TIMELESS WONDERS OF VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & THE MEKONG

Ho Chi Minh City better known by its former name of Saigon is a brazen industrious and dense metropolis the largest city in Vietnam and the business capital of the country. With a population of five million it is crowded noisy and dirty yet it is also exciting and historic the essence of the nation.Located on the Saigon River on the edge of the Mekong Delta Saigon became the capital of the Republic of South Vietnam and was the American headquarters during the Vietnam War. Two years later the Communist north took control of the country the city's name was changed to Ho Chi Minh City and recession and poverty ensued.Today Ho Chi Minh City has a cosmopolitan and energetic atmosphere and having actively welcomed the new capitalist principle the business-minded spirit of the people is much in evidence. Although relatively modern it has still managed to hold onto its Asian character and fine restaurants smart hotels and chic bars line the sidewalks crammed with noodle stands markets and shoeshine boys. The buzzing of motorbikes and scooters merges with the cries of street vendors and the urgent business of stall owners selling barbecued dog writhing snakes and tropical fruits. The sight of a family of four balanced precariously on a scooter a squealing pig strapped onto the back of a bicycle bowed heads topped by pointed lampshade-style hats and orange-clothed monks are just some of the vibrant images the city has to offer.Although overshadowed by modern and Asiatic influences a little of Ho Chi Minh City's French colonial charm still remains evident in the graceful architecture wide boulevards and a sidewalk cafe society. It is not for the attractions that one visits Ho Chi Minh City however but for the vibrancy of its street life and its proximity to the Mekong Delta.

According to legend, an old woman named Penh founded the city of Phnom Penh when she discovered four Buddha images on the Mekong River's banks. She placed the items on a nearby hill and a town grew around them, becoming known as the Hill of Penh (Phnom Penh).

Sometime later, during its prime, Phnom Penh had a claim to being the loveliest of Indochina's French-built cities. Today, it sprawls at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers. Its colonial charm contrasts with its heavy traffic and modern concrete buildings, with visitors enjoying its old French villas, street-side cafes, tree-lined boulevards and majestic Khmer buildings.

Phnom Penh's wats (temples) and museums also make for interesting adventures. Many visitors find time for sunset cruises on the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers, and shopping at a bustling marketplace. Otherwise, the city's nightlife has a solid reputation, as does its food and café culture.

Siem Reap lies on the northern shores of the Tonle Sap Lake. It's the main access city for Angkor's magnificent temples, and a popular launching pad for further travel into Cambodia and Thailand. Not just a headquarters for exploring neighbouring regions, it also boasts popular markets, craft shops, museums and Apsara dance performances.

The Temple of Angkor Wat is Siem Reap's most famous feature. Situated just outside the city centre, the UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the 12th century and is the largest religious monument in the world. Within the city, the Angkor National Museum provides a useful cultural and historical background for the Angkor Temples and the ancient Khmer civilisation. The Aki Ra Landmine Museum is also worthwhile as it gives tourists an understanding of the ongoing war Cambodia is still fighting against these buried weapons.

Siem Reap has budget- and luxury guesthouses, and a host of fun bars and excellent restaurants. With so much in the way of amenities and attractions, the city is a great base from which to venture into other parts of this fascinating country. Visitors will find silk farms, rice paddies and fishing villages in the surrounding countryside, as well as a bird sanctuary near Tonle Sap Lake - one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes. The area is home to charming villages on stilts, built to accommodate monsoon flooding.