TOP ETHICAL TRAVEL ADVENTURES TO EXPERIENCE IN CAMBODIA

Cambodia is the country for the adventurous and open-minded type of traveler. The poignant killing fields, ancient Angkor temples and a night on pub street are on everyone's to do list. Many travellers pass overland through Cambodia on a tour from Thailand, Laos or Vietnam, taking in the main attractions in just a few days before moving on. But if you linger a little longer in Cambodia you can find some awesome off-the-beaten-track travel adventures that also help out the local people, environment and wildlife.

1. Go elephant trekking in Mondulkiri Province

Elephants have a tough life in adventure travel in Cambodia. Worked hard for farming or used for tourist rides they can develop health problems and have a much shorter life expectancy than in the wild. The Mondulkiri Project gives overworked elephants a place to live out the rest of their days in peace. The elephants enjoy their new lives, chomping through lush forests, swimming in rivers and bathing under crystal clear waterfalls in their natural habitat.

For just US$50 you can join the elephants for a day and learn all about them and the Buong people who live in the region. The project only employs local guides and has a real commitment to helping the Buong community through the money they raise. They also offer overnight jungle camping trips and hiking tours.

2. Dine for a Cause In Phnom Penh

Every world weary traveler needs a break from street food once in a while, and if you're going to splash out on dinner, you might as well choose a restaurant which employs ex-street kids. The Friends restaurant is staffed by at-risk young people who have been given an opportunity to turn their lives around through vocational training programs. Serving a high standard of european and international tapas-style cuisine and delish cocktails, it's a pearl on the Phnom Penh dining scene. If you fancy something a little more adventurous, try their sister restaurant Romdeng, specialising in local dishes and little known delicacies like crispy tarantulas with black pepper and lime.

 

3. Teach English in Takeo

Get a taste of rural Cambodia by helping out at a village school with New Futures Organisation. The project provides free education to children in rural communities who have no access to government schools. Helping out at NFO is totally free, you simply pay for your travel and accommodation. Placements are for a minimum of one week although the longer you stay the greater experience you'll have.

Volunteering is an awesome way to develop your employability skills and looks great on your resume when your trip is over. As a volunteer you'll stay in Takeo town and cycle down dusty dirt roads to reach remote village schools. You'll work with Cambodian teachers to plan fun and exciting lessons. Nothing can beat seeing the children's faces light up as you help them practice their English using fun games and songs. The project employs local teachers and has services supporting the local community like their drop in centre which provides meals and support to at risk children. NFO also take volunteers with specific skills on more long term placements, anyone interested should get in touch with them.

4. Clown around in Siem Reap

One of the most exciting and unique ways to spend the evening in Siem Reap is at Phare the Cambodian Circus. The world renowned performers all began their circus careers at the Phare Ponleu Selpak, a non-profit in Battambang. The circus school helps children and young people from challenging circumstances to channel their energy into performing arts, circus skills and music. The energy, comedy and sheer flexibility of the show will delight even the most sceptical of circus goers.

Tickets start at around US$18 per adult and local offers are usually available. You can also watch circus shows at the training school in Battambang and can often catch the circus on tour in other cities.

 

5. Have some jungle fun in the Cardamom Mountains

Chi Phat is a community-based eco-tourism project to the west of Phnom Penh. Getting to Chi Phat is all part of its fun– first you catch a bus towards Ko Kong and ask the driver to make a stop at Andoung Teuk. Next you then take a two hour boat ride or 40 minute motorbike taxi into the isolated village in the cardamom mountains. Once you arrive you can check in at a locally owned guesthouse or for an authentic experience choose to stay in the home of a village family. You can hire a bike or a kayak and explore the surroundings at your leisure.

The real draw of Chi Phat is the overnight guided trekking and biking activities with jungle camping! Everyone working there is from the local community and they are all paid a living wage for their services, that includes guides, cooks and home stay families. Overnight tours start from US$45 and all charges are broken down on your bill so you can see how your money benefits the people providing your services.

*Here's a tip– visit Chi Phat during Khmer new year to see how a real Cambodian village celebrates!

So whether it's jungle adventures, volunteering or fine dining that you love, travel slower, stay longer and enjoy the real beauty of Cambodia whilst supporting the people who live there.

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Three ways to experience the Mekong River

Mekong River life is nothing short of bustling and busy, with constant activity to observe from river craft and fisherman, to floating markets and traditional villages, as well as the local cuisine.

