Weddings Cambodia

Weddings are important events in Cambodia. Rural Cambodians often use matchmakers and have arranged marriages, while city kids increasingly choose love matches. Premarital sex is considered unacceptable — for women, at least — and divorce, while easy to obtain, is uncommon. Most Khmer young people marry before the age of 25, and women in the provinces often get married as teenagers. Travel Indochina Cambodia
A traditional wedding is a complicated and expensive affair that can go on for days, requiring multiple intricate outfits and lots of very early morning wake-up calls. A wedding usually lasts three days, with many different ceremonies relating to ancient mythical Khmer stories that are done in a specific order to join the bride and groom in matrimony. Some weddings can last a week while others are only a day long, determined usually by the wealth of the parties involved.
Even if you don’t know any Cambodians when you first arrive, you’ll find that you’re often invited to weddings. Unlike Western weddings, where the guest lists are closely monitored, Cambodians will often invite all and sundry to their weddings, hoping to make the affair as large and impressive as possible. When foreigners are invited to weddings they are usually only invited to certain portions that are meant for an audience, or to the final evening celebration. In the cities, these are often held in large halls or on the street under a canopy. Tours in Cambodia
Khmer Wedding
In Khmer wedding, it has a lot of ceremonies held in chronological orders. They show the historical roots related to the Buddha’s period which existed ages ago. According to a book “Khmer Wedding Rules” of Oknha Nov, it puts that in ancient Khmer wedding laws, people perform a song describing God Vesandor Borom Pothisat arranging the marriage between his children – Chealy and Kroesna. And some other songs are about the marriage arrangement of God Ream and Seda. Oknha Nov wrote that the current wedding preparations are arranged according to the rules drawn up by King Preah Chey Chesda Thebdey.
According to the king’s book, it puts that all ceremonies in Khmer wedding are related to mythical stories such as a story "Som Sla Kanseng". It is told that there were two men who went to feed their buffalos in the field would like to make friends with each other and wanted to be relative by marriage with each other because one had a son and the other had a daughter. In order to prove their words, they ask for betel nuts packed in krama from each other to show their promise that their children would marry to each other.
Another story is “the three betel flowers”. It describes that there were four men who had different skills – swimming, shooting, fortune telling, and magic. After completing their study, they returned home. Along the way back near a stream, the fortune teller said that day they were going to meet a girl and become their wife. Then a big bird swooped down on a girl, Khemry, who was having a bath. Right away the shooting man took his bow and shot the bird down back to the stream.
The swimmer then swam to bring her to the ground but she was just dead. After that the magic man helped her be alive again. All four men felt in love with the lad, so they were judged by the Buddha that she would become a wife of someone who swam to help her because he was able to touch her body first. And the fortune teller, magic man, and shooting man would become the father, mother, and brother respectively. Since then in all weddings, the bride and the groom must have three betel flowers in order to show gratitude towards their parents and brothers/sisters.
Setting-the-date ceremony and the groom holding the scarf are told that Prince Thaong was married to Princess Tevtey, a daughter of the sea dragon king. After setting the date already, Tevtey had to bring him to her father at dragon world, so the sea dragon’s daughter asked the prince to hold her scarf in order to dive into the dragon world. In the meanwhile, the dragon king commanded his man to kill the prince at the gate in order to test the prince’s ability. But the daughter had known this; hence, she disguised herself as the prince by changing her skirt and it was put on the prince instead so that the killer was not able to kill the prince. That is why in the current Khmer wedding it was seen that there is clothes change between the groom and the bride, and the groom holding the bride’s scarf in to the room, accompanied by “Phat Cheay and Neang Neak” songs, etc.

