Southeast Asia & Hong Kong

Embark on a scenic cruise by motorboat through one of the world’s most magnificent landscapes. Ha Long Bay is home to about 2,000 limestone islands rising from the water to astonishing heights. Legend says they were created by dragons who breathed out jewels into the bay to prevent enemy ships from coming ashore. For centuries, fishermen and merchants have navigated this archipelago, a labyrinthine waterway framed by vertical cliffs draped in brush and forest. Board a motorboat and follow in their wake, taking in the views as you travel—the bay was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994 for its exceptional natural beauty and geological significance. As you join the countless sailors who have explored these waters before, observe the fishermen casting their nets and the soaring heights of karst walls. After your cruise, return to your ship.

Admire the spectacular mountain views on your relaxing drive to the agricultural and cultural village of Yen Duc. Surrounded by mountains and situated along the Kinh Thay River, this village offers typical insight into rural Vietnamese life. Upon arrival, take your seat and watch a wonderful water puppet show performed by local artists. With the puppets exquisitely crafted from the jackfruit tree, the puppeteers enact rural scenes of rice growing and harvesting, evoking a strong sense of agricultural tradition and culture. You will then be warmly greeted into the homes of local villagers and experience aspects of their everyday lives. Learn about their farming methods, harvesting and planting vegetables, fishing, and milling and pounding rice. Bid farewell to your hosts, then return to your ship.

Explore Hanoi, the historic capital of Vietnam, and discover its history and heritage. See the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” and explore the streets in the city’s Old Quarter. Visit the Trấn Quốc Pagoda and enjoy its tranquility, and see the stunning Temple of Literature. Please note: sites on this program are not accessible and cannot accommodate guests who rely on a walker, wheelchair or motorized scooter/wheelchair.

Day 1 Hanoi, Vietnam

Disembark your ship and journey to Hanoi. Steeped in history, the Vietnamese capital has been an important political center for centuries. With your guide, you will enjoy a city tour of some of Hanoi’s highlights and a visit to its Old Quarter. Your first stop is Hỏa Lò Prison, built by the French in the late 19th century to hold political prisoners and later, used by the Vietnamese to hold American prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. It was nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American GIs. Your tour will then continue by electric car to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a bustling district brimming with charm. Explore its maze of narrow streets, known as the shopping capital of Hanoi, where you will find everything from silk garments and herbal medicines, to jewelry and cosmetics. After your tour, check in to your First-Class Hanoi hotel and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese dinner. Cap you day with a visit to Ba Dinh Square and witness the flag ceremony—a ritual that takes place twice daily outside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, each morning and evening. (D)

Day 2 Hanoi, Vietnam

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and embark on a tour of the city of Hanoi. Visit the Buddhist shrine Trấn Quốc Pagoda—the oldest of its kind in Hanoi. A royal favorite for centuries, the shrine dates back to the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De (544 - 548). Take a stroll amid its tranquil surroundings and admire the lotus flower statues on display. Your next stop is the Temple of Literature. With its peaceful walled courtyards and graceful gateways, this monument is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. After your tour, board your motor coach for the return journey to your ship. (B)

Learn about Vietnam’s history and Buddhist traditions at one of the country’s major religious centers. Embark on a scenic ride from Ha Long port through the lush Vietnamese countryside and the mountainous region of Yen Tu. It was in this idyllic landscape that King Tran Nhan Tong chose to build a monastery after defeating the Mongol invaders in the late 13th century. Visit the Yen Tu Monastery, which for centuries has been a leading light in the development and consolidation of Vietnamese Buddhist practices. Learn more about the lives of the Vietnamese monks at the foot of Yen Tu Mountain and enjoy a warm welcome by one of the monastery’s residents. Enjoy an insightful discussion on spirituality and learn about Buddhist and Zen practices, which emphasize meditation and intuition over ritual worship and the study of scriptures. After your fascinating tour, return to your ship.

Explore one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic locations from the water. Depart your ship with your guide and board a motorboat boat for a relaxing cruise. As you glide along the water, take in the views of the stunning landscape, home to thousands of towering limestone islands topped with lush vegetation. See unique rock formations that have been aptly named, including the “Stone Dog” and the “Incense Burner” as you journey toward the Luon Cave area, where you will board your kayak. Explore the secluded charms of this UNESCO World Heritage Site as you discover the hidden gems that are invisible to larger boats. Paddle along narrow stretches of water, through mysterious caves and around small islets that emerge through the ocean’s surface, before returning to your vessel for the journey back to your awaiting ship.

