Day 1 Fly USA to Bangkok

Day 2 Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand
Upon arrival and after clearing customs and immigration, a driver will meet you and transfer you directly to your downtown hotel.

An exciting brew of traffic and temples, luxury hotels and labyrinth-like streets, the “City of Angels,” is a hectic heaven. This inexhaustible energy is part of Bangkok’s charm, and it has made this feisty capital one of Asia’s favorite tourist destinations. Cutting through the heart of the city, the magnificent Chao Phraya River, “the River of Kings” provides easy access to Bangkok’s numerous Buddhist temples and the Grand Palace, as well offering insight into Thai life.

Day 3 Klong cruise and Grand Palace
Take a morning boat ride along the Chao Phraya River, known as the ‘River of Kings’ and its quiet canals, on the West Side of Bangkok. Life along the river and canals is very interesting especially in the Orchis area. Stop at the Temple of Dawn 'Wat Arun' which is one of the city’s landmarks and visit the Royal Palace to see Dusit Hall (funeral hall), holy Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), and a fabulous Buddha image, carved from a single piece of Jade.

Bangkok city and temple tour
This afternoon you will visit some other notable temples in the city. Thailand has over 26,000 temples (or Wats). This tour will bring you to three of the most distinguished temples in Bangkok. Wat Trimitr, the temple of the Golden Buddha, features a statue made from solid Gold weighing 5.5 tons. It is a fine example of Sukhothai art and was discovered by chance from a layer of stucco during construction of the temple.

Passing through Chinatown your next stop is Wat Po, the temple of the reclining Buddha which is the largest and oldest in Bangkok. Your last stop is at Wat Benchamabopit or the marble temple. This magnificent monastery was built with white Italian marble from Carrara.

Day 4 Damnern Saduak Floating Markets
Thailand's floating markets are among the most-photographed destinations in the country. The river and 'klong' markets give a realistic glance of how daily life must have been in earlier times. The floating markets are where the sellers, their boats laden with a wide variety of tropical fruits, flowers, vegetables and fresh produce, come to meet and barter their products with other traders. These days, modern supermarkets and department stores have largely replaced the traditional floating markets, but a few still survive.

The most popular floating market, one of the must-see one-day trips from Bangkok, is at Ratchaburi, about 60 miles to the west of Bangkok. The Damnern Saduak market is the largest of its kind, attracting a large number of tourists each day. The lively and colorful images of boat vendors trading their agricultural products is one of the most fascinating and endearing images of Thailand.

Thai Dinner and Dances at Sala Rim Nam
The Thai dinner and dance shows are a visual and palatable delight. With the world's ever increasing interest in Thai cuisine, this is the place to experience an authentic taste in a multi-course set menu. The shows last about 45 minutes and will be held at The Oriental Hotel's famous Sala Rim Nam Restaurant.

On the opposite bank of the Chao Praya River, Sala Rim Naam is housed in a richly decorated Thai pavilion, originating from Northern Thailand, the restaurant is also the setting for one of the kingdom's unique cultural experiences - classical Thai dancing, performed before your table every night. It's the perfect accompaniment to such lavish cuisine.

Day 5 Fly Bangkok to Hanoi
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vietnam.  On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation by private vehicle.

Hanoi has been forever changed by the introduction of literally millions of motorbikes, which dodge, weave and honk through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter and down the broad, old avenues of the Colonial District. The noise is omnipresent and the streets are packed with traffic, and the sidewalks are covered with parked vehicles and outdoor shops.

Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart of the city. Stroll along the pedestrian paths around its edge, then enjoy an espresso and pastry at the lakeside cafe. Cross red-painted Rising Sun Bridge to enjoy the relative quiet around Ngoc Son temple. Visit the Temple of Literature, the only remaining original building at 1,000-year-old Hanoi University. Northwest of the lake to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Within easy walking distance of it are two places worth checking out: the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House (rather than live in the palace, he chose to reside in this modest dwelling).

