Vietnam and Cambodia: Tales of the Past

Taste your way through the vibrant Vietnamese street food scene in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Enjoy a leisurely walk from your hotel through the city’s hidden alleyways and bustling markets, listening to your guide’s comments on Hanoian street eats and culinary habits. The Old Quarter is known for its family-owned restaurants and stalls dishing out traditional recipes in complex flavors. Sip local brew at a coffee shop striking a conversation with some of the local people. Amble along the streets indulging in typical Hanoian snacks such as pillow cake and fried sweet cakes, and the most popular Pho Ga (noodle soup with chicken). Hop over to Banh My Lan Ong to savor another Vietnamese favorite – the Banh Mi (baguette with a stuffing like pate, fried egg, barbecued pork, herbs and vegetables), which is reminiscent of the country’s colonial period. Head to the ancient night market of Dong Xuan to try more street food, while bargain shopping for souvenirs and local handicrafts, and watching a local dance or two. Try Vietnamese staples such as bun cha, bun thang, La Vong fried fish, and Thanh Tri rolls. The perfect way to wind down the night would be with a few chilled Bia Hois (fresh draft beer) at Beer Corner. (Duration: 3.5 hrs; Time of Day: 1800 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Meal included: Street food; Fitness Level: Moderate; Please note that this activity is closed on Tet holiday)

Enjoy a fascinating cruise along the karst and limestone islands of Lan Ha Bay, home of Cat Ba Island - the less touristy alternative to Halong Bay. Day 1: Get transferred from Hai Phong port to your luxurious cruise vessel. Onboard, sip a welcome drink and attend a brief safety procedure session before you settle into your well-appointed, elegant cabin. Freshen up or sit back in your private terrace enjoying the breeze and sunshine. Relish a lunch of fresh seafood and other local delicacies before setting sail to Lan Ha Bay. Pass by the Da Chong islet with its century-old lighthouse built by the French. Continue on to La Ha Bay, admiring the hundreds of small islands, and a number of beautiful white sand beaches. Disembark at Ba Trai Dao beach or Tra Bau area and explore the surrounding natural beauty by kayak, or simply splash in the clear blue waters. Back on board, sip your favorite drink as you reflect back on your day. Join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration to learn how to prepare delicious appetizers. Indulge in a treatment at the spa, watch a movie, go fishing for squid, or relax in the rooftop deck watching the passing scenery. Wind down the day with a drink or two from the bar and savor a hearty dinner at the restaurant. Day 2: Come morning, relish a cup of hot tea or coffee at the upper deck taking in the peaceful, stunning scenery, or work up an appetite with a Tai Chi session. Tuck in a breakfast of pastries, tea and coffee at the restaurant. Hop onto a rowing boat at the mysterious Dark & Bright caves bordering Halong bay. Discover breathtaking beauty in the two corridors cutting through the same karst rock – one of which is a long dark tunnel of water, and the other bright and opening out to a lake. Observe the local flora including casuarina pines and weeping fig trees on the sides of the cliffs, and animals such as Cat Ba langurs. Row back to the cruise vessel and sail back to the mainland. Relish an early brunch with the crew exchanging stories of your short journey after which you will transfer back to the port.

Savor the culinary pleasures and exciting nightlife of Hoi An while riding pillion on a Vespa scooter. At Café Zoom Hoi, sample banh can (thick Vietnamese noodles made from tapioca flour) and khot cake - morsels of fried dough stuffed with quail eggs, pork or shrimp. Drive onward and try white rose dumplings and fried wantons. Head to the An Hoi Islet and hop aboard a boat to Cam Nam Island. Enjoy mouthwatering seafood appetizers with beers or soft drinks. Next, drive along the Thu Bon River to reach a popular restaurant. Cook a hot pot and learn the art of Vietnamese wrap-and-roll. Your last stop is a modern restaurant specializing in barbecue fare. Grill the food over a charcoal brazier at your table. End the culinary sojourn with a delicious dessert, banh flan, a Vietnamese-style crème caramel. (Duration: half day; Fixed time: yes; Shared activity; Meal included: food sampling; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Best time to travel: Apr-Oct;One Guest per vespa as a pillion rider ;helmets provided)

Set off on a gastronomic tour of Ho Chi Minh City on this after dark foodie tour. Walk down the vibrant city streets, making frequent stops to sample exotic local delicacies. Meet your guide at a coffee shop for a quick briefing before you head out. Step into a banh mi shop for some freshly baked bread. Head to a banh cuon eatery for a bite of the popular steamed rice flour crepe with pork filling. Snack on Vietnamese rice pizza that comes with a variety of toppings. Indulge your sweet tooth with a dessert of grilled banana with coconut milk. Before you wind up your tour, make one final stop to sample fresh grilled seafood. You could wash it down with a pint of local beer! (Duration: Half Day; Starting Time: 1800 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Dinner Included; Fitness Level: Easy; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; This tour involves walking through narrow lanes)

Explore the ancient wonders of Khmer temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap. Visit the temple of Ta Prohm, many parts of which have been taken over by the surrounding jungle, thus creating an eerie atmosphere. It was popularized by the Hollywood movie Tomb Raider. A short drive away is the 11th century Ta Keo, an unfinished mountain temple built completely out of sandstone. It has five sanctuaries on top that offer fantastic panoramas of the surroundings. Continue on to the sprawling walled city of Angkor Thom, highlighted by the mesmerizing Bayon temple, adorned with smiling faces, with maze tunnels. You can admire well-preserved intricate carvings at the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. Later, following a leisurely lunch break in your hotel, enter the rear gate of the famed 12th century Angkor Wat. Considered to be the world's largest religious building, this grand structure represents the universe with its central tower symbolizing Mount Meru. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)