January 4 – 16, 2010

Hanoi • Halong • Hue • Hoi An • Danang • Saigon • My Tho

Day by Day Itinerary

January 4 MEET AT LAX
Monday
We will meet at LAX at approximately 9:00 PM in anticipation for our very early flight just after midnight.

January 5 DEPART U.S.A.
Tuesday
We’ll board our flight at 12:05 AM for our end destination of Hanoi, Vietnam.
(Meals enroute)

January 6 HONG KONG
Wednesday ARRIVE HANOI
We will arrive in Hong Kong at 7:30 AM. We’ll board our short transfer flight at 9:50 AM and arrive in Hanoi at 11:40 AM. Welcome to Vietnam! After clearing immigration and customs, our guide will meet the group and assist with your transfer to the hotel.

After checking in, this afternoon, you’ll enjoy a cyclo ride passing by the various charming colonial buildings of Hanoi. ‘Xich-Lo’ or ‘Cyclo’ (or ‘cyclo-pousse’ in French), is a pedal-trishaw unique to Indochina, and was used throughout the colonial era and still is popular to this day. Travelling by cyclo behind your driver is a marvelous way to tour around Hanoi city, and to be amongst the masses on the road. Lunch is on your own.

Welcome dinner at Club de L’Orientale, a deluxe Vietnamese restaurant offering authentic Northern cuisine. Chairman of the Hanoi Gastronomy Club and the editor of Culinary Art Magazine will join the dinner to provide an introduction to Vietnamese cuisine and the fine points of enjoying it.

(D) ***** Sunway Hotel

January 7 HANOI
Thursday
At 8:30 this morning, meet up with Mr. Dung, a key member of Hanoi Chef Association for a market tour. Having a decade-old experience working at a 4-star hotel, he can show you how to choose fresh ingredients. Enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of the market. Then drive 40 minutes outside of Hanoi to his beautiful private home for a private hands-on cooking class and stories of his participation in Culinary Festivals in France. Enjoy your own creations at lunch.

Return to town for a quick city tour including a visit to the Temple of Literature, a cultural symbol and the first University for the sons of mandarins. Then cap a fun day with a show at the water puppet theatre - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history.

Dinner at a local rustic restaurant Cha Ca La Vong, famous for its single dish of grilled fish served in boneless chunks, smothered in greens and saffron-infused oil.

(B-L-D) ***** Sunway Hotel

January 8 HANOI
Friday
This morning, enjoy breakfast like a Hanoian at Pho Vuong Restaurant – a bubbling bowl of Pho accompanied by coriander, bean sprouts, onion and either beef or chicken. Ha Tay province, 18 miles from Hanoi (40 min. drive), is not only famous of its pagodas, temples and communal houses but also for its varied handicraft villages. Today, you can see the real portrait of Vietnam’s countryside and how traditional crafts and practices are maintained for generations. Embark on a scenic drive through Hanoi’s rural outskirts to Tranh Khuc village where most families are involved in making square rice cakes (Banh Chung) – a traditional cake for special festivals – see how they wrap cakes in banana leaves.

Enjoy a packed lunch at the village before heading to Uoc Le, legendary for its pork paste (Gio Lua), where the know-how is a strictly kept secret. Back to Hanoi for freshen up.

In the evening, visit the house of a musician couple – the husband is a flutist in the National Orchestra while the wife is a piano teacher – for home-cooked dinner that can accommodate up to 15 guests. Enjoy the meal hosted in the cozy dining room to understand the important role meals at home play in Vietnam. Chat and share with them life experiences. After the meal, enjoy a melodious performance of flute and piano.

(B-L-D) ***** Sunway Hotel

January 9 HANOI
Saturday HALONG
Make a 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi with a quick rest stop en route at a handicraft center (this place is quite touristy but the only best stop available); you will reach Halong City by noon. Board your private deluxe junk where a welcome drink awaits. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while cruising through the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waters like dragons’ teeth.

