Then, we’re headed to our accommodation for the evening. After a late check-in, we may want to explore the hotel a bit and stretch our legs, but it will be late – so more than anything we’ll likely be ready to get a good night’s sleep.

• We’ll begin by visiting Ba Dinh Square. Here, silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state.
• We’ll see the simple cottage where “Uncle Ho” lived and worked.
• Nearby, we’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute to the life of the ‘father of the country’ and the evolution of Vietnamese independence.
• French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor’s Residence is a fine example.
• We’ll also visit the One Pillar Pagoda, and hear the legend of its construction.
• Later, we’ll enjoy a walking tour through the Ancient Quarter. This densely populated corner of the city was once a center of commerce, where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, we’ll see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter’s paradise.
• Tonight, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner, Hanoi-style!

We’ll board a traditional “Junk Boat” for a beautiful cruise around Halong bay. Tonight will be particularly memorable, as not only will we enjoy dinner as we cruise, we’ll also overnight onboard the Junk!

• We will visit Vung Vieng Floating Fishing Village.
• After exploring this unusual & fascinating village, we’ll have time for swimming and kayaking in the water tunnel and hidden lagoon, and we’ll explore the wonders of Thien Canh Son Cave.

• This evening, we’re in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).
• We are “at leisure” tonight, which means we get to custom-build our plan this evening. Don’t worry, your Travel Manager will present a variety of flexible opportunities, each more enticing than the last.

• A full day of exploration begins with a visit to the Reunification Palace. The palace, surrounded by elegant palm trees, takes us back to the Vietnam War. It was here that the first Communist tanks arrived in what was then Saigon on 30th April, 1975. The Palace stands as a symbol of the fall of Saigon and little has changed since then.
• Our next stop is the generic-sounding but utterly picturesque “General Post Office.” This iconic colonial-era structure is constructed with Gothic, Renaissance and French influences. Now a tourist attraction, it is valued as a fine example of the French Indochina era.
• At the War Remnants Museum, you will see examples of the brutality of the Vietnam War as many interactive displays document the suffering of the Vietnamese people.
• Next: it may not sound like much, but the “History Museum” will introduce you to the epic evolution of the nation of Vietnam, from the bronze-age Dong Son Civilization through modern times. This museum also features stunning and valuable relics taken from Ankor Wat, a fine collection of Buddha statues and the fascinating mummy of a woman who died in 1869.
• This evening, we’ll discover the colorful and diverse collision of cultures that happens at the Ben Than Night Market—easily one of the best night markets in Asia! Here, locals of all descriptions can shop for whatever they need and enjoy a wide array of regional and ethnic foods. It’s unforgettable and exhilarating!

• Here, the North Vietnamese waged guerrilla warfare.
• You cannot help but marvel at the ingenuity and resilience evidenced here: secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.
• Affirmation of the human will to endure abounds.
• We’re all able to explore the first level of tunnels; the more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third levels.
• After lunch we’ll cross the border to Cambodia and set out for Phnom Penh City.

• Today, Cambodia’s dark side is on full display for your edification at the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.  This solemn educational center is housed in a former school, which was taken over by the Khmer Rouge in 1975 and used as its main detention and torture center.
• Next, the narrative continues as you visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, a moving and important visit. This is a tremendous learning experience and an unforgettable dive into meaningful history.
• Nearby, we will visit a local humanitarian organization, Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (“For the Smile of a Child”). We’ll learn about the education and job training programs provided to give hope for a brighter future to children who used to scavenge in the municipal dump.
• We’ll have lunch at the center’s training restaurant.
• Then, we’ll have to be careful not to get cultural whiplash as we move to the Royal Palace, which houses the Silver Pagoda, named for its 5,000 heavy silver tiles. We’ll view its collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.
• Next, we will trek up the hill to Wat Phnom Temple to observe faithful locals as they come to pray for good luck.
• This evening, our travel group will make our way to the river to enjoy a sunset cruise as we watch Phnom Penh’s popular riverfront come to life.

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, an ancient capital of Angkor, with 70 magnificent ruins in a forested zone of more than 200 square kilometers, is one of the grandest wonders of Indo-China.

• We’ll begin our morning riding in Tuk-Tuks into the countryside to reach the temple. Inside these massive, magnificent ruins, Hindu mythology is detailed in stone carvings and bas-reliefs, which our expert temple guides will illuminate in detail.
• There is a powerful history lesson here, as well as an education in art, religion and engineering.
• Tonight, we’ll have a traditional dinner and spend time wandering through the area’s famous night market and say Tạm biệt to Vietnam!

• Once we arrive, we’ll take an afternoon ride through the city by Tuk Tuk and spend some time with our local guide exploring the local market and bazaars, learning about local customs and culture.
• This evening, we’ll don our chef’s hats to learn the art of preparing Thai cuisine under the instructuon of a professional chef. Then we’ll dine on the results of our cooking lesson!

• We’ll begin by visiting the Grand Palace. This is THE “must see” attraction in Bangkok – an architectural wonder of golden stupas, walls and pillars encrusted with shining and colorful mosaics.
• We’ll tour the Reception Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Throne Hall, the Royal Guest House, and Wat Phra Kaew.
• We’ll be on splendor overload as we head to dinner.
• This evening, there is a feast of Thai culture in store, starting with this nation’s world-renowned cuisine. The spectacular meal will be accompanied by music and dancers who elegantly perform stories and folk-tales from classic Thai literature.

• Situated 110 km from Bangkok in Ratchaburi province, this market is like a trip back in time to the Siam of old.
• You will see colorfully-clad merchants paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods to sell to shoppers on the canal banks.
• Bargaining is part of the fun!

After visiting the market, we’ll continue on to Phra Pathom Chedi with its’ golden-tiled dome, widely regarded as the largest pagoda in South East Asia.

After lunch, we’ll drive to Hua Lampong Train Station to board an air-conditioned night sleeper train to Chiang Mai!

• This time honored tradition will include a fun and delicious dinner onboard as the train rolls toward Chiang Mai.

Set in a beautiful jungle on the banks of the Ping River, we’ll find the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp.

• In Thailand, jungle elephants have been trained for centuries to work in tandem with humans, much as horses are in North America. At this camp, elephants are paired for life with a human companion.
• As visitors have for decades, we will watch as elephants and their companion show off a variety of skills as they teach us about their traditions and customs, as well as conservation efforts that save these creatures from extinction.
• In traditional Thai fashion, we will take an exhilarating and memorable ride atop a very friendly jungle elephant.

This afternoon, we’ll board traditional bamboo rafts to ride the gentle river through the jungle, eventually arriving at an ideal location for a rustic, traditional dinner.

• High in the tree tops of a pristine national park, we’ll glide through the jungle canopy on a thrilling zip line!
• Scenic sky bridges are connected by 18 platforms.
• Located next to the quaint Thai village of Mae Kampong, the “Flight of the Gibbon” is an educational adventure sure to be a highlight of your time in Thailand.

Hopefully you will have saved a little spending money for your last night, because after dinner, we’ll explore the busy Night Bazaar and search for last-minute souvenirs and gifts for family & friends.