DESCRIPTION:

Experience a country still unspoiled and quite unique in the world. Travel to four of Vietnam's varied regions, discovering the country's rich artistic, historic, and culinary legacy. Unforgettable experiences are everywhere in Vietnam.

 

Discover Hanoi, Vietnam’s fascinating capital city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks stretching along the banks of the Red River. Take an afternoon walking tour of the lively Old Quarter; these narrow streets are home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. See local historic sights, artistic performances, and learn about Vietnam's ethnic diversity. Meet potters, poets, and try your hands at Tai Chi on the shores of West Lake.

 

Head north to Halong Bay, the Emerald Bay of Vietnam. This vast bay was the inspiration for generations of Vietnamese poets, and is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. Board a comfortable traditional Vietnamese junk for an up-close look of the seascape and the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen. Cruise the breathtaking waters, visiting islands, caves, and a small village that preserves the tradition of Vietnamese folk art painting with natural materials.

 

The ancient town of Hoi An has impressively preserved its original architecture: witness traditional houses, temples, pagodas, streets, ports, and more. Hoi An's everyday lifestyle with its deep-rooted customs and cultural activities is fascinating. Become immersed in poetic and picturesque landscapes such as Thuan Tinh islet, Cua Dai beach, and learn about traditional handicrafts and famous local specialties. Take a private Mah Jong lesson from a local master, enjoy a demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving, take a cooking class, and wander Hoi An Market to experience the sights, smells, and action in this colorful market.

 

En route to Hue, pay a visit to China Beach, a place of rest and recreation for US soldiers. Located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built and modeled, in part, on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Take a boat excursion on the Perfume River to visit a pagoda with gardens scented by orchids, frangipani, and jackfruit and alive with the flutter of white and crimson butterflies. Continue on by boat to perhaps the most beautiful of Hue’s many pagodas and tombs.

 

In Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), explore the bustling city, attend an acrobatic performance, pass carefully tended and lush rice paddies before boarding a motorized sampan for a unique experience on the mighty Mekong Delta waterways. The mighty Mekong is a lifeline for the villages, the focus of all daily activity. Observe daily life on this cruise through a maze of tributaries, fruit plantations, and villages.

 

CONSIDER:

For more active travelers, there is kitesurfing the tropical oceanic waters off Mui Ne, kayaking Halong Bay, or hiking the evergreen hills around Bac Ha or Sapa.

 

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS & ADD-ONS:

Angkor Wat, Cambodia's premier ancient Khmer site.