Several museums are worth a visit: The Museum of Ethnology introduces visitors to the remarkably diverse ethnic cultures of Vietnam, the Museum of History traces Vietnam's successive periods of conquest and peace from the second century BC to the present day, and the Museum of Women lauds Vietnamese women's role in military and domestic history. American Vietnam War buffs will want to visit the Hoa Lo Museum at the site of the fearful 'Hanoi Hilton,' though most of the exhibits there discuss Vietnam's years of struggle for independence from France.

Day 6 Hanoi City Tour
Hanoi, a capital city of Vietnam, is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia. Visit to One Pillar Pagoda which was built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Then proceed to Temple of Literature. Temple of Literature is a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, this monument is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Next stop is Hoan Kiem Lake. Right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star.

After that visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. Following Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is Opera House, a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. End the tour in Hanoi at St. Joseph Cathedral and Bao Tang Lich which exhibits artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent history including some from prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilizations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms.

Day 7 Halong Bay Cruise
Transfer to Halong Pier and board your cruise vessel. Discover the splendors of Halong Bay aboard a junk that combines classic beauty with modern comfort.

This slice of the South China Sea is speckled with more than 2,000 isolated limestone peaks (known as karsts) rising straight up out of the water. A group of 1,900 of these islets has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tours from Hanoi include a leisurely boat trip through the craggy islands. MANY Boat operators will drop anchor so you can dive into the calm waters or kayak when the weather is cooler. Other tours lead you through grottoes and caves with bizarre rock sculptures. For those wishing to sleep overnight on the boat, accommodations are simple but adequate (private cabin, shared bathroom), and the views at sunset and sunrise are unforgettable. 75 mi/120 km southeast of Hanoi.

Discover the splendors of Halong Bay aboard the Halong Jasmine, a wooden junk that combines classic beauty with modern comfort.

While all those who visit Halong Bay are charmed by the archipelago's beauty, few visitors are aware that the three-thousand islands that dot this bay are home to many rare plants, including species found nowhere else in the world. We chose our boat's name - Halong Jasmine - because, like the plant it was named after, our junk is perfectly suited to this environment. With its golden sails, polished woodwork and refined, Asian décor, the Halong Jasmine offers an unforgettable ambiance of relaxed elegance.

Fitted out in the 1930's Indochine style, the Halong Jasmine features 22 spacious cabins and two suites, a restaurant, lounge and two special Jasmine Suites with their own jacuzzi and balcony for uninterrupted views of the bay. The cruise will be welcoming the first visitors in early October, 2007. Deluxe cabins are located upper deck, have a balcony and are outfitted with a Queen bed.

Just after noon, board the Halong Jasmine and set sail through bay while lunch is served. Passage into the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons' teeth.

After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with Halong Jasmine golden sails, go swimming on a quite beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. Later afternoon, visit an interesting fishing village with opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations.

At sunset time, kayak or simply take a bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board Halong Jasmine, enjoy cocktails while watching sunset and later unwind at Jasmine restaurant.

Day 8 Fly Hanoi to Danang
After a morning Tai Chi lesson, cruise back and disembark at the dock. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. On arrival at Danang, travel by private vehicle to Hoi An.

Settled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, the charming and colorful market town of Hoi An was a major port in centuries past, with ships arriving from all over the world to obtain silk and other fabrics, sugar, tea and ceramics. ts traditional Vietnamese architecture has been preserved, and there are many historic temples and pagodas in the area.

Popular sights include the 18th-century Tan Ky House, an ornate merchant's house built in traditional Japanese-Vietnamese style; the Phuoc Kien (or Fujian) Assembly Hall, which once served Hoi An's Chinese community, lavishly decorated with murals and a replica of a Chinese ship; the Chaozhou Assembly Hall, noted for fine wood carvings; and the Japanese-style covered bridge, the town's most famous landmark.

Hundreds of shops in Hoi An sell handmade silk and cotton garments, and custom tailoring is fast, inexpensive and mostly of good quality. Hoi An is also known for its silk lanterns. (The flexible bamboo frames are designed to collapse, so they're easily transported home as a souvenir.) If you're in the old section of town after dusk, you'll see the streets beautifully lit with these lanterns. If you time your visit right, you may see the lantern festival-held in November on the eve of the full moon.

