By Nancy Dorrans
I had never been to Vietnam nor Cambodia, when a handful of friends asked if I would consider organizing an Adventure Marketplace tour to that area of the world. Thus began the process of navigating a small group to Vietnam and Cambodia last November.
Journeying from Hanoi to Saigon (now, Ho Chi Minh City), then Angkor Wat to Phnom Penh, we were immersed for sixteen days on a customized tailor-made Vietnam/Cambodia adventure. Split into two parts, this adventure was too big for just one article. Check out “Part 1: From Hanoi south to Hoi An.”
Part 2: From Hoi An to Ho Chi Min (Saigon) and on to Cambodia
Reaching day seven of our trip, we arrived onto the lively and colorful streets of Hoi An in time for a visit to the dress and suit makers’ shop. We stayed at beautiful The Hoi An Silk Village resort for two nights. Photos only capture a glimpse, not the sounds, smells, tastes, temps, charm, and feelings of this unique corner of our world!
On Day 8, we had free time in the morning and a few of us visited the nearby Tiger Market, a local market for local people. The stalls were spread out with an amazing variety of food, clothing, and household merchandise. The stall holders seemed content to let us wander and browse.
We had lunch with a local farmer and then visited the My Son Village Temples, an extraordinary UNESCO site. My Son served as the seat of the Champa Kingdom between the 4th and 13th centuries. Much of the temple site was bombed during the war and only 18 of the original 71 buildings remain.
Never Forget, But Forgive
On Day 9, we began with a tour of Vy’s market in Hoi An’s Old Quarter and then a cooking class where we teamed up to make fresh spring rolls, pan rice cakes, grilled marinated chicken, or fish and green mango salad. Lemongrass ice cream was served for dessert.
After lunch, our guide Anh Co took us on a country loop bicycle tour, riding through back roads, rickety bridges, cow crossings, and vegetable farms. He introduced us to two women and translated their personal tragic wartime stories. These women seemed glad to have the opportunity to meet us and share their history. They, along with Anh Co, provided good insight into their amazing country’s ancient and more recent history. As Anh Co says of the Vietnamese people, “They never forget, but they forgive.”
Beach to Mountain
Day 10 brought another overnight train ride from Da Nang to Nha Trang. Unfortunately, the busy beach town experienced torrential rains and serious flooding two days before we arrived. All travel via train and plane had been delayed or canceled the day prior, so we were fortunate to arrive when we did. Many optional activities were not available due to the flooding, but we managed a sunny beach walk, $20 stone massage, and dinner at an ocean view restaurant, which made for a most excellent, long day.
Day 11 led us up a steep pass over the mountains to Da Lat, the rich and cooler coffee and wine region of Vietnam. We took a gondola lift ride to and peaceful walk through Truc Lam Temple, monastery garden and pond. We topped it off with another tasty night market experience.
Day 12 started with an early morning flight from Da Lat to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) with a visit to Reunification Hall. This was the one-time Presidential Palace and is full of ancient and more recent history. In fact, here on April 30th, 1975 the North Vietnamese tanks rumbled through the gates forcing South Vietnam to surrender and bringing about an end to the Vietnam War…
Thanksgiving in Cân Thó
That afternoon, we headed out of Saigon towards the Mekong Delta and the village of Cân Thó.
Day 13 was Thanksgiving Day and we began with a parade but not your typical Macy’s Day Parade! This was the Cai Rang floating market parade of boats. Along the Mekong River vendors hang a sample of what they are selling high on their boats for other buyers to see. All sorts of people gather together at certain places on the river to sell fruits mostly picked from their own gardens.
On to Cambodia
Oh Cambodia. You deserve your own article and perhaps another visit. Our short 3-day extension took us to Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Phnom Penh. We experienced sunrise at Angkor Wat, monks offering blessings, and taking selfies, a circus, Mexican food, Thai curries, amazing carvings, friendly humble flexible folk, adorable children, and more colorful markets.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, we met up with the most delightful of all our guides, Ms. Raska Chenda. Tiny and powerful, cheerful, smart and energetic, she answered all questions with ease. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast before our tour of the National Museum and a bicycle ride.
Our last stop was a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Actually the site of Security Prison 21, it chronicles the Khmer Rouge Cambodian genocide. Another sobering experience. We met and heard two survivors’ stories. This was a very long, emotional, and heart-wrenching day that I will not soon forget.
Our last stop was a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Actually the site of Security Prison 21, it chronicles the Khmer Rouge Cambodian genocide. Another sobering experience. We met and heard two survivors’ stories. This was a very long, emotional, and heart-wrenching day that I will not soon forget.
Throughout our adventure I found that all our guides and the local ground operator EXO made sure that our days went smoothly even with some bumps and changes along the way. What could have been done differently? What will we do differently next time? While I had some critique for the tour operator, especially about the pace of this adventure, there is so much that stunned and amazed me. I will be savoring the memories for a long time.
