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.

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. As arrival times will vary, there is no scheduled sightseeing today. Spend the day as you wish, exploring the city independently.

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 travellers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Today, you may choose to start your day early by joining your Tour Manager and locals as they practice <i>tai chi</i> 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.

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.

Your day begins with a <i>tai chi</i> 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 Site 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.

Start your day with a walking tour of 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 in 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.