Day 2: Enroute

Day 3: Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam
You arrive in Vietnam’s capital city, where you are met and escorted to your hotel. Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Classic room
 
Day 4:  Hanoi
Begin your Asian adventure with an introduction to Hanoi.  Tour the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place for one of the country’s key historical figures.  Explore the Old Quarter by cyclo (bicycle rickshaw), meandering ancient streets, each named after the crafts or merchandise traditionally sold there. Discover the fascinating Museum of Ethnology, and through art and artifacts, lean about the astonishing ethnic diversity, 54 distinct groups, in Vietnam. Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Classic room (B,L,D)

Day 5: Hanoi / Halong Bay
Today, you travel east along Highway 5 across Hai Hung Province, where you are in for a special treat – board a traditional Asian junk, the John Grey Sea Canoe, for a two-day journey on spectacular Halong Bay.  Cruise the islands to a secluded location to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. This afternoon, you arrive at the first stop. After brief kayak training, you will investigate remote sea caves and serene lagoons under the supervision of professional kayak guides.  You learn about the flora and fauna – monkeys, sea eagles and other wildlife.  This evening, set out in canoes to further investigate Halong Bay’s seascape by starlight -- a memorable adventure. John Grey Sea Canoe, Deluxe Junk (B,L,D)
 
Day 6:  Halong Bay / Hanoi
With more than 1,600 remote islands covered in jungle and with giant rock outcrops eroded through millenniums, Halong Bay offers a treasure trove of exploration. Today you set out on kayaks explore sculpted caves, natural rock formations and hidden lagoons. Afterwards, return to your traditional wooden boat for your cruise back to Halong Bay and return journey to Hanoi. Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Classic room (B,D)

Day 7:  Hanoi / Danang / Hoi An
Fly to Danang, where you are met. Transfer by vehicle to Hoi, past the Marble Mountains and small villages to the charming historic town of Hoi An.  Nam Hai, 1 Bedroom Villa (B, L,D)
 
Day 8:  Hoi An
Hoi An is your focus today. This picturesque riverside town south of Danang’s white sand beaches was known as Faifo to early western traders.  It was one of Southeast Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.  Walking is the best and most enjoyable way to tour the town. This afternoon, you are free to pursue your own interests, including discovering colorful shops and markets. Nam Hai, 1 bedroom Villa (B,L)
 
Day 9:  Hoi An / Danang / Nha Trang
Drive this morning to Danang for your flight to Cam Ranh Bay Airport. You are escorted to the resort town of Nha Trang, where you spend the next two nights at one of the most beautiful hotels in Southeast Asia.  Learn how this innovative, award-winning property has incorporated sustainable tourism practices. You will see its stated core principle – “To create innovative and enriching experiences in sustainable environment,” –  in action.  Evason at Ana Mandara (B,D)
 
Day 10:  Nha Trang
You have time to enjoy the town’s miles of beaches, warm water and friendly people. You also get a behind-the-scenes look of the Evanson Ana Mandara that showcases best practices in sustainable tourism. The company has an dedicated environmentalist on the team, who insures that all work follows the best environmental practices from design to spa treatments.  This afternoon, you participate in a delightfully fascinating cooking class of ethnic Vietnamese foods at Ana Mandara Hotel. Evason at Ana Mandara (B,L)
 
Day 11:  Nha Trang / Cam Ranh Bay / Saigon 
Return to the airport for your onward flight to Saigon. On arrival, you are escorted to your hotel. Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. Street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new cafes and pubs vie for your attention along  with 300 years of ancient culture.  The city’s European influence is seen in its architecture.  Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and is in the heart of Saigon's government quarter. Next door, Central Post Office is a French-style building with a glass canopy and iron frame that dates back to 1886.  Glimpse City Hall, completed 1908, with an ornate gingerbread façade, and the turn-of-the-century Opera House.  Other landmarks include Reunification Palace, which was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam; the War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market, the central market of Saigon. Dong Khoi Street is the main shopping street for handicrafts and laquer ware. Remainder of day at leisure.  Sheraton Saigon, Premier Deluxe Pool (B)
 
