Cho lon home to many Chinese ethnics immigrating to Vietnam in the 17th century is economically booming. Drive directly to Binh tay market where you see all local merchandise. Whole sales and odd sales start from 5.00am to 6.00 pm. with an arrays of shoes, hats, tins, women’s beauty objects. You will be amused at the huge bundles of local queer things when you visit this crowded social place. The visit inside the Sea goddess temple offers a chance to all visitors to admire the historic architecture and folk belief in a popular fishing lady who died young at 27 years of age on a holy hour and she appeared on the sea to help fishermen at risk. Nowadays she also plays an important role in helping local people to get good business and sickness treatment, even to have children. After the temple the drive transfer you to Saigon center for lots of photos in front of the city hall. The city center is located by many restaurants, hotels, shops, coffee shops. Fell free to explore the city center on your own. Continue to drive to the central post office which proudly shows its colonial style outside and hides rare ancient maps decorated on the dome inside the building.

Next to the central post office is the Notre Dame Church signaling the strong Catholicism when the French occupied Vietnam from the end of 18th century. Your guide will explain the last minutes’ historic change of Vietnam war when you visit inside the former Presidential palace that used to witness the end of Vietnam war in 1975. The gate of the palace was crushed down on April 30 , 1975 by the Vietnamese Revolutionary forces. Before you return to the port, the stop at the lacquerware workshop where you see how local people make lacquerware by hand. You may purchase a hand-made souvenir by chance here.

View the landmarks of Hiroshima, some commemorating the atomic bomb blast here in 1945 and others reflecting the city’s celebration of peace. At the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will behold the ruins of some of the few concrete buildings left after the atomic bomb was dropped. One of them, the Atomic Bomb Dome, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a symbol of Hiroshima. You will also browse the Peace Memorial Museum whose exhibits show Hiroshima before and after the bombing and personal artifacts from the victims that humanize the devastating event. The museum encourages visitors to make a vow for universal peace. While the mood there is somber, serenity is the overarching theme at Shukkei-en Garden. Besides being a wonderful respite from the hubbub of the city, the garden is a visual delight, as plants are always in bloom. Although the atomic bomb destroyed the garden, it has been fully restored.

Delve into the history of the surrounding Aichi Prefecture by browsing an open-air museum and a 16th-century castle that is remarkably intact. Dozens of buildings from the Meiji Period have been carefully reconstructed at the Meijimura museum, and you will easily recognize the Western influence in the architecture. This short period in Japanese history ended in 1912 and marked the end of samurai rule and the beginning of Japan’s modernization.

The nearby Inuyama Castle is even more impressive architecturally as it is one of the few castles in Japan that survived wars and natural disasters without being severely damaged. As you meander through this official national treasure, you will see artifacts relating to the Naruse family that once owned the castle. The armory of samurai weapons and the hidden doors for the guards are of particular note, as they shed light on the fact that the castle was under constant threat of attack.

Visit two of Beppu’s many hot springs known as jigokus and a forested park that countless wild monkeys inhabit. With more than 2,500 thermal springs in and around Beppu, thick clouds of steam can always be seen rising from the ground. At the Umi Jigoku, the so called Sea Hell, you will notice that the cobalt-blue water is near boiling and so hot that visitors only observe the thermal phenomenon. However, at the Chinoike Jigoku or Blood Pond Hell, you might take a foot bath in the iron oxide-rich water that gives the pool its reddish color. The hot springs throughout Beppu are said to have restorative powers, and visitors come from all over to soak in them. The Takasakiyama Monkey Park is also wildly popular, as it offers a rare close-up look at macaques freely roaming the forested mountain slopes. You too will be free to wander about while observing these Old World monkeys.

Explore the heritage aspect of Surabaya visiting the Dutch colonial style building compound and visit the iconic heroes’ monument of Surabaya City. Delve into the cultural heritage of Surabaya by visiting Kampong Lawas Maspati, commemorative war monument and a 5-star hotel that reflects more than a century of local history. A panoramic drive through the city takes you to the Majapahit Hotel, a more than 100-year-old lodging that the Japanese used as their headquarters in East Java during World War II. This classic landmark blends romance and elegance with its graceful colonial architecture. While touring, you will see how the hotel has evolved into a 5-star resort. During the visit have some local coffee and enjoy the local snacks. Continuing on, you will next visit the Heroes Monument, a towering obelisk that commemorates the Indonesian soldiers and civilians that died in the Battle of Surabaya in 1945. The conflict eventually led to Indonesian independence in 1949. Our last stop will be visiting Kampoeng Lawas Maspati, it is now a village being made as community base tourism where historical building is still maintained such as the Residence of Raden Sumomiharjo (the relatives of Sultanate Palace of Solo) and Sekolah Ongko Loro the historical people school since 1917. We will learn how in a crowded kampong with nearly no soil left, the villagers can create the green zone, also have some cultural activities specially presented by the local community and mostly elderlies.

