Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia

Over 1,000 years of vibrant culture, art and cuisine make Hanoi, Vietnam, the ideal place to begin this exciting Southeast Asian journey. On arrival today, we immediately start exploring its centuries-old streets and historic structures on a guided walking tour that takes us to the Ngoc Son Temple. This place of serenity is also called the Temple of the Jade Mountain and was constructed in the 1800s on a small island north of Hoan Kiem Lake. Following this, we walk back to the city and board a cyclo for a unique tour of the Old Quarter. This is an exciting way to experience the buzzing atmosphere found amongst the traditional Vietnamese buildings; sit back with your camera at hand and let your driver guide the way. Overnight Hanoi.

• Dinner

The many sides of Hanoi are yours to explore as we continue sightseeing. First, we head to Bo Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh read the Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. We will see uniformed officers protecting the leader's final resting place and the square's pretty gardens before moving into the surrounding Ba Dinh District to visit the One-Pillar Pagoda. This ancient Buddhist temple is nearly 1,000 years old and was constructed to look like a Lotus flower leaving a "sea of sorrow" - aka the still water below.

This afternoon, our excursion's focus shifts to food, and we set out into Hanoi's Old Quarter with a guide to try authentic Vietnamese street food. Try dishes like Bun Cha, Vietnamese pork meatballs served with vermicelli noodles and herbs, and Banh Goi, fried hand pie dumplings filled with pork, mushrooms, carrots and noodles. Our tour concludes in the "International Crossroads" area with a glass of Bia Hoi, a very light beer synonymous with Vietnamese culture. Overnight Hanoi.

• Breakfast

A brief respite from the city's hustle and bustle lies ahead as we transfer to the coast and take to the stunning waters of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise. The Bay is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with over 1,600 towering limestone islands, unusual rock formations, and deep turquoise waters, and boasts a UNESCO World Site designation. As we board our ship, sit down for a delicious fresh seafood lunch and a day of incredible views. Look upon hidden waterside caves, peaceful inlets, and pillar-like islands as the boat moves through at a leisurely pace. The sunset over Ha Long Bay is breathtaking, so find a spot to watch its colors as the dun sinks below the waterline. Overnight Ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ha Long Bay is known as one of the best places in Asia to watch a sunrise, and you can do just that from the ship this morning. Begin the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sun deck as we near the mooring point. After disembarkation, we transfer back to Hanoi, making a short stop at the Dai Viet Craft Center along the way. See traditional goods like pottery and dolls before we proceed into the city for a performance at a local Water Puppet Theater. This art form was introduced over 1,000 years ago in Vietnam's rural, rice-growing region and remains a cultural staple. Following the performance, we join the Reunification Express Train for an overnight journey through the nation's rural expanses to Da Nang. Overnight train.

• Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast on the train as the vistas continue to change beyond your window as we approach Da Nang. A coach awaits our arrival at the train station, and as we board, we are taken to the coastal city of Hoi An. This scenic locale was a major port city from the 15th to the 19th centuries and boasts a well-preserved Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you arrive, you will see how Hoi An is crisscrossed with canals and sewn together by the famous Japanese Covered Bridge. We stop at the Museum of Cham Sculpture, home to the world's most extensive collection made by the indigenous Cham people. Upon checking in at our hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore this historic destination. Wander through its atmospheric streets in search of ancient buildings, or visit the Central Market to taste local produce and see local handicrafts. Vietnam is famous for its coffee, and excellent coffee shops showcase the local beans. If you are feeling adventurous, you could also head to An Bang Beach to walk on the sugar-white sand. Overnight Hoi An.

• Breakfast

Discover the best of Hoi An on this morning's walking tour. As we set out into the colorful Ancient Town, we stop at the Tan Ky Old House, the ornate Fujian Assembly Hall, and cross the impressive Chua Cau Hoi An, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. After, we visit the Precious Heritage Museum and Art Gallery, where striking portraits, costumes, and heirlooms tell the stories of the Vietnamese people. Perhaps the most popular feature of the museum us the permanent exhibition showcasing the work of the famous French photographer Rehahn whose moving portraits "capture the souls" of his subjects. You may continue exploring Hoi An at leisure following the tour. Overnight Hoi An.

