Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos
The Best of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam
Program No. 24159RJ
Discover the people, places and cultures that make Southeast Asia one of the most fascinating places in the world on this exploration of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Nov 9 - Nov 29, 2024
Starting at
4,849Nov 30 - Dec 20, 2024
Starting at
4,849Jan 4 - Jan 24, 2025
Starting at
5,199Jan 18 - Feb 7, 2025
Starting at
5,199Feb 1 - Feb 21, 2025
Starting at
5,199Feb 15 - Mar 7, 2025
Starting at
5,199Feb 22 - Mar 14, 2025
Starting at
5,199Mar 1 - Mar 21, 2025
Starting at
5,199DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Sep 7 - Sep 27, 2024
Starting at
5,479Sep 21 - Oct 11, 2024
Starting at
5,479Oct 5 - Oct 25, 2024
Starting at
5,479Nov 2 - Nov 22, 2024
Starting at
5,619Nov 30 - Dec 20, 2024
Starting at
5,619Jan 4 - Jan 24, 2025
Starting at
6,029Jan 18 - Feb 7, 2025
Starting at
6,029Feb 1 - Feb 21, 2025
Starting at
6,029Feb 22 - Mar 14, 2025
Starting at
6,029Mar 1 - Mar 21, 2025
Starting at
6,029Not seeing the date you're looking for?
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21 days
20 nights
38 meals
18B 1BR 11L 8D
1
Departures
In Flight
2
En route
In Flight
3
Arrival Bangkok, Orientation
Bangkok
6
Doi Su Thep Temple, Lecture with Monk
Chiang Mai
9
UNESCO Lecture, Wat Xieng Thong, National Museum
Luang Prabang
14
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Walking Discovery
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
15
Lecture at University, Cu Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
16
Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
21
Departure
In Flight
At a Glance
Experience the very best of Southeast Asia on a once-in-a-lifetime learning adventure in the heart of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam! Beginning in Bangkok, join an expert for an exploration of the Grand Palace before flying to Chiang Mai to visit a local Lanna home and learn about Thai culture and traditions. In Laos, explore the historic city of Luang Prabang and enjoy a study cruise along the Mekong River to learn what life is like along the waterway. Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to discover the sacred sites of Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei and Angkor Wat, and visit a local school to meet students and teachers and learn about Khmer education. Continue to Ho Chi Minh City where your experts will lead you on a walking exploration of the city, and where you’ll meet students from a local university. Immerse yourself in local culture during a boat ride along the Mekong Delta and explore Ba Dinh Square to learn about its democratic history. Fly to Hanoi to board a Vietnamese junk for an exploration of Ha Long Bay, then discover the geologic wonders of Thien Canh Son Cave during a rowboat exploration led by locals. Along the way, meet locals who share their food, culture and customs during this fascinating look at life in Southeast Asia.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
This is an active “Keep the Pace” program. Walking up to three miles at a time at a normal public walking pace over varied terrain. Standing at least three hours daily; climbing stairs (at times without handrails), getting on/off buses and boats, carrying own luggage. If you believe you require wheelchair assistance to get through an airport you are not fit enough to participate in this program.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Explore Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Luang Prabang in Laos and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.
- Meet students at a local university in Ho Chi Minh City and embark on a walking exploration of the city to learn about its rich history.
- Enjoy a study cruise along the Mekong River and learn what life is like in a local village, and enjoy an overnight voyage on board a Vietnamese junk.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Anthony Zola
Anthony is a senior researcher at the Mekong Environment and Research Institute in Thailand. He earned a BA in international affairs from George Washington University, a MA in economics from Syracuse University, and a certificate in French civilization from the Sorbonne. Coming to Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1970-72, he has since lived mainly in Thailand and Laos. He has been active in agribusiness and economic development consulting. His work includes auditing social safeguards and livelihood restoration at infrastructure development projects in Laos.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Anthony Zola
View biography
Anthony is a senior researcher at the Mekong Environment and Research Institute in Thailand. He earned a BA in international affairs from George Washington University, a MA in economics from Syracuse University, and a certificate in French civilization from the Sorbonne. Coming to Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1970-72, he has since lived mainly in Thailand and Laos. He has been active in agribusiness and economic development consulting. His work includes auditing social safeguards and livelihood restoration at infrastructure development projects in Laos.
