Southeast Asia Odyssey: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia & Laos

We depart for Vietnam today, with a connecting flight to Hanoi. 

We arrive in the Vietnamese capital and travel to our hotel (the hotel’s check-in time is 3:00 p.m.). As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly today, we have no group activities or meals planned. 

Overnight: Mövenpick Hanoi

This morning we get our first taste of Hanoi on an orientation tour of this French-accented city with its broad, tree-lined boulevards and French-colonial architecture. We pass Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the city; legend has it that, in the 1400s, a deity rose from the lake and reclaimed the magic sword of Emperor Le Thai To, which was once used to drive the Chinese from Vietnam. We also see the marvelous Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. It later became Vietnam’s first university and remains an active place of worship. Our next stop brings us to Hoa Lo Prison, also known as “Hanoi Hilton.” Throughout the Vietnam War and for many years thereafter, the North Vietnamese Army controlled the prison and held American soldiers captive in order to torture and interrogate them.

After time for lunch on our own, we walk through the narrow streets of the Ancient Quarter (more commonly called the “36 Streets District”), where goods of all types are bought and sold. There are so many shops, in fact, that each has its own separate street – Shoe Street, Sugar Street, Paper Street – to help direct customers to their desired product. This is also one of the city’s most popular gastronomic areas, with dozens of excellent restaurants – one of which will be the host venue for our welcome dinner tonight.

Overnight: Mövenpick Hanoi

Meals: B, D

A tour highlight is in store today as we depart early on a full-day excursion to Ha Long Bay (“Bay of the Descending Dragon”), Vietnam’s legendary waterway sprinkled with some 2,000 islands and islets and surrounded by a fairytale landscape of limestone cliffs and hidden caves. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay is the home of ancient cultures dating back 25,000 years. Our tour here includes a boat ride on the placid waters and a lunch of local seafood specialties. Please note that the weather in this region can be cooler and quite foggy, but it adds to the mystique of the bay. We return to our hotel in Hanoi tonight and have the evening free to sample some of Hanoi’s renowned fares.

Overnight: Mövenpick Hanoi

Meals: B, L

This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Ba Dinh Square, a popular complex of cultural and historic sites. This was the place where, on September 2, 1945, Communist Party leader Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, officially establishing the nation of Vietnam. Today, his memory is honored by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a massive granite tomb complex inspired by Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow. Interestingly, Ho Chi Minh wished to be cremated, but the nation so mourned him that it chose instead to construct this edifice to house his remains. Inside, Ho Chi Minh rests in a glass sarcophagus, visible to onlookers.

We also see the bright mustard-colored French colonial Presidential Palace, the official residence of the president of Vietnam that was originally constructed to house the French governor-general of Indochina; and the 1,000-year-old One Pillar Pagoda, built on a single stone pillar to resemble a lotus blossom.

After time for lunch on our own, we board our motorcoach for the 90-minute drive south to Ninh Binh, capital of Vietnam’s Red River Delta and UNESCO site known for its majestic landscapes, with sheer limestone mountains rising up from rivers and rice paddies. Ninh Binh also served as the first capital of ancient Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries CE. Upon arrival, we settle into our resort before taking a sunset walking tour of the surrounding landscapes, including a stop at the Thai Vi Temple and viewpoint of the Tam Coc River. Dinner tonight is at our hotel.

Note: For our visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, please dress respectfully and do not bring a camera inside – photos are strictly prohibited, and our tour director will hold all cameras and cell phones outside the mausoleum. Also note that the remains go under annual “upkeep” from September through early November; during this time, we will not be able to pay an inside visit. 

Overnight: Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat

Meals: B, D

This morning we board traditional sampan boats for a leisurely ride through UNESCO-designated Tam Coc, marveling at the stunning limestone mountains and vivid green rice paddies as we pass through secret grottoes along the way. We then embark on a short drive to the historic citadel of Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital. Founded in 968 CE by Dinh Bo Linh (also known as Dinh Tien Hoang), first emperor of the short-lived Dinh dynasty, Hoa Lu served as the cultural, economic, and political hub of Dai Co Viet – the main precursor to modern-day Vietnam. Here, we visit the two temples that mark this historic site: Dinh Tien Hoang Temple, which houses a statue of Emperor Dinh Bo Linh with his three sons; and Le Dai Hanh Temple, built to honor Le Hoan, third ruler of Dai Co Viet and founder of the Early Le dynasty. After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure, and where we dine together tonight.

Overnight: Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat

Meals: B, L, D

Today is a travel day that begins with a coach ride back to Hanoi. There, we transfer to the airport for our afternoon flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia – gateway to Angkor Wat, crown jewel of the Khmer Empire. Early this evening we reach our hotel, where we dine together tonight. 

