A magical adventure through Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar

Commonly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam is the country’s largest city and the financial and economical capital. This is a city full of surprises. Chaotic traffic blends with peaceful pagodas, parks, multi-style coffee shops and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways. Icons of the past endure in the middle of the city’s vast urbanization. The ornate Saigon opera house, Hôtel de Ville - former French city hall, broad boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are reminders of French-colonial times. In addition, the Chinese influence is also evident particularly in Cholon district (the city's Chinatown), while modern skyscrapers and international hotel chains that dot the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future.

The Mekong Delta, located in the southernmost territory bordered by Cambodia, is the most fertile land in Vietnam. This is a region of unrelenting beauty - nicknamed the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam, where over 50% of Vietnam’s rice is grown. It is home to a unique ecosystem with diverse communities and ethnicities, and there are few places like this in the world. One the best, if not the best, ways to experience this area is to take a boat trip (1 day or a few days with staying overnight in local homestays) along the Mekong River's twisting capillaries of tropical canals, mangroves, past rice paddies, floating markets, where life on and off the river merge into one.

Da Nang is the commercial and educational center of central Vietnam and the largest city in the region. It is also the tourism hub on the west coast blessed with beautiful sunsets against a backdrop of lush mountains. This port city on the South China Sea has large areas of soft, ivory-white sand and clear blue waters making it an ideal place for a beach vacation and outdoor activities such as surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and jet-skiing. Da Nang is in easy reach of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hoi An ancient town, Hue and the My Son Sanctuary.

One of the oldest cities in Asia, Hoi An town is in central Vietnam and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 thanks to its 800 historic buildings. Today, its iconic yellow ochre facades, a quaint riverfront promenade, pedestrian-friendly streets, and hundreds of colorful lanterns that light up the town every evening are a magnet for local and international visitors. Due to extremely well-preserved heritage architecture, Hoi An has an irresistible charm. The Japanese merchant houses, congregation halls of the former Chinese communities and even the warehouses hold the memory of where and when traders from various communities across Asia gathered. Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most favorite destinations with something for every one. A quaint town perfect for strolling, shopping, and dining; awesome beaches and a perfect mix of countryside and villages which can be explored by bicycle or motorbike.

Perched on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the world's most ancient cities. Its beauty lies in its liveliness of bustling streets where workshops and cafes spill out onto the streets and roadsides. As the intersection point where east meets west, Hanoi is a fascinating mix of old and new, Asian and European. With Chinese and French influences, an ancient culture, colonial architecture, broad tree-lined boulevards and beautiful lakes, the iconic architectural appearance of the Old Quarter and the elegance of the French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, etc... gives Vietnam’s capital city a unique charm of the ancient and modern. Hanoi is also home to one of Asia’s strong indigenous culinary traditions, with bustling wet markets and a rowdy street-food culture, as well as some five star international dining options. It is also very affordable by urban Asian standards, with the majority of hotels and restaurants offering plenty of value.

Halong Bay, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, is located 170km east of Hanoi. It is made up of three neighboring bays: Halong, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays, although Halong Bay is undeniably the most famous and most well-known of the three. Widely considered a natural wonder of the world, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is breathtaking with thousands of majestic limestone, peaks and islets rising dramatically out of the sparkling emerald waters of the bay. The most common way to explore is by taking an overnight night cruise or day-trip which cruises among the limestone pillars and islets. Many also include an island drop off and cave explorations. Visiting floating villages in the area gives a chance to interact with the local community whose livelihoods depend on the waters. Another way to immerse oneself close up in the bay is by kayaking near and around the limestone pillars and some of the caves that are possible to enter by kayak.

Buzzing, humid and energetic, Bangkok is the city where magnificent temples, historic markets, skyscrapers and rooftop bars create an intoxicating vibe that's hard to resist. The city is a mesmerizing blend of old and new, East and West, and dizzying contradictions. Historical sites next to vibrant nightlife areas, bustling markets near modern shopping malls, and street food vendors close to world-class restaurants. Hence, the city is still fascinating for its traditional culture. Saffron-robed monks weave among the morning rush hour to collect alms; communities dwell in stilt houses by the Chao Phraya River, eking out a living using centuries-old skills. A city tour in Bangkok often begins in Rattanakosin, drawn by the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It's here the Chao Phraya River separates the city proper from its old capital Thonburi, a spot where quitet, narrow canals and floating markets illustrate why Bangkok was once called 'Venice of the East'. East of the canals is modern Bangkok, a hive of activity with countless businesses, markets and shopping malls handily connect by the BTS Skytrain. As a city that feels alive day and night, Bangkok is the destination for all, from foodies, shopaholics, culture seekers, history lovers, urban explorers, even party animals. That makes the well-known Southeast Asian gateway one of the world's most visited cities.

Yangon, or Rangoon as it was once known, is the gateway to Myanmar for most travelers. Though no longer the capital, Yangon remains Myanmar’s commercial heart and also the core of its spiritual life. The city has got a lot of contrasts, with the gentle bustle of traditional shophouses sitting side by side with the stark grandeur of 19th-century facades. A city tour might begin with the gleaming golden Shwedagon Paya, one of Yangon's most compelling attractions. Wandering around the warren of historic streets closer to the waterfront is a great way to learn about the city's colonial-era history. Further afield, visit the intriguing old cities of Amarapura, home to an ancient and famous teak bridge, over a kilometer long, and the incredible stupas from Sagaing. Jump aboard the Yangon Circle train, the most popular form of travel for local Yangonites, as it trundles along 29 miles of bumpy track through the city’s suburbs. Commuters, monks and snack-selling vendors hop on and off; spend time at some stops visiting tea shops and local markets nearby. Explore the Chinatown lying between Shwedaungtan and Shwedagon Pagoda streets. Starting from the 19th street to experience the street food in Yangon; outside seating, bustling local life and a boozy night scene. The Maha Bandula road is one of the busier for street food in Yangon. The area varies from with street food from delicious shan noodles and fried street foods to insects and cooked innards.

Bagan is located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy), a few miles south of Mandalay and north of Yangon. During the heyday of Bagan, this was the center of the Pagan Kingdom from the mid-9th to the end of the 13th centuries. More than 10,000 Buddhist strutures have been built here, nevertheless, only 2,000 remain until now. Formerly inhabited by between 50,000 and 200,000 people, the lost city is now largely deserted, with most of the local population confined to settlements on the peripheries, leaving the monuments rising in the grassy plains. Known as the “Bagan Archaeological Zone”, the ancient monuments of different periods stretch over a vast area on the bank of Ayeyarwady river up to the Turintaung range. Although the best way to explore these temples is on foot, a unique way to enjoy a panoramic view of the Bagan temples is taking a ride on a hot air balloon for a sunrise or sunset. For those who are not interested in a balloon ride, simply climb up to the top terrace of the Bagan viewing tower and enjoy the wide expanse of temples. The town is not only about temples. One also can take a day hiking Mount Popa, an important pilgrimage site with several temples dedicated to the ancient spirit atop the mountain; take a boat ride along the Irrawaddy River, the lifeline of Myanmar, which stretches 2,170 km across the country, passing through Bagan; take a cycling trip to explore the countryside of Myanmar from the back roads.