Indochina's Hidden Charms

Tour members gather in the evening on November 6 for our just-passed-midnight flight to Hanoi, connecting through Hong Kong and arriving on Sunday morning. 

Upon arrival, we’ll gather for lunch at a local restaurant before settling into our hotel. In the evening, we’ll regroup for a warm welcome dinner at the hotel.  

Pan Pacific Hanoi (2 nights)

We’ll dive into the vibrant rhythm of Hanoi’s back alley culture as we explore the storied Ancient Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets District. Wandering through its maze of narrow lanes, we’ll uncover hidden water wells, timeworn staircases, and the quiet secrets tucked behind the city’s bustling facade. We’ll marvel at the fascinating and innovative architecture and refresh with a drink at a ‘locals only’ store. 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. After a tasty lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city. Take in the beauty of the tree-lined streets, resplendent with French colonial architecture including the restored Opera House. Our day wraps up with the charm and spectacle of a traditional water puppet show! 

We drive to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and board a traditional junk boat 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 traditional junk boat (1 night)  

We disembark and return to Hanoi, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant along the way, before boarding our flight to Seam Reap. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. 

Borei Angkor Resort and Spa (3 nights) 

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 Temple. 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, then savour our creations over lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Banteay Srei, the “Citadel of Women”. This tiny enchanting temple is a true jewel of Khmer architecture. 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. 

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 River. 

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’ll step ashore at the remote village of Pak Russei, where local artisans weave silk and craft handmade noodles using time-honoured techniques. Before returning to the ship, we’ll witness a private performance of a traditional Cambodian martial art - an intimate glimpse into the cultural spirit of the village. 

In the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong, we’ll pause at the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre for a brief meditation class. Admire its 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 scenic riverfront. Our morning visit will be by private cyclo, a style of transport unique to Southeast Asia 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 unwind on an evening stroll before dinner.  

A short drive takes us to Sam Mountain, where we climb the 400 steps to visit the Hang Pagoda with stunning views of the Mekong River. We visit the floating fish farms by sampan before being treated to a private lion dance performance at a local village. 

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. Savour lunch onboard as we sail the Cho Gao Canal toward Saigon. As night falls, we drift into central Saigon, where dinner is served with sweeping views of the skyline. 

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’ll explore the city’s layers of history, beginning at the stately Presidential Palace and continuing through the exhibits of the History Museum. The stunning Notre Dame Cathedral offers a moment of quiet awe before we face the powerful stories told at the War Remnants Museum, ending in the colour and energy 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 Chinatown and the impressive Thien Hau Temple. 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.