The Best Travel Destination In Asia

Halong Bay - Vietnam

Author: Dusty Baldwin

Let us take a tantalizing glimpse at just some of the countries.

Thailand - Land of Smiles. Often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. A visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for sure. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai. From pristine beaches in the Southern Islands to the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

India - Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. India Gate, an imposing structure, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi. The Red Fort Delhi, a masterpiece of architecture, is a popular spot. A trip to India would not be complete without a visit to Agra, famous as the site of one of the world's most romantic, graceful and photographed buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos - Three small countries neighboring Thailand. Each opens a different world of exploration. Cambodia - the highlight is visiting Angkor Wat, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century. Vietnam - is a varied country, offering beaches, mountains and hundreds of years of history from the ancient Cham Towers to remnants from the Vietnam War. Laos - savor the crafts, culture and hospitality of Laos with a river trip, visits to ancient temples, gorgeous palaces, and traditional villages.

Nepal - Adventure, travel, trekking, birding, wildlife, and cultural & overland Safaris. Take an air flight along the Himalayas and view magnificent Mount Everest. Nearby, discover the serene beauty of Tibet, the country which inspired the Dalai Lama.

Indonesia - Jakarta, the capital city of the world's fourth most-populous nation. Bali is Indonesia's main holiday destination. Flores is a pretty lush green island with forests, palm and banana trees, rice fields and many volcanoes. Highlights are the three small offshore islands of "Gillis" that invite snorkeling, diving and relaxing. For hikers, a climb to the top of the volcano Rijani.

Philippines - An island nation comprising over 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.Manila, the bustling capital has powerful reminders of the country's past, along with attractive parks, fine museums, and exhilarating nightlife. The Ifugao Rice Terraces are a testimony to the early technological advancement of the Ifugao people. Take a jeepney ride to the market. Be brave, try balut, a Philippine delicacy. Go diving in the Visayas.

Singapore - Shopping on famous Orchard Road, the dream of every woman. The Night Safari at Singapore Zoo is fabulous. Chinatown, a little glitzy, but you can buy all the souvenirs you want there. Interestingly, one of Singapore's most beautiful Hindu temples is smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. Decide if a Singapore Sling is worth the hype in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. There's more to Singapore than urban glitz, like rambling in the rain forest of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Japan - Tokyo is the capital city and home of the Imperial Residence and Emperor's Palace. Select a popular destination or region in Japan and explore its attractions. Ride the Bullet Train to the magnificent city of Kyoto. Visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park. Castles, temples, gardens, the list of top destinations in Japan is too long for this article..

Taiwan - Taipei, the country's booming, vibrant capital remains steeped in Chinese, Japanese and native Taiwanese cultures. Some of its most impressive sights include the Grand Hotel, topped by the largest Classical Chinese roof in the world, the Shihlin Night Market, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with the National Theater and Concert Hall located directly across from each other on the grounds. A popular day trip is Tailuge (Taroko Gorge), considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

Hong Kong - the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient. Nathan Road is lined with shops, restaurants, nightspots and cheap places to stay. If you're in Hong Kong with the little ones, they'll probably appreciate Ocean Park (aquarium), Water World (swimming pools and water slides), and of course Disneyland. If you're in Hong Kong for more than a few days, then there's plenty of outlying islands to discover.

It is often said that for the traveler that has seen it all and done it all, there is still Katmandu, Nepal. And, that too is in Asia!

If you do not visit Asia, you will be missing not only a paradise of affordable travel, but the chance to see an alternative living location. For retirees, it is luxury living for pennies, not just getting by on their pension. Asia, a paradise experience is waiting for you.

Learn about shade tolerant plants and periwinkle plant at the Types Of Plants site.

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Travel with Exotissimo Travel - Showing travelers Asia since 1993

Vietnam Tours                Cambodia Tours

Travelling Abroad to Take Photographs? Prepare Well With These Travel Tips

Author: DuncanNow

Planning a photography trip overseas? Travelling abroad to take photographs can lead to problems and mistakes. Here are some travel tips to help with the preparation.

Do plenty of research. Masses can be found on the internet and then there are good maps and books in the shops. Travel magazines can also be useful. Read about the country, the area and cities you are visiting.

Find a decent guide book which suits your style and approach and take it with you.

If you are in a major city, visit the country's tourist board and see what travel tips they have to offer.

Decide how you want to approach the area. Going to a completely new place, there can be so much of interest it's easy to snap away at everything. On my first visit to India, I decided to concentrate on transport and people at work – that gave me plenty for one trip.

Follow subjects you are interested in. Photographing subjects that matter to you can lead to more interesting images. Hobbies such as architecture, trains, embroidery, flowers, birds can all be found in foreign places.

Going for subjects you like rather than the obvious tourist stuff can be more successful and they might still sell well.

Check out the health risk of a country and region. Foreign Office web sites will have details about security levels in a country and what injections and pills are required or recommended.

Angkor Wat - Cambodia

Successful travel photography is really a solo business. It's virtually impossible if the partner or family is with you. They won't want to hang around while you wait for 4 hours to the light to change or go back to the same location several times until that surroundings are right.

The trip needs to be either for a holiday or for work.

Good planning of places to go means you can start as soon as you get there and you are less likely to be overwhelmed by the new surroundings. Make a checklist of places which are a definite must.

Learn some foreign phrases. The locals will love you for it and be more co-operative. It's also less lonely.

