Happy New Year 2026!! Its been a nice rest for a while over the Christmas break. Have had a wonderful family holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia and as promised, here are the January holiday highlights !! We made a tour of the north and the south of Vietnam and then Cambodia over around 13-14 days, since this is our first visit, leaving the central part of Vietnam for another trip in future. I have shared the itinerary, and highlights included a significant stay in Hanoi and exploring the Old Quarter, Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay (as well as the optional kayaking for the braver sister of mine!) I particularly enjoyed exploring the limestone cave by Bamboo boating; and the early morning Tai Chi over the sunrise was a dream. We even saw one or two langur monkeys high up in the tree tops near Cat Ba island. It was my favourite spot in first part of the trip and the stunning location overcame the more commercial aspects of the cruise. Still the staff were very helpful and we have a really pleasant stay in Ha Long Bay. The company with my aunties and sister was fantastic and what better way then celebrate our combined birthdays- 40th and 70th in 2025 together dancing to some Bollywood numbers until the early hours! I am definitely taking up Tai Chi as my new year’s resolution. This trip was just the starting point of a wonderful journey through the history of Vietnam and Cambodia and the wider SE Asia region which we began to explore through the numerous museums and can continue to explore from afar. Such a brilliant conclusion to be able to visit some of the places only previously seen on the map during our blue carbon project!
Dr. Siddhi Joshi 