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Kingdoms of Southeast Asia
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Delve into an ancient and mysterious world of rural landscapes, bustling cities, and fascinating history in Southeast Asia. From Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hoa Lo prison, to a street food adventure through Hanoi, Vietnam's balance of peace, modernism and prosperity engage your thoughts and senses. On a charming junk boat, bask in the serenity of Ha Long Bay. Find inspiration at Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple, the world's largest religious structure. A local Laotian family welcomes you into their home for dinner. Explore the hundreds of Buddhas found in the Pak Ou caves. This is an incomparable mosaic of culture and history that unfolds within a blink of the eye.
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| Details | | Collette | | Offer valid through 3/31/2025 | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Hanoi | Set out on a journey that reveals the best of Southeast Asia. From the villages of Vietnam and the temples of Cambodia to the friendly locals of Laos and the lively energy of Thailand, embark on an unforgettable cultural adventure. Start your journey in Vietnam - where lush valleys and verdant fields create a beautiful country with a long and rich history. | | Day 2 | Hanoi | Your tour opens in Hanoi. Layers of the city's complex past can be found interwoven into its modern culture. Known for its French colonial architecture, tree-lined streets, and vibrant street food scene, Hanoi is Vietnam's dynamic capital and second most populous city. | | Day 3 | Hanoi | Start your morning with a city tour of Hanoi and the Old Quarter. Visit Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. Follow the meandering streets, decorated with temples and pagodas, and feast on the history before you. After working up an appetite, enjoy a walking food tour featuring some of Vietnam's most famous dishes such as banh mi and pho. Enjoy coffee and views of Hoan Kiem Lake - the "Lake of the Restored Sword" - at a rooftop cafE. Later this evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. | | Day 4 | Hanoi | Today you may choose to start your day early by joining your Tour Manager and locals as they practice tai chi at a local park. After, visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison. This historic site, dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton" by American POWs, is now a museum that tells the story of colonial history from the Vietnamese perspective. Following your visit, sit down with a local veteran from the Vietnam War to chat and connect with him as he recounts his history. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you see fit. You may choose to join an optional tour to see the famous water puppets of Hanoi followed by dinner. | | Day 5 | Hanoi | Journey to Ha Long Bay and board a charming junk boat for an overnight cruise - the perfect vantage point for soaking up the landscape. Once on board, enjoy fresh seafood as you sail past vistas of low green mountains, small villages, hundreds of islands, and limestone peaks jutting out from the sea. Disembark to discover the wonders of nature, history, and archaeology. Back on board, sit back and relax as the sounds and peaceful sway of the boat lull you to sleep. | | Day 6 | Ha Long Bay | Your day begins with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck at sunrise. After a light breakfast we head off to visit Sung Sot cave, one of the many limestone grottos accessible by boat in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage that is Halong Bay. It is time to say farewell to this stunning natural wonder and cruise back to the mainland. Fly to Da Nang and travel to Hoi An (UNESCO), an ancient trading port. | | Day 7 | Hoi An | Explore the flavors of Hoi An. Board a basket boat and journey along the Co Co River for an immersive cooking class. Learn how to catch seafood in the river and grind rice into flour. Use your ingredients to cook four classic dishes which you'll enjoy for lunch. Later, on a walking tour of the old town, stroll by the ornate Chinese-style temple Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and a 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge. End at the vibrant market on the banks of the Thu Bon. | | Day 8 | Hoi An | Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the magic of Hoi An. Walk along the canals that cut through Ancient Town on your own, uncovering a preserved history interwoven into the modern way of life. Perhaps you'll visit an art gallery, wander through a cultural museum, or go shopping for the perfect souvenir. | | Day 9 | Hoi An | Leave Hoi An and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the energetic urban capital formerly known as Saigon. On an eye-opening city tour, you'll see the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral,* and the Reunification