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ASIA

Visit the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and view the limestone cliffs up close during a day cruise.

Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 2: Hanoi Arrive in the Vietnamese capital this evening, then transfer to the hotel.

Day 3: Hanoi This morning’s tour includes a walking tour of Ba Dinh Square, a popular complex of cultural and historic sites, including the marble and granite mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, and thousand-year-old One Pillar Pagoda. Embark on an orientation tour of this French-accented city with broad tree-lined boulevards and colonial architec-ture. Pass Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the marvelous Temple of Literature (c. 1070); and tour infamous Hau Lo Prison, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. Later walk the narrow streets of the diverse Ancient Quarter. Tonight gather at a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. (B,D)

Day 4: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay Early this morn-ing depart on a full-day excursion to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage site. This is Vietnam’s legendary and breathtaking waterway sprinkled with 3,000 islands and islets, and surrounded by a fairytale landscape of limestone cliffs, secret grottoes, and hidden caves. The tour includes a boat ride on the placid waters and a lunch of local seafood specialties. (B,L)

Day 5: Da Nang Fly to Da Nang, Vietnam’s third largest city situated on the south central coast. Upon arrival, tour the acclaimed Cham Museum, which celebrates the Cham people’s Hindu legacy with a fine collection of sculpture and artifacts dating from the 7th to 15th centuries. Arrive at the beachfront hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure in this splendid setting. (B,D)

Day 6: Da Nang and Hoi An Visit nearby Hoi An, where a succession of Dutch, Chinese, Portuguese, and Japanese traders helped to build an architectur-ally diverse and colorful village where many ancient traditions still hold sway. A World Heritage site, Hoi An’s Old Town is a charming, car-free pedestrian zone lined with tailors, shops, and art galleries. (B)

Day 7: Da Nang A morning walking tour of a local farming settlement reveals the daily life of a local community up close. Nestled amidst seem-ingly endless rice paddies, the village represents the Vietnam of fable and film, where villagers engage in threshing and harvesting, water buffaloes plow the fields, and local residents ride to market with produce piled high on their bicycles. Enjoy a private cooking lesson of regional cuisine followed by dinner. (B,L,D)

16 days from $4,497 total price from Los Angeles, San Francisco ($4,195 air & land inclusive plus $302 airline taxes and fees)

In a land of breathtaking natural beauty and abiding tradition, rewards abound for the thoughtful traveler. Experience imperial Hue to the villages and rice paddies of Da Nang, to Ho Chi Minh City, so prominent in recent history. And everywhere you go you’ll be welcomed by gracious, hospitable people.

Discovering vietnam

Da Nang/Hoi An

Hue

Siem Reap

Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City

Mekong River

Can Tho/Cai Rang

Overnight

Featured Site

Air

Motorcoach

Extension (Air)

Ha Long Bay

RedRiver

MekongDelta

Gulf ofTonkin

VIETNAM

CAMBODIA

Avg. High (°F) Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov DecHanoi 68 69 74 84 78 72Da Nang 75 78 81 83 80 77Ho Chi Minh City 89 91 92 88 87 87

From Hanoi to Ho CHi minH City

See more photographs of Vietnam at SmithsonianJourneys.org/vietnam

Guaranteed small group of no more than 24 Smithsonian travelers per departure

Your Small Group Tour HighlightsEnjoy Hanoi sightseeing, including a visit to the “Hanoi Hilton” • Marvel at the ethereal landscape of Ha Long Bay • Visit charming Hoi An • Tour the acclaimed Cham Museum • Take part in a private cooking class of local cuisine • En-joy a home-hosted lunch in Hue • See the Mekong Delta • Visit the floating markets at Cai Be and Cai Rang • Tour Ho Chi Minh City, including the Reunification Palace, and a contemporary art museum • Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating1 Depart U.S. for Hanoi

2-4 Hanoi InterContinental Deluxe Hanoi Westlake

5-7 Da Nang Hyatt Regency Deluxe Danang

8-9 Hue Saigon Morin Sup. First Class

10-11 Can Tho (Mekong Delta) Victoria Hotel Sup. First Class

12-14 Ho Chi Minh Sofitel Saigon Deluxe City (Saigon) Plaza

15 Ho Chi Minh City/Depart for U.S. (overnight flight)

16 Arrive U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.

51Call 877-338-8687 or visit SmithsonianJourneys.orgTo Register

Day 8: Hue Depart for the ancient imperial city of Hue, whose palaces, temples, and tombs evoke its past grandeur as home to emperors and mandarins. Explore the Imperial City, now a World Heritage site. Visit the Central Market where locals shop. Tonight enjoy a special Hue dinner, accompanied by a performance of traditional music. (B,D)

