Gain an overall understanding of Saigon through landmark architecture that reflects the changing face of the metropolis known as Ho Chi Minh City since 1976. In the lively district of Cholon, you will browse the bustling Binh Tay Market and a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. For a more contemporary perspective, you will view Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a modernistic white building that was home to the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon presents a glimpse into colonial life, as the French constructed it in the mid-1800s. The ornate Central Post Office is another French-built colonial gem. If not for the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh inside, you might think you were in Paris. Saigon is also known for its artisans, especially those that make lacquerware, a traditional skill that you will observe in a workshop.

Experience the beauty of one of Bangkok's lesser-known treasures during this full-day visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya.

Depart the pier for the 3-hour drive to historic Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 AD, and remained the kingdom's capital for 417 years until 1767 AD, when it was conquered and destroyed by the Burmese. Visit the exquisite Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, formerly a popular summer retreat for Thai kings. The Palace includes one of the most photographed buildings in the kingdom, a charming Thai pavilion built over a pond.

Drive to the historic center of Ayutthaya and visit the Historical Park to explore some of Ayutthaya's most famous and interesting ruins. A part of the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the day, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel.

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.

Visit the preferred popular beach resort destination of the residents of Saigon, Vung Tau, also known as Cap St. Jacque during the French occupation. Enjoy the views of the hillsides dotted with attractive villas now converted into guesthouses and the many good sandy beaches for swimming and sightseeing. Your tour takes you on a scenic drive around large Mountain with a stop to visit the Buddhist Pagoda and fishing village for photo opportunities. Visit the White Villa that is Vung Tau ancient museum, built for the French Governor and later used as an exile place for the Vietnamese King Thanh Thai. The villa houses a collection of artifacts from the XVIII century, rescued from a sunken merchant ship. You’ll enjoy the panoramic view of the beach and city from the former king’s room. Drive to the Whale temple, where locals come to pray to the South Sea God of fishermen. Visitors are welcome to visit and admire its impressive display of all things whale, from paintings and bones to statues. Before going back to the ship, visit a market in Vung tau.

Explore sites that best illustrate the American military presence in Saigon during the Vietnam War, a time period depicted in the film “Good Morning, Vietnam.” One of the most indelible pictures from the Fall of Saigon in 1975 was that of American helicopters helping evacuees from the roof of the U.S. Embassy before communist troops took over. You will see that iconic building, as well as various quarters for the soldiers, including the residence of General William Westmoreland, Commander of the U.S. forces in the late 1960s. You will reach an even deeper understanding of the Vietnam War by browsing the War Remnants Museum. Your drive will pass the former USA embassy, some McVI offices. Continue your journey to the Women’s Museum, where you’ll learn about the significant contributions women made in ending the Vietnam War. Before or after your visit to Saigon, take a drive to the mangrove commando tunnel, a network dug by the Viet Cong in the countryside outside the city for defense and strategic operations. Explore the tunnel, the war memorial, and the cemetery where Viet Cong guerrillas were laid to rest during the conflict. You’ll also have the chance to sample local snacks that the Viet Cong guerrillas relied on during their battles

Explore Bangkok's exotic sites during this memorable visit to the Grand Palace, and the city's main shopping area.

Depart the pier for the drive to the Grand Palace, which showcases the most beautiful example of an ancient Siamese Court. Different palaces were built and named for different occasions; the Funeral Palace, Reception Palace, Throne Hall, Coronation Hall and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, perhaps the most breathtaking of them all. The Buddha is made of translucent green jasper, and the king changes its vestments three times a year during a solemn ceremony.

After a buffet style lunch, a stop will be made at the Gems Gallery, where you can browse among a range of vibrant Thai silks and souvenirs before being transferred back to the pier.

Explore daily life in Bangkok during this picturesque boat trip through the city that focuses on life along Bangkok's canals.

Depart the pier for the drive to Bangkok, where upon arrival you will board a boat for a scenic cruise along the canals, or klongs, of the Chao Praya River. Along the way, you will see the small wooden houses that rise on stilts from the water. You will also encounter many long, flat boats laden with exotic produce and colorful fare plying the waterways, and carrying on trade as they did centuries ago.

Your tour along these fascinating waterways includes a stop at the beautiful Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, and a visit to the Royal Barge Shed, where the impressively ornate ceremonial barges are stored when not in use.

Following your time at the Royal Barge shed, you will transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before driving back to Laem Chabang.