Overnight: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Meals: B, D

Today marks the first of two full days touring the extensive Angkor Wat temple complex, a small-scale city built between the 9th and 13th centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the three great Buddhist sites of the Eastern world (the others are Borobudur in Java and Bagan in Myanmar), Angkor Wat is often called a “lost city,” though it was never lost to the Khmer people. The temple complex was constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century CE, but it gradually became Buddhist towards the end of the century. It took more than 500,000 artisans, workers, and slaves some 28 years to complete and comprises five towers, each reaching more than 180 feet high. In 1431, wars with nearby Tai kingdoms resulted in the destruction of the Khmer Empire and of Angkor. Even so, studies reveal that Angkor Wat was still inhabited or at least visited by Khmer people from the 15th to 19th centuries, a contention proven by the fact that one of its main temples contained Buddhist statuary from every century between. Today the site features magnificent temples and statues from Angkor, as well as various Hindu and Buddhist imagery. Serenaded by the sounds of the jungle, we enter Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building, and witness the intricate detail of the bas reliefs and artwork depicting mythological battles and scenes of everyday life. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers, whose once-mighty empire dominated much of Southeast Asia for more than 600 years. Sites here include the Terrace of the Elephants, eight feet high and nearly 1,000 feet in length with a lotus seat at its center for the king; Terrace of the Leper King, with its emblematic and enigmatic statue of a king whose likeness remains a mystery; the Baphuon, an immense temple built in the mid–11th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva; and the stunning Bayon Temple, an imposing stone edifice of 54 towers each carved with four serene faces and decorated with bas reliefs detailing the reign of King Jayavarman VII (1181–1202). 

Overnight: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Meals: B, L

Our destination this morning is tiny Banteay Srei, a temple built for the Hindu god Shiva in the 10th century. Featuring exceptional carvings in its sandstone walls, Banteay Srei’s artistry on a miniature scale distinguishes it from other Angkorian temples and has earned it the nickname “the jewel of Khmer art” (its name literally translates as either “citadel of women” or “citadel of beauty”). 

We then travel via tuk-tuk – a traditional three-wheeled open-air taxi – to the 12th-century temple of Ta Prohm, a mystical, decaying Buddhist shrine fallen victim to the encroaching jungle. Built in memory of King Jayavarman VII’s mother and abandoned after the fall of the Khmer Empire, the ruins here are a result of centuries of neglect; however, when efforts to conserve the temple began, it was decided that Ta Prohm would be left largely as it was and is, with massive tree roots virtually strangling parts of the stone façades, creating an irresistible tableau for photographers. Following today’s fascinating excursion, we enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant. The rest of the afternoon is free, and we gather this evening for dinner accompanied by a traditional cultural dance show.

Overnight: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Meals: B, L, D

Today begins with some time at leisure, perhaps to enjoy our resort’s many amenities. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Satcha Handicrafts, a development project where young adults are taught the traditional crafting methods of the region, including stone carving, woodworking, traditional painting, and lacquer application. We then head to the airport this afternoon for our flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. After landing, we transfer to our hotel, where we check in and enjoy dinner together. 

Overnight: MyBanLao Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

Our introduction to Laos begins on this morning’s walking tour of the Old City of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we tour the beautiful 16th-century Wat Xieng Thong temple complex, followed by the National Museum, formerly the royal palace, which houses the personal collection of the last Lao royal family.

We then board a traditional wooden river cruiser for a half-day round-trip cruise along the Mekong River, lifeblood of Southeast Asia. Our first stop is at the Pak Ou Buddha Caves, which have been home to many thousands of Buddha statues and images since King Setthathirath declared the caves a holy spot in the 16th century. We then board our boat once again, enjoying lunch on board as we make our way to our second stop: the Ban Sang Khong “Paper Village.” Laos is famous for its “Saa paper” made from the bark of the mulberry tree, and we have the chance to observe the traditional manufacturing process and purchase local handicrafts if we so choose. We then return to Luang Prabang, where we disembark before dining together at a local restaurant. 

Overnight: MyBanLao Hotel

Meals: B, L, D

This morning, we get an inside look at the lives of local farmers when we visit a communal rice farm situated in the scenic Laotian countryside. We learn about the climate and work necessary to grow rice and try our hands at some of the rice farming activities, as well as learn about the other trades practiced here, including bamboo weaving, blacksmithing, and sugar cane processing. 

After enjoying a lunch of traditional Laotian specialties on the farm, we return to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Dinner tonight is on our own tonight.

Overnight: MyBanLao Hotel

Meals: B, L

Our day begins very early this morning as we take part in a time-honored tradition: the “tak-bat,” where hundreds of saffron-robed monks collect alms from fellow Buddhists. Every morning at dawn, the monks silently line the streets of Luang Prabang and receive helpings of sticky rice from townspeople. It is a symbiotic relationship; the monks eat the food, while townspeople receive spiritual redemption.

After this moving experience, we return to our hotel for breakfast before transferring to the airport for our mid-day flight to Chiang Mai, cultural center of Northern Thailand and former seat of the Lanna Kingdom. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel, where we dine together tonight.