Palace. Head over to explore treasures from local vendors on display at the Old Market in District 1. | | Day 10 | Ho Chi Minh City | Take to the waters of the famous Mekong Delta. As you sail along, your guide will delve into the history and culture of the region. Discover the region's cottage industry with a visit to a coconut candy factory and learn how this confection is made. Enjoy lunch featuring southern Vietnamese cuisine before traveling back to Ho Chi Minh City. | | Day 11 | Ho Chi Minh City | Spend your morning at the Cu Chi Tunnels, a maze of underground passageways used as hideouts by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in metropolitan Ho Chi Minh City before your dinner at a local restaurant. | | Day 12 | Ho Chi Minh City | This afternoon, board your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia's gateway to the wonders of Angkor. In this ancient city, you'll discover a world where colonial and Chinese architecture melds into a sophisticated urban and culinary scene. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a traditional Khmer dance performance. | | Day 13 | Siem Reap | Depart for a sunrise at Angkor Wat, a perfect example of classic Khmer architecture. Enter its eastern gate and exit to the west, watching the sunlight dance along stones. Later, visit Ta Prohm, a sprawling monastic complex that is overgrown with jungle. At Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers, visit the Terrace of the Leper King and the temples of Baphuon and Bayon, 11th- and 12th-century masterpieces at the center of the city. | | Day 14 | Siem Reap | Start your day with an impact moment experience at the Visitor Center of APOPO, where "hero rats" are trained to navigate minefields and save lives. Learn about the country's history with war and meet the professional rats at a demonstration. Then travel to the village of Preah Dak to learn about daily life and see how Nom Banh Jok (rice noodles) are created. Get a peek into the local culture at the palm sugar market, where tree sap is gathered and cooked for sugar. Make your way to Les Chantiers Ecoles, where local apprentices are trained in fine arts, and peruse the different workshops of sculpture, carving, and more. You may choose to end your day with a visit to Phare, the Cambodian Circus. | | Day 15 | Siem Reap | Board a flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Get acquainted with the city with your guide. Then, it's your choice! Venture into the lively outdoor markets at night -OR- return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. | | Day 16 | Luang Prabang | Hop into a tuk tuk with a guide and make your way to the city center, including a visit to the National Museum - the former Royal Palace. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong monastery, decorated in eye-catching gold. Meander along the Nam Khan River to Wat Khili, highlighting the local culture and history. After lunch, cruise to the Pak Ou Caves, shrouded in mystery and home to thousands of Buddha statues. End your day with a home-hosted dinner and traditional Baci ceremony - celebrating a significant event in someone's life. | | Day 17 | Luang Prabang | You may choose to rise early and begin your day with a traditional alms offering to local monks. After breakfast back at the hotel, journey to a traditional Hmong hill tribe village in Ban Long Lao and learn about this ethnic group and their way of life. Set out on an easy hike** through lush jungle and panoramic mountain scenery to the incredible Kuang Si Waterfall. Return to Luang Prabang and lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon you may choose to join an optional tour to visit with Laotian weavers. | | Day 18 | Luang Prabang | Board your flight to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. A feast for the senses, this bustling city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River blends cosmopolitan sophistication with a strong sense of history and tradition. Tonight, join your fellow travelers and toast to the end of your adventure on a Klong dinner cruise. | | Day 19 | Bangkok | Return home with memories of your travels through the kingdoms of Southeast Asia. |
| | | Mercure Hanoi la Gare - Hanoi, Vietnam | Bhaya Classic - Ha Long Bay, Vietnam | | Little Oasis Hotel & Spa - Hoi An, Vietnam | Novotel Saigon Centre - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | | Tara Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia | Souphattra Hotel - Luang Prabang, Lao People | | Rembrandt Hotel & Suites - Bangkok, Thailand | |
| * NOTE: Tour prices are land only rates based on per person, double occupancy. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. Government taxes and fees are additional. Land rates are guaranteed at time of deposit. Certain taxes and fees are to be paid upon exiting the country in local currencies.
Airfare is additional and is available through Collette Vacations.
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