Indochina's Hidden Charms

Tour members gather in Toronto for an afternoon flight to Hanoi, connecting through Hong Kong and arriving on Sunday morning. 

Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel to settle in before gathering for our welcome dinner. 

Pan Pacific Hanoi (3 nights)

Immersing ourselves in Hanoi’s vibrant back alley culture will be a treat this morning, as we wander through the labyrinth of hidden alleyways to uncover secret water wells and ancient staircases. We’ll marvel at the fascinating and innovative architecture and enjoy a refreshing drink at a ‘locals only’ store. Photo opportunities abound! 

We will see a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best serving examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture at the Temple of Literature, followed by the miniature One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House (viewed through the windows). After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll embark on a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter’s paradise. An exciting traditional water puppet show will top off our day! 

We drive to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and board Paradise Elegance for a cruise amongst this UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its magnificent natural beauty. On board, we will enjoy a seafood lunch and cruise through the islands as we explore a series of breathtaking caves and grottoes. 

Paradise Elegance (1 night)  

We disembark and make our way back to Hanoi, with lunch at a local restaurant en route, to board our flight to Seam Reap. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. 

Borei Angkor Resort and Spa (3 nights) 

This morning we visit Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers. We shall see the Elephant and Leper King Terraces together with the stunning Bayon Temple, with its extensive and detailed relief carvings, and the Baphuon. Our next stop is Ta Prohm, a temple site reclaimed by the jungle and only recently rediscovered. This afternoon explore the world’s largest temple, Angkor Wat. With the volume of stone equaling that of the pyramids in Egypt, this temple took thirty years to complete and has been occupied by Buddhist Monks ever since. Of special note are the bas-reliefs on the exterior walls. Then, we visit a school dedicated to teaching traditional arts, stone and wood carving, lacquerware and more. 

This morning we have a special treat; a Khmer cooking class at a local restaurant. Following a briefing we will visit the morning market to purchase the ingredients that we will need. Back at the restaurant, we will help prepare a three-course meal of local delicacies which we will then enjoy at lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Banteay Srei, the “Citadel of Women”. This tiny enchanting temple is one of the jewels of this Khmer. Built with red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, this is the most Indian of all Angkor temples. Finally, we visit Banteay Samre, dating from the early 12th Century. 

This morning we transfer by coach to Steung Trang to  embark on our ship and new home for the next week. Enjoy lunch onboard, and set sail this evening on the Mekong. 

RV Mekong Pandaw (7 nights)

Relax on board with some Tai Chi or a cup of coffee as we cruise to Peam Chi Korng, a local hub for pottery. A short tuk tuk ride from the shore brings us to see the potters in action, before we explore the village and market. Later we go ashore at Pak Russei, a remote village, to see the crafts people weaving silk and producing handmade noodles. Before returning to the ship we learn of a traditional form of martial art with a private performance. 

Visit the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong, to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre for a short meditation class. Enjoy the impressive Khmer architecture before we rejoin our ship in Kampong Tralach. This afternoon travel by ox-cart around the river side villages to get a sense of rural life. This evening locals share their culture with us, featuring a traditional dance performance and cocktails around a village fire pit. 

This morning we are in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafes, vibrant nightlife and renovated river “corniche.” Our morning visit will be by private cyclo, a style of transport unique to the Orient which provides an excellent way to experience the hustle and bustle of the city. Visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum displaying Khmer crafts. After lunch, we visit the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum. We will spend the night in port.   

Say farewell to Cambodia as we make our way down river towards the border. We sail towards Chau Doc where we can enjoy an evening stroll before dinner.  

A short drive takes us to Sam Mountain, where we climb the 400 steps to visit the Hang Pagoda and stunning views of the Mekong. We visit Cham village and a catfish farm in Chau Doc.

Journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This is fertile farming land that is home to half of Vietnam’s rice production. Enjoy lunch onboard as we sail the Cho Gao Canal toward Saigon. This evening we sail into central Saigon and enjoy the skyline over dinner.

We say farewell to our ship this morning as we disembark at in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon. We will visit the majestic Presidential Palace, delve into the rich heritage at the History Museum, marvel at the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral,     reflect on the past at the War Remnants Museum, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market.  

Sofitel Plaza Saigon (2 nights)

Saigon, once the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and the “Paris of the Orient” is now Vietnam’s largest city. This industrial, cultural and educational hub still retains vestiges of its colonial past. We will tour the incredible underground network at Cu Chi Tunnels, followed by China Town and Temples. Time permitting we will visit the Binh Tay market. Tonight enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. 

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our journey back to Canada.