Discover how the natural resources on Amami are maximized to create products that are revered far beyond the island. The silk produced there is particularly valued and has been for more than 1,300 years. As you will see at Oshima Tsumugi Village, the silk manufacturing involves dozens of processes that take up to six months to complete, resulting in distinct textiles with remarkably detailed patterns. You will notice while driving around the island that Amami is almost completely covered with trees, including sago palms. These iron-rich plants are used for dying silk and often eaten despite being toxic if not properly prepared. You will learn about the multi-step process to remove the toxins at Ankiyaba. Bananas are also grown there for their natural fibers, which are used in textiles. The brown sugar from the island’s abundant sugar cane is a key ingredient in making shochu, a unique distilled liquor that you will sample after touring a brewery.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Watch a remarkably complex silk manufacturing process that produces distinct textiles.
• Discover how sago palms and bananas trees are harvested for various industries.
• Tour a brewery that makes the distilled liquor shochu and sample the product.

Behold the architecture in two isolated villages that UNESCO found so unusual that it deemed them World Heritage sites. The villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama are in the remote Shogawa River Valley surrounded by high rugged mountains, a location that made them difficult to access for centuries.

To cope with the abundance of snow that falls there, the residents constructed farmhouses with steeply pitched thatched roofs to reduce the amount of snow that accumulates on them. The roof design also allows for large attics, in which the residents rear silkworms, which they feed leaves from the surrounding mulberry trees. Only one other nearby village boasts this type of architecture, known as gassho-zukuri, a style that means “constructed like hands in prayer.”

Following free time in both villages, you will watch a demonstration of paper-making in Gokayama. The specialized washi paper is exceptionally colorful and patterned. The fiber for it comes from mulberry trees.

Renowned for its trendy cosmopolitan ambience and maritime activities, Busan is a great place to immerse yourself in the culture of South Korea. Enjoy a glimpse of this with visits to the local Culture Center for a beautiful performance. Drive to the Cultural Center to experience the art and beauty of the Korean traditional dance. This unique performance is one of the main attractions of Korea. Traditional Korean music and dance are sophisticated forms that embrace the interplay of hung and mot-form and spirit. The performance includes a selection of regional dances featuring dancers in traditional costume. Visit Yongdusan Park, a favorite relaxation place for the citizens of Busan and a wonderful back-drop for many photo opportunities. Here, you can find 70 different species of trees and view the Busan Tower. The tower was built in 1973 and stands close to 400 feet above the Busan landscape. Travel to the Jagalchi Fish Market which is famous throughout the country and is a great representation of Busan. The Jagalchi Fish Market is Korea's largest seafood market and is where you can see the lifestyle of the indigenous Busan natives. After the Korean War, the market solidified itself as a fish market. Most of the people who sell fish are Jagalchi Ajumma; 'ajumma' meaning middle-aged or married women. At the conclusion of your tour, if time permits you will have the option of exploring the downtown area on your own or returning straight to the pier.

An eye-opening study in contrasts, this tour presents the extravagant world of Brunei's sultan, followed by a look at life in a village built on stilts in the river. Starting off from the pier, you will first travel inland toward the majestic Jame Mosque, Brunei's largest, and the Prime Minister Office where you will pause briefly for photos. Continuing on, you will arrive at the white-domed Royal Regalia where you can wander through exhibits of luxurious items from the Sultan's lavish coronation and other celebrations. Some of the items you may have the opportunity to see here are His Majesty's royal chariot, ceremonial swords, a model of the palace and various gifts from foreign dignitaries. But as you will soon see, there's more to Brunei than the extravagances afforded by its abundant oil and natural gas. Making your way to a nearby jetty, you will board a boat and cruise to Water Village where you will witness firsthand a much different side of life. More than 30,000 people live here in thousands of structures built on stilts in the Brunei River. The village is an amazing assortment of homes, restaurants, mosques, shops and hospitals, all connected by wooden boardwalks. Surprisingly, some of the homes are quite elaborate, and you will have the unique opportunity of stopping by one for a cup of tea. Amazingly, people have lived in the Water Village for more than 1,300 years, making it one of the most historic areas in Brunei. Following your time at the Water Village, you will retrace your route as you make your way back to the pier.

