Kingdoms of Southeast Asia

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. From Ancient Chinese to French Colonial, this diverse city blends many cultures. It is truly a place where the old meets the new.

Take a walking food tour of Hanoi, Vietnam. Taste some of the country’s most famous dishes, like banh mi and pho. Vietnam is a renowned destination for foodies, so this walking tour is the perfect way to experience Hanoi.

Sit down to talk with a Vietnam War veteran. During this intimate discussion over tea, you’ll hear stories about the war and life in Vietnam during that time.

Ha Long Bay, located in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald-colored waters and limestone islands topped by rainforests. The region is made up of hundreds of islands, teeming with natural wonders. It is a popular area for boat tours, scuba diving, and hiking.

Journey to Hoi An, an ancient merchant trading port. The city dates back to the 15th century, with its name that translates to “peaceful meeting place.” Hoi An was involved in the spice trade route for centuries, flourishing into a bustling seaport. As a destination for trade, the culture of the town has been influenced by many different countries, such as China and Japan. This is seen in a 400-year old Japanese covered bridge, which connects to the Chinese district in the town.

Visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, formerly known as Saigon. This is the busiest city in Vietnam, with a population of more than 8.4 million. The city is famous for its role in the Vietnam War. The Saigon River runs through the city and historic sites are dotted throughout. This is the economic and cultural hub of the country.

This is the former Presidential Palace in Saigon. During the Vietnam conflict, this was the home and workplace of the appointed President Diem of South Vietnam. Most people familiar with the conflict would know that this is the place of his and his brother's assassination and when Saigon fell in 1975, this was the famous scene of a North Vietnamese tank plowing thru the gates onto the property.

Traveling by coach, the Mekong Delta is about 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. The Mother River as she is known, is full of islands populated by industrious and inventive Vietnamese. Cottage industries with fish farms, fruit farms, fish sauce, coconut candy and rice flour wrappers are very popular and highlighted during the tour. Once in the Mekong Delta, we board a boat to cruise in-between the islands, visit some of the cottage industries and have a local lunch on an island.

Visit Siem Reap, Camobia. Explore this popular resort town, and you will find a melding of colonial and Chinese-style architecture. The city is buzzing with culture, historic landmarks, museums, street performers, handicraft markets, and even a trendy entertainment district. It is the perfect blend of old and new.

Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, this temple was built in the 12 Century at the same time as Notre Dame in Paris and oddly enough, the central tower is the same height as Notre Dame. This temple complex is the quintessential symbol of Cambodia and is featured on the money, the flag and the beer. Angkor Wat is also famous for the bas-reliefs surrounding the galleries featuring scenes of daily life, Heaven and Hell and the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Visit Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. “Luang Prabang” literally translates to “Royal Buddha Image.” This ancient city has been inhabited for thousands of years, and was the royal capital of Laos until just a few decades ago. It is known for its many Buddhist temples.

Explore the temples of Wat Xieng Thong. These Buddhist structures make up one of the most important Laotian monasteries. Today, it remains a significant symbol to religion, royalty, and traditional art. The complex is made up of more than twenty structures including shrines and residences.

Visit the Pak Ou Buddha caves. Thousands of Buddha statues are found throughout these caves, which are located alongside the Mekong River. The figures take on many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and nirvana.

Take part in a traditional morning alms ceremony with local monks. This ceremony has been a part of the Laotian community for generations. It is usually practiced in complete silence. Locals gather with food and offer the monks sustenance, scooping rice into their bowls.

Known as the "City of Angels", Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and a chaotic mix of delights. A street food paradise, no one has really tasted Thai food until they have sampled the street food amidst the locals. Mixing in with luxury roof-top cocktail bars, are ages old temples and the saffron-robed monks representing the importance of Buddhism.