To be a serious travel photographer in certain areas, you must know at least some of the language. If you want to get involved with the distant tribes living an isolated existence in the mountains of Siberia and you don't speak Russian, then forget it – stick to the more usual places.

Ho Coc Beach - Vietnam

Travelling around in a car or camper van might have its conveniences but you will be cut off from the people and their way of life. Using public transport and staying in guest houses will bring you in touch with local people and other travellers. Meeting people this way is more interesting, will provide good tips and information and will generate better images.

Trim your camera equipment to essentials. Carrying several cameras and a mass of lenses is too much hard work and attracts a lot of attention. In theory, one camera and 2 or 3 lenses should be enough, but to avoid too much risk a second camera body will usually be the choice for most people. For anyone still using film, cameras can be loaded with different film speeds.

Try to have all your equipment as hand luggage; it's less likely to get stolen or damaged in transit.

Electronic cameras can still be unreliable in very extreme conditions and for anyone spending 2 months in the Canadian ice-lands, digital cameras which need recharging every few days, can be a problem. An old-fashioned mechanical film camera can be a life-saver.

Other essentials can be a mini tripod or monopod, spare batteries, polarizing filters, plenty of memory cards and a compass. With computers, it's no longer worth taking any filters other than a polarizer.

Western Cambodia

Some travellers like to take a mini hard drive to back up all their images.
For those who still prefer film for harsh difficult conditions, take much more than you are likely to need. That's an individual choice and can depend on how one is travelling and how much weight can be coped with; for example, those on animal safari will require long lenses.

Check all equipment thoroughly and clean digital sensors before you go. This might be impossible once you are on location.

Take small plastic bags which can be sealed to put gear into to protect from dust and water. Have small bags of silica gel in the plastics bags to absorb moisture.

Have a list of all the equipment with descriptions and serial numbers with your name and address and take it with you. If the equipment was recently purchased, taking copies of receipts should convince customs that import duty is not due.

Non-photographic needs can include medical plasters, multi-tool pocket knife, universal sink stopper, sewing kit, string for a clothesline, LED headlight torch (flashlight).
Some locations might require special permission for access – a good guide book should point this out. Permissions can often be obtained in advance from embassies or consulates.

In some countries it can be illegal to photograph places like bridges, airports, large satellite dishes, certain buildings and flags. It can be worth checking this with the embassy or tourist office beforehand.

Make a list of everything you need for a trip, clothes as well as gear, and keep it for future trips, adding new items as they are needed. This will save time on later occasions.

If you found this tip useful, more easy-to-use tips to improve your photography are available at ---- Photography Tips

About The Author:

Occupation: Photographer

Duncan Wherrett has been a professional photographer for many years.
Although he still use traditional film techniques for Arty pictures, everything else is digital now. He has been doing digital imaging for more than 10 years and is also a Photoshop instructor. http://www.photoshop-tutorials-plus.com/

Images By Adam Hurley

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Travel with Exotissimo Travel - Showing travelers Asia since 1993

Vietnam Tours                Cambodia Tours

Vietnamese Vegetarian Cuisine

Author: Tom Johnson

Vietnamese cooking is one of the most explosive in taste and flavor. It is considered my many well heeled vegetarian food chefs to be the most sought after food on menus that have a depth of the exotic. The Vietnamese menu is not known for its vegetarian meals, but there is much to offer if you substitute some creativity for the meat components. One of the funniest things about eating in Vietnam is the integration of their national faith. It is said that in the holy days of the lunar months, vegetarianism is widely practiced, and everyday recipes are adapted to make it a vegetarian affair to the delight of many.

Rice as a staple

Rice is the staple food found at almost every meal. Vietnamese cooking uses a lot of soy and tofu which replace meat in most of the vegetarian variants of dishes. Vietnamese recipes use a variety of herbs like mint, coriander, lemongrass, basil and others that add a unique tangy component. Due to a long farming history, fresh ingredients are always found in every meal. Everything from fruits and vegetables to the herbs used in vegetarian diets in Vietnam. There are three main varients of cusine in Vietnam. Cooking styles are Nothern, Central and Southern. Many meals have a fish sauce component that must be removed from the vegan or vegetarian ingredient list, but there are many substitutes that can replace this.

Between the rice, stir fried vegetable or steamed vegetables and the Cahn which is a clear broth of vegetables, there are soups with soy, garlic and chile to tingle your tastebuds. Vietnamese cuisine attaches great importance to the number five, as five spices are essentially there in the most important dishes as are five colors, and the food is meant to appeal to all the five senses of smell, color, taste , texture and sound. Traditional Vietnamese cooking, likewise covers five elements. Those being a powder, liquid, mineral elements, proteins and fat. Vietnamese food is celebrated for its clearly defined flavors. In all the dishes the individual flavors remain distinct while giving the dish an overall character of taste.

National food

The 'national dish', Pho, is an anise and chile flavored noodle soup which is perfect for vegetarians. If you include other dishes like Goi cuon which is a spring roll or Banh mi a bread roll or some crispy shallots mixed with fresh herbs called Banh uot, you've got the makings of a fine meal.

Noodle dishes like Banh Hoi (a thin noodle with spices and topped with onion), Bun Cha Gio (a combination of vermicelli topped with deep fried spring rolls) and a vegetarian variant of Mi quang (a noodle dish with lots of herbs, vegetables, spices and roasted rice) are some of the very best dishes that express the creativity in Vietnamese cuisine.

