Day 1 - Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam
Settle in to your deluxe French-inspired hotel situated in the bustling heart of the city.
Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel - 3 nights

Day 2 - Hanoi Sightseeing
Today, experience the timeless traditions of the city as you enjoy a Cyclo ride through Hanoi’s historic French Quarter with its handsome Colonial-era architecture. Continue on to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an impressive monument of granite, marble and exotic hardwoods modeled after Lenin’s tomb. Also see the simple house where Ho Chi Minh lived. Then visit the 11th-century Temple of Literature before sitting down to lunch at KOTO Hanoi, acclaimed for its fine cuisine. Later, stroll along the atmospheric lanes of the Old Quarter, now home to many artists’ studios. This evening’s Water Puppet performance is followed by a dinner featuring the delicious Vietnamese cuisine of Madam Hien Restaurant.

Day 3 - Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Early risers can head to beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake to join city residents for a brisk early morning stroll or some Tai Chi. Return to the hotel for breakfast then drive to Ha Long Bay. The drive is just a few hours, but the breathtaking scenery that greets you will feel worlds away from the city. Ha Long Bay is filled with thousands of limestone islands, forested peaks, hidden coves, secret caves, and emerald green waters that stretch forth as far as you can see.

Upon arrival, step aboard a Bhaya ship styled after the grand junks once reserved exclusively for the Emperor. You board around noon and have plenty of time to settle in to your air-conditioned outside stateroom before enjoying a welcome drink as you set sail. After a buffet lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy as you cruise through the magnificent scenery, exploring along tranquil coves and past limestone caves to visit a selection of islands. As weather and sea conditions permit, you might swim, snorkel or kayak during the afternoon. Dinner is served onboard.
Accommodation: Bhaya ship - 1 night

Day 4 - Arise in Ha Long Bay and Travel to Danang
Early risers can enjoy an invigorating Tai Chi session on deck as the sun casts its first light across the peaks and coves of this magnificent bay. After a leisurely breakfast and time to take in the scenery, step off ship in mid-morning and transfer to Hanoi for your flight to Central Vietnam. Upon arrival in Danang, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to your 5-star exceptional beachfront resort. Dine this evening along the riverfront at the celebrated Brother’s Café.
Accommodation: Hyatt Regency - 3 nights

Day 5 - Cooking Class & Hoi An
The skilled culinary team at the popular Morning Glory restaurant in ancient Hoi An will conduct a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class. Learn all about the ingredients and preparation techniques for traditional dishes including fresh spring rolls, green papaya salad and fish in banana leaf.

After a delightful lunch featuring the dishes you just helped prepare, take a guided walking tour of historic Hoi An. This colorful seaport will bring you back to the 18th century when this was one of the busiest trading ports in Asia. Known as Faifo to early western traders, Hoi An was home to Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese merchants. Today, Hoi An is known for its collection of original Chinese temples and impressive homes built by these wealthy merchants of earlier times. Wander through the old town center to admire these old merchants’ homes, the art galleries that now draw visitors from all over the world, and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge.

Day 6 - Excursion to Cam Thanh
Travel to the peaceful fishing village of Cam Thanh and experience the timeless rhythms of daily rural life: children returning from school along bamboo-shaded country roads, water buffalos being fed and farmers returning to the fields after the midday heat has passed. Marvel at the network of small canals that lace this agricultural region. See village homes, vegetable and fruit gardens and groves of unique water palm trees. Return to Hoi An where you can explore at your own pace or just relax and enjoy the captivating beachfront setting of your deluxe resort.

Day 7 - Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)
This morning, you’ll be escorted to Danang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). After lunch at the famed Hoa Tuc Restaurant, your afternoon sightseeing tour will include Saigon’s most important Colonial-era landmarks. See Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as the city fell at the end of the Vietnam War. Stop by the General Post Office, a picturesque Colonial-era landmark, City Hall and Notre Dame Cathedral. Then stroll along Le Cong Kieu Street, famous for the many shops and galleries selling antiques – both old and new!
Accommodation: Sofitel Hotel - 2 nights

Day 8 - Mekong Delta
Journey deep into the Mekong Delta and board the Cai Be Princess for a private cruise. See the colorful Cai Be floating market and explore the Delta’s bustling waterways, filled with sampans carrying all sorts of tropical fruits and vegetables. Continue your cruise through the evergreen islands of the Mekong River and visit the home of a 19th-century Mandarin. After your cruise, sit down to lunch at Le Longanier, set in an Indochinese villa along the river. Enjoy a guided stroll along picturesque canals before returning to your hotel. This evening, you’ll enter into a stunningly restored French Colonial mansion for an elegant dinner of fine French cuisine at Au Manoir de Khai.

Day 9 - Cu Chi Tunnels & Siem Reap, Cambodia
An enriching day begins this morning at the Cu Chi Tunnels, the incredible underground network used by guerilla fighters during the Vietnam War that once stretched for 210 miles. Marvel at secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living quarters, and even conference rooms. You’ll have ample opportunity to view the excavated areas from above. The more adventurous can even explore the deeper second and even third-level tunnels. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia where you’ll be greeted and escorted to your hotel.
Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Hotel - 3 nights

Day 10 - The Glory of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom
Set out with your guide after breakfast to begin your in-depth exploration of the magnificent jungle ruins of Angkor, once the royal seat of the mighty Khmer Empire. This morning you’ll explore imposing Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops Pyramid in Egypt. Inspired by 12th century Hinduism, it took an estimated 30 years to build Angkor Wat, including the intricately carved bas-relief which adorns all four sides of the temple.

After a relaxing lunch at the Sugar Palm Restaurant, discover the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom – the last capital of the Khmers with its Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the stunning Bayon temple. This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. Late in the day, your guide will lead you to a prime vantage point to witness the sun set over Angkor, a magnificent and unforgettable spectacle. Tonight’s dinner at the resort is accompanied by the traditional music and dance of Cambodia.

Day 11 - Ruins of Angkor: Exploring Further Afield
This morning’s expertly guided exploration focuses on the less-visited but equally impressive sites of Angkor, including Ta Prohm. Dedicated in 1186, this vast temple complex has been largely left in its natural state, surrounded by the massive roots and limbs of the encroaching jungle.

See Chau Say Tevoda, an ancient Hindu temple, and Preah Khan, an extensive monastic complex built by King Jayavarman VII. Watch skilled students at Les Artisans d’Angkor and learn about the efforts to preserve ancient Cambodian crafts like wood carving, stone sculpting and lacquer ware. There’s time to freshen up before this evening’s elegant Farewell Dinner at Viroth’s, hailed for its ambiance and traditional Khmer cuisine.

Day 12 - Depart Siem Reap
Bid adieu as your tour concludes this morning.