After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay, swim on a quite beach or sunbath on the deck. Later in the afternoon, visit a fishing village and interact with the fishermen who have been living in the bay for generations. At sunset, join a bamboo boat to discover a water tunnel with coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board for dinner.

(B-L-D) ***** Halong Jasmine Boat
Premium Cabin

January 10 HALONG
Sunday HANOI • HUE
Wake up early to catch the dramatic sunrise on the bay and enjoy a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun deck. Relax with a cup of hot coffee before departing to the splendid Sung Sot grotto where stalactites hanging from the high ceiling take on numerous shapes and forms. Enjoy late buffet brunch on board while cruising back to the boat docking station. Arrive at the boat docking station around 11:00 AM. Return to Hanoi with a stop at Phu Lang village, one of one of the last survivors of an old pottery village amidst the modern pressure to industrialize. The pottery here is defined by the brown color and unique patterns. Wander around the village and chat with the artisans at Nhung’s workshop with a multitude of terra-cotta items. Artist Nhung’s designs have traditional roots but contemporary touches. (Note: only 25-seater bus is accessible to Phu Lang village - Snack provided en route). If time permits, pay a visit to Co Loa ancient citadel on the way to the airport before your onward flight to Hue. Lunch and Dinner is on your own.

(Brunch) ***** Saigon Morin Hotel

January 11 HUE
Monday
Being a residence of Kings, the cooking art of Hue is famous for its refinement and artistic quality. A Hue dish normally requires a dozen different ingredients and an elaborate presentation. In a Hue family meal, each dish has its own complementary sauce while people in other parts of the country normally make just of sauce for all types of food. Morning, stroll around Dong Ba market with a local chef where vegetables and meat are on wholesale and learn about Hue recipes and ingredients. After the market tour, transfer to Ancient Hue restaurant, a beautiful complex of ancient houses, for a cooking class and demonstration of Hue specialties. Try your own creations for lunch.

Then proceed to home of a well-known historian, writer and conservationist - Mr. Phan Thuan An – have an interaction with him to get an in-depth insight into the culture and history of this former Royal land and how it affects to culinary tastes. Winder your way to the ancient Imperial Citadel surrounded by moats which was home to the royal court of Vietnam in the 19th century. Back to hotel for a rest.

This evening, have meal in a restored royal house where you can learn from the family members how they bring the essence of the Royal ambiance and culture into their home. Menu is inclusive of a local specialty of ‘banh beo’. A dish consists of tiny and round rice flour pancakes, each served in a small bowl. They are topped with minced shrimp and other smaller ingredients. Dipped in fish sauce. Let’s enjoy!

(B-L-D) ***** Saigon Morin Hotel

January 12 HUE
Tuesday HOI AN
Mid morning, we visit the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb where architecture and atmosphere showcases influences from both eastern art and western designs. Hue is the center of Buddhism in Vietnam, let get in a tea interaction with monks at an ancient pagoda to get a glimpse Vietnamese Buddhism, monks’ life experiences and their charitable activities for the community, just bring out any of your queries. Followed by a pure vegetarian lunch from natural ingredients, learn what monks usually have at meal (your guide to join lunch).

The scenic 3.5-hour drive over Pass of the Ocean Clouds brings you to the ancient town Hoi An. Opt to stroll around the colorful market with stalls brimming with tropical specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day. Dinner is at Brother Cafe.

(B-L-D) ***** Hoi An Riverside Resort

January 13 HOI AN
Wednesday
This morning, experience the lives and work of the local people in the rural outskirts of Hoi An. Start your morning at Tra Que vegetable village. Stroll around vegetable gardens, join the farmers to prepare the land and learn the local form of fertilization using seaweed from the local lake. Learn the gardening methods and how they cultivate the vegetables. A private home-cooked lunch offers numerous local delicacies including “Tam Huu” spring roll. Back to Hoi An for a walking tour in the afternoon. Between 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port.

Today, this World Heritage-listed ancient town boasts well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. The narrow lanes are ideal for a walking tour to visit the old merchant’s house with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings. An optional stop, subject to availability, is the private home of Diep Dong Nguyen with a stunning collection of artifacts ranging from pottery and seals to paintings, painting, money and old Hoi An photos. Dinner is at the charming Full Moon restaurant.