Noodle soups are a national favorite and come in a wide variety. Vegetarian variant like creamy potato soup and tamarind soup, called canh chuan am bo, are some of the best offerings for creamy type soups.

Standard and sticky rice are added with steamed vegetables more often than not, and make up the bulk of the Vietnamese diet. In the south, curries are popular that have bread, rice and noodles added for bulk. Dishes like pickled vegetables are pretty common that might be made from onion bulbs which are called Duah hanh or even carrots which are called Dua mon are pretty common Vegetarian sauces like Sriracha (hot chili sauce) and tuong made from soy are very popular too.

Raw vegetables

Vietnamese cuisine uses raw vegetables as condiments and are called rau song (raw vegetable) or rau ghem (sliced vegetable). Rau song is vital in dishes like banh xeo. Sometimes wild herbs and vegetables are added for their stronger flavor. Leaves are used generously and most of these leaves and vegetables have medicinal value as well. Rau song includes raw bean sprout, lettuce (xa lach), green banana, banana flower, and guava leaves.

Finishing

All these delicacies can be polished off with mouth watering desserts like Che (sweet beverage made from beans and sticky rice, which has many variants), deep fried banana, sinht (a fruit smoothie made with local fresh fruits, crushed ice, and condensed milk). Tea, coffee, and beer are common beverages, but are often not served until after the meal.

All in all, Vietnamese vegetarian food is not only for strict vegetarians but even hard core non vegetarians will be missing a lot if they don't try out Vietnamese vegetarian delicacies!

For more information on Vegetarian delights go to Vegan Heretic dot com.

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The Old Quarter: Hanoi’s Most Loved Place

Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Home to over 3 million people, Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and it has been so for about thousand years. Hanoi is recognised as the cultural hub of the nation since almost each and every dynasty has left behind its mark there.

Bia Hoi Corner in Hanoi's Old Quarter

Anyone visiting Hanoi will unquestionably head straight to The Old Quarter which is situated between the Lake of the Restored Sword to the south and the Long Bien Bridge to the North. The vivacious Old Quarter has about 40 streets selling various kinds of products. Prominent streets include Hang Quat, To Thinh Street, Lan Ong Street and Hang Ma.

Initially Hanoi was a mere snake and alligator infested swamp which was transformed in to a bunch of villages. These villages were combined with the building of walls by the Chinese rulers. Following this, the Chinese called the area "Protected South".

It was in the 11th century that Vietnam gained independence from Chinese rule. Following this, King Ly Thai To made Hanoi his capital. The king tried to restore the former Chinese palace which was located in the city, but his efforts were in vain.

During the early part of the 13th century, many commercial villages started to blossom around the palace. This development was a result of the transport routes that came to be connecting the village of workshops and the market which was situated between the palace and the Red River. With these expansions traders began to form companies and associations and thereby moved to the Old Quarter in Hanoi.

Each name of the streets in the Old Quarter begins with Hang which means merchandise and each street also specialises in one particular type of product or industry. The houses are generally narrow and they are called tube houses since the streets usually come with the shops at the front and the living areas at the back.

Hanoi experienced heavy conflicts until it gained liberation in 1954. However, the Old Quarter in Hanoi endured all trouble and even survived the bombings in 1972.

Today the Old Quarter boasts of many modern restaurants and shops plus it is complete with all essential facilities. Those who wish to further explore this superb area can plan their stay at a nearby Hanoi serviced apartment. Somerset Grand Hanoi is an outstanding Hanoi serviced accommodation that offers its guests a blend of pleasant and warm hospitality.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Halong bay cruise

Emeraude Experience on Halong Bay (Click on Image)

Author: Mekong Tours

The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that is the area of 434 sq. km with 775 islands. It looks like a giant triangle with Ðầu Gỗ Island (in the west), Ba Hầm Lake (in the south) and Cống Tây Island (in the east) as its three angle points. The nearby area is the buffer area and areas classified as national beauty spots in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Bhaya cruise Halong bay

Halong Bay is a legendary world just waiting to be explored. Bhaya combines oriental style with contemporary luxury. Together they are the perfect recipe for an enchanting and relaxing holiday. In 1917, Emperor Khai Dinh plied the waters of the Bay in a wonderful wooden junk. Almost a century later you too can embark on a voyage through time – in a ship recreated from the original designs and with impeccable service fit for a King. Reside in one of 40 luxurious cabins or suites, wine and dine in style and enjoy a relaxing – or exhilarating – array of onboard activities. The choice really is yours.

Paradise cruise Halong bay

Halong Paradise Cruises is proud of being the perfect product of luxury in Halong Bay, setting new standards with an internationally leaded team, spacious and smart designed cabins, and panoramic view balcony on selected cabins and exceptional personalized on board services

Victory star cruise Halong bay

Victory Star Cruise, newly established, luxurious and classic style junk cruises offers the perfect mix in traditional elegance and modern comfort, experience the world's natural heritage site Halong bay in style.

Red Dragon Cruise Halong Bay

Red Dragon Cruise on Halong bay has been launched in March, 2008 of 5 cabins for a small Vietnam offers you an interesting tour to Halong group tour or family travelers.

Jasmine cruise Halong bay

Launched in late 2007, the attention to detail and quality of design is apparent in every inch of this newly-built junk, artfully marrying space, rich 1930s Indochine-style wooden décor and exquisite ornamentation throughout its air-conditioned 24 bedrooms, restaurant, bars and communal spaces. Whether you want to throw a party on the terrace, enjoy an intimate candle-lit dinner in the Jasmine restaurant, or just relax and unwind in the Jasmine Spa, Halong Jasmine is the perfect way to enjoy the bay.