Day 9: Hue This morning cruise along Hue’s Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, a Buddhist monastery, then visit the palatial Tomb of Ming Mang (c. 1804). Enjoy lunch in the home of a local historian. See the tombs of Tu Doc, a gem of royal architecture; and Khai Dinh, an elaborate mix of ancient and modern, European and Asian. Finish the day with a visit to a Buddhist orphanage. Meet the children, speak with the head nun, and learn about the inspiring work done to provide these children with a better future. (B,L)

Day 10: Mekong Delta and Can Tho Today begins with an early morning flight to Saigon. Upon arrival trans-fer to a motor-coach for the three-hour drive south to the Mekong River town of Cai Be. Travel by coach and ferry to the busy river port and provincial capital of Can Tho. (B,D)

Day 11: Can Tho and Mekong Delta Rise early for today’s journey by boat to the bustling floating market at Cai Rang on the Mekong’s lower reaches. This afternoon is free for independent exploration. (B,L)

Day 12: Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City Travel to the upper reaches of the storied Mekong. Board motorized sampans for an up-close look at river life and explore the maze of tributaries populated by fishermen. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant then continue by coach to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive at the hotel this afternoon, where you’ll enjoy dinner on your own in this vibrant city. (B,L)

Days 13-14: Ho Chi Minh City A morning tour includes the Reunification Palace and the History Museum where you’ll learn about the indigenous peoples of Vietnam. Visit a local contemporary art museum, in addition to viewing exquisite lacquerware found in modern art galleries. The next day experience the Cu Chi Tunnels, the infamous underground net-work from which North Vietnamese forces operated in wartime. This afternoon is free for independent explor- ation; tonight gather for a farewell dinner. (2B,2D)

Days 15-16: Return to the U.S. Enjoy a day at leisure then late this evening depart for the airport and your overnight flight to the U.S. Your rooms are reserved for late check-out. The next morning arrive in the U.S. and connect with your flights home. (1B)

Temple of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Your Tour Price Includes• Air transportation Ho Chi Minh City/Siem Reap, inclusive

of airline taxes and fees• 2 nights accommodations in Siem Reap at Sofitel Angkor

(Deluxe); rooms reserved for late check-out on third day (late afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City)

• 4 meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners• Three days sightseeing of Angkor complex (World Heritage

site), including all entrance fees• Services of a professional Tour Director• Private motorcoach transportation• Gratuities for Tour Director, dining room servers, airport and

hotel porters, and all drivers

camboDia: angkor Wat3 days/2 nights for $995 total price

Single Supplement: $245

A special opportunity to discover the amazing temples and statuary from the Angkorian Empire.

Post-Tour Extension

Your Tour Price Includes• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights

within itinerary• 13 nights accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First

Class hotels• 25 meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners• Sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees • Planned and informal talks by a Smithsonian

Journeys Expert• Services of a professional Tour Director• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip• Luggage handling for one bag per person• Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room

servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Smithsonian Journeys ExpertElvira Masson is an associate pro- fessor of history and U.S. Director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University. She holds a Master’s degree in Chinese language and literature from Stanford University, has traveled

widely in Asia, and worked for many years in Beijing. Elvira returns often to Asia, especially China, Korea, and Vietnam, as you will recognize when she discusses contemporary issues and invites you for morning walks through the local neighborhoods. She will lead the October departure. Paula Swart (see page 6) will lead the January departure, and the others will be led by comparable experts.

“There is no better way to learn about the current conditions and culture in

Vietnam and Cambodia.” – David R.

2017/2018 Tour Dates and Prices including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees

2017 Nov 27 2018 2017 2018 Jan 6 Oct 26 Feb 26 Feb 10

Los Angeles, San Francisco $4,497 $4,597 $4,797

Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, Portland (OR),

$4,797 $4,897 $5,097

Seattle, Washington, DC

Boston, Denver, $4,897 $4,997 $5,197

Houston, Minneapolis

Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Orlando,

$4,997 $5,097 $5,297

Philadelphia, Tampa

Land Only $3,495 $3,595 $3,795

Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $302, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,795. All 2017/2018 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) are guaranteed.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip transpacific flight: $3,895 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).

Hoi An street scene