18-Night Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River With Hanoi, HA Long Bay & Bangkok (Northbound) Cruise from Hanoi

HANOI–HA LONG BAY Lush Countryside & Limestone Caves Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Hon Gai, gateway to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. CLASSIC 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. Tunnels, caves, and weirdly shaped outcroppings with imaginative names can be found on many of the small islets sprinkled across the bay. Board a cruise on the bay to explore the caves and admire the beauty and scale of this bay before stopping at one of the many secluded islands. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.(B,L,D)

HA LONG BAY–HANOI–HO CHI MINH CITY Hanoi BoundThis morning, drive to Hanoi and board your flight for Ho Chi Minh City. (B)

HO CHI MINH CITY. EXCURSION TO CU CHI TUNNELS Secret Passageways and Underground HideoutsCLASSIC Drive out of the city for a Guided Visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels—an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length—used as a hideout and secret village by the Viet Cong. Explore these tunnels and learn what life was like living in these cramped spaces.Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. Consider stopping for a drink at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel.(B)

VINH LONG–CU LAO GIENG Sweets, Sampans, and Sun HatsDISCOVERY Board a sampan this morning to visit a local workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made.DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts at a local workshop, where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain, but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches.AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO CHAU DOC(B,L,D)

CHAU DOC–LONG KHANH A–BORDER CROSSING, CAMBODIA Colorful markets, Charming Locals, and Cotton WeaversDISCOVERY In Chau Doc take a Guided Walk through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then embark on a River Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more.DISCOVERY After lunch, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of a well-preserved artisan’s tradition.Return to the ship to set sail for the Cambodian border. On board, we cross the border at Vinh Xuong International Land and River Border Gate in Vietnam and Kaam Samnor in Cambodia.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH(B,L,D)

WAT HANCHEY–ANGKOR BAN Water Blessings and Back-to-School Adventures DISCOVERY Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks.DISCOVERY After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KONPONG LOUANG(B,L,D)

KONPONG LOUANG–KAMPONG TRALACH Calm in the Cambodian CountrysideDISCOVERY Start your Guided Sightseeing at the silversmith village in Konpong Louang. Here, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. In Kampong Tralach board an ox cart for a ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life.This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Tonle River. EVENING CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH(B,L,D)

PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION)–SIEM REAP A Pilgrimage of Inspirational BeautyFly to Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! CLASSIC After lunch, begin your Sightseeing Tour by tuk-tuk to explore the temples. Start at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, visit Angkor Thom, where you will explore Bayon Temple with its 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-relief sculptures.The evening is yours to explore charming Siem Reap, stay to witness the sunset at Angkor Wat. (B,L)

SIEM REAP–BANGKOK, THAILAND Bangkok BoundThis morning, fly to Bangkok. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.(B)