Ginger cruise Halong Bay

Halong Bay - Vietna

Enjoy local day-caught seafood well-cooked in Vietnamese marvelous cuisine in a spacious boutique dining room, inspire yourself with glass of wine admiring the brilliant sunset of the bay or simply relax with gentle pampering at Ginger spa after taking exercises in the Ginger gym.

Those are just available at Halong Ginger which is an ideal junk for family gatherings, honeymooners, or couples of friends who love to explore the exotic bay still enjoying, however, elegant comforts.

To be launched on 1st November 2009, our newest five star junk -the Halong Ginger -will be fitted out in the 1930’s Indochine style. It will feature a boutique dinning room, library and lounge, Spa & Gym and 6 individual theme cabins with marble bathroom, Jacuzzi and balcony.

Emeraude cruise Halong Bay

In 1910 a paddle steamer called the Emeraude was offering unforgettable cruises in Halong Bay for visitors to what was then French Indochina. The Emeraude was part of a flotilla owned by the Roque family who had left Bordeaux in 1858 in search of adventure and fortune. Over a period of more than 50 years they found both. After several ups and downs including successful trading and timber businesses, near bankruptcy and being taken hostage by pirates, the Roque brothers built Emeraude, Perle, Saphir, Rubis and Onyx to ferry passengers and freight along the waterways of Indochina and cruise on magnificent Halong Bay.

Violet cruise Halong bay

Enjoy local day-caught seafood well-cooked in Vietnamese marvelous cuisine in a spacious boutique dining room, inspire yourself with glass of wine admiring the brilliant sunset of the bay or simply relax with gentle pampering at Violet spa after taking exercises in the Violet gym. Those are just available at Halong Violet which is an ideal junk for family gatherings, honeymooners, or couples of friends who love to explore the exotic bay still enjoying, however, elegant comforts.

To be launched on 1st November 2009, our newest five star junk -the Halong Violet -will be fitted out in the 1930’s Indochine style. It will feature a boutique dinning room, library and lounge, Spa & Gym and 6 individual theme cabins with marble bathroom, Jacuzzi and balcony.

Paloma cruise Halong bay

The Paloma is a brand new Chinese wooden junk crewed by a professional, loyal and dedicated team. Spread over 4 decks she has 16 en-suite fully equipped luxury cabins, a bar with soft seating and plasma TV, gourmet restaurant, outside dining area, sundeck and luxury spa.

Come onboard The Paloma. Be charmed by her exquisite luxury, intimate setting and unrivalled home from home service. An unforgettable way to witness the serene, calm setting of Halong Bay's exceptional natural beauty.

Halong bay cruises | Halong bay kayaking

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Book Now And Save - Vietnam And Cambodia

Angkor Wat - Cambodia

Recently the Vietnam and Cambodia blog teamed up with Exotissimo Travel to bring you some of the best travel deals from around the region!

(See them here - Vietnam and Cambodia).

And to keep the ball rolling, the noodles steaming and you happy - Exotissimo are now offering some massive discounts on their tours and a whopping 27% of the Angkor Resort Retreat!

Basically - that's a bucket load of extra spending money for you!

So don't sit their looking at this, get clicking below and book yourself a Vietnam and Cambodia adventure! Offer ends soon.

Exotissimo Travel - Vietnam and Cambodia Tours

More than 20% off - Essential Cambodia and Vietnam Tour. Ends 30th Sept

Save 27% on Angkor Resort Retreat with Hotel de La Paix. Ends 30th Sept

Now just $750 to Join In Tour of Vietnam. Ends 18th Sept

For more tours head to the following pages - Vietnam Tours   Cambodia Tours

Water Puppets - Hanoi - Vietnam

The Advantages of Self-Guided Vietnam Travel

By Dwight Zimpel

The amazing friendliness of the Vietnamese, an amazing collection of unique cultures, awesome scenery throughout the nation and gorgeous calm beaches are the things travelers dream about. There are only a handful of countries that offer all of these and you can include Vietnam among these. Anyone can join an organized tour group through a travel agency. Why don't you do some research on your own, save some money and enjoy a personally planned experience of a life time - plan your own Vietnam travel.

A country with over 50 sub-cultures, awesome landscapes with sandy beaches, tropical weather and friendly hosts aren't found everywhere. Sure, you can enjoy these travel attractions by joining an organized tour or even hiring a private guide to escort you around the country, but both of these options create a barrier between you and the friendly locals.

Vendor - Hoi An, Vietnam

Vietnam has over 86 million people and is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. The two main concerns of travelers - heat and monsoon rains have been addressed in recent years. Modern accommodations and transportation with air conditioning are prevalent and many Vietnam travelers have decided to brave the inclement weather of the monsoons to enjoy some of the benefits the rains - mainly better "beach" weather when the rains of the day have passed.

A large variety of Vietnam hotels has emerged in the past few years - small family run "mini-hotels" to 5-star luxury resorts - make comfortable accommodations available to every travel budget. The "Backpacker Telegraph" provides access to bargain hotels by way of the internet and word-of-mouth. Spend a little time "surfing the web" and you'll find a wide range of places to spend a night or two to fit any budget.

Transportation "to and through" Vietnam can be financially managed by conducting a bit of research on the web. The large international carriers often offer great fares to various hubs in Asia. And the recent emergence of Asia's regional bargain carriers will provide that last "hop" into Vietnam if you can't manage to land in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi. Danang is now an arrival point for regional carriers from Thailand and other nearby countries.

