Kingdoms of Southeast Asia

Set out on a journey that reveals the best of Southeast Asia. From the villages of Vietnam and the temples of Cambodia to the friendly locals of Laos and the lively energy of Thailand, embark on an unforgettable cultural adventure. Start your journey in Vietnam – where lush valleys and verdant fields create a beautiful country with a long and rich history.
Hotel Name: Mercure Hanoi la Gare

Arrive today in Hanoi. Layers of the city’s complex past can be found interwoven into its modern culture. Known for its French colonial architecture, tree-lined streets, and vibrant street food scene, Hanoi is Vietnam’s dynamic capital and second most populous city.

Visit Area: Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. From Ancient Chinese to French Colonial, this diverse city blends many cultures. It is truly a place where the old meets the new.

Start your morning with a city tour of Hanoi and the Old Quarter. Visit Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. Follow the meandering streets, decorated with temples and pagodas, and feast on the history before you. After working up an appetite, enjoy a walking food tour featuring some of Vietnam’s most famous dishes such as banh mi and pho. Enjoy coffee and views of Hoan Kiem Lake – the “Lake of the Restored Sword” – at a rooftop café. Later this evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

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Admittance: Walking Food Tour
Take a walking food tour of Hanoi, Vietnam. Taste some of the country’s most famous dishes, like banh mi and pho. Vietnam is a renowned destination for foodies, so this walking tour is the perfect way to experience Hanoi.

Today you may choose to start your day early by joining your Tour Manager and locals as they practice tai chi at a local park. After, visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison. This historic site, dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs, is now a museum that tells the story of colonial history from the Vietnamese perspective. Following your visit, sit down with a local veteran from the Vietnam War to chat and connect with him as he recounts his history. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you see fit. You may choose to join an optional tour to see the famous water puppets of Hanoi followed by dinner.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Bhaya Classic

Admittance: Discussion with Vietnam War Veteran
Sit down to talk with a Vietnam War veteran. During this intimate discussion over tea, you’ll hear stories about the war and life in Vietnam during that time.

Journey to Ha Long Bay and board a charming junk boat for an overnight cruise - the perfect vantage point for soaking up the landscape. Once on board, enjoy fresh seafood as you sail past vistas of low green mountains, small villages, hundreds of islands, and limestone peaks jutting out from the sea. Disembark to discover the wonders of nature, history, and archaeology. Back on board, sit back and relax as the sounds and peaceful sway of the boat lull you to sleep.

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Hotel Name: Little Oasis Hotel & Spa

Visit Area: Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay, located in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald-colored waters and limestone islands topped by rainforests. The region is made up of hundreds of islands, teeming with natural wonders. It is a popular area for boat tours, scuba diving, and hiking.

Your day begins with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck at sunrise. After a light breakfast we head off to visit Sung Sot cave, one of the many limestone grottos accessible by boat in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage that is Halong Bay. It is time to say farewell to this stunning natural wonder and cruise back to the mainland. Fly to Da Nang and travel to Hoi An (UNESCO), an ancient trading port.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Hoi An
Journey to Hoi An, an ancient merchant trading port. The city dates back to the 15th century, with its name that translates to “peaceful meeting place.” Hoi An was involved in the spice trade route for centuries, flourishing into a bustling seaport. As a destination for trade, the culture of the town has been influenced by many different countries, such as China and Japan. This is seen in a 400-year old Japanese covered bridge, which connects to the Chinese district in the town.

Start your day with a walking tour of the old town, stroll by the ornate Chinese-style temple Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the famous 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge and the vibrant market on the banks of the Thu Bon. Finish with an introduction to the local tailoring culture in Hoi An, a tradition dating back to the days of the silk route. See the process of making cotton and silk cloth, and you may even choose to have some tailor-made clothes made. Enjoy a free afternoon to walk along the canals that cut through Ancient Town on your own, uncovering a preserved history interwoven into the modern way of life. Perhaps you’ll visit an art gallery, wander through a cultural museum, or go shopping for the perfect souvenir, before joining the group for a local dinner.

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Visit Area: Ho Chi Minh City
Visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, formerly known as Saigon. This is the busiest city in Vietnam, with a population of more than 8.4 million. The city is famous for its role in the Vietnam War. The Saigon River runs through the city and historic sites are dotted throughout. This is the economic and cultural hub of the country.

Explore the flavors of Hoi An. Board a basket boat and journey along the Co Co River for an immersive cooking class. Learn how to catch seafood in the river and grind rice into flour. Use your ingredients to cook four classic local dishes which you’ll enjoy for lunch. Soak up the local atmosphere with a free afternoon and evening.

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Hotel Name: Novotel Saigon Centre

Admittance: Reunification Palace
This is the former Presidential Palace in Saigon. During the Vietnam conflict, this was the home and workplace of the appointed President Diem of South Vietnam. Most people familiar with the conflict would know that this is the place of his and his brother's assassination and when Saigon fell in 1975, this was the famous scene of a North Vietnamese tank plowing thru the gates onto the property.

Leave Hoi An and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the energetic urban capital formerly known as Saigon. On an eye-opening city tour, you’ll see the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral,* and the Reunification Palace. Head over to explore treasures from local vendors on display at the Old Market in District 1.

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Visit Area: Mekong Delta
Traveling by coach, the Mekong Delta is about 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. The Mother River as she is known, is full of islands populated by industrious and inventive Vietnamese. Cottage industries with fish farms, fruit farms, fish sauce, coconut candy and rice flour wrappers are very popular and highlighted during the tour. Once in the Mekong Delta, we board a boat to cruise in-between the islands, visit some of the cottage industries and have a local lunch on an island.

