Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
Lush, serene, golden lands
In a corner of the world that has known centuries of strife, the people of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam cherish serenity. It radiates from the golden face of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok’s Wat Pho Temple and from countless Buddha images seen throughout the region. It lights up the kind, gentle faces of traditional craftsmen and permeates the posture of a Vietnamese villager poised at the edge of a longboat. It lies behind a monk’s meditative expression at an ancient Khmer temple. And you’ll find it yourself here, riding atop an elephant, enjoying traditional cuisine or relaxing on a beach in Da Nang.
1. ARRIVE HANOI,VIETNAM Tour begins: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Noi Bai Int’l Airport to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. A Hanoi landmark since the turn of the last century, this elegant hotel is set in the heart of the city. Join us tonight for a welcome reception and dinner at Le Beaulieu. Meals D
2. A DAY IN HANOI, FRENCH HERITAGE – ASIAN TRADITIONS Hanoi’s Da Ba Dinh Square in the city center is an intriguing first stop, where you’ll find a mix of French colonial architecture, like the Presidential Palace once used by the Governor General of Indochina, side by side with the preserved simple home of Ho Chi Minh (the founding father of modern Vietnam) and his Soviet-style mausoleum. You’ll see more of the city’s French heritage, including the Opera House, on a buggy ride through the colonial district. Next up is a visit to Hoa Lo Prison, referred to tongue-in-cheek by Americans as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. The day concludes with a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show, an art unique to Vietnam and popular since the 18th century, when rural villagers would sit on the edge of a pond to watch the show. Meals BL
3. VIETNAM’S ANCIENT CAPITAL – HUÉ, A WORLD HERITAGE SITE After your flight to Hué, the old capital of Vietnam and a city given UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its historic monuments, you’ll visit the Buddhist Thein Mu (“Heavenly Lady”) Pagoda; the seven successive tiers of its tower date to the 1600s. A leisurely cruise on the meandering Huong (Perfume) River will give you a gentle feel for Hué’s tranquil setting and a glimpse at the boats that continue to serve as complete family homes for many. Meals BLD
4. IMPERIAL HUÉ & DA NANG’S MODERN “CHINA BEACH” Hop aboard your private, pedal-powered cyclo to enjoy unobstructed views of Hué’s 19th-century Imperial Citadel. The remains include an outer court (gardens) inside massive walls, a second court where the emperor met with dignitaries and an inner Forbidden Purple City, for use solely by the royal family and trusted senior mandarins. Next, drive over Hai Van Mountain to the South China Sea and your China Beach resort. Meals BLD
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 877-519-1035
Tauck Value Includes
A buggy ride through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, a cyclo ride through the remains of Imperial Hué, and a trek atop an elephant through a Chiang Mai forest
Guided visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Angkor, Hué and Hoi An
See Bangkok’s golden Reclining Buddha, Hué’s Imperial Citadel on the Perfume River, and the Cu Chi Tunnels of Vietnam
Discover Southeast Asian life on the water on a cruise along the Perfume River in Hué, through the klongs of Bangkok, and on Siem Reap’s Tonle Sap Lake
A private tour of the Jim Thompson House, the art-filled home of an American-born silk entrepreneur and legendary figure in Bangkok
A scenic drive to the hilltop, 14th-century temple of Wat Doi Suthep, overlooking the verdant landscape of Chiang Mai
Hill tribe village visits to meet people of the Padong, Palong and Karen tribes of Chiang Mai
A two-night resort stay on Vietnam’s “new” China Beach, one of the finest beaches in Asia
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
37 meals (15 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 12 dinners); service charges, taxes, gratuities to local guides and porterage
www.tauck.com 23
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