It is difficult to geographically define Indochina -- depending on whom you speak to or what books you read, the definition often varies. In general though, it is the term used largely to describe the group of Southeast Asian countries including Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (and sometimes Thailand). Although these destinations may share a common grouping, they are all unique locations with specific indigenous cultures, customs, history, cuisine and attractions. Another quality that is inherent in each of these countries is affordability and hospitality, making a vacation in one or more of these exotic locales a wonderful opportunity to experience the best Asia has to offer.
Asian Affair Holidays (tel. 800/742-3133; www.asianaffairholidays.com) has a new "Wonders of Angkor" package priced from $1,640 from Los Angeles or San Francisco ($1,820 from New York). It includes round-trip economy class airfare on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir round-trip airport-hotel transfers, three-nights accommodation at the five-star Regent Singapore, half-day Singapore city tour, three-nights accommodation at the five-star Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel, breakfast daily and two full-days tours of magnificent Angkor Wat (lunch not included). Travel is valid until June 5, 2006.
Their "Vibrant Saigon" package is priced from $1,246 and includes round-trip economy class airfare on Singapore Airlines from Los Angeles or San Francisco ($1,386 from New York), airport-hotel transfers, four-nights at the five-star Sofitel Plaza Saigon or Renaissance Riverside, daily breakfast and a full-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh. Travel is valid until June 5, 2006. Vietnam visa fee is additional.
Vietnam based Focus Travel (tel + 84/4835-7585; www.focusvietnam.com) features a number of well-priced land-only tours. "Vietnam Highlights" is their most compact program that introduces visitors to Vietnam's sights and culture. Spend eight days traveling from north to south, exploring the colonial elegance of capital Hanoi, the world's heritage site of Halong Bay, the ancient capital city of Hue, the charm of Hoi An, the unique 150 mile tunnels in Cu Chi and the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The tour starts from Hanoi and ends in Saigon and can be extended with stays at the beaches of Nha Trang or Phan Thiet. This package is priced at $545 per person including seven-nights' accommodations in centrally located standard three-star hotels (two-nights in Hanoi, one in Halong, one in Hoi An, one in Hue and two in Saigon), domestic airfares (Danang¿to Hoi An and Hue to Saigon), all ground transportation and sightseeing. This tour is available throughout the year.
Their 13-day "Indochina Discovery" tour gives you unique chance to explore a multitude of attractions and sites in Indochina. Travel across Vietnam, from Hanoi to Hue, Halong, Hoi An, south to Saigon, visit Cuchi and the Mekong Delta, take a boat along the Mekong River to Cambodia, visiting Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The tour starts in Hanoi and concludes in Siem Reap. The tour is priced at $1,195 and includes 13-nights' accommodations in centrally located standard three-star hotels, domestic airfares, all ground transportation and sightseeing. This tour is available throughout the year. Focus Travel is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). International airfare and visa fees are additional
If you have a sense of adventure and month to spare, you can't go past Gap Adventures' (tel. 800/708-7761; www.gapadventures.com) 29-day "Great Indochina Loop" that takes in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Trips depart regularly throughout the year and are priced at $1,615 per person land-only (plus a land payment of $400 to incidentals and entrance fees etc.). The tour starts in Bangkok and travels to Chiang Mai, Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor. Highlights include a Klong (canal) trip in Bangkok, a guided tour at Wat Po, Doi Suthep trip in Chiang Mai, Pak Ou caves, the Royal Palace Museum, Kuang Si Falls trip, Halong Bay boat trip and lunch, water puppets performance, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Perfume River boat trip, Imperial Citadel and tomb, Saigon cyclo tour, guided tour of Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, and a guided tour of Angkor Wat complex. Accommodation is in guesthouses and hotels (24-nights), multi-share homestay (one-night), overnight trains (two-nights) and one overnight on a boat. Transport is by train, riverboat, bicycle, cyclo, plane and chartered bus with a professional tour guide throughout. Maximum group size is 12 participants. This tour often sells out quite quickly, so book as far in advance as possible.
Gap's 13-day "Cambodia Basix" tour is sold out until late June 2006, but has availability on various departures through the end of the year and into 2007. The tour is priced at $490 per person plus a $200 land payment, starting from Bangkok and traveling through Cambodia -- Siem Reap, temples of Angkor, Kompong Cham, Kratie, Sihanoukville, beaches, Phnom Penh, finishing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Accommodation is in simple hotels (11-nights) and a one-night multi-share homestay. Meals are not included except for one dinner. Transportation is by bus, walking, boat and pick-up truck with a maximum group size of 12 participants and a professional tour guide throughout. This adventure is run by Gap and Intrepid Travel.
And for the food afficiendao, try the 15-day "Vietnam Gourmet Traveler" trip that travels from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and allows participants to learn about Vietnamese cuisine and sample authentic culinary delights. This tour is priced at $1,240 per person plus a 4,200 local payment. This includes 13-nights' hotel accommodation, one-night in a multi-share homestay, 14 simple breakfasts, three lunches, eight dinners, transportation by bus, boat, cyclo and plane and a professional tour guide throughout. Visit Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Dalat, the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City. Highlights include entrance to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, entrance to water puppet show and dinner, cyclo tour of Hanoi by night, market walk and cooking demonstration at Koto restaurant in Hanoi, entrance to Emperor's tomb and Imperial Citadel, Cyclo tour, Perfume River boat dinner, royal banquet in Hue, a boat trip including lunch, basket boat and deck chair hire, dinner in Nha Trang, a half-day tour including entrance to Bao Dai's Palace- Dalat, cyclo sightseeing tour and cooking demonstrations. International airfare is additional.
Airfares to this region vary (during the month of May, prices are generally between $800 and $1,000 plus taxes from Los Angeles) but as international routes to south east Asia open up, fuel surcharges aside, prices are likely to remain competitive. Currently there are no non-stop flights from the US to Vietnam, Cambodia, Mynamar or Laos, but this many change in the not too distant future (e.g. a new code share partnership between American Airlines and Vietnam Airlines). Most flights fly via Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Taipei, Singapore or Hong Kong.
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