Vietnam is a full communist state since 1975, North Vietnam had already been since 1954. It has a population of 100 million people, and its capital is Hanoi. Foreign investment is allowed and encouraged into the country. So there’s State capitalism and private capitalism, the state shares capital with capitalists to develop the country further. Cambodia is officially a constitutional monarchy and a multi-party state, the Cambodia People’s Party dominates the political system. They have a population of 17 million. 

While visiting Vietnam, experience the cultural beliefs, values, and traditions. The elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth influence their way of living. When visiting the Temples and Pagodas witness the symbols that are worshipped in paintings, statues, carpets, and altars. The Dragon symbolizes power, nobility, and immortality of the Vietnamese Emperor, the Phoenix represents the Empress. The next is the Turtle symbolizing longevity, strength, and intelligence. Finally the Unicorn is the symbol of peace, mercy, and good fortune. The religious Temples or Pagodas are mainly worshiping Buddhism. There are over 20,000 such Temples to be found throughout the country with scores of monks to be seen, ranging in age from young boys, teenagers, and men. Walking devoutly and reverently, dressed in orange robes, heads shaven, and through the day singing and chanting, it’s just remarkable.

The Temple of Literature in Hanoi dates back to 1070 and was built to honour the Chinese philosopher and teacher, Confucius, whose belief was that people and society benefit from a moral outlook and lifelong learning. His Golden Rule was, “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others”, and also “A good education prevents evil”. 

Hanoi has a multiplicity of attractions, a city centre lake gives you the opportunity to people watch as you enjoy a snack in the afternoon. Take a Rickshaw ride through the streets, browse the markets and enjoy the banter as you strike a deal for a souvenir, ‘did I really get a bargain’? Later in the evening enjoy a Puppet Show at one of the many theatres.

When in Vietnam one cannot but remember their history, that occupied our evening news in the 1960s and 70s. Taking a tour to the Hanoi Hilton Prison shows the horror that the POW’s went through. These were the camps where captured American soldiers were held, the camps were nicknamed such as the “Heartbreak Hotel” “Little Vegas” and “New Guy Village”. 

Halong Bay, could be placed in the wonder of the world category. Taking a bus trip from Hanoi through the beautiful countryside and arriving at this unique paradise. Boarding a boat cruise that takes you out to the caves and around the islands, of which there are over 2,000. The cave system was discovered by a French explorer in 1901 and has been developed into a tourist attraction with visitors from around the world coming to see the remarkable stalactites and stalagmites, with magnificent columns some twenty feet high. Geological and archaeological studies have shown that millions of years have passed since some enormous tectonic movement occurred to cause this cavity in the hills along the coast line. Legends and folklore have a home in Halong Bay, it’s said that a reigning monarch centuries ago saw an enormous cloud descending on the bay, declaring it as a descending dragon the bay has retained its name ever since, Halong Bay.

In the Gulf of Tonkin, the Sung Sot Cave or Surprise Cave is well named, imagine the feeling of the person that first discovered this. The cave is 10 meters high at some points and 500 meters in length. It’s estimated that 2 million people come to visit the caves and islands each year, Sung Sot Cave is the most popular. While exploring the different facets and features of the place, allow your mind to wander and speculate on the reflections that appear on the floor or ceiling. What is it saying to you? The wonderful collection of colours to be witnessed within the caves can be attributed to the limestone qualities of the rocks. Spending the night on board the ship in the bay, with the sea stacks of islands reflecting on the water, gives you that loving shiver of delight that you have experienced this moment.

Departing the ship to board the bus in the morning that will take you to the next leg of your vacation. Flying from Hanoi Airport to Siem Reap in Cambodia. The Khmer empire that ruled Cambodia had a passion for building Temples in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, some more lavish than others in size and architectural design. Through the ages most of these went into decline and were abandoned, visitors today can find how forests and vegetation have taken over these buildings. Ta Prohm where ‘Tomb Raider’ was filmed has the most spectacular forest with mature trees that have intertwined their growth into the walls of the ruins or straddled buildings with their roots struggling to survive.