• Things to do in Mekong Delta
• 7 night cruise between Vietnam & Cambodia
• Experience Local Life Along Mekong River

Mekong River has long enchanted visitors from around the world. Stretching more than 2,700 miles, flowing through six countries, The Mekong is a natural wonder ranging from rare wildlife in spectacular natural landscapes to communities with distinct cultural heritages. Vientiane, capital of Laos, and Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, are both located directly on the banks of the river, which drains into the South China Sea to the south of Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). And as a traveller, those thousands of miles offer a wealth of adventures. Here are some ideas to enjoy one of the longest rivers in the world.

A day tour

Day tours are suitable for who want to explore the Mekong with the most flexibility and least time commitment. Seeing fisherman expertly casting their nets at dawn? Or watching some of local factories? Whether you go for a half day or full day excursion, you're going to find something magical.

If you're in Laos, Luang Prabang is a good place to kick off a day tour. Every corner of this sleepy town seems to offer picturesque views from under towering palm trees. Book a cycling trip to a local village and get a taste of life along the river, make sure you get some Laotian specialties like Mekong riverweed, a salty snack dressed with sesame seeds or water buffalo jerky.

For a look at Cambodian life, a day tour through Kampong Cham is a great choice. You'll find fewer tourists, less chaos, and more room to wander through markets and temples.

http://www.medicalmingle.com/vietnamtours/blog/2016/10/12/hunting_rice_season_in_vietnam
http://www.thedigitel.com/s/charleston/climbing-bai-tho-mountian-161013-561913
http://www.schoolrack.com/johnwooden/things-you-should-not-forget-when-traveling-to-b-1/

Bamboo Bridge In Kampong Cham

A visit to the Mekong Delta

Located at the end of the Mekong River, Mekong Delta — where the winding Mekong splits into nine distributaries in Southern Vietnam — is home to lush natural beauty and a history of both prosperity and turmoil. Wars could not destroy this bountiful region, and the Delta still retains a unique charm like no elsewhere on Earth.

There are so many things about this region that make it special – lush orchards overflowing with tropical fruit, floating markets and villages built on stilts but it's really the locals who call the Mekong home that set it apart. It's no surprise that it is one of the most alluring destinations in South East Asia.

Leisurely boat trip in Mekong Delta

Perhaps it's the area's incredible cuisine. Vietnam is a culinary superpower and the Mekong Delta brings its own unique flavours and twists on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The abundance of rice and crops means everything is amazingly fresh with subtle fragrances and this place is truly a foodie heaven. Freshwater crabs, elephant-ear fish and catfish are just a few of the local specialties to feast on.

Keep your camera ready to capture the canopy of greenery stretching over the river — you're going to want to preserve the memory of the Mekong Delta's beauty. Or try your hand at recreating your favourite dishes by booking an excursion with a cooking class. You'll learn how rau thom (herbs) and fish sauce are in the process.

http://www.medicalmingle.com/vietnamtours/blog/2016/10/12/things_you_should_not_forget_when_traveling_to_beach
http://www.thedigitel.com/s/charleston/20-experiences-you-remember-forever-hoi-161013-561911
http://www.schoolrack.com/johnwooden/ben-thanh-night-market--a-glimpse-of-saigon-1/

A luxury cruise

Lazing along the river from the comfort of a luxury cruise will be the most comfortable way to enjoy the Mekong. Cruise for a few nights, or embark on a longer expedition spanning a week or two. Modern luxury cruise operators in the Mekong spare no expense to create their amazing floating accommodation, so you may want to stay on board as long as possible.

River cruises often travel between Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor temples, and Ho Chi Minh City, or between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. The route is full of thriving cities or rural communities or floating villages and floating markets and endless rice paddies, pagodas and temples...

http://www.medicalmingle.com/vietnamtours/blog/2016/10/13/characteristics_of_people_in_mekong_delta
http://www.thedigitel.com/s/charleston/characteristics-people-mekong-delta-161013-561912
http://www.schoolrack.com/johnwooden/explore-mien-tay-on-flooding-season/
http://johnwooden1992.deviantart.com/journal/Must-see-place-sites-in-Can-Tho-639845360

Cambodian monks in a "floating village"

As beautiful, fascinating and diverse as the river is though, it's the people who call it home that are the real stars of any journey along this magical river. We know that there is nothing more precious than authentic local experiences. As one plies the waters from Cambodia to Vietnam, life unfurls. Villagers bathe in the waters and trade along the banks. Men cast traditional fishing nets into the river pregnant with freshwater fish at daybreak, and, at day's end, kids paddle around, holding large banana trunks as a floating device. Indeed, while pampered by all the luxurious material spoils one can ask for, it is the priceless warmth of the local people that makes a journey like this truly exceptional.

