Expedition Details
Experience the culture and beauty of Indochina as you journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia's ancient capital of Angkor. Sail beneath the jagged karst pillars of Ha Long Bay on a traditional-style junk. Stroll past lush rice paddies, learn about local crafts from villagers, meet monks and royal descendants, and watch the sun rise over the Khmer temples of Angkor.
Trip Highlights
- Explore Hanoi's lively Old Quarter by cyclo, and stroll through the fishing village of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Board a private, luxury junk for a two-day cruise on Ha Long Bay.
- Discover the magnificent temples of Angkor, a masterpiece of the ancient Khmer Empire.
- Glide along the Mekong River on a private cruise, stopping to visit local villages.
Itinerary - 15 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Hanoi, Vietnam
Depart for Hanoi, crossing the international date line, and arrive the following day.
Sofitel Metropole Hanoi
Day 3 — Hanoi
Colonial architecture and lilting temples blend with a vibrant, modern culture in Hanoi. Discover Ho Chi Minh's simple stilt house, the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. Hop on a cyclo for a ride along the winding lanes of the Old Quarter. Meet the puppeteers at a traditional water puppet performance before tonight's welcome dinner.
Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Hanoi
On an excursion into the countryside, ride a bicycle past rice fields and picturesque hamlets to a beautiful farming village off the beaten path. Or you may travel directly to the village by coach and explore on your own. Gather for lunch and a visit to one of the lovely temples here. Return to Hanoi, stopping at the exquisitely carved Thay Pagoda, a tiny temple set in a lake. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (B,L)
Day 5 — Hanoi/Ha Long Bay/Lan Ha Bay
Drive to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and board the Halong Jasmine, our deluxe junk. Take a swim, or hike to a summit for panoramic views of the bay, scattered with more than a thousand tiny islands and ringed by saw-toothed karst formations. Explore the Hang Doi water tunnels by kayak or bamboo rowboat, and discover a pristine coral reef in Lan Ha Bay.
Halong Jasmine (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Ha Long Bay/Bai Tu Long Bay
Cruise to the remote reaches of Bai Tu Long Bay. Skim along the coast in a kayak, swim in emerald-green water, or bask on a quiet beach. Glide past the picturesque fishing villages of Vung Vieng, and explore them by kayak if you wish.
Halong Jasmine (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Ha Long Bay/Hanoi/Hue
Venture into the grotto of Sung Sot. Then head back to Hanoi and fly to Hue, Vietnam's capital from 1802 to 1945. Check into our hotel, a former governor's residence.
La Résidence Hôtel & Spa (B)
Day 8 — Hue
After a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, bike or drive along the Perfume River to the Forbidden Purple City, seat of the Nguyen emperors. At the ancient Ba La Mat Pagoda, join monks for lunch and a discussion of Buddhism. Explore the royal tombs before a martial arts performance. Tonight, dine in a royal residence with a descendant of the imperial family.
La Résidence Hôtel & Spa (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Da Nang/Hoi An
Travel to Da Nang, stopping to take in spectacular views from Hai Van Pass. In Da Nang, join a researcher for a private tour of the renowned Cham Museum. Continue to the ancient fishing town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and enjoy time at leisure this afternoon.
Life Heritage Resort Hoi An (B,L)
Day 10 — Hoi An
Set out on a walking tour of old Hoi An. A prosperous trading port from the 15th to the 19th century, Hoi An reflects Chinese and Japanese influences in its graceful architecture and covered bridges. Stop by the local market, where stalls brim with tropical specialties and lush silks. After lunch, explore the town on your own.
Life Heritage Resort Hoi An (B,L)
Day 11 — Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Trace the footsteps of the Vietcong guerillas in the Cu Chi tunnels, an elaborate underground network built during the Vietnam War. Dine at the former home of Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., the first American ambassador to South Vietnam.
Hotel Majestic (B,L,D)
Day 12 — Ho Chi Minh City/Mekong Delta
On an excursion to the Mekong Delta, stroll through fruit orchards, ride a bike past rural villages, and meet local families who make incense and weave reed mats. Stop for lunch in My Tho, and take a private cruise on the Mekong River. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Hotel Majestic (B,L)
Day 13 — Siem Reap, Cambodia
Fly to Siem Reap and settle into our hotel. In the afternoon, encounter the great temple complex at Ta Prohm. Built in 1186, this Buddhist monastery remains whimsically tangled with thick jungle roots and vines.
Le Méridien Angkor (B)
Day 14 — Angkor Wat/Angkor Thom
Awaken early to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat. Spend the morning exploring this impressive site with a private guide. Discover the walled city of Angkor Thom, including the Royal Palace and the terraces of the Leper King and the Elephant. Ride an elephant to the Bayon Temple to see its massive carved faces. Celebrate your journey at a farewell dinner and a Khmer dance performance.
Le Méridien Angkor (B,L,D)
Day 15 — Angkor/Siem Reap/U.S.
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight.
(B)
View LargerNational Geographic Expert
Paula Swart
Paula Swart has been a curator of Asian studies for the past 20 years and is currently an adjunct curator at the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. Her recent exhibition "Rice is Life" focused on the cultural importance of this staple, particularly in Asia. Paula's travels have taken her to Vietnam and Cambodia numerous times, including a rail journey that she led from Beijing to Hanoi in 1994. She specializes in Buddhist art, the history of ceramic trade in Southeast Asia, and maritime archaeology. Paula has published several books on the art and architecture of Asian cultures, and has enjoyed introducing visitors to Asian culture and history for more than 25 years.
Paula will join the following departures:
Oct 18 - Nov 01, 2010 • Nov 01 - 15, 2010Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
Prices are per person, double occupancy. For a single Premium cabin, add $2,325.
All flights within Vietnam and Cambodia are included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare from Los Angeles to Hanoi, and return from Siem Reap, is not included and is estimated at $1,450 (subject to change).
