Tours to Indochina

Tour Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos with CTS Horizons and enjoy a fabulous holiday in the Far East, crammed full of lush landscapes of paddy fields, karst mountains, winding rivers and island studded seas, of countless images of the Buddha and elegant temples, of remote villages and towns that blend French and traditional architecture.  Cruise across stunning Halong Bay in Vietnam, marvel at the ruins of Angkor Wat, and admire the dazzling temples of Laos.

Essential Experiences

•    Experience the bustling city of Saigon
•    Visit the fantastic temples of Angkor Wat
•    Explore river life up close in the Mekong Delta
•    Cruise among the limestone islands of Halong Bay
•    Take a walking tour of the charming streets of Hoi An
•    Visit the beautiful World Heritage site of Luang Prabang
 

SAIGON

Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the busiest cities in Asia.  The streets are bustling with scooters, bicycles, market traders, people, and street food stalls.  The city has much to offer with its many shops, markets and restaurants, but there are also an abundance of fascinating cultural relics, museums and temples to discover.   Outside of the city are the intriguing Cu Chi Tunnels, where former Viet Cong guerrillas now guide visitors through the remarkable underground labyrinth.  Saigon is also the gateway to the fascinating Mekong Delta region, a network of waterways, rivers and canals where river life can be experienced up close.

HANOI

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is smaller than Saigon and has a less hurried feel, and its elegant wide tree-lined streets are home to many colonial style buildings.  The Old Quarter has a maze of winding alleys, housing a wealth of food stalls and old merchant stores.  There are many cultural relics to explore including the Presidential Palace and curious One Pillar Pagoda dating back to the 11th century.  The great Confucian Temple of Literature, the History Museum and the exquisite Ngoc Son Pagoda are also sights not to be missed.

                                                                             HOI AN

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, is ideal to explore on foot, with its narrow, beautifully preserved streets, exquisite architecture and lanes.  This charming town is a delightful place to wander at your own pace and explore the merchant houses and interesting stalls and shops.  See ancient family temples, the 16th century Japanese Covered Bridge and the splendid Phung Hung House.
 

 

LUANG PRABANG

This delightful UNESCO World Heritage Site can be found on the banks of the Mekong River, formerly the royal capital, it is still home to numerous Buddhist temples whose monks, drifting through the leafy streets, add to its sense of tranquillity.  Take a boat trip down the Mekong to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into grottoes in the limestone cliffs above the river.  Also visit Mount Phousi for panoramic views over the town.
 

SIEM REAP

Any tour to Indochina should simply not miss a visit to Siem Reap and the magnificent temples of Angkor.  The temples were built by a succession of Kings from around 800AD, but are believed to have been abandoned in the 15th century.  They were rediscovered in 1861 by French discoverer Henri Mouhot who declared the temples to be “grander than anything of Greece or Rome.”  The temples are one of the great architectural masterpieces of the world, a vast ‘lost city’ wrapped in vines and creepers.
 

KEY FACTS

Time Zone:	GMT + 7 hours
Flying time:	Approx 14 hours
Population:	89.7 million (Vietnam), 15 million (Cambodia), 6.7 million (Laos)
Currency:	Vietnamese Dong, Cambodian Riel, Lao Kip
Capital:	Hanoi (Vietnam), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Vientiane (Laos)
Language:	Vietnamese, Khmer, Lao
Visa:	Visa required in advance for Vietnam. Obtainable locally for Cambodia and Laos (UK passport holders)
Vaccinations:	Recommended, seek advice from GP

KEY PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2015  

Vietnam:  1 Jan – New Year’s Day, 15 Feb-22 Feb – Tet Holiday, 28 Apr – Hung Vuong Day, 30 Apr – Reunification Day, 1 May – International Labour Day, 2 Sep – National Day

Cambodia:  1 Jan – New Year’s Day, 7 Jan – Victory Day, 3 Feb – Meak Bochea Day, 8 Mar – International Women’s Day, 13 Apr – Cambodian New Year, 1 May – Labour Day, 13 May – King Sihamoni’s Birthday, 1 Jun – Viask Bochea Day, 24 Sep – Constitution Day, 9 Nov – Independence Day, 25 Nov – Water Festival

Laos:  1 Jan – New Year’s Day, 20 Jan – Army Day, 8 Mar – International Women’s Day, 22 Mar – Day of the People’s Party, 13 Apr – Lao New Year, 1 May – Labour Day, 1 Jun – Buddha’s Birthday, 13 Aug – Lao Issara, 2 Dec – National Day

CLIMATE

Northern and central Vietnam
This region has two seasons - winter and summer. Winters can be cool and wet and last from November to April, while summers are hot and last from May to October during which time the region is occasionally hit by typhoons.
Southern Vietnam
Temperatures in southern Vietnam are constant. The rainy season runs from May to October, and the dry season from November to April. February, March and April are the hottest months in this part of the country and temperatures can easily reach the high 30s (Celsius).
Cambodia
Cambodia receives two monsoons annually, the cool and relatively dry north-eastern monsoon runs from November to February, while the south-western monsoon runs from May to October and the country is often humid and wet during this period, although it usually rains in the afternoons. April and May are the hottest months of the year.
Laos
The south-western monsoon arrives in Laos anytime between May and July and usually runs until November, and is followed by a dry period which lasts from November to May. Temperatures vary according to altitude although March and April are the warmest months in all parts of the country.