Day 1 - Hanoi, Vietnam
Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and transfer to your
colonial-style hotel.
Day 2 - Hanoi
Hanoi is the country’s cultural heart, bearing traces of
centuries of changing dynasties. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s house,
a simple structure that served as home to the revolutionary
guerrilla leader. After lunch, visit the infamous “Hanoi
Hilton” prison, where American prisoners of war were once
confined, and hear from a war veteran about his firsthand
experiences. Ride Like a Local by cyclo through the city’s Old
Quarter. This evening, gather with your fellow guests for a
welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Ha Long Bay
Travel to the shores of the Gulf of Tonkin, where you board ‘Orchid’ for a cruise of picturesque Ha Long and Lan Ha
bays. Relax on deck as ‘Orchid’ snakes its way past countless
islets, their striking karst outcrops rising dramatically
from the emerald waters. Disembark on Cat Ba Island and
discover Trung Trang Cave’s intricate features, formed over
millennia. Back on board ‘Orchid,’ view the sunset framed
against the Gulf of Tonkin shoreline, followed by dinner
aboard.
Day 4 - Ha Long Bay & Ho Chi Minh City
Greet the day on deck with sunrise tai chi overlooking the
bay. Set out for an early morning kayak excursion among the
towering limestone pinnacles. Return for brunch on board
as ‘Orchid’ sails home to port. Back on terra firma, proceed
to Hang Kenh Temple in Hai Phong and take in a local water
puppet show. Later, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the former
Saigon, where you settle in at your hotel.
Day 5 - Ho Chi Minh City
Recently experiencing a resurgence of art and culture, Ho
Chi Minh City is a lively, evocative hub of activity. Rise
early for a carefully curated, A&K-exclusive experience that
starts with a cyclo ride through the streets as the city slowly
comes to life. Stroll through Tao Dan Park, a neighborhood
gathering place, and then enjoy specialty Vietnamese
coffee at a local shop. Continue along Nguyen Dinh Chieu
Street to visit a little-known, hard-to-find war-era weapons
bunker. Round out your morning exploration of local life by
sampling some of the city’s most sensational pho at one of its
most popular restaurants. Return to your hotel to enjoy
the rest of the morning at leisure. At lunch, participate in a Chef’s Table experience where you try your hand at making
banh xeo, a savory Vietnamese pancake. This afternoon, view
examples of the city’s colonial legacy, including Reunification
Palace and the Central Post Office, and then explore a Cao
Dai temple to get in touch with southern Vietnam’s spiritual
side. Tonight, gather for dinner at a local culinary hot spot.
Day 6 - Ho Chi Minh City
Today, venture outside of the city to explore the Cu Chi
Tunnels, learning how this vast subterranean network was used to conceal and support a stealthy underground fighting force. This
afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs
from Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist,
followed by a walking tour of a historic neighborhood.
Explore the City’s Bustling Culinary Scene, sampling
traditional dishes prepared by local street-food vendors.
Cycle the Countryside around the Cu Chi Tunnels,
passing through local villages to observe daily life.
Return to your hotel, where the rest of your afternoon and
evening are at leisure.
Day 7 - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Fly to Siem Reap, the town nearest to Angkor Thom and
Angkor Wat. Begin your exploration at Ta Prohm, where the
roots of great trees seem to have spilled over the roof of this
iconic stone temple. Enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 8 - Siem Reap
Today, explore a less-visited temple: Banteay Srei, known
as the “Citadel of Women.” Learn about the essential work
of the Cambodia Clean Water Project, an Abercrombie &
Kent Philanthropy project that builds wells in local rural
communities. Next, visit Angkor Thom, the last capital of
the Khmer kingdom, and Bayon, with its carved
stone faces — bearing beguiling smiles — of gods, goddesses
and other beings from mythology. This evening, cruise by
gondola on the tranquil Angkor Thom moat while sipping a
cool drink on a Scenic Sundowner.
Day 9 - Siem Reap
Rise early to experience the incomparable serenity and
inspiration of watching the sun rise over mystical Angkor
Wat before exploring the vast temple complex with a local
expert. Return to your hotel for breakfast and time to relax.
After lunch at a local restaurant, fly to Luang Prabang.
Day 10 - Luang Prabang, Laos
Step back in time for a day as you explore charming Luang Prabang and its tranquil streets. Begin with a visit to the
National Museum, once a royal palace. Then, follow quiet
back lanes to the beautiful Heuan Chan Heritage House.
After a refreshing tea in the gardens, proceed to the
enchanting Wat Xieng Thong, a Buddhist Temple noted for
its “Tree of Life” wall mosaic, and then visit Wat Khili. Later,
join your fellow guests for a relaxing sunset cruise along the
tranquil and iconic Mekong River before dinner.
Day 11 - Luang Prabang
Rise very early to give alms to Buddhist monks, putting you
in touch with the local culture and community. Return to
your hotel with some time to relax and pack. After lunch,
join locals in their home for a baci ceremony — a good-luck
ritual for a safe journey that is part of the local culture —
before flying to Bangkok.
Day 12 - Bangkok, Thailand
Visit the sprawling Grand Palace, a complex that is the historic
Siamese court and home to Thailand’s most important shrine,
the green-jade Emerald Buddha. Continue by tuk-tuk to the
150-foot-long reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Your afternoon
is at leisure. Tonight, gather with your fellow guests for a
farewell dinner.
Day 13 - Bangkok
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart for home.