From the jungle entwined temples of Angkor to the palm fringed beaches along the South China Sea, and from the majestic Mekong River to the diverse rural communities dotted across the interior of Indochina – the location of Cambodia and Vietnam at the cultural interface between India and China has made this region an intriguing destination for travellers throughout the ages.
Like many ancient civilisations described in the Qur’an, Cambodia was led by various dynasties reaching its zenith under the Khmer, who built Angkor Wat, one of the world’s largest religious buildings. This was followed by periods of civil strife and colonisation, then independence, and finally the modern republic which went through a particularly brutal episode under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
The Cham are one of Southeast Asia’s notable ethnic groups, and form the core of the Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam. Founded in the second century, the Kingdom of Champa was one of the most powerful empires in Indochina, covering much of what is today Vietnam and parts of Cambodia.
The 13th century Muslim geographer, Shams al-Din al-Dimashqi, mentions that Islam arrived in Indochina during time of Caliph Uthman and some of the Cham Muslims trace their ancestry to Jahsh, the father of Zaynab bint Jahsh, one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). A number of Sahabah and their successors who travelled from Arabia and Abyssinia towards China stopped along the coastal route, heralding a period in which Islam began to spread in the region and helping to strengthen the Spice Route linking the Arabian Peninsula to the Malay Archipelago and Southern China. By 1676, the Kingdom of Champa, which was originally Hindu, became majority Muslim. When the kingdom eventually broke up, the Cham people were scattered across South East Asia.
The Khmer Rouge years were especially difficult for the Muslim community as they were often singled out and killed with many mosques destroyed. Today, it is estimated that there are up to 700,000 Muslims in Cambodia who are spread throughout the country. Their presence is particularly significant in the provinces of Kompong Cham, Battambamg, Kompong Som, Kompong Chhnang and Phnom Penh. In Vietnam there are a further 90,000 Muslims who are primarly concentrated around the Mekong Delta and the south-central provinces near Ho Chi Minh City.
This extended trip combines Cambodia with neighbouring Vietnam providing an opportunity to experience both countries with their similarities and differences.
Highlights:
Angkor Wat Temple Complex, Floating Village on Tonlé Sap Lake, Nurul Ihsan Mosque, Muslim Villages in Kampong Cham and Chau Doc, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Mekong Delta, Saigon Central Mosque, Cu Chi Tunnels, Temple of Literature, Tam Coc Caves, Halong Bay.
Main Locations:
- Siem Reap
- Kampong Cham
- Phnom Penh
- Chau Doc
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Hanoi
- Halong Bay
Getting There:
The exact arrival and departure dates, along with preferred flight times will be discussed at the time of booking.
- Arrival Destination: Siem Reap International Airport [REP]
- Departure Location: Hanoi International Airport [HAN]
Upon arrival in Cambodia our local operatives will receive you and look after all transportation requirements until you are dropped off again at the departure airport in Vietnam.
Tour Package:
Includes 4-star accommodation with daily breakfast, all ground transport, river boats, one domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, English speaking guides and admission fees. Lunch and dinner are covered during the Halong Bay boat cruise but elsewhere these are not part of the package. Flights and visas are also not included.
The exact itinerary is subject to minor modifications depending on the size and composition of the group, as well as local circumstances at the time of the trip. Each day there will be a short briefing, important historical events and landmarks will be highlighted by our guide, while there will be spiritual reminders given from time to time.
Accommodation:
Good quality mid-range hotels in convenient locations will allow you to easily reach the most important attractions. Participants will typically spend 1-2 nights in each city or town.
In the standard package there will be 2 beds in each room (twin rooms) or 1 double bed for couples. There may also be the option of 3 beds (triple room) for larger families subject to availability. Other features include en-suite bathroom with shower, air conditioning, wifi and TV.
“We were very well looked after by the local guides in both Cambodia and Vietnam, and are immensely grateful for their willingness to show us their country and help us throughout the trip.” (Fazal – USA, February 2020)
“What I liked most about the tour is meeting lots of local people with their own knowledge and insight into Cambodian life. Seeing a country that isn’t a usual holiday destination for Muslims. Mixture of historical sights, scenery, beaches. Opportunity to try halal local foods. Managed to do things that would be practically impossible doing this trip individually. Local guides were extremely hospitable and entertaining. Tour was chosen as it was a country that interested me, and the tour was appealing as it provided an Islamic insight that I wasn’t really aware of. Having been on the Jerusalem tour before, I had the benefit of a very good experience with the company which I was keen to replicate. I would recommend the tour to others but it’s probably more of a niche thing; not everyone will be up for spending a day in the village with basic facilities; even though I believe it’s all part of the experience”. (Yasmin – UK, November 2013)
