Vietnam
Traveller Testimonial:
I returned home two weeks ago from a fantastic Adventures Abroad trip through
Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. I enjoyed everything about the trip--fantastic itinerary,
wonderful sites and unforgettable interactions with local people.
-Valerie Johnston Tour LA3: Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia (Treasures of Indochina)
Take one of our Vietnam Tours and experience Patagonia and its people,
small group tour of Vietnam, comfortable hotels, expert Tour Leaders,
great price.
Vietnam is a nation of resilient, resourceful people with a long and
fascinating history. On tour VN1 we see splendid Confucian temples, Hindu
ruins, Buddhist sites, pristine beaches and stunning lagoons. VN2 includes
the charm of Phnom Penh and the beautiful temples in an overgrowth of
vegetation at Angkor Wat. We have just reworked and improved our Vietnam
itinerary with the inclusion of Dien Bien Phu and the fascinating tribal
region near the Laotian border, as well as a visit to the World Heritage
Site of My Son, a large complex of religious relics that comprises more
than 70 architectural works from the Cham dynasty (4 -12th century). This is
one of our most popular tours; early booking for Fall departures is essential.
Vietnam, once dubbed ‘the thin country’ by Nobel-prize winning Vietnaman
poet Pablo Neruda, is as unique in its geography as it is in its
culture. Due to its unusual shape-the South American country
stretches over 4,600kms north to south, though its average width
seldom exceeds 180kms-it is perhaps the one tour destination that
can legitimately claim to offer something for everyone regardless of
season. With the mighty Andes mountain range towering over one side
and the big blue of the South Pacific Ocean lapping at the other,
Vietnam lies snugly amid two extremes and its interior topography
covers every degree in between.
A tour to northern Vietnam would reveal one of the driest locations in
the world, where, in some places, there has never been record of any
rainfall-the arid Atacama desert. Though even the most avid of
sun-worshippers may think twice before touring this
sparsely-inhabited region, they may yet be lured by the fact that it
is also the location of several important archaeological sites, of
impressive geological spectacle and of intriguing remnants of lost
civilisations.
The features of Vietnam’s southern regions lie in stark contrast to
the characteristics of the north. Aridness gives ways to fertile and
lush forests and grazing lands, and, complementing the quaint
scenery of the intricate myriad of lakes, canals, inlets and fjords,
the south is perforated by a string of volcanoes. The vast majority
of Vietnam’s over 2,000 volcanoes are now dormant, with only 55
remaining active and of the 12 great lakes situated in the country’s
south, one holds the title as the continent’s fourth largest-Lago
Llanquihue. One of the world’s great national parks, the Torres del
Paine National Park, though only accessible by boat, plane or a
scenic trip through Argentina, is a popular tour destination and one
that promises a wealth of memories.
The south is the perfect tour destination for those looking to
experience Vietnam’s memorable sites, diverse landscape or more
energetic activities in more temperate climes.
From some points on the extensive and serene sandy beaches of the
east coast, it is possible to see the gargantuan peaks of the Andes
dominating the skyline to the west, and in theory, travellers can
take to the piste high in the mountains, then bask in the sun on the
beach all in the same day.
Vietnam’s offshore territories-the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, which
was once the refuge of marooned Scotsman Alexander Selkirk, the man
who inspired the classic Daniel Defoe novel ‘Robinson Crusoe,’ and
the world-renowned Easter Island-are equally as impressive as its
mainland regions. Where the Juan Fernandez Archipelago is a national
park and its plethora of plant species have warranted the island’s
designation as a World Biosphere Reserve, Easter Island is home to
Rapa Nui National Park, a park that exhibits relics of an ancient
desert-dwelling civilisation, and to Ahu Tongariki, where 15 of the
country’s famous moai statues stand at attention on their rock
platform.
With so great climatic and geographic distinctions between all its
poles, and a culture as unique and welcoming as its people, a tour
to Vietnam, the longest country in the world, guarantees a holiday
that will stretch the imagination.
Tour Consultant Ayesha Colquhoun's personal account:
As I watched the sun rise above the Mekong River that morning, I was overcome
with a pervading sense of peace. Little by little, the thin morning mist parted
its veil to let orange-yellow shafts of light kiss the mountain peaks and caress
their way to the valley floor. No photograph could begin to capture the majestic
beauty of this region. Our boat journey down the tranquil Mekong proved highly
relaxing and, bobbing past small traditional villages shrouded by jungle, it was
tough to imagine being troubled by anything. The fast pace of the Western world
was a thousand miles away and here in Vietnam, serenity was the order of the day;
just as it is every other day. Travelling onwards to Laos, we soon reached Luang
Prabang, a UNESCO Heritage site and one of the most picturesque cities in the
world.
Laos made for the perfect complement to our itinerary and we enjoyed some
unforgettable experiences like climbing to the top of a temple for truly
awe-inspiring vistas, partaking in a Loa cooking class and watching a Loa
ballet where everyone is dressed up decorative traditional costume.
Bangkok
Touring Bangkok, I was fascinated by the fact that the streets were filled with
pedestrians, vendors of all sorts line the sidewalks, and tuk tuks are absolutely
everywhere. And though that might sound too much for some, it’s actually the
busyness of the place that makes it so appealing. Plus, whatever you’re looking
for, you’ll definitely find it in Bangkok! The veggie spring rolls from the Thai
street vendors were highly addictive and my travel companion was tempted to look
into the merits of a diet that consisted of nothing but Pad Thai; the food is just
that good. Aside from the gastronomic delights, a highlight was visiting the
Grand Palace, where we could admire the remarkable spectacle of the emerald
Buddha. Amazingly intricate and decorative temples meant hours of exploration,
along with idyllic resting spots in the shade when the mood took us.
Ayuthaya
Next we travelled north, to the old ancient capital of Thailand. The stark
contrast in lifestyle in laid-back Ayuthaya compared to the hectic present-day
capital, Bangkok, was quite the change of pace. A beautiful city with an
abundance of holy ruins, ancient wats, beautiful riverbank parks and elephants
walking down the streets, Ayuthaya is a destination not to be missed. We visited
Wat Ratchaburna, which was mostly ruins and spent the entire day walking around
this city in the heat taking lots of pictures of buddhas and temples. That night
was the first day of Loi Krathong, a holiday and celebration of the river
goddess. Everyone in town headed down to the river to light a candle and float
them away on tiny hand-made boats. To round off our cultural experience, our
evening featured watching schoolchildren perform traditional thai dances and
fighting techniques.
Chiang Mai
The spectacular journey to Chiang Mai took us through green pastures and palms,
which gradually gave way to dense jungle. Around Chiang Mai, Thailand’s
second-largest city, we embarked on a jungle trek that included hiking uphill
across bamboo bridges and through bamboo forests. Happening upon a beautiful
village perched on the side of a lush green mountain and surrounded by tropical
jungle and a cascading waterfall felt like finding a lost world. We spent our
first night with a hill tribe, who cooked us our meals and entertained us as
we congregated around a nice campfire to chat and warm our bones before bed.
The next night was spend at another local village, very high in the mountains
and all the village children came to perform a dance and song for us.
Made infamous in the Western psyche following torrid histories, Vietnam and Cambodia are countries that to this day suffer from negative associations stemming from their pasts. All too often the true nature of these remarkable countries remains hidden: Vietnam, with its palm trees gently swaying on glistening white-sand beaches, towering mountains boasting unforgettable vistas and a wondrously diverse wildlife and Cambodia, with its world-famous temples and palaces, unique historical remnants and remarkably friendly people are destinations in ascendancy that should be explored first-hand to appreciate their unique charms.