Highlights of Southeast Asia

Welcome to Southeast Asia! On arrival at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be met by your local guide and assisted with the transfer to your hotel. On your short drive, look for French-inspired structures; Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, was once the capital of the French Colony. After arrival at your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax or explore on your own.

After breakfast, depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels (approx. 1.5 hr drive), which served as an underground city behind enemy lines for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. They contained makeshift hospitals, weapon caches, and, of course, living quarters. Approximately 10,000 people called these cramped tunnels home for many years. You will watch a short video introduction before exploring the tunnel system. It is a haunting and eye-opening learning experience. Note: We don’t recommend those who are claustrophobic to enter the tunnels.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll spend the afternoon on a guided tour starting with a historic landmark – the Post Office, which was built during the French Indochina era and made infamous at the end of the Vietnam War. Continue with a stroll down Dong Khoi Street, a wide avenue lined with luxurious shops and hotels, followed by a visit to Ben Thanh Market, one of the largest markets in Southern Vietnam. This market sells everything from fresh produce to local souvenirs. Next, visit the War Remnant Museum, which contains exhibits relating to the Vietnam War, as well as the first Indochina War involving French colonists. Spend the evening at your leisure or consider attending a local show(not included in land cost).

Optional:
1. The “A O” Show (1 hour – join in): This performance takes place at the grandeur Opera House Theater, built in 1898 by Eugene Ferret in the shape of a giant city gate. The show features the culture of the Vietnamese through acrobatics and dance using traditional props such as bamboo poles and woven baskets. The energy of the performers and stunning choreography is sure to amaze you!

2. Ho Chi Minh City at Night by Vespa (4 hours): In the early evening, you will be picked you up at the hotel and stop at the “café zoom” to enjoy a cocktail and an aperitif before venturing into the city. As a passenger, you will have the chance to visit many off-the-beaten places. Your journey will begin in District 4 via crowded streets and busy alleys filled with people sitting on small plastic seats. You will savor some seafood dishes while sipping fresh drinks. Then, continue on to District 3 through to District 1 and enjoy the views, noises, and smells of the city with stops along the way to take a closer look at whenever you like. The tour will continue towards a well-hidden Vietnamese cafe to enjoy some Vietnamese live music. Next, visit a lively local bar for drinks and contemporary music and even perhaps join in with a dance. Return to your hotel around 10:00 pm. Meals included: street food (seafood, banh xeo)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the Ho Chi Minh City Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your local guide and assisted with the transfer to your hotel, located in the Old Quarter District. The Old Quarter, also known as 36 Streets, was once the residential and commercial center of Hanoi, and each street specialized in a specific trade such as “Copper Wares Street” (Hang Dong), “Silver Wares Street” (Hang Bac), “Paper Street” (Hang Ma), “Wood Street” (Hang Go), etc. The historic tube houses with slanted tile roofs were mostly built during the 18th and 19th centuries. This afternoon, head out on a walking tour of the Old Quarter starting at Hoan Kiem (Sword Lake), passing by Hang Hanh – the famous coffee street, and walking towards the Catholic Church. Wandering in these peaceful alleyways, your eyes will catch the daily scenes of street vendors quietly napping in the shade or a motorbike taxi driver (xe om in Vietnamese) sleeping precariously on his bike. Then, suddenly you will find yourself stepping back into a noisy and busy street. Throughout the tour, your senses will be bombarded with a cascade of different sights, sounds, smells, and characters that harmonize with the music of life in Hanoi. At the end of the walk, you will have time to enjoy a cup of coffee from one of the many small shops in the area. The total duration of the walk is about 2 hours / 2.5 miles.

Return to your hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure. Your warm and inviting boutique hotel is located in the Old Quarter close to Hoan Kiem Lake and restaurants. If you aren’t ready for the day to end, consider attending an evening food tour.

Optional: Evening Street Food Tour: You will have a chance to understand what makes the Old Quarter of Hanoi such a captivating place. Here, you will be able to try many Vietnamese specialties such as banh cuon (steamed rolled rice pancake) and banh mi (the famous Vietnamese sandwich that even appears in the Oxford Dictionary). Then stop at a bia hoi (beer club) on Ta Hien Street and taste the fresh Vietnamese beer that is so popular with locals and travelers. After that, you will head to a pho restaurant where you will be able to choose between regular pho or pho tron (pho noodles mixed with chicken without soup). You’ll continue your way along Hoan Kiem Lake for a tasty ice cream before saying goodnight to your guide and either return to your hotel or head out on your own for a night on the town. The total duration of the tour is three hours.