In-country transportation can be arranged for a reasonable price by utilizing the "open tour" private tour bus industry, and if you're really adventurous you can try Vietnam's public bus system. Vietnam's railroads provide excellent transportation from one end of the country to the other. Both the private tour bus companies and the railroad provide a number of choices in the area of comfort. "Hard" and "soft" are the adjectives used to describe the levels of service available on the train. You might even chance a local trip on motorcycle or enjoy a trip around town on a cyclo.

Danang - Central Vietnam

If you're wondering what you do when you get to Vietnam, take a look at any Vietnam travel guide. There are "adventures" to meet the requirements of any traveler's abilities and desires. Providers of local tour services can be found "online", in travel guides, or "on the street" when you arrive in town. Waiting to arrange your tour until you're "on-site" will allow you to make last minute changes to your plans, stay a few extra days at someplace that catches your fancy or spend your money on something else. If you're on an organized tour you may end spending most of your time sitting near someone who's a pain.

Planning your own self-guided tour of Vietnam will not only benefit you financially, but also culturally. You'll not only save money, but you'll make some new Vietnamese friends along the way.

Dwight Zimpel, Your Vietnam Tour Guide, is a Vietnam Veteran and has made 7 recent trips to Vietnam. He has lived in the Middle East and traveled the world for the past 20 years. Your Vietnam Tour Guide.

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War Tourism in and Around Ho Chi Min City - The Top Three Sites

By Pamela Bradley

The Vietnamese government has admitted that it is promoting all its war history, but particularly the period it refers to as 'the American War'. Unless one is a military buff, a war historian or someone intimately associated with the Vietnam War, then the three sites in Ho Chi Min City mentioned below, are probably more than enough to satisfy the curious, and those - usually the young - who just want to know what the war was all about. However, visitors should be warned that they will be confronted by some extremely disturbing images, subjected to a fair degree of propaganda, and even experience a touch of Disneyland.

The War Remnants Museum was set up just five months after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975 and originally called the Museum of American War Crimes. Despite toning down the initial propaganda a little and changing its name, there is no doubt about the government's purpose: to show the war from the Vietnamese side and to highlight the monstrous atrocities perpetrated by the American military.

This museum is not for the feint-hearted and no one could possibly leave it unscathed. It is not the tanks, planes, helicopters and bombs displayed in the courtyard that horrify visitors. It is the images of the long-term effects of the chemical dioxin in Agent Orange and the phosphorous and napalm bombs that burnt everything they touched, plus the jars of deformed foetuses, that shock and sicken the viewer. It is the gruesome photos of the My-Lai massacre, of laughing American GIs as they be-head Vietcong soldiers, and the piles of shot babies and pregnant women, that will never be forgotten. Then there are the tools of torture and the tiger-cage cells in which Vietcong were kept as prisoners. Of course it was a war in which there were atrocities on both sides.

The Reunification Palace, once the home of four Vietnamese presidents, is a relief after the War Remnants Museum despite its eerie atmosphere. It was the centre of the South Vietnamese Government's war effort until a North Vietnamese tank broke through the palace gates in April 1975, forcing the President to flee and bringing the war to an end. The tank can still be seen today. The palace is now a museum where visitors can watch a film on Vietnamese history full of the usual propaganda and visit the President's Receiving Room, the conferences room, communication centre and war room, as well as the tunnels in the basement.

The Cu Chi Tunnels, seventy-five kilometres north-west of Ho Chi Mi City, are part of a wider network of connecting tunnels stretching as far as the Cambodian border, that allowed the Vietcong to conduct surprise guerilla attacks against the American and South Vietnamese troops. The tunnel system, built on three levels, was like an underground city with command centres, hospitals, storage areas and weapons 'factories'. They incorporated vents, hidden entrances and a variety of gruesome booby traps.

Today, the Cu Chi area is like a theme park set in the jungle that has re-grown in the once bombed and defoliated area. After being shown an old black and white propaganda film, visitors are led down jungle paths by guides in green fatigues and women in black trouser suits. They pause at palm huts that display models wearing Vietcong clothing, at re-created booby traps and at weapons caches.

The guides point out vents, ask visitors to find hidden entrances and give them a chance to lower themselves through a narrow trap door. Two sections of the tunnel system have been renovated for tourism: widened, with limited lighting and marked booby traps. There is a shooting range where visitors can pay to try their skill with a variety of automatic weapons, including an AK-47. Of course, there is the inevitable souvenir shop where Vietcong paraphernalia can be purchased.

For those obsessed with all things military, there is a wider war itinerary that can be followed beyond Ho Chi Min City, in Central Vietnam around the cities of Danang and Hue. And for those who do not have the stomach for the grisly, there is always a visit to the Dogma Gallery that features a large collection of propaganda posters and revolutionary art, both originals and copies.

Pamela Bradley, also known as Zelda, is a noted author of nine books on ancient cultures and mysteries, historian, public speaker and passionate traveler. Follow her travels on http://www.zeldastravels.com/  and check out her profile, books, recent memoir, Nefertiti Street, as well as her observations on writing and women on http://www.pamelabradley.com/

Travel with Exotissimo Travel - Showing travelers Asia since 1993

Vietnam Tours                Cambodia Tours

Holiday & Travel Guide For Cambodia

Sightseeing

Siem Reap City in Cambodia has many tourist attractions, with a wealth of history and culture it is so inviting it drags you into Cambodia. By far the best way to see this country is back-packing, but if you haven't got a rucksack on your back then there are still many places around the tourist resorts to entice you to into this extraordinary land, this surely is a trip you will never forget.

