Indochina Voyages Travel

30/01/2024

Bac Ha Sunday Market

20/12/2023

03/05/2016

Now atmospherically encroached by forest, Banteay Chhmar housed one of the largest and most impressive Buddhist monasteries of the Angkorian period and was originally enclosed by a 9km-long wall. It is one of the the few temples to feature the enigmatic, Bayon-style four-faced Avalokiteshvaras with their mysterious and iconic smiles. The temple is also renowned for its 2000 sq metres of intricate carvings that depict war victories, scenes from daily life and a spectacular bas-relief of multiarmed Avalokiteshvaras.

The sequence of eight multiarmed Avalokiteshvaras , on the exterior of the southern section of the temple's western ramparts, is unique to Banteay Chhmar. Unfortunately several of these were dismantled and trucked into Thailand in a brazen act of looting in 1998; only two figures – one with 22 arms, the other with 32 – remain in situ, but the dazzling, intricate artistry involved in creating these carvings is still easily evoked. The segmants of the looted bas-reliefs that were intercepted by the Thais are now on display in Phnom Penh's National Museum .

On the temple’s east side, a huge bas-relief on a partly toppled wall dramatically depicts naval warfare between the Khmers (on the left) and the Chams (on the right), with the dead (some being devoured by crocodiles) at the bottom. Further south (to the left) are scenes of land warfare with infantry and elephants. There are more martial bas-reliefs along the exterior of the temple’s south walls.

The once-grand entry gallery is now a jumble of fallen sandstone blocks, though elsewhere a few intersecting galleries have withstood the ravages of time, as have some almost-hidden 12th-century inscriptions. Sadly, all the apsaras (nymphs) have been decapitated by looters.

25/04/2016

Independence MonumentModelled on the central tower of Angkor Wat, Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1953. It also serves as a memorial to Cambodia’s war dead. Wreaths are laid here on national holidays. In the park just east of here is an impressive statue of the legendary former king/prime minister/statesman King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who died a national hero in 2012.

Nearby, in Wat Botum Park opposite photogenic Wat Botum , is the optimistically named Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument , built to a Vietnamese (and rather communist) design in 1979. Concerts are often held in the park, which springs to life with aerobics, football and takraw (foot juggling with a rattan ball) enthusiasts after 5pm.

23/04/2016

Within the Royal Palace compound is the extravagant Silver Pagoda, the floor of which is covered with five tons of gleaming silver. You can sneak a peek at some of the 5000 tiles near the entrance - most are covered to protect them. Rivalling the floor, an extraordinary Baccarat-crystal Buddha sits atop an impressive gilded pedestal. Adding to the lavish mix is a life-sized solid-gold Buddha, which weighs 90kg and is adorned with 2086 diamonds, the largest weighing in at 25 carats.
The staircase leading to the Silver Pagoda is made of Italian marble. Inside, the Emerald Buddha, said to be made of Baccarat crystal, sits on a gilt pedestal high atop the dais. In front of the dais stands a life-sized gold Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds, the largest of which weighs 25 carats. Created in the palace workshops during 1906 and 1907, the gold Buddha weighs in at 90kg. Directly in front of it, in a Formica case, is a miniature silver-and-gold stupa containing a relic of Buddha brought from Sri Lanka. To the left is an 80kg bronze Buddha, and to the right a silver Buddha. On the far right, figurines of solid gold tell the story of the Buddha.

18/04/2016

National Museum of Cambodia
Located just north of the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Cambodia is housed in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built from 1917 to 1920), with an inviting courtyard garden. The museum is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture – a millennium’s worth and more of masterful Khmer design. The museum comprises four pavilions, facing a pretty garden. Most visitors start left and continue in a clockwise, chronological direction.

The first significant sculpture to greet visitors is a large fragment – including the relatively intact head, shoulders and two arms – of an immense bronze reclining Vishnu statue, which was recovered from the Western Mebon temple near Angkor Wat in 1936. Continue into the left pavilion, where the pre-Angkorian collection begins, illustrating the journey from the human form of Indian sculpture to the more divine form of Khmer sculpture from the 5th to 8th centuries. Highlights include an imposing, eight-armed Vishnu statue from the 6th century found at Phnom Da, and a staring Harihara, combining the attributes of Shiva and Vishnu, from Prasat Andet in Kompong Thom province. The Angkor collection includes several striking statues of Shiva from the 9th, 10th and 11th centuries; a giant pair of wrestling monkeys (Ko Ker, 10th century); a beautiful 12th-century stele (stone) from Oddar Meanchey Province inscribed with scenes from the life of Shiva; and the sublime statue of a seated Jayavarman VII (r 1181–1219), his head bowed slightly in a meditative pose (Angkor Thom, late 12th century).

