite grumbles of eco-vandalism and overcrowding.The sight of the scattered jungle-covered outcrops of karst rising up from the emerald water is unforgettable.
While it's true that the Bay has become something of a victim of its own popularity -- many tours are predictable and yours will be one of hundreds of cameras trying to capture the majesty of the scenery at sunset, it remains an essential stop on any Vietnam itinerary.
Sapa
The towering mountains in the far north of Vietnam on the border with China offer some of the country’s most compelling visual and cultural stimuli.
The scenery is awe-inspiring, with Vietnam’s highest mountain, Fansipan (3,142 meters), dominating the view.
Sapa itself has a thriving tourism industry, meaning that it’s easy enough to hunker down at a bar or in a café on one of the frequent foggy days.
Hoi An
The UNESCO-protected ancient town is by far Vietnam’s most tourist-friendly destination. Even those who don’t particularly like the rest of the country usually come away with a good impression.
The narrow streets near the Thu Bon River are lined with beautifully preserved merchant houses, while narrow alleys lead to hidden temples and garden restaurants.
It’s Vietnam lite, but the great dining scene, easy access to nearby China Beach and sheer prettiness of it all defies cynicism.
The mountains of Oudomxay Province
The term wilderness is much misused, but it can truly be applied to much of Laos. The mighty Mekong river and its tributaries together create perhaps the single most important geographic feature of the country. Its meandering path in the North has created some of the most stunning limestone karsts anywhere on earth. The backpacker-central town of Vang Vieng is a commonly used base for exploring the karsts. Further north, the terrain becomes more hilly, and the jungle less explored. Luang Namtha is the far-northern town which makes the best base for those visitors who really want to see the truly remote Lao wilderness, and directly experience the lifestyles of the various hill tribes in this region.
Wat Sene at Luang Prabang
In this most Buddhist of nations, it is no surprise that temples are a key attraction. In the capital city of Vientiane, the three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. There are numerous other beautiful temples which on their own make a stay in the capital city vital for any visitor to Laos.
The whole of the ancient capital of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Befitting that status, this is a truly unique city. Beautifully preserved gilded temples with their attendant orange-robed monks mold almost seamlessly with traditional wooden Lao houses and grand properties from the French colonial era. Spotlessly clean streets with a thriving café culture on the banks of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, complete the picture of a city which is almost too pleasant to be true.
The Plain of Jars near Phonsavan
The Plain of Jars is a megalithic archaeological landscape dating from the Iron Age. Thousands of stone jars are scattered over a large area of the low foothills near Phonsavan. The main archaeological theory is that the jars formed part of Iron Age burial rituals in the area, but this is by no means proven, and a great deal of mystery remains. The area suffered tragic damage from American bombing during the secret war of the 1960s, and many unexploded bombs remain. When that process is complete it is very likely this will be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Wat Phu, Champasak
Wat Phu is a ruined Hindu Khmer temple complex in Champasak province. It dates from the 12th century and visitors who have been to Angkor Wat will notice the similarities.
Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple situated atop a 525 meter (1,722 ft) cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. It has the most spectacular setting of all the Khmer temples. Most of the temple was constructed in the 11th and 12th century during the reigns of the Khmer kings Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II. It was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Preah Vihear is the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, and several soldiers were killed in clashes in 2009.
Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Som, is a port city and beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand. The big attraction here are the white-sand beaches and several undeveloped tropical islands. Sihanoukville is a good place to relax and unwind, though be prepared to battle the crows during the high season or a holiday weekend.
Tonle Sap
Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and is of major importance to Cambodia. The lake expands and shrinks dramatically with the seasons. From November to May, Cambodia’s dry season, the Tonlé Sap drains into the Mekong River at Phnom Penh. However, when the year’s heavy rains begin in June, the flow of the Tonlé Sap changes directions and an enormous lake forms. Tonlé Sap is home to many ethnic Vietnamese and numerous Cham communities, living in floating villages around the lake.
Angkor
The greatest attraction in Cambodia and one of the most spectacular ancient sites on earth, Angkor is a vast temple complex featuring the remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century AD. These include the famous Angkor Wat temple, the world’s largest single religious monument, the Bayon temple (at Angkor Thom) with its multitude of massive stone faces and Ta Prohm, a Buddhist temple ruin entwined with towering trees.
Float down the Mekong
The mighty Mekong river crawls its way all the way from China, through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and on to Vietnam and is the livelihood for most Cambodians. There are various day trips you can do from Phnom Penh, such as visiting Oudong, the former capital.
Explore ancient temples and pagodas
Overwhelmingly beautiful Angkor Complex in Cambodia, tranquil pagodas in Luang Prabang Laos, and all over Vietnam are awaiting for you to discover.
Discover deserted beaches
Most people go to Thailand for a beach break, but few people know that Cambodia and Vietnam have got some stunning and deserted beaches as well.
Koh Rong, Sihanokville in Cambodia, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc, Con Dao in Vietnam will surely make your beach holiday fantasy a wonderful realitiy.
Shop at local markets
Local markets are in many in all three countries. You could find good bargains of excellent art works, handicrafts, ingrediants, even jewelries at affortable prices.
But remember to bargain hard.
Learn how to cook local food
Laotian and Cambodian, especially Vietnamese cuisine are one of the most varied and seductive on the planet.
Dont miss your chance to learn some of the signature dishese while you are there.
Drink Local Beers at unbeatable rates
Local beers are tasty and very cheap, under 1 USD for a pint of beer either in Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam.
Vietnamese "bia hoi" is probaly the world's cheapest beer, yet taste fantastic.
Explore the countries on a tuk tuk or motobike
In Laos or Cambodia, tuk tuk is the most common means of transport, motobike is the case for Vietnam.
Getting on these vehicles is one of the most fun experiences to many.
VIETNAM
The climate of Vietnam varies considerably from region to region. Although the entire country lies in the tropics and subtropics, local conditions vary from frosty winters in the far northern hills to year-round, subequatorial warmth in the Mekong Delta.
LAOS
The annual monsoon cycles that affect all of mainland Southeast Asia produce a ‘dry and wet monsoon climate’ with three basic seasons for most of Laos. The southwest monsoon arrives in Laos between May and July and lasts into November.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia can be visited at any time of year. The ideal months are December and January, when humidity levels are relatively low, there is little rainfall and a cooling breeze whips across the land, but this is also peak season when the majority of visitors descend on the country.