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Phu Quoc restaurants with beautiful view

In addition to be immersed on the beach of the green, smooth sand, you enjoy seafood dishes in the restaurants such as Viet Xua, Trung Duong Marina or Song Xanh. 

Usually when enjoying the cuisine in Phu Quoc, many people will think of Dinh Cau night market. However, if you want to search a more formal and polite space you can go to the below addresses.

Viet Xua restaurant

                                                                                 Viet Xua restaurant

Stepping through the wood door like curved roof of an ancient village, you seem to empty all your everyday worries to return to the rustic and old space. The wooden furniture with dark brown color creates the old feeling, nostalgia. With spacious and airy area, this is where many customers prefer to come when visiting Phu Quoc.

The menu of the restaurant is very rich with traditional Asia - Europe dishes, notably the famous specialties of Phu Quoc. You can enjoy steamed coconut shrimp, seafood salad of green mango, fried squid with salted egg shock, pinch onion or grilled herring salad reputation in this archipelago. The price is from 80,000 to 200,000 VND/ dish.

Address: Hung Vuong Street, Duong Dong town

Trung Duong Marina

                                                                        Trung Duong restaurant

This restaurant has airy, spacious space and lies on a slope on the hillside, facing the poetic river in the town center. It offers a peaceful and quiet setting and can accommodate hundreds of guests.

                                                                                   Crab soup

You can choose to unleash hundreds of rice dishes such as crab, seafood rice, crab soup, herring salad or Trung Duong salad with the price of 125,000 VND/ dish.

Address: 30/4 road, Duong Dong town

Song Xanh restaurant

Located in windy and airy Duong Dong River the restaurant has a beautiful position and convenient transportation for guests. With 3 spacious floors, separate lounges, this is the ideal place for guests to enjoy meals in the quiet space.

                                                                     Song Xanh restaurant

This restaurant is famous for crab fried rice dish with strong flavor. In addition, customers can order fresh seafood dishes in Phu Quoc sea such as coi bien mai, sea pinch... The price for each dish is from 70,000 to 200,000 VND.

Address: 30/4 road, Duong Dong town

With information of beautiful restaurants, it hopes you will have a perfect Vietnam holiday on Phu Quoc island.

Source:https://www.vietnamtourbooking.com/en/travel-guide/culture-and-cuisine/phu-quoc-restaurants-with-beautiful-view.html

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Admire Halong Bay with cable car system

Together Halong bay cruises, visitors will also have interesting experiences in Halong bay with the unique tourism products - Queen cable car system in Sun World Halong Park. 

Halong cable car systerm

The cable system achieved two world records: the largest cabin in the world with 230 people / cabin and the cable with the highest pilaster, 188,88m height of T1 cable pilaster.

Queen cable car has 2 cabins with transport capacity of 2,000 passengers / hour. The cable car is hang cross the Cua Luc Bay gateway, connects Bai Chay beach and Ba Deo mountain (Hon Gai - Halong City). With cable car's journey, visitors will enjoy great moments while watching from above Halong Bay, a world of water and stone.

Sun Wheel - highlight of Halong's night

After about 5 minutes in the cable car, visitors come to the end of the cable car system - Ba Deo mountain (Hon Gai - Halong city). Sun Wheels is located on the hilltop, 215m high over the sea level and has 64 cabins. When participating in this game visitors will have the opportunity to explore Halong with a new vision that is further and higher than the cable car. In evening, visitors will be enchanted by stunning and shimmering beauty of this heritage city while seeing it from the Sun Wheels. This is also the highlight of Halong's night.

Besides the cable car system, visiting the waxwork museum is also an interesting experience for visitors. Here tourists have the chance to face world's celebrities in many fields such as science, politics, arts, sports, military .... in which highlights are: US President - Obama with a friendly image, the great scientist - Einstein, the legendary - Steve Jobs'...

                                                                                       Waxwork museum - Obama President wax statue

Recommended ticket price: Adult Price: VND 300,000/ticket, children form 1 m- 1.3 m: VND 200,000 /ticket, children under 1 meter: free (Prices include package for all cable car, sun wheel and entertainment area on Ba Deo hill)

Now visitors traveling to Halong, in addition to seeing the world natural heritage, have more experience. With the impressive and unique experience, Sun World Halong Park promises to be a new tourism product contributing to social economic development of Quang Ninh Province and eastern north of the country.