Day 12:  Cai Be Floating Market
Leaving Saigon, drive into the heart of the Mekong Delta to Cai Be, and embark on one of the local boats to explore Cai Be Floating Markets, lively markets of fruit and vegetable barges. Motor along small waterways and canals that run through a few of the 4,000 islands that populate the Mekong River. You will visit orchards and see some of the local cottage industries. Experience how the local residents make traditional treats such as dried longyans, rice pancakes and puffed rice candies with of course the change to sample. Disembark at Vinh Long and return to Saigon. The remainder of the day is at leisure.  Sheraton Saigon, Premier Deluxe Pool (B,L)
 
Day 13:  Saigon
Today offers you an unusual opportunity to see the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi’s strategic location made it an important base during the war years.  The Vietcong built a 124-mile network of tunnels that connected command posts, hospitals, shelters and weapon factories.  Tay Ninh is headquarters for one of Vietnam's religions, Caodism.  Built between 1933 and 1955, The Caodai Great Temple at the sect's Holy See is one of the most striking structures in all of Asia.  Sheraton Saigon, Premier Deluxe Pool (B,L)

Day 14:  Saigon / Siem Reap, Cambodia
Fly to Siem Reap for the next leg of your adventure.  Arrive in Siem Reap, where you are escorted to the Hotel De La Paix – a beautiful five-star hotel and spa that is committed to working closely with local Khmer communities to support a rich, traditional cultural heritage. The hotel supports and encourages the interaction of guests with the neighboring environment. Guests are invited to connect with local Khmer families in a dignified way with the goal of fostering cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity through tourism. This is done through customized community-based activities such as rice sponsorship, educational support and mentoring programs.  Through the hotel’s links with international and local aid organizations, guests can make a direct contribution to those in need. Visit some of the sustainable tourism projects that are helping local people better their lives with support from the Spirit of this  Foundation.  Hotel De La Paix, Deluxe Room (B)
 
Day 15:  Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
The focus of your day is the phenomenal UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. Explore fabled Angkor Thom, the fortified city that spreads out over nearly five square miles. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights such as the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods; the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, used for public ceremonies; and the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas. Explore mysterious Bayon Temple, its galleries of preserved bas reliefs. In the central sanctuary, giant stone faces smile enigmatically down from every angle.  Wander Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Khmer architecture and the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples.  Visit Ta Prohm,   much of it is still wrapped in the jungle, and looks very much as Angkor would have appeared to early European explorers.  Angkor Wat is stunning any time, but sunrise and sunset are truly extraordinary events. Hotel De La Paix, Deluxe Room (B,L,D)
 
Day 16:  Siem Reap – Angkor
Today you continue your investigation of Angkor with a visit to Banteay Srei, miniature in scale when compared to other Angkor temples. But it is considered the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built of pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings. This site is often favored by visitors because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture. Visit Banteay Samre, a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu.
 Enjoy an excursion to Tonle Sap Lake, in the heart of Cambodia.  During the monsoon season (July and August), this extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original size.  Its ecosystem is one of the most diverse in the region.  A boat trip takes you to explore the floating fishing villages at the edges of the lake, submerged forests and fishing farms.
Hotel De La Paix 5, Deluxe (B, L,D)
 
Day 17:  Siem Reap / Bangkok
Enjoy a final morning visit to this ancient world when you discover Roluos Group Temples. These monuments mark the beginning of classical art, displaying some of the earliest of the great temples built by the Khmer. They served as the capital for Indravarman, who reigned in the 9th century.  Lolei was built on an islet by Yasovarman I, who ruled in the 9th and 10th centuries, and was known as the founder of the first city of Angkor.  The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples are notable as are the Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts.  Bakonog, dedicated to Shiva by Indravarman I, is the largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group of temples, and still supports an active Buddhist monastery.  Fly to Bangkok. Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport, Deluxe  Room (B,L)
 
Day 18:  Bangkok / Depart
 After breakfast, you have some free time before traveling to the airport to connect your flight home. (B)

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