People in Mekong delta Vietnam

People in Mekong delta Vietnam
LIFESTYLE OF PEOPLE IN MEKONG DELTA
Mekong Delta not only owns beautiful scenery of bright sunshine, blue sky and fresh air but also frenetic and exciting lifestyle of people here. Highlighted by the livelihood supported by the waterways of Mekong River, the lifestyle in Mekong Delta owns rustic appeal but dynamic and exotic beauty. Indochina tours Vietnam
People in Mekong Delta have various ways of living. Most of population live in the flat plains near the river and the other part live their floating lives. People living on land earn livings by farming and feeding. They gather to form villages or hamlets and keep close-connection between people in the same hamlet and among hamlets. These people live on planting wet rice, fruits or other agricultural products and feed the castles or making handicraft. Each province is famous for a particular product, for example, Ben Tre fames for its coconut candies and a variety made from coconut, Vinh Long becomes well-known with the making of conical leaf hats. Another traditional and unique way of living in Mekong Delta is floating lives. It has been clearly and vividly described in the famous movie “Floating lives”. These people accommodate on houseboats, moving their boats between fields to fish or feed castles in flood season of Mekong River.
MekongRiverattaches with many daily activities of people in Mekong Delta. The most beautiful and outstanding image of this lifestyle is floating market. Hundreds of boats gathering on the water surface, each sells a particular product: watermelon, pineapple, avocado, durian or plum, making the crowded and frenetic scenery. Mekong delta tours Vietnam

Under the influence of reclamation, people of Mekong Delta have some common and typical characteristics. First of all, people in Mekong Delta are very strong-determined and hard-working. In the process of improving the soil and forming fields or orchards, people have to fight against the harsh nature which made people here not only strong-determined but also creative and sensible. In addition, the wealth of this land produced generous and hospitable people who are always welcome guests with their all sincere heart. One of the evidences is that houses in Mekong Delta are often higher, wider and more open to the outside world as compared to ones in the North and the Central. Moreover, they are quite flexible in many fields of daily life. For example, people in Mekong Delta prefer wearing simple clothes which are convenient and comfortable.
People in Mekong Delta live friendly with the environment. In the early days of settling, natural conditions had strong influence on their lives. For survival, people had to learn the way to adapt and get on well with the new environment. As a result, they got experience to exploit properly and treat friendly with environment. The precious experience has been inherited from generations to generations.
COMMON AND OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE IN MEKONG DELTA
Mekong Delta - the meeting point of favorable natural conditions, international waterways and different cultures has built up a common and outstanding characteristic of people here - FORGIVENESS. This characteristic has lead to three main results that directly affect the culture, belief and values of people in Mekong Delta.
1. Forgiveness
First of all, forgiveness has lead to the multi-culture of Mekong Delta. During the reclaiming time, different ethnics with different culture and customs co-inhabit in a land; therefore, they had to accept and respect the others’ difference. Nowadays, ethnics live together in harmony; each has its own culture and lifestyle.
Secondly, different religions co-exist in the highest density in the country in Mekong Delta. There are at least four religions of Buddhism, Muslim, Christianity and Hindu in this land. Especially, there has been the interaction among different religions.
Thirdly, characteristic of people in Mekong Delta is the unity of extremely opposite characters. For example, people in Mekong Delta work extremely hard and then play excessively hard. Interestingly, when they love someone, they will show all their hearts and souls for the other; however, if they hate someone, they even do not want to look at or talk with that one. This characteristic of people in Mekong Delta conflicts with people in the north who favored harmony and equivocacy.
2. Dynamic
The dynamic in characteristic of people in Mekong Delta is a result of many factors.
First of all, Mekong Delta is a multi-cultural land, and the interaction between cultures is quite strong. Moreover, Mekong Delta has a long time under the governance of French colony and then the influence of American culture (in the 19th and 20th century). Secondly, the first immigrants into Mekong Delta are almost the unlucky ones (poor and low social status). Therefore, they had to struggle to survive: fight with harsh nature, find new ways to fish and farm. Due to the above reasons, almost people in Mekong Delta are dynamic which is reflected in their lifestyle.
Firstly, people in Mekong Delta are easily to change their places of living. They do not attach their whole life with a particular village like people in the north. If their current living place is not favorable, they will move to more fertile land to live and farm. It is also easy for people in Mekong Delta to change their jobs.
The dynamic in characteristic of people in Mekong Delta leads to many results. First of all, they are easily to adapt the new things (cuisine, costume, custom). The second result of the dynamic is the creativity. Their creativity is represented in innovations in fishing and farming as well as producing. Moreover, the dynamic is also the encouragement for the development of commerce and trading. While people in the north consider commerce as something bad, people in Mekong Delta. Last but not least, people in Mekong Delta have risk-taking spirit in doing business.
3. Emotional and righteous
The long history of reclamation has also formed the characteristics of emotional and righteous of people in Mekong Delta. People from difference lands came here, living and helping each other. As a result, people here respect relationship between them. They can make friend easily and promise to share happiness as well as sorrow. People in Mekong Delta are quite reckless but righteous. They are not afraid of the death; they are ready die for their brothers and friends. Especially, the way people here express their love is very drastic and direct which is reflected in folk-song: “Even if I die, I will never leave you behind” or “As this night is so nice, could you let me sleep beside?”
Emotional and righteous, people in Mekong Delta disregard for money because for them, strings attached people are the most important. They can give everything they have to others who are in need because they believe that property is easy come and easy go.
Emotional and righteous, people in Mekong Delta are amazingly hospitable. Any comes are also considered friend and warmly welcomed. People here will serve guests the best things they have because making guests happy and satisfied is their happiness.
Emotional and righteous, people in Mekong Delta are straightforward and blunt. They say what they think without considering about losing other’s face. For them, love or hate should be clearly expressed; there is no place for neutral attitude.

