The Indochina region is known for its diversity and there are so many amazing things to see and do that you might need to choose. Here are just top ten of them which I personally think are most worth checking out on your Indochina tour.
1. Cruise the Halong Bay (Kayaking, Caving, Swimming), Vietnam
When in Vietnam, take a Halong Bay cruise. But why does everyone tell you that? Well, a Halong Bay cruise is one of a kind. A huge bay, with nearly 2,000 mostly uninhabited limestone cliffs rise vertically from water, the views are heart dropping. Taking a cruise allows you to savor the beauty and tranquility. But finally it's the activities you will do on the cruise that will impress you the most - you'll get to swim, you'll get to go caving, you may get to kayak or go to visit a fishing village…so relaxing and so colorful, that's exactly why I suggest you take this cruise. Truly this is a cruise that is not to be missed.
2. Visit Floating Markets and Islands on Mekong Delta, Vietnam
To see the real Vietnam, go to the floating markets in the Mekong Delta Region, which are the best places to know how people in Vietnam live their lives. Farmers from the region row their boats to the floating markets to sell what they have such as fruits and vegetables. All big boats have a pole hanging with what they sell. In this way, people on small boats know what's on offer from a distance. Smart and interesting, isn't it? On the journey to the floating markets, you can drop by some islands to visit the local workshops and tropical fruits garden, listen to local girls singing local songs or sample delicious home-cooked cuisine in a local family.
3. Eco Tour in Hoi An, Vietnam
I especially love the eco tour in Hoi An - and I think you'll love too. Sit in a round-shaped bamboo basket boat (I had never seen this kind of boat before I went there, how about you?), let the boatman take you through tranquil waters, get close to the nature, and learn how to cast fishing net from local fishermen. How funny it can be? The picture above may have explained.
4. Crawl through Cu Chi Tunnel, Vietnam
The Cu Chi Tunnel is an immense network of underground tunnel and was once used by Viet Cong soldiers as a hiding spot during the Vietnam War. If you are in Ho Chi Minh City missing the Cu Chi tunnels would be a tragedy. If you're small and agile enough, try to "crawl" through various lengths of the tunnel and take a picture. And you'll know how smart the Vietnamese are!
5. Sign up for an Cooking Class in Hoi An, Vietnam
Sampling Vietnamese cuisine is exciting enough, not to mention to cook it hands-on under the guidance of a local chef! In Hoi An, cooking class is very popular and it's totally worth it! First, you'll have a guided tour to the markets where the guides talked about the different produces and where they come from. Then comes to the learning session and you get to see different cooking processes and how they prepare the food. Finally it's time to cook on your own. And you'll get recipes and do enough to be able to recreate delicious food at home yourself.
6. Visit an Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand
You can ride elephants all over Southeast Asia but in Chiang Mai, you can get close to elephants to the maximum. As I have experienced, in such elephant camp as the Patara Elephant Farm, you'll learn how to approach elephants correctly, how to feed and check their health, how to take care of them, how to ride on its neck and communicate with them - what an experience! Can you afford to miss it?
7. Snorkel in Sea Water around Thai Islands
Don't miss the chance to go snorkeling when you're in Thailand. With so many islands and pristine waters, Thailand is a perfect place to go snorkeling. Almost every beach and island has some good spots to snorkel. All you have to do is put your head in the water and enjoy the wonderful underwater world. But always be aware of the surroundings when snorkeling.
8. Watch the Alms-giving Ceremony, Luang Prabang, Laos
An unforgettable experience – see one of the most sacred Lao traditions, the Buddhist Alms-giving Ceremony when you're in Luang Prabang. Every morning as sun rises, around 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meal. The procession begins on the main street of Luang Prabang before spreading out to the side streets.
Tip: The procession is quite lengthy and therefore is not for small kids and those who cannot sit quietly for more than a few minutes. If you want to give offerings, arrive early as it's considered very offensive to disrupt the ceremony once it has commenced.
9. Balloon Ride over Bagan, Myanmar
A balloon ride isn't rare, but how about a ride over a landscape dotted with thousands of golden temples - fantastic! Bagan is an unusual place in Myanmar. Originally there were over 10,000 temples but only 3,000 survived and remain intact. The balloon trips have been running in Bagan for over 10 years. The balloons are big enough to give you a sense of safety. The pilots are very experienced and responsible. It is really breathtaking to see the stupa-filled landscape beneath you. Go for it unless you're extremely scared of height!
Tip: The balloon trips only operate from roughly October 20th to March 20th and may get cancelled because of high winds or other weather conditions. The whole ride lasts one hour.
10. Tuk Tuk Ride in Seam Reap, Cambodia
Tuk Tuk is a popular and cheap means of transportation in Indochina region. In Seam Reap, it is a great way to tour around the Angkor Wat. But for tourists, it's more of an experience than just a way to get around.
Tip: It's better to do this in the morning if you're there in summer when temperature is very high and the sun is scorching. After all, there is no air-conditioning on tuk tuk.
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