Top 5

Top 5 - Indochina

Indochina is made up exclusively of the modern-day countries that make up the former French Colonial Empire - Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. These nations are some of the lesser-known regions of Asia and offer visitors a sense of adventure and discovery as they are relatively new to tourism in comparison to other areas.

The French influence is evident in all three countries to a certain degree and they all offer a small taste of Europe against an Asian backdrop, be it their colonial architecture, fascinating history or café culture. Vietnam is a wonderfully diverse nation from the industrious and modern Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the peaceful countryside of the Mekong Delta, and Cambodia and Laos are the ‘hot new’ Asian destinations.

Top 5 places to Visit

Some say Vietnam is like the Thailand of ten years ago and it certainly offers fabulous cuisine, laid back beach resorts and fast-paced cities, albeit with less tourists. It is however a captivating place to visit in its own right, encompassing a rich history, unique geography stretching from Hanoi in the north to the Mekong Delta in the South.

Don’t miss the energetic city of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) well-known for fabulous shopping and its colonial centre and the elegant capital city, Hanoi, with its tree-lined boulevards and colonial squares for a taste of city life. Those wanting to relax should spend time travelling through the narrow waterways of the Mekong Delta, perhaps staying with a local family and seeing the old traditional ways still very alive.

Laos is one of the least travelled destinations in Asia, which is the major part of its attraction. Stepping back in time to a bygone era is part of its charm. Breathtaking scenery, weathered colonial cities, ancient temples and culture and the mighty Mekong River characterise this country. The sleepy capital city, Vientiane, on the banks of the Mekong River will be on most itineraries. Offering a glimpse of what Asian life would have been thirty years ago the city is small enough to handle on foot and features many ancient temples.

The city of Luang Prabang is well-worth visiting and is a UNESCO world heritage city. Surrounded by mountains and at the junction of the Mekong and Khan River, it is the jewel of Indochina.

Neighbouring Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is most well known for its ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor. The site is home to one of the world’s most spectacular religious monuments, Angkor Wat, which is one of the major highlights for any visit to this region. In a category of its own there is no other historical site in South East Asia that matches its grandeur.

Spread over 300km and surrounded by dense rainforest, the temples of Angkor were mostly built between the 9th and 13th centuries as temples of state to serve the Devarja cult that pervaded the prevailing Hinduism of this time. History lovers will be thrilled with a visit to the capital, Phnom Penh which offers many cultural and historic sites including Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace and monuments and museums documenting the dark days of the Khmer Rouge.

Thailands Climate

You can comfortably visit Indochina at any time of the year as there will always be somewhere that is pleasantly sunny and warm. In Vietnam, the climate generally gets cooler the further north you travel and temperatures are by and large hot and humid, around 30°C. Vietnam’s weather is determined by two monsoons. The winter monsoon between October and March brings wet and chilly winters to areas north of Nha Trang but warm temperatures to the south.

The summer monsoon from May to October creates humid weather and plenty of rain to the whole country (except those areas protected by mountains) with June to August being the wettest months. Laos has two distinct seasons; May to October is wet and November to April is dry, with temperatures varying according to altitude. Temperatures are consistently high throughout the year. In Cambodia, the hottest month is April when temperatures often reach 40ºC. The wettest months are between May to October.