Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, and check into your hotel mid-afternoon. This gives you time to drop your bags and start getting a feel for the city at your own pace. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and explore however you'd like.
- Day 2
Hanoi
Start with a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter's 36 streets where vendors have worked the same trades for centuries, many on streets named after what they sell like Fish Sauce and Silk. You'll stop for traditional egg coffee and then visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and cottage, the One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hanoi Hilton prison. After lunch, you'll create your own paper art at a workshop focused on preserving Vietnamese traditions. Tonight there's a welcome dinner at Koto, a non-profit restaurant where local youth learn hospitality skills.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant), Dinner (Welcome dinner at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program)
Included Activities
- Cyclo ride and walking tour through the Old Quarter
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and cottage
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Hanoi Hilton (Hỏa Lò Prison)
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Zo paper making workshop
- Welcome dinner at Koto
Optional Activities
- Hanoi water puppet performance
Landmarks/POIs Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature Hanoi Hilton (Hỏa Lò Prison) Old Quarter - Day 3
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
You'll travel through the countryside to Hon Gai and board the Paradise Elegance cruise ship with 31 cabins for an overnight stay. During the day, visit a pearl farm to see how pearls are cultivated, then stop at one of Ha Long Bay's islands for swimming or a walk. Tonight you'll cruise through the limestone landscape with over 1,600 islands and caves surrounding you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Hon Gai
- Pearl farm visit
- Island swim or stroll
Landmarks/POIs Ha Long Bay - Day 4
Ha Long Bay to Hoi An
There's an optional Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck early morning if that interests you. You'll explore Ha Long Bay's dramatic caves with tall stalactites and stalagmites before leaving the ship mid-morning. From there, drive back to Hanoi for a flight to Danang on the central coast, then continue to Hoi An. This well-preserved trading port shows influences from Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders. You'll stay at the Hotel Royal Hoi An overlooking the Thu Bon River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Cave exploration in Ha Long Bay
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi lesson on sundeck
Landmarks/POIs Ha Long Bay caves - Day 5
Hoi An
Cruise on the Thu Bon River and learn traditional fishing methods firsthand. Later walk through Hoi An visiting an old merchant house, the museum, a Chinese assembly hall, and the famous Japanese covered bridge. Stop at a local tea house where hearing-impaired staff work and you'll order using wooden blocks with words written on them. For dinner, join a cooking class learning about traditional Vietnamese spices and how to make Banh Xeo, the crispy rice pancakes the region is known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Cooking class learning to prepare Hoi An specialty dishes including fried spring rolls, grilled fish in banana leaves, and beef salad in a bamboo basket)
Included Activities
- Thu Bon River cruise
- Fishing lesson with traditional round fishing net
- Walking tour of historic Hoi An
- Visit old merchant house
- Visit Hoi An Museum
- Visit Chinese assembly hall
- Visit Japanese covered bridge
- Visit local tea house supporting hearing-impaired staff
- Cooking class for dinner
Landmarks/POIs Japanese Covered Bridge Hoi An Museum - Day 6
Hoi An to Hue
The morning is free time in Hoi An. Then you'll head to Hue, stopping at China Beach where U.S. soldiers landed during the war. The drive crosses the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam's most scenic routes. You'll arrive in Hue, a former royal capital that's now a cultural and religious center with a welcoming atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at China Beach
- Cross Hai Van Pass
Optional Activities
- Spend time at the beach
- Visit nearby My Son
- Explore pottery and wood-carving workshops and stores in nearby villages
Landmarks/POIs China Beach Hai Van Pass - Day 7
Hue
This morning focuses on Hue's complex history. Along the Perfume River you'll visit the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors including the Khai Dinh Mausoleum and the Royal Tomb of Tu Duc. After lunch, a cyclo tour takes you to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Vietnam's tallest religious building at seven stories and an unofficial symbol of the country. Then continue to the Imperial Citadel, a heavily fortified structure built between 1804 and 1833 that remains central to modern Hue.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Khai Dinh Mausoleum
- Visit Royal Tomb of Tu Duc
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Cyclo tour of the city
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Visit Imperial Citadel
Landmarks/POIs Khai Dinh Mausoleum Royal Tomb of Tu Duc Thien Mu Pagoda Imperial Citadel Perfume River - Day 8
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. After settling into your accommodation and taking some free time, you'll have a special dinner with your group at a local restaurant this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Special dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Special dinner at local restaurant
- Day 9
Ho Chi Minh City
A walking tour shows you Ho Chi Minh City's famous landmarks along Dong Khoi Street, formerly called Rue Catinat, passing the Opera House, Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral. You'll visit the War Remnants Museum and then explore Ben Thanh Market, the city's largest and oldest market. Stop at Mekong Quilts to see a social enterprise employing over 100 women from Vietnam and Cambodia. After lunch, the afternoon is free for your own exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of city landmarks
- Walk past Opera House
- Walk past Rex Hotel
- Walk past Ho Chi Minh Square
- Walk past Municipal Theatre
- Walk past Central Post Office
- Walk past Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit War Remnants Museum
- Visit Ben Thanh Market
- Visit Mekong Quilts
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Opera House Rex Hotel Ho Chi Minh Square Municipal Theatre Central Post Office Notre Dame Cathedral War Remnants Museum Ben Thanh Market - Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City
