Independent Southeast Asia: From Hanoi to Singapore

Day 1

ARRIVE IN HANOI, VIETNAM

Welcome to Vietnam! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

HANOI

• This morning, enjoy a private guided tour of the city. First, take a cyclo ride though the ancient streets of the fascinating Old Quarter. Here, merchants trade as they have for centuries.
• Then, visit the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next on the agenda: One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace.
• Also, visit the ancient Temple of Literature, more than 900 years old and Hanoi’s first university.
• Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program that teaches local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities.

(B,L)

Day 3

HANOI–HA LONG BAY CRUISE (EMBARKATION)

• A private transfer takes you from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Hon Gai, gateway to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, the bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands carved into fanciful shapes by the action of the water.
• Upon arrival, board an overnight cruise that takes you to explore the tunnels, caves, pristine beaches, and floating villages that are sprinkled across the bay.

(B,L,D)

You may consider a massage or spa treatment.

Day 4

HA LONG BAY CRUISE (DISEMBARKATION)–HANOI–HO CHI MINH CITY

• Early birds can participate in a tai chi demonstration on the Sun Deck at the break of dawn.
• Further, explore the bay before disembarking later in the morning.
• A private transfer brings you to Hanoi for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many.

(B)

Day 5

HO CHI MINH CITY

• Start your private guided sightseeing with a walking tour of the city’s famous and historic landmarks as you stroll through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral.
• Next, visit the moving War Remnants Museum, followed by bustling Ben Thanh Market, the largest and oldest in the city.

(B,L)

Day 6

HO CHI MINH CITY

• Today, enjoy a half-day private guided excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout during the war.

(B)

Sample a sweet Vietnamese iced coffee or stop at for a drink at one of the city’s iconic rooftop bars.

Day 7

HO CHI MINH CITY–SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

• Today, fly to Siem Reap, your base for exploring the temples of Angkor. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples are unmatched among the world’s ancient ruins.

(B)

Day 8

SIEM REAP

• Your private guided sightseeing starts at the best preserved of all the temples—Angkor Wat, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu.
• Next stop is Angkor Thom to see Bayon Temple. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers.

(B,L)

You may consider a Apsara dinner show featuring traditional Khmer music and dance or an exciting performance of Phare, The Cambodian Circus.

Day 9

SIEM REAP

• Continue exploring the Angkor temple complex on a private guided tour.
• Start at Banteay Srei, a unique, small temple outside the main complex built from red sandstone and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. On your return journey stop at a local school to interact with the children.
• Then, on to Ta Prohm, which has been left relatively untouched, unlike many other temples. Here, the jungle surrounds you, and tree roots grow over and through the ruins. The afternoon is at your leisure.

(B)

Explore the temple complex further or take a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see a floating village.

Day 10

SIEM REAP–BANGKOK, THAILAND

• Today, fly to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city.

(B)

Day 11

BANGKOK

• Today’s private guided tour starts with a boat ride through the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals.
• Next, stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, whose 260-foot-tall spire has become identified with Bangkok.
• Continue to the Grand Palace, comprised of the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
• Lastly, visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, including the 49-foot-high and 151-foot-long massive Reclining Buddha.

(B,L)

Day 12

BANGKOK

• Enjoy a full day at your leisure.

(B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. You may consider a visit to Jim Thompson’s House, a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, or an excursion to the colorful Damnoen Saduak floating market.

Day 13

BANGKOK–SINGAPORE

• Today, fly to exciting Singapore.

(B)

Day 14

SINGAPORE

• Your private guided sightseeing introduces you to Singapore’s highlights. Start with a visit to the National Orchid Garden, which houses one of the largest displays of tropical orchids in the world.
• Take a walking tour of Chinatown with its unique architecture, food stalls, and bustling markets.
• Then, embark a traditional bumboat (small water taxi) for a cruise down the historic Singapore River. Your tour ends at Marina Bay, where you will ascend to the Sands Skypark for stunning views over the city.

(B,L)

Day 15

SINGAPORE

• Enjoy a full day at your leisure.

(B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Visit the Gardens by the Bay, take the popular night safari at the zoo, or explore Malay culture at Changi Village.

Day 16

SINGAPORE

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)