Hidden Vietnam and Cambodia

A 20-day adventure by Dawn Read more

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Trip start
February 15, 2025
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Day 1
Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
☁️ 2 °C
Altitude: 96 m
England Newcastle Airport Metro 55.036955, -1.70943455°2’13” N 1°42’34” W
Travel day
February 15 in England ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Arrived in Newcastle early bird waiting for second breakfast 😋
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Day 1
Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 6 m
United Arab Emirates Dubai International Airport 25.249756, 55.35962625°14’59” N 55°21’35” E
Dubai airport
February 15 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Only one more flight to go
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Day 1
Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 7 m
United Arab Emirates Dubai International Airport 25.24978, 55.3593425°14’59” N 55°21’34” E
Lego !!!
February 15 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
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Day 2
Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 9:38 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Vietnam Red River Delta 21.044026, 105.84371921°2’38” N 105°50’37” E
Hanoi
February 16 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Fabulous meal out with the group. 8 course meal for £23 per head. Group seems great. Looking forward to getting up at 6 tomorrow to start the trip properly 😀
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Day 3
Monday, February 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 1,472 m
Vietnam Xóm Hai 22.332647, 103.84320122°19’58” N 103°50’36” E
Travel Sapa
February 17 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
6 hours on the coach to Sapa. Great scenery but unfortunately the weather is exactly like home and hard to see much in Sapa due to the mist. It looks amazing so hope it clears tomorrow.

It overlooks a beautiful valley and is known for its cool mountain atmosphere. The surrounding region of picturesque hills, terraced rice fields and villages are home to many different ethnic minority communities.Read more
Traveleryou mean dry and 2 degrees lol
2/18/25Reply
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Day 4
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 1,297 m
Vietnam Thôn Dao 22.399767, 103.83702122°23’59” N 103°50’13” E
Walk to homestay
February 18 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
A hike to the traditional hillside village of Ta Phin. Accompanied by a local guide, following a scenic route through lush forests and terraced rice fields.
6 hours walk through all the villages on route to the homestay. Lots of cute baby pigs and ducks on the way. Followed by local ladies all the way. Then the hard sell started for us to buy their handcrafted souvenirs. We bought a table runner 😁
Welcomed at the homestay by the family. Ian practiced rolling spring rolls with the mam. Then the most luxurious bath in a red hot tub, followed by a fabulous feast.Read more
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Day 5
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 29 m
Vietnam Red River Delta 21.044128, 105.84329221°2’39” N 105°50’36” E
Back to Hanoi
February 19 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Great stay at the homestay at Ta Phin. Got to meet the family and learn about their way of life. Gatecrashed a wedding. Then 6 hours back on the bus to Hanoi. Walking tour through the Old Quarter, where the 36 Streets are named after the product in which each specialises, such as Silk Street, Gold Street, Paper Street, and Tourist Souvenir Street.. Went to the water puppet show on the night which was so funny.Read more
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Day 6
Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Vietnam Đội Một 20.772488, 106.98368820°46’21” N 106°59’1” E
1
CAT BA Island
February 20 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Left Hanoi , bus journey then ferry over to Cat Ba Island. Then lunch on a 4 hour boat cruise through the towering limestone formations of Lan Ha Bay. One and a half hours kayaking followed by a swim by the 3 hardy crew ( that included me 😀) i have to pinch myself to believe I'm here.
Spent the night at Cat Ba Ecolodge, a sustainable eco-resort in the heart of Cat Ba Island. Beautiful mountain and forest views. Cocktails and a barbecue dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients allowing us to taste the unique flavours of Vietnamese cuisine and enjoy the peaceful ambiance.Read more
Traveler Amazing
2/20/25Reply
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Day 7
Friday, February 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 22 m
Vietnam Red River Delta 21.044168, 105.84382621°2’39” N 105°50’38” E
CAT BA island back to Hanoi
February 21 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Morning at the Ecolodge at Cat Ba Island. Didn't want to leave, even saw a litter of 1 day old puppies. Then travelling back to Hanoi .
That evening we went on a street food tour where we joined the local people by pulling up a plastic stool and sampling one of the many street food offerings; the bun cha (barbecued pork with rice noodles and fresh herbs) was particularly delicious. Then rushed back to the railway station to board our overnight train to Dong Hoi, 310mi (500km) south of Hanoi.Read more
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Day 8
Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Vietnam Rào Bồng 17.617517, 106.37598417°37’3” N 106°22’34” E
PHONG NHA
February 22 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Arrived early in Nai then bus to Dong Hoi for breakfast. Then on to Phong Nha where we are for the next two nights at an eco resort by Dong Suon Lake. Went for a bike ride through a local village. Watched how the locals made pancakes. Fed a load of ducks who nibbled our feet to get to the food. All the children were so excited to see us as hardly any tourists come this way. The Lodge is gorgeous. Very happy to be here for 2 nightsRead more
TravelerLooks great
2/22/25Reply
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Day 9
Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 4:49 PM
🌧 22 °C
Altitude: 28 m
Vietnam Rào Bồng 17.617577, 106.3760317°37’3” N 106°22’34” E
Caves
February 23 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
Went to underground rivers, karst mountains and jungle of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. We began at Thien Duong Cave, also known as Paradise Cave, which was only discovered in 2005. It is known for having intricate and unique rock formations, while the colours and patterns within the cave are truly awe-inspiring.
Then a boat trip to the Phong Nha Cave along the Son River, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs; Another rather wet day but awesome. The cave systems were vast and made my imagination go wild.Read more
TravelerSounds fantastic wish I was there even if it was to stop me spending money lol
2/24/25Reply
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Day 10
Monday, February 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
🌧 22 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Vietnam Hoi An 15.888637, 108.33008615°53’19” N 108°19’48” E
Travel day to Hoi An
February 24 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
A day of travelling south to Hoi An. Over 8 hours on the bus oh joy!!!

