A Cultural Journey to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

With its thrumming streets, maze-like alleyways and captivating culture, Vietnam’s capital city is one of Southeast Asia’s most bewitching destinations. On this half-day city tour, you can discover the highlights of Hanoi, from its ochre-coloured colonial buildings and wide, Parisian-style boulevards to its scenic lakes and thriving culinary scene. Beginning in Hanoi’s chaotic OId Quarter, you will sit down at a local coffee shop with your guide, who will detail the daily lives of the Hanoians. You’ll then head to the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite which preserves the body of Ho Chi Minh, once Vietnam’s revolutionary leader. Then, you will continue on to the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 in the shape of a lotus blossom, considered by many as one of Vietnam’s most iconic pagodas.

Afterwards, you’ll visit Ho Chi Minh’s house, a simple wooden abode set in tranquil surrounds where “Uncle Ho” lived and worked. Following this, you’ll head to Hanoi’s Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam’s first national university, built in the late 11th century. This beautiful temple is a fine and well-preserved example of traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.


Accommodation:
Deluxe Category: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (or alternative hotel of equal standard).
Superior Category: Silk Path Hotel Hanoi (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

Your itinerary will depend on which ship you embark with, but might include kayaking through Lan Ha Bay’s mystical grottoes, enjoying a variety of shore visits, refining your culinary skills during a Vietnamese cooking demonstration or practising tai chi on the vessel’s deck.


Accommodation:
Deluxe Category: Heritage Line Cruises – Ylang.
Superior Category: Stellar of the Seas.

The flat and tranquil roads around Hoi An’s countryside are perfect for exploring with a traditional buffalo cart, an authentic and oft-glimpsed mode of transport in Vietnam’s rural corners. Across Vietnam, farmers and buffalo working the verdant fields have become an iconic symbol of rural life, with buffalo being a farmer’s most prized possession. During your scenic ride, you’ll glimpse stunning vistas of the Vietnamese countryside, which consists of mist-shrouded rice paddies, shrimp farms and vegetable farms. Reaching a dock, you will board a local river boat and embark on a cruise down the scenic Hoi An River, stopping along the way to try your hand at casting a traditional fishing net, a common fishing method still practiced today. You can then learn the art of paddling Vietnam’s unique round basket boats before returning to your river boat to sit down for a sumptuous selection of light seafood dishes and a refreshing as you head back upriver and return to town.

Between the 15th and 19th centuries Hoi An (then known as “Faifo”) was a prosperous trading port which attracted Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish merchant ships. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose immaculately preserved Ancient Town is renowned for its quaint architecture, pedestrian streets and distinctive local cuisine, enabling visitors a glimpse into Hoi An’s illustrious past. The city’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its numerous atmospheric sites, which include old merchant houses varying between Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 1590s; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colourful local market with stalls that brim with local specialties including silk.


Accommodation:
Deluxe Category: Anantara Hoi An Resort (or alternative hotel of equal standard).
Superior Category: Boutique Hoi An Resort (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

Transfer from your hotel in Hoi An to Da Nang’s airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam. Once you land, you will meet with your guide and transfer to your next hotel.

In the afternoon, you will venture through Ho Chi Minh City’s tumultuous streets in search of some of the city’s most coveted historical and cultural treasures. With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is truly a city that never sleeps. Despite its modernity, the city maintains a strong link to Vietnam’s past and a city tour will allow you to discover some of its most notable historic landmarks. These include the elaborate, Romanesque-style Notre Dame Cathedral, whose construction was completed by the French colonialists in 1880. You’ll also visit the Central Post Office, built in 1891, which is another stunning example of the city’s French colonial architecture. The head to the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon government during the Vietnam-America War. You’ll then go to the War Remnants Museum, which gives a vivid perspective of the war with America through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Afterwards, you’ll experience Ho Chi Minh City’s famed street coffee culture as your guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into the daily life of the city’s residents.

As night falls over Saigon, now luminous amid the neon glow of the city lights, you will immerse yourselves into the city’s thrumming streets and cosmopolitan nightlife as Ho Chi Minh City comes alive. First, you will head to one of the city’s trendiest rooftop venues where you can sip on a refreshing drink and sample some tasty snacks while watching the sun set over the glittering cityscape. Your driver will then zoom through the bustling streets to take you to some of the city’s famous highlights. Feel like a local and feast on authentic, fresh seafood dishes at some popular street-side venues. Try some local Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese savoury pancake or a hearty bowl of steaming Pho. You’ll then ride off into the night once more to experience some live music as two contrasting venues. Firstly, you can enjoy the laidback atmosphere of a quieter, softly lit coffee shop before heading to an altogether different venue where a new generation of Vietnamese musicians flaunt their unique, vivacious style. Be sure to bring a healthy appetite and a sense of adventure as your local guide helps you discover the essence of Ho Chi Minh City, one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and modern metropolises.


