TRAVEL LOG
The best historical excursions in the region
VIETNAM’S FORMER IMPERIAL CAPITAL Azerai La Residence in Hue, a luxury hotel overlooking the fabled Perfume River in central Vietnam, offers a variety of ways to explore the area, which includes several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The hotel’s most popular Full Day in Hue tour begins with a boat ride on the river to Thien Mu Pagoda – a seven storey tower built in 1601 – that now stands as the unofficial symbol of Hue. The excursion continues by private car to the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945.
In the afternoon, guests visit the tomb of Emperor Gia Long – the resting place of the first Nguyen Emperor – followed by Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which features traditional Vietnamese architecture with European flourishes, making it unique from other tombs in Hue.
Some guests opt to end the day with a royal dinner inside the Imperial City at the Royal Theatre of Vietnam.
ANCIENT RUINS OF ANGKOR Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – the iconic 92 year old luxury hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – has unveiled a series of curated journeys offering guests distinctive ways to experience the culture and history of the ancient archaeological sites of Angkor.
Guests can visit the UNESCO World Heritage site on the back of a Vespa, exploring areas not easily reached by foot or too narrow and overgrown to access by car.
And for a truly once in a lifetime experience, Raffles offers a bespoke temple dinner set within the ancient temple complex and illuminated by blazing torches that cast flickering shadows across the remains of the Khmer Empire.
WAR ERA BOMB SHELTER IN HANOI Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi offers a daily Path of History tour that’s become a ‘must do’ for visitors who want to learn more about the iconic hotel’s storied past.
The tour includes a display of photographs featuring the 123 year old luxury hotel’s many famous guests over the years along with vintage artifacts such as century old room keys.
For many however, the highlight of the tour is a trip into the hotel’s bomb shelter, which shielded visitors from air raids during the Vietnam War. The bunker was closed and sealed after the war until its rediscovery during the renovation of the Bamboo Bar in 2011.
Today, hotel guests on the tour can explore and photograph the subterranean chambers.
MARBLE MOUNTAIN HIKE AND TAI CHI Da Nang’s Marble Mountains – five karsts named for the five elements – are best enjoyed early in the day, before the crowds arrive. The sacred spot, peppered with pagodas, shrines, ancient statues and deep caves, is accessed by a timeworn 200 step stone staircase winding up the mountainside.
TIA Wellness Resort offers guests a glimpse of the mountainside as it may have been experienced in the past with an early morning tai chi session held at the top. The two hour excursion, designed with movement in mind, is one of the property’s tours.
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL BEACH CITY Alma Resort Cam Ranh has joined forces with boutique travel agency Zazen Travel to offer a six hour Cultural and Heritage Tour of the bustling beach city of Nha Trang with highlights ranging from its ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers to Nha Trang Cathedral.
Departing Alma at 8 a.m., the experience begins at Truong Son Craft Village, which is home to a host of skilled artisans crafting traditional pottery, lacquerware, silk weaving and sand painting before visitors’ eyes.
Following a stop at the Nha Trang Cathedral, known for its imposing Gothic design, the tour continues to the majestic Po Nagar Cham Towers, built between the seventh and 13th centuries during the reign of the Champa Kingdom. The tour concludes with a visit to Dam Market, Nha Trang’s largest market, which first opened in 1908.
RUMMAGE THROUGH MUI NE’S HISTORY The Anam Mui Ne offers a private excursion that delves into the beach town of Mui Ne’s past with stops at the bustling Mui Ne Fishing Village, the ancient Po Shanu Towers and the Fish Sauce Museum.
The Mui Ne fishing village is a riot of colour with hundreds of bright fishing boats and locals haggling over the fresh catch of the day.
Perched on Ba Nai Hill, the Po Shanu Towers were built in the late eighth century and are among the few remaining architectural marvels from the Champa Kingdom.
Mui Ne’s Fish Sauce Museum is home to 14 interactive exhibits that provide insights into the 300 year old fishing industry of the town, which lays claim to being the birthplace of Vietnam’s fish sauce.
MAJESTIC TEMPLES IN LANNA KINGDOM There are temples… and then there are Chiang Mai’s temples. In fact, more than 300 wats dot the city and its surrounding countryside.
Meliá Chiang Mai, situated in the heart of the city near the historic Tha Phae Gate, offers private sightseeing and excursions to a host of impressive wats including Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Umong, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Phra That Doi Kham, Wat Sri Suphan and Wat Ched Yod.
Perched atop Doi Suthep mountain and offering stunning views of Chiang Mai, the famed Doi Suthep Temple is the most popular of them all – and for good reason. Filled with Buddhist shrines and relics, the temple is crowned by a 24 metre tall goldplated stupa that catches the sun’s rays and blazes like a beacon over Chiang Mai on a clear day.
WANDER THROUGH HONG KONG’S OLD DISTRICT Originally a small fishing village, Wan Chai was transformed into a bustling urban area following British colonisation in 1841. Now a hub of commercial and cultural activity, Wan Chai is renowned for its historical landmarks, street markets, and blend of Eastern and Western influences.
The Hari Hong Kong encourages guests to explore its vibrant neighbourhood with the self-guided tour titled ‘Best of Wan Chai: Iconic Landmarks.’
Highlights include the Old Wan Chai Post Office, the four storey tenement block known as the Blue House Cluster, Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple and the Old Wan Chai Market Building – an example of Streamline Moderne style that serves as a reminder of Hong Kong’s pre-war era.
Also recommended is villain hitting – a traditional folk ritual practiced under the Canal Road Flyover, where participants hit a paper effigy of a villain to cast a curse.
CHECK OUT BANGKOK’S ATTRACTIONS The SkyTrain INSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s design is inspired by some of the Thai capital’s most famous historic attractions – including the Chao Phraya River, temples such as Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, Brahman structure known as The Giant Swing, Sanam Luang state park and Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
The hotel advises guests on how to take the BTS Skytrain – On Nut Station is only 160 metres away – to explore the landmarks that have influenced not only the hotel’s design but also the evolution of Bangkok since it became the capital of Siam in 1782.
After a day of sightseeing on the metro system, guests return to the hotel to enjoy contemporary interpretations of these attractions – such as the lobby’s nod to Wat Phra Kaew, featuring a golden counter inspired by the temple’s traditional decorations gilded in gold leaf and the towering swing at The Giant Swing Pool Bar.
FINAL RESTING PLACES OF VIETNAMESE EMPERORS Visiting the Royal Tombs of Hue is a profound journey into the grandeur and mystery of the Nguyen Dynasty.
These majestic tombs, the final resting place of various emperors, are set amid lush landscapes and feature intricate architecture, serene lakes and exquisite stone carvings that reflect the artistry and reverence for Vietnam’s royal heritage.
Guests of Laguna Lang Co, an integrated resort on Vietnam’s central coast, can easily embark on an exclusive tour to Hue with seamless arrangements provided by the resort’s concierge.
The trip offers guests a thoughtfully curated itinerary, ensuring a comfortable journey and an in-depth exploration of the tombs’ historical significance. Laguna Lang Co’s guided experience combines cultural enrichment with luxury travel and allows guests to witness the past in an immersive and respectful way.