Jewels of Indochine

A brief transit through teeming Bangkok conveys us into the misty past of Southeast Asia, where the sleekness and efficiency of our time has not yet overtaken ancient rhythms, where monumental stone palaces and temples have withstood the tentacles of the jungle and the wearing of rain and sun for centuries. Our flight from Bangkok lands in Luang Prabang, Laos, first of four UNESCO World Heritage sites within this two-week span. Capital of Lan Xang Kingdom from the 14th until the mid-16th centuries, Luang Prabang nestles among forested hills along the Mekong. With over 30 pre-colonial Buddhist temples and a fascinating ethnic mélange, this charming town is one of our most popular Asian stopovers.

Passing over the highlands, we touch down in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital and a most agreeable fusion of Asian and French influences. A day cruise on Halong Bay allows us to imagine the emergence of mythical beasts from its fancifully eroded karst islands before flying down the coast to Hue and Hoi An. Our tour culminates amid the vast and intricately carved ruins of Cambodia’s Angkor, testament of a time when even this peaceful corner of Indochina bustled with the purpose of empire building and governing.