Take to the waters of the famous Mekong Delta. As you sail along, your guide will delve into the history and culture of the region. Discover the region’s cottage industry with a visit to a coconut candy factory and learn how this confection is made. Enjoy lunch featuring southern Vietnamese cuisine before traveling back to Ho Chi Minh City.

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Visit Area: Siem Reap
Visit Siem Reap, Camobia. Explore this popular resort town, and you will find a melding of colonial and Chinese-style architecture. The city is buzzing with culture, historic landmarks, museums, street performers, handicraft markets, and even a trendy entertainment district. It is the perfect blend of old and new.

Spend your morning at the Cu Chi Tunnels, a maze of underground passageways used as hideouts by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in metropolitan Ho Chi Minh City before your dinner at a local restaurant.

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Hotel Name: Borei Angkor Resort & Spa

Visit Area: Angkor Wat
Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, this temple was built in the 12 Century at the same time as Notre Dame in Paris and oddly enough, the central tower is the same height as Notre Dame. This temple complex is the quintessential symbol of Cambodia and is featured on the money, the flag and the beer. Angkor Wat is also famous for the bas-reliefs surrounding the galleries featuring scenes of daily life, Heaven and Hell and the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

This afternoon, board your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s gateway to the wonders of Angkor. In this ancient city, you’ll discover a world where colonial and Chinese architecture melds into a sophisticated urban and culinary scene. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a traditional Khmer dance performance.

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Visit Area: Luang Prabang
Visit Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. “Luang Prabang” literally translates to “Royal Buddha Image.” This ancient city has been inhabited for thousands of years, and was the royal capital of Laos until just a few decades ago. It is known for its many Buddhist temples.

Depart for a sunrise at Angkor Wat, a perfect example of classic Khmer architecture. Enter its eastern gate and exit to the west, watching the sunlight dance along stones. Later, visit Ta Prohm, a sprawling monastic complex that is overgrown with jungle. At Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers, visit the Terrace of the Leper King and the temples of Baphuon and Bayon, 11th- and 12th-century masterpieces at the center of the city.

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Admittance: Night Market Visit or Evening at Leisure
In Luang Prabang, you have the choice between 2 activities. You can venture into the lively outdoor markets at night with your guide, getting a sense of the local culture by perusing tasty snack vendors and handcrafted souvenirs. Your other choice is to return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Night Market Visit Activity Level: 2 Leisure Evening at Hotel No Activity Level

Start your day with an Impact Moment experience at the Visitor Center of APOPO, where “hero rats” are trained to navigate minefields and save lives. Learn about the country’s history with war and meet the professional rats at a demonstration. Then travel to the village of Preah Dak to learn about daily life and see how Nom Banh Jok (rice noodles) are created. Get a peek into the local culture at the palm sugar market, where tree sap is gathered and cooked for sugar. Make your way to Les Chantiers Ecoles, where local apprentices are trained in fine arts, and peruse the different workshops of sculpture, carving, and more. You may choose to end your day with a visit to Phare, the Cambodian Circus.

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Hotel Name: Souphattra Hotel

Visit Area: Wat Xieng Thong
Explore the temples of Wat Xieng Thong. These Buddhist structures make up one of the most important Laotian monasteries. Today, it remains a significant symbol to religion, royalty, and traditional art. The complex is made up of more than twenty structures including shrines and residences.

Board a flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Get acquainted with the city with your guide. Then, it’s your choice! Venture into the lively outdoor markets at night -OR- return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Pak Ou Buddha Cave
Visit the Pak Ou Buddha caves. Thousands of Buddha statues are found throughout these caves, which are located alongside the Mekong River. The figures take on many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and nirvana.

Hop into a tuk tuk with a guide and make your way to the city center, including a visit to the National Museum – the former Royal Palace. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong monastery, decorated in eye-catching gold. Meander along the Nam Khan River to Wat Khili, highlighting the local culture and history. After lunch, cruise to the Pak Ou Caves, shrouded in mystery and home to thousands of Buddha statues. End your day with a home-hosted dinner and traditional Baci ceremony – celebrating a significant event in someone’s life.

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Admittance: Monk Alms Offering
Take part in a traditional morning alms ceremony with local monks. This ceremony has been a part of the Laotian community for generations. It is usually practiced in complete silence. Locals gather with food and offer the monks sustenance, scooping rice into their bowls.

You may choose to rise early and begin your day with a traditional alms offering to local monks. After breakfast back at the hotel, journey to a traditional Hmong hill tribe village in Ban Long Lao and learn about this ethnic group and their way of life. Set out on a hike** through lush jungle and panoramic mountain scenery to the incredible Kuang Si Waterfall. Return to Luang Prabang for lunch in a local restaurant.

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Hotel Name: Pullman Bangkok Hotel G

Visit Area: Bangkok
Known as the "City of Angels", Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and a chaotic mix of delights. A street food paradise, no one has really tasted Thai food until they have sampled the street food amidst the locals. Mixing in with luxury roof-top cocktail bars, are ages old temples and the saffron-robed monks representing the importance of Buddhism.

Board your flight to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. A feast for the senses, this bustling city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River blends cosmopolitan sophistication with a strong sense of history and tradition. Tonight, join your fellow travelers and toast to the end of your adventure on a Klong dinner cruise.

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Return home with memories of your travels through the kingdoms of Southeast Asia.

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