Diary of Vietnam & Cambodia Trip

Vietnam & Cambodia 2018

Jul 14

Day 1

All safely on the plane ready to take off… let the adventure commence! Touched down in Changi Airport, Singapore for our connecting flight to Hanoi, Vietnam – lots of tired but excited travellers! All landed safe in Hanoi, Vietnam after a long but trouble free journey. The weather is helping us to feel right at home already.

Jul 15

Day 2

Out for our first meal in Hanoi, students diving into everything on the table: Rice, Vietnamese Pork Ravioli, Prawns, Calimari, Duck, Spring Rolls, Fish and Banana! Followed by a torrential downpour and the students’ highlight of the trip so far – wearing the nón lá (Rice Hat)!

Jul 16

Day 3

A walking tour of Hanoi, dodging mopeds, cars and trains, enjoying the Vietnamese chaos! Then coach ride to Hai Phong to have traditional dinner (complete with fish and chicken heads, chicken claws and fish teeth!), before birthday celebrations for five students. And relax…

Jul 17

Day 4

Visited a pearl farm, then on to Halong Bay. Unfortunately informed en route that the government had cancelled all tourist boats due to a Typhoon warning. Ate in a fantastic seafood restaurant before amending our itinerary to visit Tam Coc this evening, with our alternative activities planned for tomorrow. Students naturally disappointed not to be able to see Halong Bay but enjoyed our evening activities and excited for our alternative experiences tomorrow.

Jul 18

Day 5

Visited Tam Coc (three caves) and jumped aboard small rowing boats where Vietnamese oarswomen gently took us through the stunning limestone scenery and caves. Followed by a visit to the Cuc Phong national park, including the Primate and Turtle rescue sanctuary before heading back to Hanoi to eat another 7 course dinner and then jumping aboard the Reunification overnight sleeper train to Danang.

Jul 19

Day 6

Overnight train was a great experience – some managed more sleep than others during the 16 hours! Arrived in Da Nang, had lunch, visited the Cham sculpture museum and then on to Marble Mountain caves to visit temples within and on top of the mountain. Then to find out how silk is manufactured and the opportunity to buy bespoke silk products. More food than we could possibly eat (again!) and back for a swim in the hotel pool. Now some well-earned rest.

Jul 20

Day 7

A morning boat ride took us down the river from Hoi An to Câm Thanh for a cruise on traditional Coconut Boats through Palm lined waterways. From here we travelled to Tra Que vegetable farm where students worked the land and planted crops using traditional methods.

Students were then taught how to prepare duck and chicken for cooking using spices and herbs, before eating their creations for lunch. A traditional massage followed, then a cycle ride through rice paddy fields to An Bàng beach for a swim in the South China Sea.

Students then had a walking tour of the bustling and beautiful sights of Hoi An including the Japanese Bridge and the candlelit Thu Bôn river. Rest now for an early flight to Ho Chi Minh city in the morning.

Jul 21

Day 8

After an early flight we have arrived safely at Ho Chi Minh City Airport, a few students (and staff) a little bleary eyed but excited for another day of adventure!

Landed early in Ho Chi Minh where we headed to the Cu Chi tunnels that were used by the Vietnamese soldiers during the American War. Had chance to experience what life was like for those fighting including crawling through a 30m stretch of tunnel. Then headed back to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) to visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the harrowing experiences of the American War. Moving on we visited the French inspired Notre Dame Church and Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel in central Ho Chi Minh City.

Jul 22

Day 9

An early morning coach ride took us to the traditional Bên Tre market to get a taste of life in the Mekong Delta. From here we boarded a boat that meandered through Mekong tributaries stopping to give students a taste of local industries of brick making, coconut product production and on to a Mekong homestay for lunch. The group were then transported by Tuk Tuks that snaked along small jungle roads back to the coach for our transfer to Chau Doc in the Cambodian border ready for our journey up the Mekong into Cambodia tomorrow.

Jul 23

Day 10

Another early start and straight to Chau Doc wharf where we boarded our speedboat, taking us up the Mekong across the border into Cambodia and on into Phnom Penh. Disembarking straight into a riverside restaurant for our first taste of Cambodian cuisine.

A short coach journey took us to the most difficult and sombre experience of the trip; Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, the killing fields of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime. After settling into the hotel we ventured to a traditional Cambodian restaurant for deep fried ice cream.

Jul 24

Day 11

Landed safely at Siem Reap International Airport after a short 45minute flight from Phnom Penh.

A breakfast with a view at our hotel was followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, home of the king of Cambodia, and the Silver Pagoda. We then visited the National Museum of Fine Art with incredible statues from the Khmer empire dating back to the 9th century.

From here we visited Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple atop a manmade hill in central Phnom Penh. A short transfer after a buffet lunch to Phnom Penh airport for our flight to Siem Reap. Then to dinner and the hotel to rest and recharge (via the swimming pool for some!)

Jul 25

Day 12

Today we visited the ancient city of Angkor. First, we had a tour of the enormous Angkor Thom built in the C12th, before moving on to Ta Prohm wrapped in the roots of giant Banyan trees. Then on to the single largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat which we climbed in torrential rain to give striking views across the enormous complex. Following a swim back at the hotel we visited the night market in Siem Reap, and sampled some of the local delicacies before eating in a local restaurant.

Jul 26

Day 13

Our last day in Cambodia began with a boat trip to Tonle Sap; the largest fresh water lake in SE Asia. Here we experienced how the locals live and work on floating houses, markets and schools. We also visited a floating crocodile, fish, snake and bat farm.

After returning to Siem Reap we had our ‘last supper’ and said thank you and goodbye to our new friend Dan; our much loved guide for the trip. Have now landed safely in Singapore airport, waiting for our flight to London Heathrow.

Jul 27

Day 14

Landed safely at Heathrow Terminal 2. Onto the final leg of our journey.