Discover the beautiful province of Ninh Binh and learn about Vietnam’s early history. Meet your guide and take a scenic ride across the agricultural landscape of the Red River Delta. Ninh Binh province is known for its beautiful natural setting amid a landscape of endless rice fields surrounded by towering limestone karst mountains. After lunch at a local restaurant, climb on board your small rowing boat. Relax as you meander through the canals that cut across the yellow and green fields. See the friendly villagers going about their daily lives in this picturesque setting. Next, visit Hoa Lu, the site of the ancient Kingdom of Dai Co Viet—a precursor to modern Vietnam. See temples that were built to worship the kings that ruled more than 1,000 years ago, and the sacred temples dedicated to the gods of the four directions, before returning to your ship.

Explore one of the world’s oldest capital cities during a full-day excursion to some of its key landmarks. Meet your guide and set out across Vietnam’s historic heartland, the Red River Delta. Upon arrival in Hanoi, enjoy lunch before your exploration begins. Stroll around the Temple of Literature; with its peaceful walled courtyards and graceful gateways, this monument is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Next, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, to experience its quiet serenity. Discover Hanoi’s Old Quarter during a journey by cyclo, a three-wheeled bicycle taxi and popular form of city transport, followed by a tasting of a local delicacy, a traditional Vietnamese coffee. First introduced in 1940, this deliciously rich, sweet concoction blends coffee with whipped egg yolk and sugar. After, return to your ship.

Experience Vietnam’s street and family customs with a walk along Hanoi’s Old Quarter and dinner with a local family. Embark on a panoramic drive across the Red River Delta before arriving in Hanoi. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter by foot, and experience the hustle and bustle of the city’s main historic and commercial neighborhood. Walk the maze of back streets, in which you will find an incredible diversity of shops, craftsmen, restaurants and street vendors at every turn. Stop at a small café and enjoy a flavorful cup of coffee as you mingle with locals who have developed one of the strongest coffee cultures in Southeast Asia. Next, gain a unique perspective into Vietnamese culture during a traditional homemade dinner prepared for you by a local family. Talk with your hosts and learn about the more intimate details of Vietnamese customs and traditions before returning to your ship.

Discover Vietnam’s ancient traditions with a traditional water puppet show after a visit to Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Meet your guide and board your motor coach for the scenic journey to Hanoi. Upon arrival, set out to explore the city’s Old Quarter in an electric car and pay a visit to Hanoi’s main commercial district, with its myriad shops, street vendors, restaurants and cafés. Continue to charming Hoàn Kiếm Lake, a focal point of Hanoi’s social atmosphere, before watching a water puppet show at a local theater—known as múa rối nước, water puppetry is one of Vietnam’s most distinctive traditional art forms. After, your guide will help you sample the specialties of Hanoi’s well-regarded street food vendors. You might try local favorites such as steamed rolls, finger bread or traditional Vietnamese coffee prepared with whipped egg yolk, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Explore the beautiful scenery of Ha Long Bay during a cruise through its dramatic landscapes. Meet your guide at Ha Long Port and stroll to the pier, where you will climb on board a motorboat. Start your cruise along the bay, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 for its natural beauty and geological significance. Glimpse the thousands of small limestone islands which rise from the deep green waters and pass by famous rock formations with unusual names such as “Stone Dog” and “Incense Burner.” Visit the enormous Sung Sot Cave to see its impressive stalactites, lit by sunlight passing through narrow openings. Next, stop at Titov Beach, where you will have free time to climb up to the island’s highest point for spectacular views of the bay. Alternatively, you may choose to swim or relax at the beach before returning to your ship.

Cruise along beautiful Bai Tu Long Bay and learn about its people’s resourceful way of life. Stroll to the local pier, where you will climb on board a motorboat and set out on the water. Take in the views of scenic Bai Tu Long Bay, a secluded section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The sinking of a limestone plateau created this dramatic landscape, featuring thousands of karst islands dotting the bay. Enjoy a snack of local seafood on board before arriving at the floating village of Vong Vieng, serenely located in the center of the bay. Here, board a sampan—a flat-bottomed boat used for transporting people and goods, shopping and fishing. Learn how the lives and livelihood of residents here are intrinsically tied to the sea. Then, visit the popular Thien Canh Son Cave before returning to your ship.