The museum also contains displays of pottery and bronzes dating from the pre-Angkorian periods of Funan and Chenla (4th to 9th centuries), the Indravarman period (9th and 10th centuries) and the classical Angkorian period (10th to 14th centuries), as well as more recent works, such as a beautiful

13/04/2016

With its classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding, the Royal Palace dominates the diminutive skyline of Phnom Penh. It's a striking structure near the riverfront, bearing a remarkable likeness to its counterpart in Bangkok. Being the official residence of King Sihamoni, parts of the massive palace compound are closed to the public. Visitors are allowed to visit only the throne hall and a clutch of buildings surrounding it. Adjacent to the palace, the Silver Pagoda complex is also open to the public. Visitors need to wear shorts that reach to the knee, and T-shirts or blouses that reach to the elbow; otherwise they will have to rent an appropriate covering. The palace gets very busy on Sundays, when countryside Khmers come to pay their respects, but being in admist the thronging locals can be a fun way to experience the place.

30/01/2015

Laos Classic Tour 5 Days: 5 Days Travel from Vientiane to Luang Prabang Laos

30/01/2015

Cuc Phuong National Park is one of my favourite weekend destinations. The first national park in the country, it's a relaxing place to enjoy a few days exploring tropical rainforest.

22/01/2015

Four best features of Trang An Landscape Complex

Situated on the southern shore of the Red River Delta, Trang An is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs.

22/01/2015

This tour itinerary for those who want the classic accommodation during your honeymoon destination holiday leisure in Cambodia & Lao, the classic tour was designed for you special trip itinerary together with the unforgettable memories experience activity during the company provide...
http://www.vietnambambootravel.com/Cambodia-Laos-Tours/Cambodia-Laos-Honeymoon-Tour-12-Days-11-Nights/

15/10/2014

Phil Veinott – an American blogger living in HCM City – shared beautiful photos of Saigon taken from the city’s tallest building - Bitexco Financial - on his Facebook.

15/10/2014

For a long time, the street of Le Cong Kieu, which is located behind Ham Nghi Road, has been known as the only one in Ho Chi Minh City selling various kinds of antiques.

In the past, Le Cong Kieu Street was a small alley. In 1920, the French Government expanded and named it Reims Street. In 1955, the Sai Gon authority changed the street name to Le Cong Kieu, the name of an army chief in the Can Vuong Movement against the French colonialists.

The street, about 200m long, is considered the oldest in Saigon and it seems unchanged with each passing day. On the street, all the antique shops do not have any nameplates, but are numbered which helps customers easily find the types of antiques they want. For instance, ceramic and pottery antiques are sold in shops No. 19, 21 and 23, ancient gongs and statues of Khmer are available in shops No. 34, 36, 38 and 40, and furniture antiques are in shops No. 15 and 36.
There are also some shops selling old lacquered and wooden objects and sentence parallels at the end of the street.

Bao Tam, an owner of an antique shop who has more than 20 years experience trading antiques, said: “The shops on the street open from 9am to 5pm daily and attracts many antique collectors. Here, there are various kinds of ancient objects and connoisseurs in antiques sometimes can buy valuable objects at a cheap price.

Visiting the street, tourists have a chance to learn interesting stories about unique antiques.For example, the story about an elder who brought some paintings to sell on the street but no one bought them because they were ignorant about these paintings’ value. Then, one antique enthusiast discovered that these paintings dated back the Ming Dynasty, each was worth thousands of dollars. There is another story about a French trader who bought a small crystal pot on the street for 50,000 euros. This pot is very unique and valuable because it can make the water have seven colours.

Besides antiques, the locals on the street also sell delicate fake ones which are favourites for interior decoration.
The antique street becomes one of the “must see” destinations in Ho Chi Minh City that attracts many foreign tourists. Visiting the street, tourists not only see old objects of different ages, but also learn about the culture and life style of people in the past. Here, they can buy some objects as presents for their relatives.

In 2000, during her visit to Vietnam, Hillary Clinton, went shopping on the street and in 2008 the President of Switzerland Pascal Couchepin and his wife also called at the street. Le Cong Kieu Street has become a unique feature of Ho Chi Minh City because it not only brings about great economic benefits but also shows many cultural and historical values.

15/10/2014

In a series of photographs titled "Colors of Saigon", American photographer Michael shoots glamorous images of Vietnamese cuisine.