Travel Mekong delta and Phu Quoc island

Mekong delta and Phu Quoc island
Mekong Delta
Once a hostile swampland, the French drained this region, transforming it into lucrative plantations, paddy fields and mines. Most of the chemical herbicides sprayed during the Vietnam War fell over the Mekong Delta, denying the Viet Cong cover and in the process decimating agricultural lands and mangrove forests. Yet today, the Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s most productive agricultural area, producing nearly half of the nation’s annual food crop. Tours Indochina Vietnam
Nutrient-rich deposits carried by the Mekong River and its comprehensive network of waterways and nine tributaries (hence the local name, ‘River of Nine Dragons’) makes this region extraordinarily fertile for rice, bananas, coconuts, trop­ical fruit and sugar cane. It’s this very luscious, intensively cultivated landscape and rustic way of life that make this area so picturesque and appealing. Secluded waterways with overhanging foliage lined with stilt houses, mangrove swamps, paddy fields, fruit orchards and welcoming locals make up much of the scenario.
Independent travel can be frustrating – transport is basic, time-consuming and water-based – so for less hassle, inclusive tours are the best way to experience this area. Many tours incorporate visits by small boats to fruit orchards, cottage industries, Khmer temples, early-morning floating markets, or penetrate deep into a labyrinth of narrow waterways. Increasingly, some incorporate bicycle trips, home stays or one-way boat tours terminating in Phnom Penh (Cambodia). South Vietnam travel packages

Places to visit on the Mekong
My Tho y is the first stop out of HCMC; done to death by tourism over the years, westward hubs like Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Cai Be and Can Tho afford more authentic experiences, less rushed in multi-day tours. Further west, Chau Doc offers Khmer ethnic communities, floating fish farms and Sam Mountain, with sacred pagodas and sweeping views. Across the Cambodian border, Ca Mau National Park and Tram Chim National Park are important havens for water birds. The more remote west coast is far less touristy, with the sleepy fishing port of Ha Tien, plus Rach Gia, the launch pad for Phu Quoc Island, 62 nautical miles west.
Phu Quoc Island
Sitting in the Gulf of Thailand, the island of Phu Quoc is about the same size as Singapore and is the largest of all the Vietnamese islands. The island offers visitors a mix of mountains, lush forest covered hills, waterfalls, bubbling streams and some of Vietnam’s best beaches. It is also one of the few places in Vietnam that you can enjoy the sun setting over the sea.
Phu Quoc Island has long had the natural ingredients that one expects from a beach holiday but now it has the hotels to match.
Long Beach is the star and it is bearing the brunt of the boom. In the dry season, the 20-plus kilometre stretch of yellow sand that runs from Duong Dong town down the central west coast of the island is the liveliest beach of the island, the entire length offering beachfront accommodation and places to play, laze and dig into seafood while digging your feet in the sand. Being one of the few beach destinations in Vietnam with a western coast, at the end of the day everyone gathers here to worship the memorable sunset.
If beach bustle isn’t your scene, it’s possible to find that wild, unspoilt feeling that first drew travellers here. Phu Quoc’s freshly paved arterial roads coupled with dramatic scenery make it a fantastic place to explore by motorbike. Ong Lang, Bai Vung and Bai Sao are just a few of the beaches you should consider staying at or at least visit. Anyone with a window seat on the plane will be struck by how staggeringly green the island is. More than half of it is national park and in 2006 the island was included in the UNESCO designation of Kien Giang as a World Biosphere Reserve. The north and east coast remains relatively untouched by tourism. If you want to experience what the island was like just 10 years ago, head out on the dirt roads that will take you past lush jungle and the island’s many famed pepper plantations.

