Colorful Cambodia & Vietnam

Organize your flight to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI). It’s a long flight from most places, so consider arriving a day early to rest, relax, and adjust to the local time zone. (See more in the FAQ below - “Getting There”).

We’ll meet you at the airport after you clear customs and collect your luggage. Then, we’ll whisk you to the Treeline Urban Resort Hotel. Enjoy free time and settle in, relax at the pool, or book time at the spa. We'll meet for dinner at a local restaurant.

Wake up early to enjoy sunrise at Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world. The complex covers 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat. 

After breakfast, we'll visit the Floating Village and take a ride by traditional wooden boat on Tonle Sap Lake to experience the human occupations at the edges of the lake is similarly distinctive – floating villages, towering, stilted houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters.

We'll spend the afternoon visiting the Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor, where young Cambodians hope to revive the ancient Khmer stone carving and wood sculpting traditions. 

Onward to one of the city’s lively open markets, the “Old Market,” where anything and everything is for sale!

We'll take a tuk-tuk in the early evening to experience the local street food for which Siem Reap is known. You’ll sample authentic Khmer dishes in several off-the-beaten-tourist-path settings. 

This morning, we'll visit Angkor Thom. The South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple was built between the late 12th century and early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII and consists of 54 towers. A visit here is an experience you'll never forget.

The jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm is another incredible sight. Here, enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers envelop themselves in the structure's stone foundations, giving the impression that the powerful forces of nature are reclaiming man's creation.

In the afternoon, we've arranged a Tuk Tuk to pick you up for a cruise around the suburb of Siem Reap town and then to a local pagoda for a Buddhist monk blessing ritual for happiness, prosperity, and safety on your journey. Continue to APOPO Visitor Center, a global non-profit organization that trains African giant pouched rats (fondly nicknamed ‘Hero RATs’) to save lives by detecting landmines. Here, you'll discover the history of conflict in Cambodia and the impact of landmines on local communities.

We'll enjoy the evening of the Phare Circus Show.  Phare, The Cambodian Circus, was initiated by Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO that supports Cambodian arts and education. The circus troupe consists of talented young artists who have overcome challenging backgrounds, including poverty and conflict.

Dinner will be a gastronomic feast! We'll sample unique dishes at Embassy, a local women-owned restaurant specializing in local ingredients. 

The morning is yours to enjoy. We'll pick you up in the late afternoon and take you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.

A guide and driver will welcome you at the Hanoi Airport and take you to your hotel.

You'll have time to settle in at the Grand Hotel du Lac where sleep will come easy.

After a filling breakfast, we’ll drive to the nation’s capital mall and start our walking tour. We’ll tour Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the parliament building, the Presidential Palace, and the Communist Party headquarters. This is the place most Vietnamese visit, as Ho Chi Minh is the founder and father of the nation. 

We’ll visit the Temple of Literature and the Hoa Lo Prison Museum of Hanoi, where John McCain was held. 

Lunch will be at “Bun Cha-Obama” - where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate dinner in Hanoi on the late Bourdain’s CNN TV series. 

After lunch, we'll return to the hotel to rest and change into comfortable clothes for a late afternoon Jeep tour. Rest up ladies. This will be a fun late night!

In the afternoon, we’ll cruise the backstreets of Hanoi in our own jeeps. On the first leg of the trip, we'll pass by or stop at all the MUST-SEE sites in Hanoi. We will visit the enchanting French Quarter, the bustling Old Quarter, the romantic lakes, the Hanoi Opera House, and the famous Long Bien Bridge. 

During the second part of the trip, you'll see the real Hanoi, visiting undiscovered parts of the city with a peek into the backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, random markets, and the black market. 

Dinner will be at a local restaurant, where we will sample local dishes with fresh ingredients. 

After breakfast, we're taking a 2.5-hour drive to the pier to board the Elite of the Sea Cruises for a cruise to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Halong Bay is said to be one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. The bay consists of thousands of limestone islands that soar from the emerald waters. Wind and water have pounded these islands for millions of years, creating their unusual shapes. With pristine beaches, floating villages, amazing natural caves, and fascinating scenes, Halong and its surroundings are a marvel for first-time travelers to Vietnam. 

We'll eat lunch on board while we cruise to the core of the bay, amongst the limestone islands.

We'll kayak through the karsts in the afternoon, breathing the pristine air and wandering by beautiful beaches. 

You'll have time to take a dip before we return to the ship. 

Tonight, we'll have a sunset party on our cruise as we sail to our overnight anchorage. Dinner and the overnight stay will be on board amongst the islands and under the stars.

Note. The cruise itinerary may differ depending on the tides, boat requirements, and the assigned route.

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over the Bay’s spectacular landscape with a cup of tea or coffee on your balcony. 

After breakfast, take a rowing boat tour to visit a natural tunnel and floating village.

It's time to leave the ship to make our way back to Hanoi where we revel in the thrill of a cyclo* ride through the Old Quarter, also known as 'Hanoi's 36 streets'. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shops. It's a great place to explore, with plenty of photo opportunities. Stop to taste a Hanoi special egg coffee in a 100-year-old traditional coffee house.

For lunch, we'll dine at a local restaurant specializing in "Pho."

We'll take an evening flight to Da Nang then drive down to Hoi An. After checking in at the 5-star La Siesta Hoi An, we'll have dinner at a local restaurant then off to bed.

*A cyclo in Hanoi is a seat for two in front of a bicycle, but don't worry, you won't be driving or pedaling.

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure. We're heading out for a walking tour to discover Hoi An's key sights. You're about to see the 400-year Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the Tan Ky Old House, the central market, and the Hoi An Museum.

Hoi An is a shopper's paradise, and this afternoon, indulge in a luxury shopping experience with clothes tailor-made just for you. 

Enjoy lunch at Long’s house. With a traditional house space typical of the countryside, all coolness and light. More interestingly, The owner will share discoveries of local cultures and flavors. Moreover, the restaurant is a collective community working together. The chefs include the next-door neighbor, a woman. These people are really skilled chefs from a young age, so the food brings the taste of local standards.

You have the afternoon to relax at your leisure.

In the evening, enjoy your sunset dinner cruise and drop candle lanterns to pray for good luck for you and your family. Immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street.

After a hearty breakfast, our day starts with an electric car tour of the Hoi An countryside.

You'll visit Tra Que village, famous for growing special herbs and vegetables using traditional techniques and organic fertilizers. Perhaps you'll want to join the locals in their daily farm work. You'll see people working on their farms and have the opportunity to visit homes and learn about local life.

For lunch, we'll have a cooking class and discover local specialties.

Later, we'll board a round bamboo boat and row through the coconut forest in Cam Thanh, a Viet Cong war hideout.

Dinner is at a local restaurant, followed by a relaxing night at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast and free time before checking out.

The core trip officially ends in Hoi An, Vietnam. You're off to the airport for your flight home. Plan on flying out of Da Nang International Airport to connect to your entry city in Asia on your route home.