Angkor Temple is one of the most impressive places to visit in Cambodia, inside this temple the walls are carved with Hindu mythology; it's absolutely fascinating even for those who are non religious. Angkor museum is full of cultural items depicting civilisation and the history of its people, in the exclusive gallery there are 1000 Buddha images. The Temple grounds in Angkor Thom were built around the 12th century. This inner royal city is just amazing. A few miles out of the city are the Wat Thmei Temple and Stupa which is a memorial to the Killing Fields near Siem Reap.

Take a ride out to the silk farm or one of Cambodia's orphanages where you will see some traditional dances being performed for you by the children, it's a great way to give something back and contribute to the financial support of the orphanages. Before you leave Cambodia you must take an excursion out to see the Kampong Phluk Floating Village, it's just amazing. If you have had enough of amazing Temples and Museums then you could go to the theatre or have a relaxing massage at one of the spas, or perhaps a dirt bike tour. Even taking a couple of cooking classes are quite a popular tourist activity and many of the restaurants offer these to tourists in small groups. Prices are very reasonable for the tours and excursions in and around the Siem City, but you will find things a lot cheaper further out into the villages.

Eating

You will have no trouble finding a restaurant in Siem Reap, there are hundreds of them. There are entire streets catering for tourists, selling a variety of international snacks and cuisine. You will find everything from fast food pizzas and burgers to the very traditional Cambodian curry. Many restaurants cater for vegetarians and food is very reasonably priced, in fact it's actually very cheap and even the more upmarket restaurants are very well priced, so it doesn't cost a lot to eat out. The hotels serve a variety of international foods but the best way to experience traditional Cambodian cuisine, like a fried hairy tarantula, is out in the towns and villages.

Nightlife

There is quite a lively area in the city with bars and nightclubs. Some of these are western owned and you can have a great night out if you have any energy left from all the day time activities.

Shopping

You will not be short of gifts and souvenirs to bring back home; Siem Reap has many small shops selling traditional handmade carved crafts and some beautiful silk items. There are some nice fashion items to be purchased as well, and many pieces of decorative art.

Beaches

There are no beaches in Siem Reap, but you can travel with one of the local tour companies or hire a car to take you to the nearest beach which is around 2 hours away.

Happy Holidays

Trevor Butler, co-founder and owner of holidayholiday.co.uk, specialists in cheap holidays and last minute holidays worldwide.

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Travel with Exotissimo Travel - Showing travelers Asia since 1993

Vietnam Tours                Cambodia Tours

Backpacking Vietnam

The most popular area to back packers is Pham Ngu Lao in the 1st - out of 16 - district of Ho Chi Minh City. In its strategic location close to the heart of the citym Pham Ngu Lao offers a long array of budget accommodations starting from as low as $5 per night.

History Museum, War Remnants Museum, Giac Vien Pagoda, Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market are just to name some of tourist attraction sites in Ho Chi Minh. Whilst it is not as beautiful as its northern counterparts, traveling from one tourism attraction site to another is quite easy in Ho Chi Minh. Forget the memory you may got from Hollywood movies about the war, Ho Chi Minh is safe, even to travel around at night.

One of the worth-to-visit sites is Notre Dame Cathedral. Built back in 1870 by French architect Jules Bourard, the cathedral has two 187-meters-high towers, making it one of the icon of Ho Chi Minh for decades. For natural attraction, Mekong Delta is the place to go. Here we can cruise along the river, interact with local people in the floating market, and enjoy beautiful rice field scenery along the river side.

For a different atmosphere we can leave the modern city life of Ho Chi Minh and go to Hoi An. Full of old architectural heritage, Hoi An brings you back to the previous century. Sipping Vietnamese tea at a sidewalk cafe in a full moon night, with colorful silk lampions, traditional music, local kids playing hacky sack, you will find yourself in a mystical ancient land.

Hoi An was once the most important port in South-East Asia and therefore in 1999 UNESCO declared it as one of the world's cultural heritage sites.

Pedestrians and bicycle riders will like Hoi An as motorbikes and cars rarely appear here. In addition to historical sites like The Japanese Covered Bridge which is the icon of Hoi An, Chuc Thanh Pagoda, and Museum of Folklore, Hoi An is also famous for its clothing home industry.

From Hoi An we can take a four hours bus trip to Hue, a city split into two parts by River Perfume. In the days of the Nguyen Dynasty, the northern side of Hue played an important role. The kings of Nguyen Dynasty ruled from The Forbidden Purple City at the northern side of Hue. The buildings of the ancient empire town remains as it was.

Other attractions in Hue include Thien Mu Pagoda, Dieu De National Pagoda, and the tomb of king Khai Dinh. Cruising River Perfume on a tourist boat is another way to enjoy Hue.

Exploring Vietnam will never get completed without going up north where popular tourism sites such as Halong Bay, Cat Bay Island, and Sa Pa hill are located.

Halong Bay offers impressive scenery of soaring karst, tropical forest, caves, and waterfalls. Hiking addicts should find themselves in paradise at Sa Pa. Located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, Sa Pa has beautiful hill and terraced rice field scenery as well as unique local traditional life.

