Siem Reap Life-support system for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap (pronounced see-em ree-ep) is the epicentre of the new Cambodia, a pulsating place that’s one of the most popular destinations on the planet right now. Sightseeing Angkor National Museum (063-966601; www.angkornationalmuseum.com; 968 Charles de Gaulle Blvd; adult/child under 1.2m US$12/6; 8.30am-6pm,to 6.30pm 1 Oct-30 […]
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SA DEC It trumpets a small claim to fame as the setting for The Lover, a semi-autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras, set up a film by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Landscape Huynh Thuy Le Old House HISTORICAL BUILDING (Nha Co Huynh Thuy Le; 0939 533 523; 225A Ð Nguyen Hue; admission 10,000d) This wonderfully impressive 1895 house […]
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Long Xuyen Beyond many minor landscape and a happy market, the capital of An Giang province offers little to delay visitors. It’s a relativelyrich place, making its money from agriculture (especially cashew nuts) and fish processing. Until 1956 the Hoa Hao had an army and situated a major military force at this place. The town’s other […]
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Chau Doc Draped along the banks of the Hau Giang River (Bassac River), Chau Doc sees a lot of visitors washing through on the river route between Cambodia and Vietnam. A likeable tiny town with significant Chinese, Cham and Khmer communities, Chau Doc’s cultural diversity – apparent in the mosques, temples, churches and nearby pilgrimage […]
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Cao Lanh A newish town carved from the forests and swamps of the Mekong Delta region, Cao Lanh is big for business, but draws few tourists. Sights Dong Thap Museum MUSEUM (226 Ð Nguyen Thai Hoc; 7-11.30am & 1.30-5pm) The Dong Thap Museum is among the Mekong’s best museums, in spite of having no English […]
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Around Ha Tien Mui Nai The beaches in this area of Vietnam face the Gulf of Thailand. The water is pretty warm and becalmed; It’s great for bathing and diving but hopeless for surfing. The best of them, Mui Nai (Stag’s Head Peninsula; admission person/car 2500/10,000d), supposedly resembling the head of a stag with its […]
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Sam Mountain A sacred place for Buddhists, Sam Mountain (Nui Sam, 284m) and its environs are full of a lot of pagodas and temples. A strong Chinese influence makes it particularly popular with ethnic Chinese, yet Buddhists of all ethnicities drop in this place. The views from the summit are excellent (weather permitting), ranging deep […]
Read More...Sights & Activities Xeo Quyt Forest NATURE RESERVE (Xeo Quyt, Xeo Quit; admission 5000d; 7am-5pm) Southeast of Cao Lanh and accessible by boat tour is the beautiful 52-hectare Xeo Quyt Forest (also called Rung Tram) near My Hiep village. One large swamp beneath a beautiful thick canopy of tall trees and vines, it’s one of the […]
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The tourist’s initial impression of Angkor Wat (admission to all of Angkor: 1 day/3 days/1 week US$20/40/60), the last construction of Khmer genius, is simply staggering, matched by only a few select spots on earth such as Peru’s Machu Picchu or Jordan’s Petra. Angkor Wat, one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived […]
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Banteay Srei HINDU TEMPLE Taken into account by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei – a Hindu temple devoted to Shiva – is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes many of the most beautiful stone carving anywhere on earth. Begun in AD 967, it is […]
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