In the morning, you’ll visit Tho Ha village. Upon arrival, you will have a short ferry ride to cross the Cau River to Tho Ha village. Then walk to visit the village and the traditional Communal House. You will be amazed by the old architecture of this village, some of the houses still keep the original construction of the late 1800s. You will be welcomed by a local family and you will observe and learn how rice paper is created and dried. And interaction with the family through a mini Quan Ho folk song show. The traditional Quan Ho songs are performed as alternating verses between two women from one village who sing in harmony, and two men from another village who respond with similar melodies, but with different lyrics.  Quan họ songs express the spirit, philosophy, and local identity of the communities of Bắc Ninh province. At the end of the morning, it will be time to say goodbye to your host and travel back to Hanoi.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), the first University in Vietnam built in 1070 by emperor Ly Thanh Tong. With its ancient courtyards, altars, and roofs, Van Mieu is a very fine example of Vietnamese architecture. You’ll meet with a water-puppet expert at his own house and discuss his art, before assisting in a private performance. This experience is an opportunity to learn about the Vietnamese water-puppet tradition by meeting with a local craftsman. The activity takes place in a local house, where the water puppets are made. On the top floor of the house, you’ll attend a performance at the craftsman’s own water-puppet stage and can aid in the performance!

After breakfast, set out on an approximately 2.5 drive to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Views of rocky outcrops in the bay and sailing junks (traditional boats) navigating among 3,000 limestone islands are nothing short of spectacular. Arrive around noon at the quay and board your private junk for your overnight. A junk boat is an ancient Chinese sailing ship used for extensive ocean voyages. Your modern junk features spacious cabins with ensuite bath facilities, a large sundeck, and an elegant dining room and bar. Leisure activities available are board games, massage services, and for those brave enough, squid fishing (with help from the crew). You’ll have the option to participate in activities offered on the boat, such as swimming (weather permitting), kayaking (additional cost), and cave exploration, or visit a fishing village on sampans rowed by the villagers. At the end of the day, you will have the chance to enjoy a night fishing session from the boat. While onboard, indulge in a delicious seafood lunch and dinner.

It’s recommended you set your alarm clock early enough to enjoy the spectacular sunrise, but of course, that’s up to you. Either way, coffee, tea, and pastries are available at 6:45 am, and Tai Chi lessons are led by the tai chi master at 7:00 am. Leave the boat around 7:45 am for a walking tour of Titov Beach Island, which you can climb for breathtaking panoramic views of the bay. There will be time to relax on the beach and perhaps take a swim before returning to the boat for a breakfast buffet including traditional Vietnamese noodles (Pho).

Return to the pier around 11:00 am, and then it’s on to the Hanoi Airport for the late afternoon flight to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city and a very charming colonial town, perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. Meet your Laotian guide upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

In the early morning from around 5:30 to 6:30 am, you will be taken by your guide to Vat Nong temple to see the Tak Bath ceremony (procession of monks). During the ceremony, devoted residents of Luang Prabang kneel on the sidewalk, bearing food in their hands, which they offer to the monks as they walk by in a procession of orange robes. This ritual is a way for Buddhists to “make merit” and how they obtain their meals for the day. After this humbling experience, your guide will take you to a local market followed by a stop at a welcoming local restaurant at the Mekong river bank for a soup designed to fill your stomach to start the day. If you’re not up to soup in the morning, you can also just enjoy a coffee while watching the daily routine of the residents. Note: As a guest attending the Tak Bath ceremony, you are recommended not to wear revealing clothing. Please do not cross the monk’s path and take photos from a distance to show your respect. Please also maintain a quiet atmosphere.

After breakfast, head out on a city tour that includes one of Luang Prabang’s most important, largest, and most beautifully adorned temples—Wat Mai. Also, visit the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum. The Royal Palace, officially known as “Haw Kham” was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. After the death of King Sisavang Vong, Crown Prince Savang Vatthana and his family were the last to occupy the grounds. In 1975, the monarchy was overthrown by the communists, and the palace was then converted into a national museum. This afternoon, make the drive out to Kuang Sy Waterfalls, stopping at the villages along the way to meet the friendly locals. Kuang Sy is a beautiful, three-tiered, travertine waterfall and an excellent place to take a break from the heat (swimming is weather permitting.) Enjoy lunch at a countryside restaurant featuring traditional Lao cuisine.

Return to your hotel in Luang Prabang, where you have the rest of the day free to wander. In the evening, visit the night market where you can pick up some local handmade products.

This morning, you’ll gain insight into Buddhist culture during the Cultural Temple Tour. This experience supports ex-novices and monks who are transitioning from life in the temple to life outside, an often difficult and stressful time. Meet your guide at the tour office near the Mekong before walking a short distance to Wat Pha Pai, a charming temple in the UNESCO-protected area. Over the next hour, you will learn about the history and beliefs of Theravada Buddhism, gain an understanding of the religious architecture and the uses of different parts of the temple, as well as gain insight into the daily routines of the novices and monks who inhabit the temples. This is an excellent opportunity to learn lots of interesting information about life in a Buddhist country. Feel free to ask anything! Your guide will be more than happy to answer. Note: Starting times 09:30 Monday to Saturday. Guests should be dressed appropriately.