• Breakfast

We begin our day with a transfer to Da Nang International Airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. We explore this fast-paced destination's facets on our guided tour this afternoon. Begin at the Reunification Palace, which you may recognize form the pictures of a tank crashing through its gates, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Other highlights include the Saigon Central Post Office, a stunning French building, and the distinctive City Hall building. Our tour wraps up at he War Remnants Museum, which features harrowing and eye-opening exhibits relating to the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.

• Breakfast

This morning, we are introduced to another fascinating aspect of the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Viet Cong dug this intricate network of tunnels to extend beneath Saigon and Vietnam as a whole, extending thousands of miles in all. The guerrilla forces used these for communication, hiding soldiers, transporting materials, and launching surprise attacks on the American troops, amongst other purposes. As we descend into them, you will see some of the safer areas of the tunnels and may even be shown a booby trap or a command center.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. Stroll down its wide boulevards to see grand historic buildings, such as Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon or the Ho Ci Minh City Opera House. Authentic street food vendors abound, and there are many restaurants in which to try banh mi sandwiches, steamed rice cakes, skewers, or pho, a delicious noodle soup. Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.

• Breakfast

Leaving Vietnam behind, we board a short flight to Cambodia, arriving in its capital and beating heart, Phnom Penh. This metropolis sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers, giving it a long past as a trading hub. Reminders of its Khmer Empire and French Colonial occupants are found throughout the city, as many of Phnom Penh's grandest buildings are constructed in French styles. As we explore on a guided tour, you will also see newly emerging designs that showcase the city's growth and development over the centuries. Our first stop is the Royal Palace compound, home to the current King of Cambodia. This extravagant complex is home to many traditional buildings with classical Khmer roofs; in the right light, they almost appear gilded. A highlight of our visit comes as we enter the Silver Pagoda, whose name comes from the 5,000 silver tiles that cover the floor. Each structure is a showcase of details and intricacy. Overnight Phnom Penh.

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Cambodia's sights, smells, and flavors come to a head in the buzzing Central Market. We visit this yellow, cross-shaped Art Deco landmark to soak in the culture through our senses. Wander through the stalls to sample delicious local delicacies and see striking jewelry and traditional clothing. Our explorations continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Wandering through its exhibits provides a poignant reminder of the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime yet promotes peace to its visitors.

This afternoon, a coach transfer takes us out of the vibrant capital and to the city of Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor region. Its new-age allures combine with a rich history formed on the foundation of the Khmer Empire that used this region as its capital from the 9th to 15th centuries. As such, ruins and temples abound, and this resort city has a feel unlike any other we have explored so far. Overnight Siem Reap.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Archaeological wonders and peaceful settings abound as we explore Angkor Archaeological Park today, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor region. We enter the park surrounded by beauty and make our way first to Angkor Thom. Translated as "Great City," Angkor Thom was the last and longest-serving capital of the Khmer (Angkor) Empire. As such, this site is not a single building but an ancient fortified city built in a mandala pattern. At its center is the impressive Bayon Temple, where Angkor Thom's deity lived during his lifetime and was buried at death. You must enter the city through one of its five original gates, all but one of which leads directly to the temple. The fifth leads to the palace.

After we visit this hauntingly beautiful city, we proceed to Angkor Wat, a massive Buddhist temple complex that is the world's largest religious site. Built in the 12th century amidst the lush rainforests, Angkor Wat features over 1,000 buildings within its 400-acre site, including its enormous main temple with pinecone-shaped towers. We have time to admire the complex and see why this site has become so iconic in Cambodia that it is featured on the national flag. Overnight Siem Reap.

• Breakfast

Check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport for your onward journey. If you have some free time before your flight, spend your final day soaking in the elements of beautiful Siem Reap at leisure. You could visit the Old French Quarter to explore its blend of Colonial and Chinese influences or continue your knowledge quest about the Khmer Empire at the Angkor National Museum.

• Breakfast