Picture THIS
We asked some top travel experts to share their favourite pictures of Southeast Asia, and why they mean so much
HO CHI MINH CITY VIETNAM Cassie Stickland, Product Mananger Asia for Titan
Arriving into Ho Chi Minh City on my first ever trip to Vietnam, I walked to the Saigon Opera House. There were rows of small plastic chairs set up in front of the main steps, and a young Vietnamese family beckoned me over and gestured for me to sit down with them. Suddenly the music started, and a marching band of traditionally dressed, young Vietnamese teenagers all appeared on the Opera House steps and started serenading the audience. It was at this moment that I thought to myself, I’m going to love this place.
FRIENDLY PEOPLE CAMBODIA Joe Ponte, Managing Director for Explore
The people of Cambodia are some of the friendliest and most welcoming you are likely to meet anywhere in the world. A great way to see this beautiful country is on a cycling or motorbike trip. This allows you to really get up close to your surroundings. Stopping in little villages along the way, you get a real taste for the life of locals. There’s nothing like exploring village markets and eating local food when you and your group are the only tourists there.
ANGKOR WAT CAMBODIA Tom Bugeja, CEO, Mercury Holidays
Cambodia’s astrologically aligned temple complex, Angkor Wat, is one of the world’s most mysterious and fascinating ancient sites. Believed to be the largest religious building in the world, this temple complex is deemed the heart and soul of Cambodia, and a source of immeasurable national pride. Add to this the country’s exceptional natural beauty and its kind-hearted people, and it’s easy to see why Cambodia is such a special destination.
HOI AN VIETNAM Lesley Rollo, Managing Director at Travelbag
With its beautiful scenery and cultural sites, Vietnam is rightly popular, and my favourite place is Hoi An. A UNESCO-protected site, this charming town feels so authentic with its temples and the irresistibly friendly people. You can go on a snorkelling trip, take a cooking class, and visit silk tailors for a made-to-measure souvenir. And, in the evenings, the narrow streets are filled with colourful lanterns, giving the town a lovely glow. I never wanted to leave.