Source : https://www.halong-bay-tours.com/travel-guide/things-to-do/admire-halong-bay-with-cable-car-system.html

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Banh Mi Pho - A new fast food in Saigon

Certainly, no one can tell all kinds of breads in Vietnam because each region has the different "variations" styles. With pho bread (Banh Mi Pho), this dish was a mix of picky flavor of noodle and quickness of bread .

The pho bread looks like a regular hamburger, but a big difference has seen in the crust. By creation, chef of Ro22 makes the pho bread with crusts having fragrant smell of pho. Bread flour is mixed with 22 spices used in noodle soup, so it takes more time and skills to make the crust than other types of crust.

Undergo several stages and be molded at the hands of bakers, spices is absorbed into flour, after baking, the crust of the bread was not only fragrant, delicious, crunchy, but also has a special smell of Vietnamese Pho inside .

Vegetables eaten with this bread are basils, corianders and onions instead of lettuces or tomatoes - these herbs are indispensable when eating noodles. Main crumb consists of brisket and plate. Beef which is cooked and sliced in accordance with standard of pho is moderately soft. Just from the first bite of the bread, diners have felt the special taste of pho. The trick is that after clamping the beef, the vegetables, the chef will add a sauce similar as condensed soup cooked from the bones as other common noodle soup uphill, finally a bit of chili sauce is added.

Like many other fast foods, it only takes 1-3 minutes to have a hot loaf of bread with fragrant smell of traditional beef noodle soup. This is a fast food with health benefits because it contains many nutrients as a bowl of pho. You can fully replace "a bowl of pho" by "a loaf of pho bread" in busy days without worries about the quality as the other fast foods.

Pho bread is the perfect combination cuisine of the South and the North: Saigon bread has long been a distinctive brand of the South, also when mentioning Northern cuisine it is the known pho.
Whether this food appeared in Vietnam not long ago, but not only Vietnamese people but a lot of foreign tourists have come to try it. Most of them feel the novelty and charm of the bread. The first shop selling this dish is Ro22, Truong Dinh Street, District 3, HCMC. With trips to ho chi minh city or trips from ho chi minh city to mekong delta, visitors will have chance to enjoy this new and delicious food.

Source: https://www.mekong-delta-tours.com/en/travel-guide/foods-and-drinks/banh-mi-pho-a-new-fast-food-in-saigon.html

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Things you should not forget when traveling to beach

A sea travel season is coming soon. It is promised a wonderful summer holiday with dropping between the green sea wave or wandering with friends along the white sand beaches, or enjoying seafood. Sea travel has become so familiar, but before each trip to avoid forgetting the most important things, you should remember the below "gold" tips.

>> Halong cruise tours

1. Sun cream

It is an object being not separation when traveling, especially sailing. So let's put sun cream in an easily accessible location in your luggage.

                                                                             Never forget sun cream in your luggage

Normal sun cream has an SPF from 15 to 45, but when going to beach in summer, you should choose one that has the SPF of between 35 and 45.

You always remember applying sun cream 30 minutes before going to beach so that the sun cream has enough time to take effect. To achieve high efficiency, you should re-apply sun cream every hour.

In additions to sun cream, you should use moisturizer after exposure to sunlight to make your skin soft and smooth. It also helps to restore your skin after a day of exposure to sunlight.

2. Slippers

                                                                                         Slippers - a gift for your foot on beach

The type of high heels is not a close friend of the beach. You need the kind of lightweight sandals to walk on beach.

3. Swimwear

                                                                                                Why do you choose a sexy bikini?

Going to beach without swimwear is like plowing without buffalo! Of course, you can rent but it will not hygienic. So, you do not ever forget swimwear. Depending on your body, you can choose a suitable bikini or one-piece swimsuits. However, a bikini is always the perfect choice.

4. Towels

It is inconvenient if after swimming, you go back the beach and walk with a wet body. So let's prepare a big towel to help you wrap around.

5. Sunglasses, broad-brimmed hat

                                                                              Sunglasses and broad-brimmed hat for a perfect beach holiday

Your scalp can also be hurt if you are under the sun too long, so you do not forget to bring a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and hair. Sunglasses will not only protect your eyes but also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.

