6. SAIGON, FROM HISTORY TO MODERN DAY City sightseeing begins at Reunification Palace, known as Independence Palace when it was occupied by the president of South Vietnam, and continues at the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Next up is the upscale district of Dong Khoi; restaurants and chic boutiques stand side by side with the Saigon Opera House, the People’s Committee Building (town hall), the historic Caravelle and Rex hotels, and lively Ben Thanh Market. Cruising for coastal Vietnam begins this afternoon. Meals BLD
7. RURAL LIFE IN COASTAL VIETNAM After an early lunch, your ship arrives in the port of Nha Trang, where sightseeing begins at Long Son Pagoda. Head next to visit a farmer’s home and orchards and a local kindergarten, adding to the picture of life in rural Vietnam. The afternoon concludes with a cruise to visit the 8th-century Po Nagar Temples, built by the Champa Dynasty. Meals BLD
8. DAY AT SEA – EN ROUTE TO DA NANG Your day is spent in plush comfort aboard Le Soléal / L’Austral; both are equipped to provide a stable, silent ride. Meals BLD
9. DA NANG, MY SON & HOI AN Arrive in Da Nang for an excursion to learn more about the long-ago Champa Dynasty on a visit to My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next up is Hoi An, an ancient port city; lunch awaits at a local restaurant and then a tour of the town’s
In urban Singapore, remarkable gardens and our remarkable hotel
narrow lanes by cyclo. After time on your own here, you’ll head to Cao Dai Temple in Da Nang city. Home to Vietnam’s largest religion, the temple is part church, part pagoda, reflecting a crossroads of thought. Dine aboard ship tonight. Meals BLD
10. DAY AT SEA – SAILING TO HA LONG BAY Sail along the Vietnamese coast today; these waters are known by different names in different countries. “South China Sea” is the dominant name, but in China it is the “South Sea” and in Vietnam, the “East Sea.” It’s also been called the “Sea of Cham,” reflecting the might of the Champa Dynasty. Meals BLD
LE SOLÉAL / L’AUSTRAL
Sophisticated styling, green technology that means a smooth and stable ride, and welcoming, attentive service come together on Tauck’s sister luxe mega-yachts for a great cruising experience; both ships feature six decks, a choice of two dining venues: a chic main dining room and a casual grill restaurant. Each ship offers lounges, bars with access to the open decks, and evening entertainment. A state-of-the-art theatre provides an intimate space for lectures and entertainment; the fitness / beauty complex and medical center provide for travel with ease. 132 staterooms (200 to 226 sq. ft.) and suites (290 to 398 sq. ft.) have sea views; 95% have private balconies. Staterooms offer individually controlled air conditioning with two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed or a sofa converting to a queen-size bed. Deck plans and ship specifications for Le Soléal and L’Austral are on page 54.
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11. BEAUTIES ON A BAY In Hon Gai, you’ll board a traditional Chinese-style junk for a cruise of majestic Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views include unspoiled islands, towering limestone peaks and arches that emerge from smooth blue-green waters, and floating villages, where families spend their entire lives afloat. Ashore, you’ll go inside an island cave with a fanciful name like Heavenly Palace Grotto or Cave of Three Palaces. Meals BLD
12. FROM HAI PHONG TO HANOI Your ship arrives in Hai Phong today where a guide joins your drive to Hanoi; the city’s wide boulevards, mansions and parks are reminders that Hanoi was planned by the French. Sightseeing includes the Temple of Literature dating back to the 11th century, lunch at a local restaurant, and a tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter in a small open-sided vehicle. You’ll discover a thousand-year-old marketplace, where narrow shopfronts double as entries to living spaces and streets are packed with scooters, cars, bicycles and people; it’s both chaotic and fascinating. Sightseeing concludes with a stop at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”), a poignant part of the American POW experience. Meals BLD
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