Things to do in Thailand

Top palces travel in Thailand
Thailand isn’t easily summarized. After several trips, I’ve realized that you can have such wildly different experiences there. The country is constantly changing, and different parts of Thailand cater to different crowds—from wide-eyed backpackers on a big adventure, to package tourists on a lazy holiday. Indochina holidays Thailand
Thailand rose to fame as a backpacking destination, but today it’s mainly about mass tourism. In fact, Thailand is among the top 10 most-visited countries in the world. If you’re looking for ‘hidden gems’, there are very few left. But if you’re looking for something fun and reliable (but also maybe a little crazy), then that’s basically Thailand for you.
See less-touristy Bangkok
On a first visit you will probably be drawn to Khao San Road, Bangkok’s former hippie backpacker district which is now slowly gentrifying. It’s a fun and wild area where you can browse souvenir shops, eat some fried insects, maybe buy a fake ID, or party into the late hours. Tours in Thailand
But there is of course more to Bangkok. Recently I stayed in more laid-back Ari, a neighorhood with trendy cafes and bars popular with locals and expats. This company does amazing bicycle tours taking you into areas few others go, while sites like WithLocals let you find local tour guides who can help you unlock the ‘hidden Bangkok’.

Go caving, kayaking, or hiking in Soppong
This remote town in northern Thailand (also known as Pang Mapha) is set amid a veritable playground of caves, rivers, and jungle trails. I loved going on a caving tour here; I found myself crawling through the narrowest crevices to reach secret waterfalls deep underground. The people at Cave Lodge are the local experts. Tham Lod Cave is a more accessible and walkable cave, where you can see a spectacular swarm of thousands of swifts at its entrance at dusk. You can also visit Tham Lod by way of some organised day tours from Pai.
Chiang Mai Sunday Night Walking Street
Chiang Mai is known as the “Rose of the North.” Expats from all over the world are seduced by Chiang Mai’s laid back culture, beautiful Buddhist temples, plentiful restaurants, and spirited nightlife. Even if you don’t plan on moving here, you should definitely check out Chiang Mai’s bustling shopping culture. Every evening, the city hosts its night bazaar – a favorite among bargain shoppers. You can browse the clothing, street food stalls, DVDs, jewelry, Thai silk, accessories, and shoes along Chang Khlan Road, east of the old side of the walled city. The scene is pretty much the same every night, with locals and tourists turning up for some delicious street food and people watching. But the best night of shopping in Chiang Mai is the Sunday Night Market, or “Walking Street.”
This market is the largest one of the week, and stretches one kilometer down Ratchadamnoen Road. Unlike the regular nightly bazaar, the Sunday market has more arts and crafts for sale. Thais from neighboring villages come to sell their handmade items. Lanterns, wooden boxes, masks, paintings, and string lights are just some of the things you will see. The Sunday Market also brings local musicians and street performers. Chiang Mai’s Sunday Night Walking Street last from 4 p.m. to midnight. Remember to bring cash and don’t be afraid to negotiate with the vendors.
Elephant Nature Park
When in Chiang Mai, a day at the Elephant Nature Park is an exciting and unforgettable eco-tour for animal lovers. Elephant Nature Park is a rescue and rehabilitation center for abused, elderly, and injured Asian Elephants. What began as a personal quest for Sangduen “Lek” Chailert in 1992 has blossomed into one the world’s most respected elephant sanctuaries. Lek and her team of caretakers, vets, groundskeepers, and volunteers are devoted to ensuring that each rescue elephant lives out the rest of its life in peace and health at the Elephant Nature Park. The herd, currently made up of 30 members, is free to wander the park, bathe and feed at their leisure, as well as interact with park guests.
Visitors will learn about the plight of the Asian Elephant in street begging and logging industry, have the opportunity to observe their natural behavior, feed them, and bathe them in the river. All proceeds from admission go towards feeding the elephants (each one consumes nearly 100 pounds of fresh produce each day!) and general upkeep of the park. This is a fantastic day trip to take with the family or a group of friends. After listening to their stories and witnessing their individual personalities, visitors will come away with a newfound respect for the species, and beautiful memories and photographs. For prices and details about day visits to the park