So much Vietnam has to offer for backpackers, you can also enjoy it in style. Forget budget accommodations and rent a Vietnam villas for ultimate luxury experience. More than luxury accommodation you can also get customized tours perfectly suited to preference by personal butler.

Adi has been spending more than five years focusing on helping his clients in private villa and holiday rental industry in Asia-Pacific to gain better online exposure. Combination of information technology and marketing backgrounds brought him to become the man behind most commercially successful websites. Find more about Adi at his blog adiarifin.com

Travel with Exotissimo Travel - Showing travelers Asia since 1993

Vietnam Tours                Cambodia Tours

Cambodia – General Travel Info

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap - Cambodia

Climate

The best time of the year of the visit the Kingdom of Cambodia is during the cooler months of November – March. During the time between May to early November you should expect rain. Though as is normal with the tropics, rain is normally short and heavy!

If exploring remote areas of Cambodia during the wet season, caution should be taken as roads are muddy, slippery and sometimes impassable.

Time

Cambodian time is +7 hours GMT.

Currency

Cambodia uses the local currency called Riel, however the USD is widely used and accepted everywhere, from 5 star hotels, supermarkets and on the street.

The current exchange is approx. 4,000R = 1USD.

Banking

You can get cashed up at most banks with cash advances (you need your passport) or you can hit the ATM machines around the bigger cities.

Money is easily obtained in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, however it can be harder in other towns, so carry extra cash.

ATM’s dispense USD only. ANZ Royal is the best bank in Cambodia.

Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh

Visa

Visa’s can be brought at the airport in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, along with the land crossings. Tourist Visas cost $20 - $25USD and you will need 1 passport photo. Payment is by USD only.

You can also apply for visas online and at any Cambodian Embassy around the world.

Members of some ASEAN Nation do not require a visa for Cambodia. Visa costs and regulation change regularly, as do land crossings, check online or with fellow travellers when setting off!

Killing Fields - PP

Domestic Travel

Travel around Cambodia is very easy and reasonably priced. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Airports have both domestic and international terminals. Taxi's and tuk tuk are a plenty outside both terminals. 

Bus services ply the highways through out the country allowing for very cheap travel and taxi’s (shared or private) are also available.

Motor bikes and bicycles are also a very popular mode of transport for those wanting to get off the beaten track.

Check out local publications and magazines for travel agent listings, current timetables and fares for buses and planes.

Electricity

Cambodia operates on 220 Volts and use 2 or 3 pin power points. Most hotels have power adaptors or you can buy locally at markets. More Info on Cambodia power points and electricty here

Communications

Ton Le Sap Lake - Siem Reap

Phone – Local sim cards can be brought easily in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Domestic calls are cheap. You can also make local calls using the phone stands on the street. Look for the brown glass boxes with a series of numbers on it! International calls are very expensive.

Internet – Internet can be found in almost every town. Speed and reliability vary greatly. Most hotels, cafes and restaurants in the larger cities offer wifi. Skype and a like offer cheap means of communicating internationally.

Post – Cambodia Postal services have a really bad name and should be avoided. Wait until you arrive in Vietnam or Thailand to post things home.

If you want to visit the amazing sights of Cambodia, check out these great tours on offer - Cambodian Tours!

Agent Orange: Its affects in the Vietnam War and After

Author: Gary Haiji

The Vietnam War, or also referred to as The Second Indochina War, started on September 26, 1959 and lasted until April 30, 1975. The war was between the communist North Vietnam and the government of South Vietnam, taking place in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. In 1959, two US military advisors were killed by Viet Minh guerillas in South Vietnam, and were the first American deaths in the Second Indochina War, starting what we know today as the Vietnam War. The US entered this war along with other anti-communist nations supporting the South Vietnam government to help prevent the takeover of South Vietnam. The 16 year cold war killed over 58,000 Americans with over 153,000 wounded, leaving an estimated 1800 still unaccounted for today.

Various war weapons were used in the Vietnam including herbicides. These herbicides were developed for the military to help reduce plant and vegetation in dense terrains, bringing the enemy out of hiding and protecting the American troops and their allies from ambush. They were also used to destroy any food crops that the Viet Cong relied on to feed their army of soldiers. Statistics show that over 20 million gallons were sprayed with 15 different herbicides, some being color coded arriving in barrels, and all supposedly with no harmful effects to humans. The spray was released from airplanes, helicopters, trucks, and soldiers carrying backpack sprayers. Little did anyone know at this time, that more tragic history surrounding the Vietnam war was about to unfold, and the name of the devil was Agent Orange.

Agent Orange was a code name for the barrel with the orange colored steel band. Chemically, it is a 50/50 mixture of two different herbicides, 2, 4-D, and 2, 4, 5-T, and 11 million gallons of this toxic defoliant was used between 1965 through 1970. Over 6,000 missions, with 10% being over Vietnam, were sprayed with Agent Orange, and some in Cambodia and Laos to utilize the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which was a key supply route for the Viet Cong. Agent Orange killed vegetation of all types including the root systems, leaving barren trees and undergrowth blackened and foul smelling.

One of the components of Agent Orange was a chemical called Dioxin, which today is considered to be one of the most dangerous substances in the world. Dioxin is also known as TCDD, which caused a variety of adverse health effects in lab animals, and has been linked to numerous potentially dangerous and deadly health problems. The World Health Organization has since classified the chemical Dioxin as a known human carcinogen which can damage sensitive parts of the body like the endoctrine, immune, and nervous systems.

