Popular for their delicately-flavoured cuisine, gentle Buddhist culture and rich heritage, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have a growing army of admirers, says Laura Gelder
30 April 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
HOMAGE À TROIS I
Indochina
ndochina is an outdated colonial word to describe the ex-French colonies of Southeast Asia – Vietnam,
Laos and Cambodia – three countries offering breathtaking landscapes of jungles, river, mountains and beaches that are ripe for adventure and exploration. Vietnam is the most developed of the
three countries, its tourism infrastructure boosted by international hospitality companies that have put in place a quality stock of accommodation concentrated mainly in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and UNESCO-rated Hoi An and beach resorts around Danang and Nha Trang. Cruises around Halong Bay and the
Mekong Delta are popular, whilst bike tours to Dalat or trekking to meet hill tribes in northern Sapa are up and coming.
Cambodia’s main stops are the capital, Phnom Penh, with its royal palace, wats and war memorials, and Siem Reap, the base for the stunning temple complexes around Angkor Wat. Cruises in-between and linking to Vietnam are also popular. Whilst the infrastructure here is still
shaky, links to beach resorts like Sihanoukville are improving thanks to the rise of upscale resorts. Adventurous types can head to Battambang to see a bamboo train, Kratie to meet rare river dolphins, or explore the jungles, mangroves, waterfalls, islands and beaches of the wild southern Cardamom Mountains. Landlocked Laos has been slower to develop but the key activities centre
around the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, where restrictions block the building of super hotels and small boutique properties dominate. Its capital, Vientiane, has close links to Thailand and a relaxed riverside atmosphere along with a juxtaposition of French and Asian architecture. Several gems await those who traverse
the citrus-green landscape of limestone pinnacles and paddies. Northern Laos is known for conservation-led attractions and hill tribe treks, while the mysterious Plain of Jars will intrigue history buffs and the south’s Four Thousand Islands offer rough and ready thrills. Some clients may want to concentrate
on one theme – like nature or culture – across two or more countries.
©ALILA 3 NAGAS
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