An early morning call is appreciated when you arrive at Angkor Wat, ‘The Kingdom of Wonder’ is a splendid Temple dedicated to the Hindu God, Vishnu. It’s the largest religious monument in the world and a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. It’s now a Buddhist temple. When visiting the shrine you will get an opportunity to see the monks and nuns worshipping and praying at the alters or have a chance to interact with them. The monks range in age from young boys to teenagers maturing into adulthood and old men. Some leave these monasteries after being educated, which they’re entitled to do, joining the workforce, getting married or continuing to teach in the Department of Education schools. The monastery cannot accommodate these monks and nuns so they get transport to this temple. 

The cruise on the Mekong River begins with embarkation in the city of Kampong Chan. This river is a major trade route in Southeast Asia, having risen in Tibet it flows through China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam and enters the South China Sea at the Mekong Delta, having flowed over 5,000 kilometres of terrain. 

The activities on and off the ship are varied. Walking through villages that have ‘stilted’ houses which have lasted more than 100 years, to protect them from the flood waters. The Cambodian people are so friendly, you must learn to say Hello in Khmer to them, and don’t be offended when they ask ‘How old are you’, it’s a fascination with them. Visit the loom-weaving houses and watch how the silkworms are woven into traditional scarves. Stop in at one of the local junior schools where the children will be delighted to show their expertise in speaking English.

Sailing to the capital city Phnom Penh, there’s a choice of visits on offer from the Royal Palace, the Central Market, and the areas associated with the atrocities that occurred during the Khmer Rouge regime and Pol Pot. The orientation tour of the city by the Tuk Tuk transportation system is wonderful, a four person trailer hooked up to a motorbike that takes you through the main and side streets, through the markets, city parks with stops along the way for photographs.

One of the highlights of your trip is a 10-minute ride on a Cambodian limousine. After a short transfer from the ship to the village of Kampong Tralach, you will have the authentic experience of an oxcart ride. These animals have been domesticated and have been used on farms to plough, till and sow from time immemorial. Two oxen are yoked up to a cart with two iron wheels that’s capable of carrying two passengers and a driver. This journey ends at the entrance to a beautiful monastery where after a walk in the gardens you will be treated to a Buddhist blessing ceremony.

As the cruise continues down the Mekong River and sails from Cambodia into Vietnam waters, there’s a border crossing where passport control checks are done. It’s an experience in itself to watch how this happens in the middle of the river. This is time consuming but the cruise management have items in place to pass the time. 

As the ship enters Vietnamese waters tenders take you to see hidden gems on the tributaries of the Mekong, houses, small markets, workshops, and restaurants. Docking later at Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, we see the famous Presidential Palace, and the War Museum. 

Vietnam has been no stranger to wars. France had colonized the country in 1887 to 1954 apart from WWII when Japan occupied it. France returned again until 1954. They had little or no success and left in 1956. Communism had spread to North Vietnam at this stage and divided the country. The US had military advisors in Vietnam since the early 1950s. With the spread of communism in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe after WWII there was the expectation that there might be a domino effect in these regions. The Berlin Wall had been erected in 1961. American troops were sent into Vietnam in 1965 to support South Vietnam from the invading forces from the North. They were there until 1975 when they were forced to withdraw after the fall of Saigon.

There’s a visit to the tunnels of Cu Chi, an area about 2 hours drive from Saigon. These tunnels were used prior to WWII to store food supplies that were being hidden from colonial landlords. When war broke out in 1965 they were extended and developed as military bases. Some of them are three levels below ground, air shafts set at 45° angles protect those underneath, escape exits camouflaged in the jungle, cooking kitchens with smoke extraction vents have to be admired. I had the opportunity to enter one of these tunnels and I found it a maze within a maze.

For more information give Further Afield Travel and Tours a call.