Many Americans still continue to suffer from different health problems due to Agent Orange and Dioxin with some being passed on down to their children with various complications. In 1978 the Veterans Administration set up a program to help veterans with their needs from being exposed to Agent Orange. Some of the effects from this devastating chemical are as follows:

- Skin irritation and some skin diseases like Chloracne
- Nerve disorders including peripheral neuropathy
- Type 2 diabetes
- Miscarriages in women
- Birth defects, some physical deformaties and Spina Befida
- Neurological disorders
- Cancers

Lawsuits have been filed accusing the chemical companies of war crimes because they sold Agent Orange to the military and companies such as Monsanto, Hercules, Dow, and Diamond Shamrock knew about the dangers of the herbicide but did not reveal them. In 1984 a huge class-action lawsuit was settled in the U.S. courts, with seven U.S. companies agreeing to pay a total of 180 million dollars to 291,000 people, with most of them being Vietnam war veterans. The final settlement which included interest was around 240 million dollars. The tragedy surrounding Agent Orange with Dioxin still goes on today.

Anthony is a history buff from Silver Spring, MD. If you're looking to get some more information and purchase vietnam veteran gifts, check out his site at http://www.priorservice.com.

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Travel insurance: simple and flexible

You can buy, extend and claim online even after you've left home. Recommended by Lonely Planet, World Nomads travel insurance is available to people from over 150 countries and is designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and activities such as skiing and snowboarding.

Nightlife in Phnom Penh – Get Ready to Dance the Night Away

Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Touted as the crossroads of Asia’s past and present, this metaphorical phoenix city has been reborn out of the ashes with a new lease in life. Exotic and mystical, adventurous

and modern, the city of Phnom Penh is a charming destination. With the sights and sounds of life in this sprawling city reverberating throughout the streets that are always busy, one can never know what to expect when rounding the next corner. Yet retaining vestiges of an older Asia, it has managed to remodel itself into a stylish city with its own flavor and flair.

Night life in Phnom Penh also has the same aura of exotic vibrancy as the city itself. An unexpectedly colorful party town, there are clubs, bars and restaurants galore that are often open until well past the midnight hour. The city’s small geographical area working in its favor ensures that almost all of these places are less than 1hours drive away from each other, thereby affording the luxury of visiting many of these places all on the same night.

The Riverfront Area has the most amounts of restaurants and bars placed along the Sisowath Quay. With more than enough places to bar hop – if you are in a mood for it, Street 51 between Streets 154 and 174 is an extremely hip place to be. Being the busiest after midnight, most places are open till dawn and bars such as the Zeppelin Café, Walkabout, and Howies crowd together along a couple of bocks as well as many food wagons serving all manner of fast food. For live music, the Memphis Pub is a must visit. Serving up live rock and roll and blues on allocated days, it’s a place where you can just relax and lounge the night away. The lobby bars at the major hotels also offer up live band with music.

After an exhausting night around town, it’s always nice to come back to a relaxing and comfortable bed and beyond par service that will pamper your senses and refresh you for the day ahead. A five star hotel Cambodia that will effortlessly provide all guests with this luxury is the Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Situated in 92 Rukhak Vithei Duan Penh, this Cambodia hotel is located at the very heart of Phnom Penh offering easy access to the city’s attractions.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1573870_29.html

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Travel insurance: simple and flexible
You can buy, extend and claim online even after you've left home. Recommended by Lonely Planet, World Nomads travel insurance is available to people from over 150 countries and is designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and activities such as skiing and snowboarding.

Temple of Literature – Walk through knowledge

Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

The city of Hanoi in Vietnam proudly claims ownership to the Temple of Literature. During the French colonization it was known as ‘Pagode des Cordeaux’ and in Vietnamese it is called ‘Van Mieu-Quac Tu Cian’. It was made in honour of a philosopher called Confucius and also six years later it opened the first ever university in Vietnam.

The temple dates back to 1070 though some parts of it were built in later years in the Dynasties of Ly (1010 – 1225) and Tran (1225 – 1440). The National University was opened in 1076, to teach the young students of royalty and aristocracy and boasts of a long and rich history.

The temple consists of five courtyards laid in an orderly fashion with walls separating them. The first two courtyards provide an undisturbed surrounding filled with shady trees to individuals who wish to get away from the commotion of the city and enjoy some quiet time. The third entrance, a large pavilion, contains the Thien Quan Ting or ‘Well of Heavenly Clarity’ and on the two sides of the pond are stone slabs mentioning the students who have received their doctorate from the university. Each of these stones lies on top of a black tortoise statuette and have the names and birthplaces of 1306 students inscribed.

The fourth courtyard was a tribute to the high ranking students, but now has the offices, gift shop and a small museum displaying personal possessions of past students. The building also has a hefty statue of Confucius. The main university lies in the fifth courtyard, which is called Thai Hoc. Though the Temple of Literature has gone through many changes over the years its beauty has not faded.

To enjoy the beauty of Hanoi and the Temple of Literature, it definitely takes more than a day. The best way there is to enjoy the temple is at your own relaxed time by staying at apartments in Hanoi. To enjoy the quiet open-air environment while staying at a Hanoi accommodation is truly a luxury. With a scenic view of West Lake and close proximity to schools, shopping and entertainment, Somerset West Lake offers safe and secure private accommodation.

All images by Adam Hurley

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Travel insurance: simple and flexible

You can buy, extend and claim online even after you've left home. Recommended by Lonely Planet, World Nomads travel insurance is available to people from over 150 countries and is designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and activities such as skiing and snowboarding.