The city of Jakarta has gone through several different names through its history, which dates back to the 4th century CE. Today, you’ll discover the highlights of Old Batavia, as it was known between the years 1619-1949 while ruled by the Dutch, and some of its historical aspects.

A scenic drive takes you to the heart of Jakarta, stopping at Sunda Kelapa Old Harbor, better known as Pasar Ikan (meaning fish market) which is located at the mouth of the Ciliwung River. The streets leading to the port used to be lined with shops selling all sorts of seafood and everything a seafarer and their vessels might need. The catch of the day was auctioned in the early morning at the old fish market. During the 15th century, it was also a very important trading port between the kingdom of Pajajaran and Portugal. Although there is not much left of the old port, the port itself is still very active with sailing vessels from all over the country, bringing in timber, coal and spices. It is definitely a must see sight for visitors to Jakarta and a great photo opportunity.

Your tour continues to Fatahillah Square, the administrative center of old Batavia; close to, but far enough from the bustling atmosphere of the old port. See the splendid city hall, from where the immense Asian trading empire was controlled as well as other historic buildings. Most buildings around the square have been restored in an effort to preserve Jakarta’s historic sites, and many of the buildings have been converted into museums. Today you’ll visit either the Puppet Museum or the Bank of Indonesia Museum, depending on availability.

The Wayang, or Puppet Museum resides in a beautiful Neo-Renaissance style building. Puppetry is an integral part of Indonesian culture and the museum preserves the puppet culture from all over the world, not just Indonesia. It houses one of the best collections of wayang in all of Java, as well as all over Asia and Europe.

The elegant building of The Bank of Indonesia Museum dates back to 1828 and its neo-classical architecture mixed with Indonesian features gives it a distinct and elegant look. One of the most modern museums in Indonesia, it provides information on the role of the central bank in the nation’s long history; all presented with the latest technology and multi-media.

After exploring the square and one of its interesting museums, you’ll rejoin your coach for the return to the harbor, enjoying more of the highlights of the city.

Explore a vast underground network of tunnels that hid and protected thousands of Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War. The section that you will tour lies beneath the Cu Chi district in the countryside north of Ho Chi Minh City. Communist forces began digging the tunnels in the late 1948, when they were fighting the French for independence. As you will discover, the tunnels span thousands of miles and once hid an underground city of sorts with living quarters, smokeless kitchens, hospitals and schools. The tunnels were typically five feet high and not even three feet wide, with air passages to the surface camouflaged to look like natural holes from tree roots or animals. The tunnels that you will traverse have been expanded somewhat for safety and convenience. Digging the tunnels was an incredibly arduous and time-consuming endeavor, as they were often dug by hand. Before abandoning them, the Viet Cong left booby traps for the invading troops.

Explore the heritage aspect of Surabaya visiting the Dutch colonial style building compound and visit the iconic heroes’ monument completed with having lunch at the heritage building the Majapahit Hotel. Delve into the cultural heritage of Surabaya by visiting the Kampoeng Lawas Mespati, commemorative war monument and a 5-star hotel that reflects more than a century of local history.

Arrive in the heart of Surabaya for a tour to Kampoeng Lawas Maspati, it is now a village being made as community base tourism where historical building is still maintained such as the Residence of Raden Sumomiharjo (the relatives of Sultanate Place of Solo) and Sekolah Ongko Loro the historical people school since 1917. We will have some activities such as seeing the people making Cin Cau ‘grass jelly drinks’ and learn to know how they create the green zone of the kampoeng. Continuing, you will next visit the Heroes Monument, a towering obelisk that commemorates the Indonesian soldiers and civilians that died in the Battle of Surabaya in 1945. The conflict eventually led to Indonesian independence in 1949. A panoramic drive through the city takes you to the Majapahit Hotel, a more than 100-year-old lodging that the Japanese used as their headquarters in East Java during World War II. This classic landmark blends romance and elegance with its graceful colonial architecture. While touring, you will see how the hotel has evolved into a 5-star resort.

A traditional Indonesian lunch follows at the Majapahit Hotel, a five-star resort that has been an institution in Surabaya for more than 100 years. Designed by the architect responsible for Singapore’s famed Raffles Hotel, the Majapahit exudes an elegant colonial atmosphere.