Day 1 Hanoi, VietnamArrive Hanoi, Vietnam

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. A transfer from Noi Bai International Airport to your storied French colonial hotel - an icon of Indochine elegance since 1901 - is included. Please join us this evening to meet your Tauck Director and your fellow travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Your day begins with a buggy ride through the Old Quarter's labyrinth of narrow streets and generations-old shops. Visit Ba Dinh Square, site of Vietnam's 1945 Declaration of Independence, and explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, where "Uncle Ho's" modest stilt house and the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda reflect Vietnam's enduring humility and faith. Continue to the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 as the first university of Vietnam. Within its serene walled gardens, carved stone turtles bear the weight of the turtle steles that once commemorated Confucian scholars. Enjoy the afternoon and dinner at leisure.

This morning, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - offering a glimpse into the intricate weave of Vietnam's 54 officially recognized ethnic groups, each with its own art, architecture, and ancestral stories. Fly to Luang Prabang, where saffron-robed monks pass golden temples and the Mekong River curls around jungle hillsides. The remainder of the day is free to explore as you wish.

Begin the day with a private boat cruise on the Mekong River. The Mekong, often called the "Mother of Waters," has nourished millions for millennia - and today, its gentle rhythm becomes your own. Drift past villages tucked into jungle folds as the river carves out its timeless path through northern Laos. Disembark and travel by van to Kuang Si Falls, where tiers of pools tumble through lush rainforest. Return to Luang Prabang for a walking tour of the city's revered landmarks, including Wat Xieng Thong, the Royal Palace, and Wat Mai. Your evening is at leisure.

Rise early if you wish to witness the sacred daily procession of monks receiving alms from the faithful - an ancient expression of spiritual devotion and communal continuity. Stroll through the streets before breakfast back at your hotel. Later, cross the river on a boat ride to an elephant conservation center where you'll hear how Laos is working to protect its endangered elephants. After lunch, choose between a guided visit to Ock Pop Tok - a textile cooperative preserving traditional Laotian weaving techniques - or an afternoon at leisure.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before your flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Your home for the next two nights is the legendary Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, a colonial-era landmark set amid tropical gardens.

A full-day immersion into Cambodia's ancient Khmer Empire begins at Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Continue to Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom, the walled city of King Jayavarman VII and admire the Elephant Terrace and Bayon Temple, famous for its stone faces.

Travel overland to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's riverside capital. Once known as the "Pearl of Asia," its Belle Époque architecture and bougainvillea-lined boulevards hint at a gentler past. Settle into the luxurious Rosewood Phnom Penh and dine overlooking the Mekong - watching as the twilight ripples and river lights trace a modern city built on an ancient river.

Ride traditional cyclos to Phnom Penh's Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, where a floor of pure silver tiles reflects centuries of regal ritual and national identity. After lunch, board the Aqua Mekong, your luxurious, design-forward river vessel custom-built for exploring the remote reaches of the Mekong in comfort and style. Cast off for a three-night stay aboard your floating hotel.

Wake to the gentle hum of the river as the Aqua Mekong arrives near Tan Chau. Hop aboard a traditional xe loi rickshaw in the border town of Chau Doc. Ascend Sam Mountain to visit Long Son Pagoda, where sweeping views meet quiet monastic rituals rooted in Mahayana Buddhism. In the afternoon, head for My An Hung, a Mekong Delta village that welcomes you with sounds of traditional folk songs. Walk leafy paths under coconut palms or opt for a scenic bike ride through the countryside.

Step ashore in Binh Thanh and head out by bicycle, passing fruit plantations and fish farms, or choose a gentler walking tour through Sa Dec. Visit the Lover House, made famous by Marguerite Duras' novel, The Lover. Return to the ship for a cooking demonstration, then savor a lunch inspired by your morning's discoveries. In the afternoon, cruise to Cai Be and board a traditional sampan to Tan Phong Island.

Disembark and drive into Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by locals. After lunch and a city overview, the evening delivers a Vespa ride. Ride (or opt for a car) through buzzing alleys, savoring street food and music as you join locals where they gather, eat, and celebrate.

This morning, visit Reunification Hall, the French colonial post office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market. Your afternoon is free for last explorations before a festive farewell dinner at the Park Hyatt Saigon.

Tour ends: Ho Chi Minh City. A transfer is included from Park Hyatt Saigon to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Please allow three hours for flight check-in.