(B-L-D) ***** Hoi An Riverside Resort

January 14 HOI AN • DANANG
Thursday SAIGON
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Danang for the morning flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, transfer to downtown. Saigon, with more than 8 million inhabitants, is the country’s commercial centre. Despite the well-documented hustle and bustle, the city retains its connections to the past.

Embark on a walking tour to admire Saigon’s historic landmarks including a stroll down Rue Catinat of Graham Greene’s ‘The Quiet American’ will reveal more colonial classics; the Opera House, a three-story classical theatre built to entertain the French colonists (outside visit); the former Hotel de Ville constructed for the French bureaucrats of Indochina in 1901, now The People’s Committee building with no public access; the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunningly massive red-brick edifice with twin spires, a clear reminder that French once ruled this city (open only 3-4 PM everyday otherwise just outside visit); the Central Post Office influenced by Renaissance architecture; and the former Presidential Palace, headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war

Lunch is at the small Wrap & Roll restaurant where you will experience various types of local food that can be wrapped and rolled. Free at leisure.

This evening, about 6:00 PM, travel to Saigon Culinary art center for a private cooking class on typical southern Vietnamese dishes, followed by a dinner that you have cooked yourself.

(B-L-D) ***** Duxton Hotel

January 15 SAIGON
Friday MY THO
After breakfast, set out on an excursion to My Tho, the charming city in the Mekong Delta closest to Saigon. A 2-hour drive brings you through urbanized areas until you reach the river tributaries, there Mekong Delta! Stop over at Vinh Trang pagoda, an ancient southern architectural gem. Built in 1849, the structure is a mixture of Asian and European architecture including elements from the Renaissance period, Romanesque style, French decorative flowers and Japanese enameled tile. The most valuable collection is the 18 arhats made from jackfruit tree wood in 1907. On arrival in My Tho, board a private but rustic local motorized boat to cruise along upper Mekong and observe the abundant agricultural life. Visit a fish-rearing village before entering Vam Xep canal and its beautiful water palm scenery. Disembark and stroll around Quoi An fruit orchard, visiting fruit-drying kilns and a workshop for coconut craftwares. Take a short horse-drawn cart ride along the village road. Upon arrival at Ben Truc – Phong Phu garden, sample delicious fruits from the Mekong delta and enjoy traditional local music. This is also an opportunity to interact with local people who make their livelihoods on the river. End your journey with a rowing boat trip to explore the water palm canals. After the main boat has transferred you to My Tho, enjoy your lunch at Ngoc Gia Trang restaurant - a simple eatery offering tasty Mekong specialties. Drive back to Saigon.

Farewell dinner tonight is at the former residence of the US Ambassador to Vietnam 1960’s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge. The cocktail reception will be accompanied by performances from local children before retiring to the cozy dining room for the candle-light dinner, warmed up by a violin and piano performance.

(B-L-D) ***** Duxton Hotel

January 16 DEPART SAIGON
Saturday ARRIVE U.S.A.
After breakfast you may have a bit of free time prior to our 11:40 AM flight. We’ll be assisted with our transfer to the airport for our departure flight back to LAX, U.S.A. via Hong Kong arriving at 12:55 this afternoon.

(B-Meals enroute)

January 16 - 22, 2010

January 16 SAIGON
Saturday SIEM REAP
ANGKOR WAT
After breakfast and some free time, we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Siem Reap. It leaves at 11:40 AM and arrives at 12:40 PM. Upon arrival, meet and be assisted with our transfer to the hotel. Afternoon around 2:00 PM, we set out to Angkor Wat to see the intricately carved Khmer ruins—one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns hundreds of fine carvings of Apsaras and the scenes from Hindu mythology. The Khmer civilization constructed the temple between the 9th and 13th centuries. Strolling around the massive hallways, you will find many small shrines still in use by the local people at the ancient site.