Drive through vast rice paddies to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary network stretching over 120 miles that the Viet Cong used as a hideout and secret village during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for the rest of the day at leisure. The city has energy day and night, so you can explore street food vendors, get a foot massage, browse shops, or visit rooftop bars for drinks and city views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
Optional Activities
- Sample local food from street vendors
- Get a foot massage
- Spend more time on Dong Khoi Street
- Visit rooftop bars for drinks and city views
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
Board your flight to Siem Reap, your base for visiting Angkor, which many consider the most spectacular archaeological ruins on Earth. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy a Khmer dinner at the hotel tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Khmer dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Khmer dinner at hotel
- Day 12
Siem Reap
Spend the day exploring the Angkor Temple complex, a UNESCO site built between the 9th and 13th centuries. Begin at Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city, visiting the Bayon Temple with its striking 200+ carved faces, the Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King, and the Baphuon complex. Then see Angkor Wat, the most famous temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, covering over 81 hectares with five towers and detailed bas-reliefs. After lunch, visit APOPO to learn how trained rats detect landmines and disease.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Thom
- Visit Bayon Temple
- Visit Terrace of the Elephants
- Visit Terrace of the Leper King
- Visit Baphuon complex
- Visit Angkor Wat
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Visit APOPO
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Thom Bayon Temple Terrace of the Elephants Terrace of the Leper King Baphuon Angkor Wat - Day 13
Siem Reap
Start the morning at Banteay Srei, a unique 10th-century temple built from red sandstone with exquisitely carved figures dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. On the way back, stop at a local school to interact with Cambodian children. Visit Ta Prohm next, where the jungle still grows over the ruins with tree roots spreading across the structures, giving you the same sense of discovery that early explorers felt. End your tour with a farewell dinner followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance showing ancient Khmer culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with traditional Apsara dance performance)
Included Activities
- Visit Banteay Srei
- Visit local school
- Visit Ta Prohm
- Farewell dinner
- Traditional Apsara dance performance
Optional Activities
- Explore Angkor temple complex further
- Cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see floating village
- Performance of Phare, The Cambodian Circus
Landmarks/POIs Banteay Srei Ta Prohm Tonle Sap Lake - Day 14
Siem Reap to Bangkok
Fly to Bangkok, Thailand's vibrant capital, known as the Venice of the East. You'll spend the next three nights here exploring this energetic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 15
Bangkok
Explore Bangkok with a local guide, starting with a boat ride through the klongs or canals where you'll see family homes, temples, and daily life that earned the city its Venice nickname. Visit Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, with its distinctive 260-foot-tall spire. Continue to the Grand Palace with its multiple buildings including the Funeral Palace, Reception Palace, Throne Hall, Coronation Hall, and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Finally, see Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Bangkok's oldest and largest Buddhist temple housing over 1,000 Buddha images including the massive 49-foot-high and 151-foot-long Reclining Buddha.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Boat ride through klongs (canals)
- Visit Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Wat Arun Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Pho - Day 16
Bangkok
The day is completely yours to explore Bangkok however you'd like. Consider visiting Jim Thompson's House, taking a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, visiting the Damnoen Saduak floating market, trying street food, getting a massage, browsing shops, or just relaxing at your hotel. Your Tour Director is available with recommendations if you want suggestions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Jim Thompson's House
- Dinner cruise on Chao Phraya River
- Excursion to Damnoen Saduak floating market
- Sample local street food
- Get a massage
- Browse Dong Khoi Street
- Relax at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Jim Thompson's House Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Chao Phraya River - Day 17
Bangkok to Singapore
Fly to Singapore, the final destination on your Southeast Asia adventure. Get settled into your accommodation and prepare for your last few days exploring this vibrant city-state.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 18
Singapore
Explore Singapore with a local guide starting at the Gardens by the Bay, showcasing horticulture and garden design with flora from five continents and notable architecture. Walk through the vibrant Chinatown district with colorful temples, European-influenced buildings, and local shops. The tour ends at Marina Bay where you'll head up to the Sands Skypark's rooftop for views over the entire city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Gardens by the Bay
- Walk through Chinatown district
- Visit Marina Bay
- Ascend Sands Skypark rooftop
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Gardens by the Bay Chinatown Marina Bay Marina Bay Sands Skypark - Day 19
Singapore
You have a full day at leisure to explore Singapore independently. Think about visiting the National Orchid Garden, taking a walking tour of Chinatown, exploring Malay culture at Changi Village, or whatever interests you. Your Tour Director can offer recommendations based on what you'd like to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit National Orchid Garden
- Walking tour of Chinatown
- Explore Malay culture at Changi Village
Landmarks/POIs National Orchid Garden Changi Village - Day 20
Singapore
Your Southeast Asia adventure concludes with breakfast this morning, wrapping up an unforgettable journey through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
- Meals
- Breakfast