Visit the relaxed city center of Hai Phong for a taste of Vietnam’s less frequented locales. Meet your guide and embark on a panoramic drive along the Red River Delta. Enter the local Do Market, founded in the 19th century and restored to its former glory in 1972. Here, you will find all manner of goods ranging from produce to clothes and electronics. Walk down Ky Dong Street and try a tasty local specialty—crab noodle soup—before heading to the Hai Phong Opera House, a colonial-era, neoclassical building from 1904. Board your coach and take a short drive to Du Hang Pagoda, a Buddhist temple first built about 300 years ago; despite several renovations, it has retained its traditional Vietnamese architecture. Enjoy time to relax over coffee as you mingle with locals at one of the many cafés in Hai Phong before returning to your ship.

Learn about the Bat Trang Pottery Village’s history with ceramics and participate in a hands-on workshop. Transfer to the village, located on the outskirts of Hanoi. When the first emperor of the Ly Dynasty moved his capital to what is now Hanoi, a number of craftsmen followed. Among them were five large pottery-making families, who chose Bat Trang because this location was close to the Red River, giving them easy access to water transportation and white clay. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through charming alleys where local artisans continue their ancestors’ craft. Highlights include a visit to the “Hardship House;” once an old ceramic kiln, it is now transformed into an art pottery workshop. Take a seat in front of your pottery wheel and mold your lump of clay into a personal memento you can take with you. Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch before returning to your ship.

Spend the night at a boutique hotel and visit the Yên Tử Mountain, a sacred Zen Buddhist site. Discover local culture and history as you try your hand at meditation and traditional Vietnamese crafts, visit a night market and ascend to the peak of the Yên Tử Mountain.

Day 1 – Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Transfer by motor coach to the Legacy Yen Tu Hotel, pausing along the way to enjoy a vegan lunch. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will participate in a Zen relaxation therapy session with a meditation expert. After check-in, you will take part in two guided craft workshops. Learn how to decorate conical hats and make your own Đông Hồ paintings, folk art pieces created using woodblock prints and natural pigments. Following dinner, visit a local night market before returning to your hotel. (L, D)

Day 2– Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Set out early with your guide to watch the sun rise over the peak of the Yên Tử Mountain before returning to your hotel for an authentic Vietnamese breakfast. After, venture out to the mountain once more to ascend its peak. You will complete your journey on foot and by cable car, allowing you to take in the sweeping views from different perspectives as you learn about this sacred Buddhist site. Later, check out of your hotel and cap your excursion with lunch at a local restaurant. (B, L)

Sample authentic Vietnamese flavors as you dine amongst stalactites and stalagmites in the Vung Duc Cave complex. Depart by motor coach to Cam Pha Town. This expansive cave complex is located at the foot of Bàn Cờ Mountain, a place of pilgrimage for locals that is home to several temples. Consisting of five caves overlooking Bái Tử Long Bay, its interior features an array of stalactite formations and cavernous chambers. Explore the caves with your guide before settling in for a dining experience beneath the surface, where you will taste authentic Vietnamese flavors and hear a live performance of traditional music. After, embark on a scenic drive along the Bai Chay Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge that spans the length of the Hạ Long Bay estuary. Take in the views as you journey toward Hon Gai town, pausing for photographs at Dolphin Square, before returning to your ship.

Lace up your hiking boots and embark on a hike through Cát Bà National Park. Begin your journey with a trip by motor coach and ferry to reach Cát Bà Island, home to this ecologically diverse park. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023 alongside the rest of the Cát Bà Archipelago, Cát Bà National Park is home to an array of wildlife, including monkeys, lizards and wild cats. Upon arrival, set out with your guide for a hike through the jungle. Soak up the scenery as you journey along well-maintained hiking trails and travel through varied ecosystems, including tropical evergreen forests, mangrove swamps and coastal wetlands, pausing at viewpoints throughout the park to take in your surroundings from a different perspective. Following lunch at a local restaurant, return to the ferry to begin the transfer back to your awaiting ship.

Discover Hanoi during visits to an ancient temple, the historic Old Quarter and the home of a renowned musician. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from the port takes you to the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 during the reign of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông. Home to Vietnam’s first university, its five courtyards represent the stages of scholarly life. Continue to the Old Quarter, a maze of narrow streets specializing in an array of crafts, from silversmithing to lantern-making. Pause at a café for a hands-on egg coffee workshop where you will learn the technique behind this beloved Hanoi specialty, then head to a local restaurant for a lunch of Vietnamese dishes. After, continue to the home of Pham Chi Khanh, a renowned musician with a collection of hundreds of traditional instruments. Hear his stories and enjoy a musical performance that echoes Vietnam’s heritage, then return to your ship.