Browse a conservation center with a nursery that breeds sea turtles for release into the ocean and a museum that showcases the life cycles of these marine creatures. The Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center was established decades ago in response to Queen Siriket’s initiative to raise awareness of the plight of sea turtles, whose numbers were rapidly declining in Thailand. The center releases a staggering 20,000 sea turtles into the surrounding sea each year. Yet the turtles still suffer a low survival rate – as little as 1 in 1,000 – from dangers such as being entangled in commercial fishing nets, ingesting plastic trash and pollution. You will see tanks full of hatchlings, mostly hawksbill and green sea turtles, and discover how, when and where they are typically released into the wild. You may also peruse the displays of nesting sites and see where sick and injured sea turtles are rehabilitated.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how endangered sea turtles are bred at a conservation center for release into the ocean.
• Gain an understanding why sea turtle hatchlings have such a low survival rate in the wild.
• Browse museum displays that show the life cycles of hawksbill and green sea turtles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sample a selection of organic teas while conversing with the woman that founded the company that produces them and then enjoy a vegetarian lunch. Upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City – also commonly known as Saigon – you will meet Nguyen Thu Ngoc, who created Hatvala Tea, which sources its organic products in the Vietnamese Highlands. The teas are grown without fertilizers or chemicals to enhance their tastes and preserve their health benefits. As you will discover, the teas are extraordinarily flavorful and the stories behind their production are intriguing. The sampling may include a spicy black Jasmine tea, an elegant white tea infused with honeysuckle and a green tea that becomes salmon-colored during its complex roasting cycle. Similarly, your vegetarian lunch will be representative of the local cuisine. Although the menu frequently changes, it often features a pomelo salad appetizer and an entrée of oyster mushrooms steamed in a lotus leaf.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Meet the founder of an organic tea company and sample several of its unique teas.
• Gain an understanding of the benefits of organic teas and how they are produced.
• Enjoy a vegetarian meal that reflects the cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Relax in complete comfort at Beyond Samui, a waterfront resort that goes above and beyond to make your time there a delight. The resort follows a strict policy of sustainability and that commitment to being eco-friendly will be apparent from the moment you arrive. The setting on Bo Phut Beach couldn’t be more naturally beautiful as the resort is lushly landscaped with indigenous flora, especially coconut palms. A special area has been reserved for you to thoroughly enjoy the amenities. The beach is a natural draw as it is long and wide and just steps away. Feel free to stretch out in the sun, gaze out over the Gulf of Thailand in a lounge chair and comb the powdery white sand for shells. The water is typically calm and clear, which invites a refreshing swim. Another option is to lounge about the swimming pool. A sumptuous lunch will be served in one of the restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax at Bundara Resort and Spa Samui, an exclusive resort on Bo Phut Beach.
• Do whatever you please as the resort setting and amenities are yours to enjoy at leisure.
• Swim in the sea, lie back on a lounger, stroll the beach and enjoy a hearty buffet lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling Chinatown that lend a historical perspective to the neighborhood and reflect how it has changed since being founded in 1778. Known locally as the Cho Lon quarter, Chinatown is extraordinarily atmospheric with its narrow alleyways, countless stores selling traditional medicines and temples such as Ba Thien Hau, which is dedicated to the Chinese goddess of the sea. For a deeper look into religious life, you may see sacred rites and customs being performed at Ha Chuong Guildhall, a temple that features carved pillars wrapped with painted dragons. You will also stop to browse a colonial French and Chinese-style wet market with an array of exotic merchandise. The aromas wafting from the food stalls will be absolutely tantalizing. Another highlight will be watching artisans create Buddha amulets and statues. This immersion into life in Chinatown is sure to be eye-opening.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive and walk through Chinatown and come away with a genuine feel for the area.
• Pause at a characteristic temple and at a wet market with seemingly endless merchandise.
• Watch artisans make statues of Buddha and amulets with his image.
• See historical landmarks and newer attractions that reflect contemporary life.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Interact with rescued elephants that are now living with dignity and respect in an elephant sanctuary. As an introduction, the staff will describe the elephants’ prior lives, which often involved being exploited for labor in the logging industry. You will see firsthand how they are now treated ethically and humanely. Elephants consume hundreds of pounds of food each day, and you will have the opportunity to prepare a meal for them with ingredients such as bananas, sugar cane and watermelons. In the wild, elephants eat a remarkably wide array of plants, but the sanctuary elephants must be fed vitamin balls to supplement their diets. While observing the animals, you will likely notice their individual personalities and the caring manner in which they relate to each other.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe rescued elephants in a sanctuary that is similar to their natural habitat.
• Take comfort in knowing that the elephants are now being treated ethically and humanely.
• Learn about elephant behavior, their diets and how they care for each other.
• Prepare a nutritious meal weighing hundreds of pounds for the elephants.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.