Day 9 Hoi An city tour
Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This old town is best explored on foot or by cyclo. The walking tour of Hoi An will visit five following sites. Quan Cong Temple is a Chinese temple dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilt statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Phuoc Kien Pagoda is a Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area.

Japanese Covered Bridge was built by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Tran Family Chapel is a house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from the family members. Sa Huynh Museum contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Phung Hung House is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese style. Quang Dong Pagoda is a small Chinese style temple dedicated to Thien Hau with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statuary.

Day 10 Hue City Tour
Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century.

Today transfer overland two hours to Hue by private vehicle.  Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, which includes an excursion by boat. Just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, the Thien Mu Pagoda was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is an Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation.
Visit the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang you will see a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs.

Then visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Emperor Tu Duc ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was Vietnam's longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life.

Khai Dinh was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes.

Day 11 Fly Danang to Ho Chi Minh City
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation by private vehicle.

Vietnamese seem to use the names Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City or simply HCMC interchangeably. But by any name, it's the economic center of the country. With a rapidly growing population, new hotels, chic bars and trendy clubs, Ho Chi Minh City is enjoying its current climate of prosperity and growth. The old landmarks-the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Rex Hotel, the Hotel de Ville-are still there. But new office towers, built by multinational corporations now setting up shop in Vietnam, are radically changing the skyline. Ho Chi Minh City's millions of motorbikes emit a constant roar and palpable exhaust, and the city's two- and three-hour traffic jams are legendary.

Amid all this, there are nearly 200 temples and pagodas in the city. The Emperor of Jade Pagoda is filled with gilded figures and papier-mache statues of Buddhist and Taoist divinities. History buffs should stop by the Reunification Palace, where the South Vietnamese government officially turned over power to the North in 1975. It's a trip back in time, particularly the 'strategy rooms' in the basement and the upper floors filled with 1960s furnishings.

The most interesting markets are Cho Binh and Cho Ben Thanh.  Shop in Dong Khoi Street for the city's highest-quality wares (antiques and other souvenirs). Cholon is the city's Chinatown and is worth a visit for the bustle, the temples and assembly halls.

Day 12 Saigon city tour
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, and one will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere. There are street markets, pavement cafes and sleek new cafes and pubs. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. The sightseeing starts with a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral. Then head to City Hall located at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard and continue the tour to Opera House.

Next stop is Jade Emperor Pagoda, a key meeting place for Chinese secret societies. Following Jade Emperor Pagoda is Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum. Reunification Palace was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state. War Remnants Museum houses collections of weapons and photographs from 2 Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century. See the oldest and the most active pagodas at Giac Lam Pagoda and Thien Hau Pagoda on the way to Ben Thanh, the central market of Saigon.

Day 13 Mekong Delta Cruise
Your Mekong River cruise excursion aboard the Cai Be Princess, a deluxe sampan offering more comfort than a regular cruise of the Mekong, will begin with a hotel pickup before heading south towards the Mekong Delta. Upon embarkation of the Cai Be Princess you will be welcomed with fresh cotton towels.

The Mekong River tour will first visit the local colorful floating markets of Cai Be, where you will cruise among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. The Mekong cruise will then take you to some local home factories to discover traditional production of rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and the longans fruit drying process. Cruising on you will visit Dong Hoa Hiep Island, a peaceful escape where you will be able to visit an ancient mandarin house dating from late 19 century and where some green tea will be served to you. Its then onto Phu An for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, your Mekong river cruise will head towards Vinh Long, passing beautiful landscapes along the river such as Dong Phu canal, Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh. These evergreen islands on the Mekong River bring about large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos, and are unknown to most travelers who cruise the river. Stops can be made at An Binh ancient Church or Tam Ho bonsais garden to stretch the legs or for photographs.

After crossing the Co Chien River, your tour of the Mekong River aboard the Cai Be Princess will end at the Vinh Long pier around 3.30pm, where your vehicle will await you for your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14 Fly Ho Chi Minh City to USA

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