 

Source : https://www.halong-bay-tours.com/travel-guide/travel-tips/things-you-should-not-forget-when-traveling-to-beach.html

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20 experiences you remember forever in Hoi An

With Hoi An old town tours, cycling around the old town, dropping flower lights, enjoying specialties ... are things you should try to feel the world heritage site in Quang Nam.

1. Cycle to explore the old town: the quarter is not too broad, stunning ancient architecture is reason why many travelers choose the bicycle as the main means to explore Hoi An.

Cycling around Hoi An town

2. Eat a cup of sweet gruel roadside: Hoi An is famous for sweet corn gruel, sweet green bean gruel, sweet black bean gruel, sweet lotus seed gruel... These dishes are not expensive and have sweet and pleasant taste.

3. Have breakfast in markets with local specialties: Morning dishes include Quang noodles, cao lầu, water fern cake ... After eating, you should walk around the market to discover the local fruits and vegetables, folk cakes ...

4. Enjoy the world's most delicious bread in Hoi An - Phuong's bread. Here the bread has small shape, and tapered ends. Ram meat is the main ingredient. Highlights of Phuong's bread is the delicious and special crumb which does not lose the taste of the cake after 2-4 hours.

Hoi An Bread

5. Drink coffee at street shops: The coffee of these shops is usually contained in low glass cups. Milk coffee is usually divided into 3 levels including milk, coffee and ice. When drinking, visitors stir lightly so that they dissolve.

6. Cloth in the old town: Many tourists travelling to Hoi An affirmed that clothes sewed here are beautiful. Just a few hours after you ask, tailors will finish sewing the clothes you like. Even if you can not wait, just leave your measure and address, the shop will send the product to your hands.

7. Swim on Cua Dai beach and enjoy fresh seafood. Additionally, you can also go to beach in the evening to watch the shimmering beach under the oil lamp.

8. Read book in An Bang Beach - one of the beautiful pristine beaches of Vietnam voted by CNN.

Sailling on Thu Bon river

9. Take a boat on the Thu Bon River, see the gorgeous sand dunes, smell the scent of rice, watch mountains ... Also in evening, you can have dinner with friends, sing and play the guitar on a boat floating on river. This is also an interesting experience.

10. Visit Tra Que vegetable village, learn the characteristics of local vegetables, watch the cows graze or join fun buffalo riding services .

11. Visit Kim Bong carpentry village in Cam Kim, far away Hoi An a boat trip. Here, you will hear story of the artisan telling that his father were invited by Nguyen kings to the capital to build and renovate the building.

12. Explore Cam Ha flower village - a traditional flower village of Hoi An. Coming the village, you will feel local people graceful, lovely and hospitable.

13. Travel to Thanh Ha pottery village far away 3 km from Hoi An. In 16th-17th century, Thanh Ha was famous for pottery, and terracotta. At that time, Thanh Ha's products are exchanged throughout almost of provinces in the central.

14. Thanh Nam fishing village is also one of the traditional villages in Hoi An. Here, you can sightseeing both the fishing village and Cua Dai beach by a boat or a basket boat.

                                                                                                          Visit fishing village

15. Go to Cu Lao Cham Island - a group of islands in Tan Hiep, Hoi An City, far away Cua Dai beach 18 km in the east. It is known for charming beaches, ancient buildings, coral reefs and many species of valuable seafoods.

16. Stroll around the ancient town: From 17 pm daily, the main street in the old town are attached a restricted table for vehicles. Places to visit include Tran Phu Street, the Japanese bridge, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang street, Phung Hung old house, Quang Dong Assembly hall, Chinese assembly halls ...

17. Enjoy the dishes in small markets along the river on sunset: The main dish here is cao lầu, mango bread, Quang noodles... There are not many dishes in menu, the quality of cuisine is not special, however, many tourists choose this place for eating and watching the flow of people.

18. Drink coffee in the bar with river views. During the day, tourists will have time to watch the old houses, or can ride leisurely cycle. At night, tourists will have chance to see lanterns, flower boats, bustling flow of people ...

19. Drop flower lights: On 1st and 15th of the month, Hoi An organizes the flower light festival. However, the flower lights are sold on most of the days of the month. You can buy, and drop across the river to the wish.

                                                                                            Drop Flower Lights on Thu Bon river

                                                                                                              Flower lights on river

20. Take photos: Main color of the old town is warm yellow so whether you choose to shoot in any style, the photos are beautiful and soulful.

Source : https://www.vietnamtourbooking.com/en/travel-guide/travel-experience/20-experiences-you-remember-forever-in-hoi-an.html

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