Two of the most beautiful, historic, and friendly places in all of Asia, dynamic Vietnam and pastoral Cambodia, are intriguing studies in contrast. Each possesses its own unique charm and social traditions, its own tragic history and complex past.
Ho Chi Minh City offers a heady mixture of old and new, often surprising visitors with its charm. As the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, the Mekong teems with colorful floating villages. Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s thriving capital, is fast-forwarding to the future yet retains a provincial intimacy. And colorful Siem Reap provides the gateway to the vast UNESCO-designated jungle temple complex of Angkor Wat.
Embrace the very best of Vietnam on this 12-day guided tour. See Ho Chi Minh City’s glittering skyscrapers and green paddy fields from a speedboat as you race to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where guerrilla fighters once hid during the Vietnam War. Here, meet a Viet Cong veteran who will share what it was like to live in the tunnels. Take a private tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Imperial Citadel in Hue, before the palaces open to other tourists. Experience the vibrant city of Hoi An your way – take a hands-on cooking class. Wander among the food carts lining Hanoi’s streets and taste its classic cuisine: crab spring rolls, beef noodle soup, and com cakes. Sail through the mesmerising waters of Halong Bay on a traditional overnight junk cruise.