Alluring Vietnam & the Temples of Angkor

1. 1Your Small Group Discovery tour begins!Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam▾

   Welcome to Hanoi, the nation’s capital and one of Southeast Asia’s most engaging cities, rich in Vietnamese history and full of opportunities to experience the traditional culture. Hotel check-in is available mid-afternoon.

   No meals included

   
2. 2The Streets of Hanoi & Uncle HoHanoiBreakfastLunchDinner▾

   Take a cyclo ride and walking tour through the Old Quarter. Then, look at the life of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. Visit the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next on the agenda are visits to the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Museum. You will also visit the ancient Temple of Literature, more than 900 years old and Hanoi’s first university, followed by the infamous Hanoi Hilton (Hỏa Lò Prison). After lunch at a local restaurant, roll up your sleeves and design your own art! At a sustainable workshop that works to preserve and support Vietnamese traditions, you will learn to create your own souvenir using the Zo paper making process. Tonight, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program created to teach local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities.

   Local favorite · The ancient Old Quarter is comprised of 36 streets, which was once the thriving center of the city. The best way to explore this fascinating area is by cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) and foot. Here, peddlers trade as they have for centuries and you can find them based on the street name, which reflects their trade - Fish Sauce, Silk, and Bamboo. Along the way, stop for an egg coffee, a Hanoi specialty!

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   
3. 3A Pearl of a DayHanoi–Ha Long BayBreakfastLunchDinner▾

   Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Hon Gai, gateway to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark on your overnight cruise of Ha Long Bay. This afternoon, visit a pearl farm to learn the process of pearl cultivation before stopping at one of the islands for a swim or stroll.

   Highlight · CAYS, CAVES & BAYS Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is dotted with more than 1,600 islands, limestone pillars carved into fanciful shapes by water and coastal erosion. Tunnels, caves, and uniquely shaped outcroppings with creative names can be found on many of the small islets that are sprinkled across the bay. Your overnight cruise explores the caves and is an opportunity to admire the beauty and scale of the many secluded bays.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   
4. 4Peaceful Meeting PlaceHa Long Bay–Hanoi–Hoi AnBreakfastLunch▾

   This morning, rise early for a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck if so moved before a visit to one of the many caves found in the bay. Explore the caverns and their dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. Disembark the ship later this morning and drive to Hanoi and board your flight to Danang, on Vietnam’s historic central coast. Continue to nearby Hoi An, a cultural fusion and well-preserved trading port. The local cuisine and architecture here reflect the influence which Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders had on Vietnam.

   Highlight · Located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, the Hotel Royal Hoi An features a rooftop pool, bar and restaurant overlooking the enchanting river, providing the perfect blend of historic charm and modern facilities, with a mix of Vietnamese and Japanese influence.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   
5. 5Sail, Tackle & StrollHoi AnBreakfastLunchDinner▾

   Cruise on the Thu Bon River and participate in a fishing lesson. Later, explore historic Hoi An on a walking tour including an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese assembly hall, and the famous Japanese covered bridge. Visit a local tea house that supports hearing impaired staff, making for a unique experience as you communicate your order with wooden blocks with words. For dinner, participate in a cooking class where you will learn about traditional Vietnamese spices and how to prepare Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crispy rice pancake).

   Local favorite · Join a local fisherman to learn about local fishing methods and learn how to throw and retrieve a traditional round fishing net called a "ro". Afterward, you will have a chance to throw the net yourself and see what you catch!

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   
6. 6Rest & RideHoi An–HueBreakfast▾

   Time at leisure this morning. Depart the hotel and stop at China Beach, locally known as My Khe beach, which served as a landing point for U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. Continue over spectacular Hai Van Pass, considered one of the most scenic in all of Vietnam, before arriving in Hue. One of Vietnam’s former capitals and the last royal dynasty in Vietnamese history, Hue is a beautiful, welcoming city that remains a cultural and religious center.

   Meals: Breakfast

   
7. 7Dynastic HueHueBreakfastLunch▾

   This morning’s sightseeing provides a unique window into Vietnam and its complex past. Along the banks of the Perfume River visit the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors: the Khai Dinh Mausoleum and the Royal Tomb of Tu Duc. After lunch, a cyclo tour of the city visits the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city, which is the tallest religious building in Vietnam at seven stories. Continue to the Imperial Citadel.

   Highlight · Built between 1804 and 1833, the Imperial Citadel is a heavily fortified structure that remains very much the heart of modern-day Hue. Despite its tumultuous history, the fortress remains superbly intact.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   
8. 8Seeing SaigonHue–Ho Chi Minh CityBreakfastDinner▾

   Today, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. After some free time, join your travel companions for a special dinner at a local restaurant.

   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

   
9. 9Meandering Streets, Landmarks & MarketsHo Chi Minh CityBreakfastLunch▾

   A walking tour introduces you to the city’s famous and historic landmarks. The route winds through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Opera House, Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, visit the War Remnants Museum, followed by Ben Thanh Market, the largest and oldest in the city. Visit Mekong Quilts. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy some free time.

   Local favorite · Mekong Quilts is a social enterprise that employs more than 100 women from villages in Vietnam & Cambodia to improve their quality of life. Interact with the team and learn about the craftsmanship and high-quality products made from locally sourced materials.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

   
10. 10Tunnel VisionHo Chi Minh City–Cu Chi Tunnels excursionBreakfast▾

    Drive through vast expanses of rice paddies to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles long that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

    
11. 11Captivating CambodiaHo Chi Minh City–Siem Reap, CambodiaBreakfastDinner▾

    This morning, board your flight to Siem Reap, your base during your visit to Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular archaeological ruins on Earth! Enjoy a Khmer dinner at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    
12. 12Awe-Inspiring AngkorSiem ReapBreakfastLunch▾

    Spend the day exploring the Angkor Temple complex. Begin with a visit to Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire. Stops here include the Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King, and the Baphuon complex. Then, visit the most famous of all the temples, Angkor Wat. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit APOPO to learn about how HeroRats are making the world a safer place.

    Highlight · Visit APOPO, a humanitarian organization with 25 years of success in finding and removing post-war landmines. Learn about an important member of the effort, the African giant pouched rat, employed for its keen sense of smell and agility in detecting land mines, as well as tuberculosis in lab samples—earning the gentle creatures the name ‘HeroRats.’

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    
13. 13Tempting Temples & Study SessionSiem ReapBreakfastDinner▾

    This morning, visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple outside the main complex dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. This temple was built in the 10th Century on a small scale in red sandstone and boasts exquisitely carved figures. On your return journey, stop at a local school to interact with the children. Your visit directly supports the teachers and students, and their dedication to Cambodian culture. Then on to Ta Prohm, which has been left relatively untouched and is surrounded by jungle, with tree roots growing over and through the ruins. You’ll be able to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

    Highlight · Join your Tour Director and travel companions for a farewell dinner followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance, where the ancient Khmer culture is brought to life by talented dancers, singers, and musicians.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    
14. 14Safe travels until we meet again!Siem ReapBreakfast▾

    Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

    Meals: Breakfast

    

Prices are the operator's current published rates and can change until a deposit is paid; we reconfirm on enquiry.

Where you stay

Hotels as listed by Globus / Cosmos, “as shown or similar.” Tap a hotel name to see it on Google Maps.

The real cost of this trip

The “from” price is the operator's land-only rate. This is what sits on top of it, so the number you budget is the number you pay.

Questions we get about this trip