So Many Public Holidays This Year! Visit These 8 Gems For Your Next Short Weekend Getaway

One of the best things about living in Malaysia is definitely the amount of public holidays we get in a year. And being a true Malaysian, we definitely love our holiday trips! If you’re planning to have a short weekend adventure in one of our stunning neighbouring countries, we have the guide for you! Read on to find out why these cities can be the perfect destination for your next trip which are all nearby with less than three-hours flying time.

Here are the eight hidden gems in Vietnam & Cambodia that are perfect for your next weekend getaway:

VIETNAM:

1. Da Lat

 

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Perfect for: A photographic destination to beautify your Instagram feed

Charmingly known as the “City of Eternal Spring”, Da Lat has become a popular getaway destination due to its cool climate and greenery. Also famously called the “Le Petit Paris”, Da Lat contains many colonial heritage buildings including its very own miniature Eiffel Tower! If you’re the type that loves beautifying your IG, Da Lat can be the perfect backdrop to every one of your stunning OOTDs.

What to do in Da Lat:

• Take a trip to the Hydrangea Garden to take beautiful pictures for your IG
• Visit the famous Stairway to Heaven at the Sunny Farm for the coolest OOTD shots
• Drop by the Crazy House for some crazy fun times

 

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2. Ho Chi Minh

 

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Perfect for: Shopping, shopping & more shopping!

Ho Chi Minh City is definitely one of tourists’ favourite spots to visit as it is the largest city in the country. Apart from its historical French-inspired architecture, Ho Chi Minh – or Saigon, as the locals would call it – is mainly known for one thing: shopping! You can literally find anything there from street food stalls to souvenirs and local handicrafts; all for CHEAP!

What to do in Ho Chi Minh:

• Go on a shopping spree at the Ben Tanh Market, An Dong Market for wholesale fashion goods and handicrafts & Tran Phu Street to buy paintings.
• Book lovers can find their paradise over at Nguyen Van Binh book street
• Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral &  Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office for some cultural input

 

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3. Can Tho

 

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Perfect for: A makan trip to satisfy your love for food (especially seafood!)

Can Tho is the biggest city placed alongside the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Though the city is developing quite rapidly, it has still maintained its rural vibe which makes it the perfect destination for all you foodies to eat like a local and munch on fresh seafood to your heart’s content.

P/S: Not recommended for those with allergies. Yes, we know the seafood looks good. No, we don’t think you should risk your lives okay.

 

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What to do in Can Tho:

• Ride along the Cai Rang floating market, the largest wholesale floating market in the Mekong Delta
• Visit the Can Tho Night Market by the river for a haven of fresh seafood
• Try some Mekong Delta speciality cuisines such as the Cai Rang grilled rolls (pork served with pineapple, cucumber, bitter banana, star fruit and thin rice paper), Bun Ca (fish noodles), Hu Tieu (clear noodle soup), Bun Rieu (crab noodles) & Lau Mam (fish hot pot)

 

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4. Nha Trang

 

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Perfect for: A wholesome vacation with fun activities for the whole family

Nha Trang is a coastal resort city located in Vietnam known for its sandy beaches and clear blue ocean making it a popular scuba diving or snorkelling spot. Aside from the beach, Nha Trang also contains a number of stunning historical sites as well as an amusement park which guarantees some fun time for your whole family.

What to do in Nha Trang:

• Explore the beaches, diving sites and offshore islands around Nha Trang City
• Visit religious historical sites such as the Po Nagar Cham towers and the White Buddha
• Spend a day at the Vinpearl Amusement Park
• Rejuvenate yourself with a mud bath at the Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre

 

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5. Da Nang

 

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Perfect for: A relaxing escapade with your closest buddies

Da Nang is where old meets new. It makes for the ideal destination to explore with its mixture of cultural sites, breezy beaches, iconic landmarks alongside a gorgeous backdrop of the city where the old and new are fused together harmoniously.

What to do in Da Nang:

• Climb the Marble Mountain to enjoy a fantastic view
• Visit the Hoi An Ancient Town to travel back in time
• Explore the Ba Na Hills where you can visit the famous Golden Bridge, French Village and the Fantasy Park – Vietnam’s largest indoor amusement centre

 

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CAMBODIA:

6. Phnom Penh

 

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Perfect for: A nostalgic trip back to the classic olden days of Cambodia

As the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is the right destination if you are looking to have a cultural holiday and dive into the historical sites of ancient Cambodia.

What to do in Phnom Penh:

• Shop till you drop at the Russian Market and Central Market to find literally everything you need
• Visit the National Museum and The Royal Palace where you can witness the beautiful culture of old-time Khmer
• After a day of sightseeing, spend the night eating like a local at the Phnom Penh Night Market
• For something more educational, wander off to Silk Island in the middle of Phnom Penh and see how Cambodian silk came to be amidst a more rural side of the city

 

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7. Siem Reap

 

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Perfect for: Your love for an adventure to explore everything historical

Though it is not the capital city of Cambodia, Siem Reap is one of the most famous holiday destinations in the country and should definitely be in your must-visit spots if you are keen to explore Cambodia’s history of Khmer and to experience a peaceful holiday in the rural side away from the city and skyscrapers.

What to do in Siem Reap:

• Explore these unique temples:
  • The iconic Angkor Wat
  • Ta Prohm temple a.k.a ‘Tomb Raider’ Temple which has exotic trees growing out of the ruins
  • Bayon temple which is the home of the ‘smiling Buddha face’ pillars
  • Pre Rup temple which is also known as the Sunset Temple due to its magnificent sunset view.
• Get to know the tragic war history of Khmer at the Wat Thmey Killing Field and the Landmine Museum
• Spend the night partying and drinking at Pub Street

 

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8. Sihanoukville

 

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Perfect for: A beach getaway filled with sunny days and breezy nights

Sihanoukville is a coastal city known as “Kampong Som” which is another beach destination in this list offering you the ultimate relaxing vacation filled with lounging around and soaking in some vitamin sea. Various water activities will be available to you as well as an endless supply of fresh seafood that will make you feel like you’re in paradise.

What to do in Sihanoukville:

• Spend a relaxing day at Serendipity beach, Independence beach or the Otres beach
• For a more adventurous time, go on an ATV tour or go sailing with a catamaran
• Explore the sea and go island hopping to Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samleom

 

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After looking at all these options, we’re definitely convinced that these cities can make up for an unforgettable holiday as they can suit all kinds of holiday trips; be it a family holiday, a BFF vacation or even a solo trip. If you’re already looking up flight options to visit these destinations, AirAsia has the best deals for you!

AirAsia is currently offering exclusive deals where you can travel with LOW FARES from Kuala Lumpur to these eight cities in Vietnam & Cambodia for your next weekend getaway!

Promo details:
Booking period: Now until 22 March 2020
Travel period: Now until 1 July 2021

Now you can have an adventure of a lifetime at these stunning locations without breaking your bank. And not only that, since these cities are situated close by, you’ll be spending less than three hours in-flight and the rest on-ground at your preferred holiday destination having the time of your life!

But you might want to hurry since some of these destinations are selling out fast! So what are you waiting for, guys? Head on to AirAsia now and time to get booking!

Have you picked your next holiday destination? Tell us in the comments below!