Overnight: Meliá Chiang Mai

Meals: B, D

Our taste of Thailand begins with a cooking class at an organic farm located just outside the city. There, we pick the fresh vegetables and herbs we’ll use in our recipes – and enjoy the fruits of our labor for lunch. Next, we visit the sacred 14th-century Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, Chiang Mai’s most important landmark that is sacred in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Legend has it that in 1396 a Buddhist monk took a bone (purported to be the shoulder bone of Siddhartha Gautama, the father of modern Buddhism) to King Kuena of the Lanna Kingdom. The bone was placed atop a white elephant that was released into the jungle. This elephant is said to have climbed to the top of Doi Suthep hill, trumpeted three times, and fallen over dead, whereupon the king commissioned Wat Pra That Doi Suthep. The temple enjoys incomparable views of Chiang Mai below. 

After returning to our hotel this afternoon for some time at leisure, we set out again, this time for Chiang Mai’s vibrant night market, full of food, flowers, gifts, and everything in between. Dinner is on our own tonight with numerous options to enjoy Thailand's iconic street food.

Overnight: Meliá Chiang Mai

Meals: B, L

A tour highlight is in store today as we come face to face with the creature that is both a treasured national symbol in Thailand and one of the world’s most revered animals: the elephant. Considered endangered in the wild, Thailand’s elephants face external threats from logging and poaching. In addition, many elephants (especially juveniles) are taken away from their herds and trained using brutal tactics until they accept riders on their backs, perform tricks, and paint pictures. During today’s visit to an elephant sanctuary, we enjoy a walk into the forest to witness these gentle giants grazing and socializing in their natural habitat, then help the mahout (elephant keeper) to prepare food for the animals.

After lunch together at a local restaurant, we return to Chiang Mai, where we have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, we dine together at a local restaurant. 

Overnight: Meliá Chiang Mai

Meals: B, L, D

Late this morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Bangkok. Our first stop upon arrival: the Jim Thompson House, home of the prized Southeast Asian art collection of the American who helped to revive the Thai silk industry. Hidden away on a quiet street in the center of the city, this home presents an excellent example of traditional Thai residential architecture. The story of the home’s owner is even more intriguing than the house itself. During World War II, American Jim Thompson was posted in Bangkok as a U.S. intelligence agent. After the war ended, Thompson remained, and founded the Thai Silk Company Limited in 1948. The silk industry had been faltering in Thailand, but Thompson’s company achieved worldwide fame when his silks were used for costumes in the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical The King and I. The Thai Silk Company Limited is credited with creating the bright tones and dramatic colors of Thai silk, and Thompson’s commitment to local labor allowed thousands of Thailand’s lowest-income workers (many of them women) to escape poverty.

After exploring Thompson’s house and hearing about this fascinating American’s life, we check into our hotel, where we enjoy dinner together tonight.

Overnight: Royal Orchid Sheraton

Meals: B, D

We set out to explore sprawling Bangkok, in all its colorful, tumultuous, and modern splendor. Forty times larger than Chiang Mai – Thailand’s second-largest city – Bangkok is home to everything from multinational corporations to world-class healthcare centers. It is Thailand’s heart and soul, and has been described as “the most primate city on earth” (a description applied to cities that dominate their respective nations).

Today’s touring begins with a tuk-tuk ride to Wat Pho Temple, home of the Reclining Buddha. Covered in gold leaf, the icon measures some 49 feet tall by 151 feet long. Wat Pho is also the home to Thailand’s largest collection of Buddha images, and the complex is known for being the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Next, we visit the Bangkok Flower Market, a riot of multicolored blooms located in Bangkok’s Old City. After this lunch at a local restaurant, we have the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, with dinner on our own tonight. 

Overnight: Royal Orchid Sheraton

Meals: B, L

Today begins with a visit to the Grand Palace, an immense complex of ornate buildings, halls, and gardens spreading along the bank of Thailand’s main river, the Chao Phraya. The original palace was built in 1782 by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the first king of the Chakri Dynasty, after he moved the nation’s capital to Bangkok from Thonburi. Subsequent kings have augmented the complex, creating the magnificent compound we see today. Though it is no longer the residence of the monarch, the Grand Palace still hosts several official functions for the king throughout the year. It is here that we see the elaborate Temple of the Emerald Buddha, with its venerated 31-inch-high statue carved from a single piece of jade.

We then continue on to the trendy Talat Noi district, one of Bangkok’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods that today is renowned for its vibrant street art. Located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, Talat Noi is a haven of Chinese-Thai culture, with traditional Chinese shophouses, 200-year-old mansions, and ancient shrines lining the narrow streets. Following today’s touring, we toast our Southeast Asia adventure at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Royal Orchid Sheraton

Meals: B, D

Today we depart for the Bangkok airport and our flight to the United States. Depending on flight schedules, some guests will leave in the morning and return to the U.S. this evening, while others will depart this evening and return to the U.S. one day later on Day 20. Guests with evening flights will have hotel rooms reserved for late check-out.

Note: Guests on the “Singapore” Post-Tour Extension will fly today to Singapore

Meals: B