Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, and verdant parks and temples. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own.

A morning sightseeing tour takes you to some of Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda, and The Temple of Literature. Also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional water puppet show.

After breakfast, leave Hanoi behind and take a scenic ride to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Board a contemporary junk with traditional accents, where your ship spends the night – an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy an onboard dinner set against the bay’s magnificent scenery of dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations.

This morning, your Ha Long Bay Junk continues its scenic cruising during breakfast onboard. Late morning, disembark the ship and transfer to Hanoi Airport, stopping for lunch en route. A short flight takes you to Siem Reap in Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire and one of the most renowned archaeological sites in all of Southeast Asia.

After breakfast, take a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Angkor Thom, the newly restored Baphuon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. See the Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces. Visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of Trees” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation over the centuries. This afternoon, travel through the rural countryside to visit the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, the "jewel of Khmer art." Afterwards, visit an English-language school in the village of Ta Toum. Tonight, enjoy a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.

This morning, visit the most iconic of all Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat. This intricate and massive temple complex was built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. The temple stands as a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.

Today, transfer by motorcoach to board your river cruise ship at Prek Kdam, a small village on the Tonle River. Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Kampong Chhnang. 

A local motorboat takes you into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of Tonle Sap River. Enjoy the stunning variety of bird life here as well as tranquil floating villages and its busy market. Be treated to an authentic experience, an ox cart ride through a local village. Afterwards, you’ll take a motorcoach to Oudong, situated on a picturesque hillside. Oudong was Cambodia’s former royal capital from 17th century until 1866; today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, you’ll visit one of Cambodia’s largest monasteries, where you’ll be treated to a memorable Buddhist blessing ceremony. Your ship departs for Oknhatey Village and moors midstream. 

Koh Oknhatey, or “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River, is known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. You’ll go to Oknhatey, where you’ll visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving of handicrafts. Later, your ship departs for Phnom Penh, the vibrant colorful capital of Cambodia. Experience Phnom Penh via an authentic tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. During the evening on board, enjoy a typical Khmer folk performance presented by local children. 

You will have a choice of excursions this morning. Visit Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) just outside the city. Or if you prefer to stay in Phnom Penh, you can visit the bustling yellow-colored Central Market. After lunch on board, you’ll explore the highlights of the city, followed by the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. 

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam. 

This morning, visit Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Have the opportunity to take one of two tours this morning. Your first option to is take a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at a silk-making workshop and another that produces rattan mats and slippers. Alternatively, you can take a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to several scenic locations, including a small village known as “Evergreen Island.” Return to Tan Chau and visit workshops that make silk and rattan mats in the village. This afternoon, your ship cruises to Sa Dec, where it moors overnight.

Once ashore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market, and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras' Chinese paramour, now a small museum. Afterwards, board a motor coach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a base during the French and U.S. wars and now an important ecological site. After lunch on board, a local boat takes you to Cai Be’s spectacular floating market. You also have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper workshops. This evening, enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner on board.

Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho Port, followed by a transfer to nearby Ho Chi Minh City (still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon). This former capital of Indochina was once known as “Paris of the Orient.” Today, Vietnam’s largest city is an industrial, cultural, and educational hub, but still retains vestiges of its colonial past. Upon your arrival, enjoy a city tour that explores such famous landmarks as the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Cho Lon (China Town), and the Thien Hau pagoda. Also visit the War Remnants Museum, one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, known for its vast collection of artifacts from the Vietnam War. An optional tour of Thanh Market is available this afternoon. Spend the night at a fine hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Spend a day at leisure exploring more of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. (B)

Bid farewell to Ho Chi Minh City and prepare for your homeward flight.