The evening was spent soaking up the ambience of Hoi An on an orientation walk around the old town: the original European trading port in Vietnam dating to the mid-16th century. It is now a living museum, with attractive wooden merchant houses and pagoda-style temples displaying Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences.Read more
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Day 11
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Vietnam Hoi An 15.889003, 108.32997115°53’20” N 108°19’48” E
HOI AN
February 25 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
A morning cycle through the padi fields to a local family business making noodles at Cam Kim Island learning the secrets behind my quang. This traditional rice noodle dish is one of the most popular meals in the region and often served on special occasions, including at parties, anniversaries and during Tết (Vietnamese New Year)
The afternoon spent wandering aimlessly through the beautiful streets of Hoi Ann. The back to the hotel for a massage costing £12 !!! Bliss 😊Read more
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Day 12
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Vietnam Nha Hat Thanh pho 10.775029, 106.70439910°46’30” N 106°42’16” E
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
February 26 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Morning flight (approximately 1hr 25min) to Ho Chi Minh City (formally Saigon). This is an exciting, absorbing metropolis where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free-market city where anything goes.
On arrival had free time so went walking to the Saigon River and Ben Thanh market . Total madness trying to cross 6 lanes of traffic , but somehow we did it!!Read more
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Day 13
Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 12:59 PM
☀️ 34 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Vietnam Nha Hat Thanh pho 10.775164, 106.70461310°46’31” N 106°42’17” E
Saigon
February 27 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Two- hour Cyclo tour through the markets and streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Strangely the most relaxing experience through the most chaotic traffic.

Stopped at the energetic Hoa Ho Thi Ky market, with chance to stroll around and get a feel for the bustling atmosphere. Then back on our cyclo and make our way to Nhật Tảo market, a paradise for tech enthusiasts. Next, Thiếc market, which specialises in fresh vegetables, fruits, and some types of jewellery. Then visit Thien Hau Pagoda, a spiritual landmark dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. The colourful interior and intricate decorations of the pagoda provide a peaceful respite from the electric city.

Then a farewell party as we said goodbye to our fellow travellers on this leg of our trip.Read more
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Day 14
Friday, February 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
☁️ 34 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Cambodia Siem Reap 13.362547, 103.85643813°21’45” N 103°51’23” E
Seam Reap Cambodia
February 28 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
New country, next stage of holiday . Seem to have spent the whole day travelling. Even though the flight was only 40 minutes. First impression of Cambodia is very good . Nice and chilled
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Day 15
Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
🌙 32 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Cambodia Siem Reap 13.362548, 103.856413°21’45” N 103°51’23” E
Angkor Wat
March 1 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 32 °C
Wow wow wow. Words cannot express how enormous and fantastic this place is .
Spent most of the day exploring the incredible Angkor temple complex, one of Southeast Asia’s greatest archaeological sites. Visiting the many temples inside the royal city of Angkor Thom, including the magnificent Bayon, and other less-visited outlying temples.

Particularly impressive are Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, the latter still wrapped in jungle roots, just as it was when it was rediscovered almost 140 years ago.Read more
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Day 16
Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 8:56 AM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Cambodia Siem Reap 13.362577, 103.85638413°21’45” N 103°51’23” E
Angkor Wat at sunrise
March 2 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Early morning to see the sunrise . Then another temple ... the funeral Temple. Then a flight to Phnom Pen from the quietest airport. Only one departure leaving and that's ours
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Day 17
Monday, March 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
🌙 28 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Cambodia Tonle Sab 11.569498, 104.92956511°34’10” N 104°55’46” E
Phnom Pen
March 3 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Nice morning visiting the beautiful Royal Palace followed by a very emotional trip to the killing fields and genocide museum

The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda date back to the 19th century and were built in classic Khmer style under the French protectorate. Contains a priceless collection of historical objects giving an insight into the past achievements of the Khmer Empire.

The‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, a mass gravesite discovered after the fall of the Khmer Rouge. Many of the dead were former inmates of the Tuol Sleng prison.
The Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide), graphically displays the horrors of the four years when Pol Pot systematically ordered the murder of between 2m and 3m Cambodians. Tuol Sleng was originally a school but was used as a torture and interrogation centre between 1975 and 1979. It is a sobering, depressing and enlightening place to visit.Read more
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Trip end
March 6, 2025