Accommodation:
Deluxe Category: Hotel des Arts Saigon – MGallery (or alternative hotel of equal standard).
Superior Category: Liberty Central Saigon CityPoint Hotel (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

Transfer to the airport with your guide for your scheduled flight to Siem Reap in Northwestern Cambodia, known as a gateway to the ancient ruins of Angkor. On arrival in Siem Reap, a representative will meet you at the arrival terminal. For a hassle-free experience, the representative will collect your passports, visa fee (if not already paid) and passport photos for the visa before leading you to the baggage claim area. You will then meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap.

In the evening, your private guide with take you on an epicurean experience that will introduce you to local Cambodian food. You’ll be collected from your hotel in the early evening and whisked away by tuk-tuk as darkness begins to fall. The evening begins with a stop to sample a traditional Cambodian tipple with a twist. Rejoining your tuk-tuk, you’ll continue to Angkor Kyung Yu Road, also known as Road 60, which is lined with bustling street food stalls that are a world away from the tourist-trodden bars and eateries of the Siem Reap’s centre. Popular with local families who come out to dine in the early evening, this vibrant food scene is a real feast for the senses. You can sample a range of exotic fruits, succulent grilled meats and, should you be feeling brave, fried insects (and even tarantulas) – a local delicacy. You will then stop at a local haunt and sit down for an authentic Khmer meal, with plenty of time to stop along the way to wash down all this sumptuous food with a refreshing beer. If time allows, you can take a walk through the maze-like alleyways and side streets around the old market area, tasting more street food as you go. The final stop of the evening is to sample a flight of local craft beers – a fitting end to a food-and-drink-filled evening of Cambodian cultural discovery.


Accommodation:
Deluxe Category: Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang (or alternative hotel of equal standard).
Superior Category: FCC Angkor by Avani (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

Located a pleasant 1.5-hour drive from Siem Reap in the verdant Cambodian countryside, Beng Mealea is a sprawling Hindu temple hidden within the steaming jungle. The temple was commissioned by King Suryavarman II (the Khmer monarch who was also responsible for the construction of the phenomenal Angkor Wat) in the early 12th century, possibly serving as a prototype for the much larger Angkor Wat. Contrary to its larger cousin, there are few carvings and bas-relief evident across Beng Mealea; while it was built as a Buddhist temple, some of the few carvings depict Buddhist motifs. Today, the temple is largely overwhelmed by the jungle vegetation which, along with its crumbling stone walls, give it a atmosphere of enchantment and a real lost city aesthetic.

As evening descends, you’ll glimpse an integral aspect of Cambodian culture at Phare, The Cambodian Circus, an experience which will be preceded with a sumptuous three-course dinner at an elegant local restaurant which specialises in a unique mixture of classic French gastronomy and contemporary Khmer recipes. The circus performance combines theatre with music and dance to tell fascinating Cambodian heritage folktales, thus delivering a thrilling means of delving deeper into Cambodia’s intriguing culture through one of its most vibrant artforms.


Accommodation:
Deluxe Category: Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang (or alternative hotel of equal standard).
Superior Category: FCC Angkor by Avani (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

A UNESCO-protected heritage city, Luang Prabang sits amid the rolling countryside of Northern Laos and is an enchanting mix of faded Indochinese villas, tranquil river scenery and ancient gold-tipped temples frequented by saffron-robed monks. An explorative half-day walking tour will show you the best of this ancient city, once the capital of Laos, and its peaceful streets. Begin with a visit to the pagoda-roofed Royal Palace, now a National Museum housing precious artefacts that belonged to the Lao Royal Family. Next, either drive or enjoy a leisurely walk to explore some of Luang Prabang’s ornately decorated temples including Wat Visoun, the city’s oldest temple. This impressive Buddhist structure features a classic stupa design that emulates the shape of a lotus flower. Next you’ll visit Wat That Luang, a traditional cremation site of the Lao royal family; the sumptuous Wat Mai with its glimmering golden reliefs that depict scenes from village life; and Wat Xieng Thong, which was built in the 17th century and features stunning Tree of Life mosaics on its Western-inspired exterior.

After stopping for lunch (own expense), embark on a charming river cruise to the famous Pak Ou Caves aboard a traditional long-tail boat. The journey will see you pass charming scenes of typical Lao villages, barely visible beyond the thick riverine foliage, while wooden canoes can be glimpses bobbing beside the shoreline. Located next to the mighty Mekong River, The Pak Ou Caves comprise two limestone grottoes which house approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images ranging from mere centimetres to two metres in height. After exploring the caves, you’ll return to Luang Prabang while gently drifting along the river, stopping en route at the quaint village of Ban Muang Keo to observe local weavers and whisky distillers honouring their generation-spanning traditional crafts.


Accommodation:
Deluxe Category: Rosewood Luang Prabang (or alternative hotel of equal standard).
Superior Category: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – MGallery (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

At a prearranged time, you will say farewell to Luang Prabang and meet your guide for a transfer to the airport, where you will board your departing flight.