Magnificent Mekong - Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive and check in to your hotel. A French-conceived colonial city, no other destination better represents the contrasting nature of modern Vietnam than Hanoi. It was the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954 and today boasts one of the most beautiful panoramas in the region, with more cultural sites than any other city in Vietnam. Amid more than 600 pagodas and temples, Hanoi's Old Quarter displays the original streets and architecture from the early 20th century. A stroll along its historic streets is like stepping back in time.

At the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter lies a labyrinth of narrow streets that have been shaped by centuries of commerce. Amid the bustle, a pattern of trade emerges from the street names, each dedicated to the products that have been created and sold here throughout its history. Shops and markets offering a range of wares from silver and silk to baskets and cotton stand alongside the street-food vendors that Vietnam is known for. Among the local specialties is Hanoi's distinctive egg coffee, topped with a rich mixture of whipped egg yolk and condensed milk.

A treasure trove of tasty delights awaken the senses in the Vietnamese capital. Hanoi is famous for its delicious street food, serving up an array of dishes from all corners across the city. Steaming bowls of pho, a Vietnamese rice noodle soup, are served alongside marinated meats grilled to perfection. The cafe scene in Vietnam is equally as popular; egg coffee is a local specialty and a decadent cap to any meal. After breakfast, check out of your hotel. This afternoon, fly to your destination city and check into your hotel.

Gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap boasts an atmospheric Old French Quarter where colonial-style buildings stand alongside Chinese architecture. Everywhere there is evidence of its place in history as a city with strong ties to its rural past. Still, Angkor Wat gets much of the attention; the UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, drawing not only historians and archaeologists but also the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy.

The lasting legacy of the Khmer Empire is evident across many parts of Southeast Asia. The Khmer were known for their construction skills and ability to establish economic links with societies across the continent, trading in rice, fish and other goods via the Mekong River. The Khmer civilization was deeply embedded with Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, which are reflected in much of the country's ancient architecture. The majestic monuments of Angkor Wat and Bayon pay tribute to the Khmer's vast power and wealth, which at its peak was larger than Europes Byzantine Empire.

From Siem Reap, a number of stunning smaller temples can be explored. The ruins of Ta Prohm Temple, featured in the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, is a fascinating sight, with its collection of towers, courtyards and corridors of delicately carved stone enveloped by the vast roots of banyan trees. The center of Siem Reap enjoys a vibrant atmosphere with eateries offering a range of local and international cuisine, as well as stores that are open until late selling a variety of goods, from Khmer art and jewelry to handmade silks and lacquerware.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin your journey to your embarkation city. Approaching the capital city of Kampong Cham province by boat demonstrates why its name means "the port of the Cham people". The Kizuna Bridge over the river, opened in 2001, is the first span to cross the Mekong in Cambodia. Another bridge, modest in comparison but no less impressive, is the elaborate bamboo bridge that, during the dry season, leads to Koh Paen island, where Khmer and Cham villages are mounted on stilts in anticipation of high water season. The streets of Kampong Cham itself spread away from the Mekong River and exude a pleasant French colonial charm.

Amid the serene riverside setting of Kampong Cham's provincial capital, life unfolds at a slow, relaxed pace. Few travelers venture off the beaten path to this ancient Asian city, but those who do make their way here soon find themselves captivated by quiet streets, friendly locals and a leisurely waterfront promenade. Among its most notable sights is Wat Nokor, a 12th-century temple complex predating Angkor Wat. It was constructed in black sandstone by Jayavarman VII, the Khmer king also responsible for the Ta Prohm and Bayon Temples

Time seems to have passed by Phnom Penh. Once known as the "Pearl of Asia," this bustling Cambodian capital is home to charming French colonial architecture along relaxed boulevards, beautifully wrought pagodas and the monumental Angkorian complexes for which Cambodia is revered. The citys park-like riverfront boasts plenty of inviting cafs and restaurants, and its rich collection of universities, museums and other institutions have grown into Cambodia's center of cultural heritage.

Twice chosen as Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh's history is punctuated with periods of Khmer and French rule. More recently, the city has experienced rapid urbanization and has enjoyed a thriving cultural and food scene. Although often shadowed by the more well-known cuisine of neighbors Thailand and Vietnam, traditional Cambodian fare represents the flavors and techniques of one of the world's oldest surviving culinary traditions: Khmer cuisine. In Phnom Penh, opportunities abound to sample its signature dishes, from savory fish amok to fresh nom banh chok rice noodles.

Flowing more than 2,600 miles, the Mekong River passes through six countries and is a major trade route between Tibet and Southeast Asia. Visitors sailing across this stretch of river will cross the Vietnam-Cambodian border and can spot an array of wildlife, as this waterway is one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. Hundreds of fish species are found in these waters, alongside Irrawaddy dolphins, crocodiles and otters. Along its banks lie traditional villages bustling with activity and rich, fertile plains which provide livelihoods for the locals that reside here.

A thriving border town on Mekong shores, Tan Chau occupies a rural district in the delta of Vietnam. Founded in the mid-18th century, its growing population has earned it an upgrade to a township. High-quality silk is produced here, skillfully woven in delicate traditional patterns and expertly dyed in bright colors. Sedge grass weaving is another long-held tradition, producing mats, baskets and other useful items. The surrounding terrain, crisscrossed by canals and smaller rivers, is mostly flat and supports rice fields and other agriculture.

Located in southern Vietnam, Sa Dec is a French colonial river port as well as an agricultural trading center. Prior to the 19th century, it was one of the largest cities in the Mekong Delta. Today, it is a lively town where tree-lined streets invite easy strolls and old villas are surrounded by orchards and markets selling produce and fish. The childhood home of Marguerite Duras, one of France's best-known authors, Sa Dec gained attention as the setting of her autobiographical novel The Lover, which chronicled her affair with the son of a wealthy Chinese businessman.

A feast for the senses, Cai Be is a Vietnamese enclave set among the lacework of waters of the Mekong Delta. Surrounded by orchards, this small town boasts well-preserved old houses built in the typical style in its Dong Hoa Hiep Commune. From the delta, visitors can witness how life here unfolds from the river, where old world commerce still survives; craftspeople trade and sell their produce and wares in small floating markets. The region is also known for Cai Luong, a Vietnamese-style folk opera that mixes ballads and theater with storylines focused on rural life.

After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to your destination. Founded as a small fishing village, Ho Chi Minh City is now Vietnam's largest city. Though still commonly called Saigon, locals are as likely to simplify the name of their hometown to HCMC. No matter what you call it, it is a seamless blend of history and modern youthful energy, where pagodas and French colonial grandeur mingle with bustling old-world marketplaces and modern skyscrapers, all against a constant buzz of motor scooters and trill of bicycle bells. From enduring, narrow alleyways to wide, Parisian-style boulevards, Ho Chi Minh City has an identity all its own. Arrive and check in to your hotel.

Ho Chi Minh City is a heady mix of French and Vietnamese cultures, where baguettes and croissants are sold alongside pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and motor scooters buzz past colonial-era architecture. The citys wide boulevards are reminiscent of Paris, lined with jewels such as the Opera House, fashioned after the Petit Palais, and the grand Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Aromatic food stalls and colorful shops purvey local specialties and all manner of Vietnamese wares, from conical hats to ao dai, the traditional silk tunic worn by women.