Dinner tonight is at the very nice Viroth restaurant to enjoy traditional cuisine. We will then return to our hotel and enjoy our Superior rooms. Lunch is on your own.

(B-D) **** Tara Angkor Hotel

January 17 SIEM REAP
Sunday ANGKOR THOM
TA PROHM
Prepare yourself for an amazing day! After breakfast, we set out to visit the Angkor Thom with the temple of Bayon. The royal city itself covers four square miles and is located in the city’s geographic centre. Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. Enjoy an interesting round trip elephant ride to the Bayon temple. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another, and another! Suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through the half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Incorporated into the wall surrounding the city is a number of earlier buildings. Furthermore, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, the Elephant Terraces, the Leper King Terrace and Royal Place area. We top off our amazing morning with a marvelous lunch at the Café Indochine.

In the afternoon, continue exploring the picturesque Ta Prohm that has nearly disappeared into the jungle and still remains overgrown, it is an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of “embrace”, evokes feelings that a visitor will surly remember forever. Then, visit the Phnom Bakheng temple, the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area.

Afterwards, the Apsara Dancers at the Angkor Village Hotel will treat us to a cultural dinner and performance! We return to our same hotel and rest for our next day of adventure in our Superior rooms.

(B-L-D) **** Tara Angkor Hotel

January 18 SIEM REAP
Monday LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, transfer to join the culinary adventure tour leaving The River Garden for the largest local Psar Leur market, experience the hectic life of the market sellers, sample local foods and learn about local ingredients and cooking customs. You can take advantage of great opportunity to purchase items relating to cooking or otherwise in the market Arrive back at the River Garden for a stylish cooking demonstration including a Khmer lunch.

Then, transfer to the airport for our flight to Luang Prabang, which departs at 3:00 PM and arrives at 6:15 PM. Upon arrival, meet and be assisted you’re your transfer to the hotel for checking into our Deluxe rooms. Dinner is on your own.

(B-L) **** Satri House Hotel

January 19 LUANG PRABANG
Tuesday PAK OU CAVES
BAN XANGKHONG
Optional early wake-up call to participate with local people giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. Back to hotel for breakfast. Then travel on a long-tailed boat for a few hours on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from a mere inch to several yards in height. En route, typical Laotian villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore and bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Lunch is at a local restaurant on the bank of the Mekong River. Return to Luang Prabang by the same boat; continue by car to visit Ban Xangkhong, a village well-known for its wood paper making and also Laotian silk weavings with natural dyes. Transfer back to town. Dinner on your own.

(B-L) **** Satri House Hotel

January 20 LUANG PRABANG
Wednesday
After breakfast, start visiting this sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts received from foreign dignitaries. Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple, which more than any other temple in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; optional visit to Phousi Hill climbing up 328 steps to the summit of Phousi Hill which dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang providing the finest panoramic view in the whole city. Lunch and Dinner on your own.

(B) **** Satri House Hotel

January 21 LUANG PRABANG
Thursday
Cooking class at Tam Nak Lao restaurant 10 AM to 5 PM. Trainees will receive their cookbook which has an overview of Lao culture and the relationship to their food and ingredients and 12 recipes. Visit the market with Leng and Phia. The chefs will demonstrate Luang Prabang Salad and Fur Khua (chicken with rice noodles and vegetables). The trainees will then return to their workstation and cook the two dishes and eat the two dishes they have cooked for their lunch. After lunch demonstrations of Chicken Larp, Khua Sen Long and Oh Paedak. Taste the three dishes and choose to cook two of the dishes at the workstation. Finish with a demonstration of sticky rice and jeowbong. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

(B-L) **** Satri House Hotel

January 22 DEPART
Friday LUANG PRABANG
ARRIVE U.S.A.
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Bangkok departing at 8:00 AM. Arrive Bangkok at 9:40 AM. You’ll have about six hours to catch up on your travel journal or browse the many shops in the Bangkok airport before your flight to the U.S. departing at 4:25 PM. Connect in Hong Kong and arrive Los Angeles at 8:15 PM.

(B-Meals enroute)