This afternoon, you’ll head over to the pier and board a boat for a cruise along the Mekong River to the sacred Pak Ou Caves to see the hundreds of Buddha statues. From the caves, there are good views overlooking the Mekong, which runs into the Nam Ou River here. Cruise back to Luang Prabang while enjoying the beautiful sunset over the Mekong River.

You’ll have some free time this morning until you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, where you’ll meet your local Cambodian guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day will be spent at your leisure.

Siem Reap, which translates into “Defeat of Siam,” is a bustling small town with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafés. The Old Market area is a great place to stroll. Try taking a tuk-tuk to explore the town!

Optional:
1. Apsara Show with Dinner: End the day with a Traditional Dance Show, one of Cambodia’s most famous arts. The dancers take you on a journey from the Angkorian palaces to villages today. The troupe, featuring live singers and musicians, presents eight Classical and folk dances.

2. Phare Circus show: Attend a Circus Art performance at Phare Ponleu Selpak – “the brightness of art” school – an NGO that supports community development by providing social, educative, and cultural services to children and their families. More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance, and modern circus arts to uniquely tell Cambodian historical, folk, and modern stories. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm, and talent.

3. Aperitif at Theam House Gallery: Late in the afternoon, travel to Theam’s House, an artist’s studio that includes a workshop and a gallery where Theam’s collections are displayed. Enjoy an aperitif while viewing Cambodian aesthetics and culture. Aperitif included.

After breakfast, begin your exciting Angkor tour with a drive down a road surrounded by hundred-year-old trees. All of a sudden, a majestic stone door appears, and you enter Angkor Thom, known as “the big city”. As if to magically appear out of nowhere, you’ll approach the curious smiling faces carved in stone at the Bayon Temple, built around the 12th-13th centuries. This amazing edifice is surrounded by 54 towers, each of them adorned with four faces. From here, travel to the Baphuon, a temple mountain built in the 11th century whose restoration, led by French architects, ended not so long ago. Continue on to the Terrace of the Elephants, which was used for royal audiences and public ceremonies, followed by a visit to the Terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century and adorned by magnificent Apsara sculptures.

Find your way to the peaceful Cambodian countryside to enjoy a delicious lunch catered especially for you. Located on the edge of a large field which is an ancient Baray that stays green all year round, it’s the perfect spot to relax and escape the midday heat and the crowds after your morning discovery. Lunch is served in traditional ware and made up of three courses including freshly grilled bread and a typical Khmer stew as a main course. A delightful moment for all senses.

In the afternoon, visit the most famous temple – Angkor Wat. Starting at the center aisle, you will soon come to realize just how huge is it. This architectural achievement is also an artistic wonder, covered in beautiful artwork. Next, head over to the 12th-century Ta Prohm Temple, which is in pretty much the same condition as it was found – covered by the jungle.

Today you’ll have a chance to delve into the heart of Cambodia’s natural beauty on the Kompong Kleang Cruise. Visiting a floating village by boat is the perfect way to discover the daily life of the people who live on or near the great Tonlé Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. The wooden ship will meander easily from village to village along the various canals leading up to the Great Lake. Witness local fishermen pulling up their nets, children playing on the porches of their floating houses, hawkers traveling on their barges, and much more! Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available on board. During the dry season, a walk to meet the locals is offered before guests set out for the cruise. Depending on the seasons and the lake’s ever-changing water level, the boat operates different itineraries.

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Let us know if you’d like to visit the beach in Thailand or another destination in Asia!

If you’d like to spend one more day in Siem Reap, consider a one-day local extension:

Optional:
1. Participate in the Local Village Life: This is an opportunity to make your own traditional breakfast – by preparing rice noodles under the guidance of a local family. Enjoy your created product together with the family. Then continue to another village specializing in bamboo sticky rice production and harvesting coconut fruits. Assist in the preparation of this bamboo filling while sipping on a fresh coconut. Along the way, explore the different sugar palm stalls. The villagers will explain to you how they process the fruits in many different ways and you can give it a try yourself. In the last village, visit a house where the family creates palm leaf handicrafts as a source of income. The villagers will teach you to make one. You’ll have the opportunity to bring back your own craft as a very personal souvenir!

2. Khmer cooking class (private):
Your cooking class will start with a visit to the fresh, local market or village; depending on group size, you’ll learn how to choose the perfect ingredients to make delicious Cambodian cuisine. The expert chef will then demonstrate how to cook each dish before you try your hand at preparing it yourself at your cooking station! All your carefully prepared dishes will then be served so that you can enjoy the beautiful garden views while having your meal (3 courses). Meals included: Lunch