Suggested Reading List
(26 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam
Program Number: 24159
Bangkok, Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Thailand
With 120 recipes and location photography, this deeply personal ode to Thai food features heirloom family dishes, restaurant classics, modern cosmopolitan fare and street eats. A splendid way to experience the food that Thai people eat every day.
A Short History of Laos, The Land in Between
A comprehensive history of Laos from the pre-modern dynastic era to the present day.
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Map
A convenient, double-sided map of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam at a scale of 1:1,500,000, with city maps of Hanoi, Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang, and Phnom Penh. Includes the eastern portion of Thailand and Bangkok.
Birds of Southeast Asia
This authoritative, masterfully illustrated guide features 140 color plates covering 1,270 species from throughout the region including Malaysia, Burma, Borneo and Indonesia.
The Golden Triangle: Inside Southeast Asia's Drug Trade
The Golden Triangle region that joins Burma, Thailand, and Laos is one of the global centers of opiate and methamphetamine production. Opportunistic Chinese businessmen and leaders of various armed groups are largely responsible for the manufacture of these drugs. The region is defined by the apparently conflicting parallel strands of criminality and efforts at state building, a tension embodied by a group of individuals who are simultaneously local political leaders, drug entrepreneurs, and members of heavily armed militias. Ko-lin Chin, a Chinese American criminologist who was born and raised in Burma, conducted five hundred face-to-face interviews with poppy growers, drug dealers, drug users, armed group leaders, law-enforcement authorities, and other key informants in Burma, Thailand, and China.
To Cambodia With Love
In this insightful guide of works of 50 writers on the history, culture and attractions of Cambodia, including Khmer specialist Dawn Rooney (Odyssey Guide Angkor) and memoirist Loung Ung (First They Killed My Father).
Arts of Southeast Asia
A handsome guide to the art, architecture, textiles and crafts of Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia Wildlife, A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals
A laminated, pocket-sized reference to 140 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians common to Southeast Asia. Each is profiled with detailed illustrations and easy-to-read descriptions.
Brother Number One: A Political Biography Of Pol Pot
A dramatic account of Pol Pot's rise to power in 1975 and his direction of Cambodia's auto-genocide. The book details an absorbing and authoritative portrait of Brother Number One and insight into Cambodia's cruel history.
Never Fall Down
An unforgettable story of Arn Chorn-Pond, who defied the odds to survive the Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979 and the labor camps of the Khmer Rouge. Based on the true story of a young boy, this novel is about a child of war who becomes a man of peace. It includes an author's note and acknowledgments from Arn Chorn-Pond himself.
The Mekong, Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future
A cultural history of the great river from prehistory to European exploration, colonial tensions and modern challenges. It's an engaging introduction to the history of Southeast Asia.
Art & Architecture of Cambodia
In the World of Art series illustrated overview of Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei and lesser-known recent discoveries in the surrounding jungle.
A History of Cambodia
An excellent, scholarly history from early civilization through the rise of Angkor, French colonial period, Vietnamization of Cambodia, Khmer Rouge and Coup de Force of 1997.
A Dragon Apparent, Travels in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam
A classic account of travels and adventure during the last years of French Indochina, strong on atmosphere and including wonderfully detailed descriptions of local cultures and archaeological treasures. First published in 1951.
The Ravens
An in-depth look at the American government’s ‘secret war’ in Laos from 1961-75.
The Eaves of Heaven, A Life in Three Wars
Pham recounts the story of his father's life during the French occupation, Japanese invasion and the American War, weaving such momentous events with anecdotes from his childhood and details of family, friends, food and daily life.
The Road of Lost Innocence
Sold into servitude by her grandfather, Mam recounts the experiences of her early life, her awakening as an activist -- and work to rescue thousands of women and children in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.
Vietnam, Rising Dragon
The veteran BBC newsman covers the tangled politics, rapidly changing economy, culture, history and people of Vietnam with great insight in this timely portrait of a nation in transition.
The Gods Drink Whiskey
Asma writes with verve and wit in this eye-opening account of his yearlong stint teaching at the Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh. His account is both an overview of Theravada Buddhism and a down-to-earth portrait of contemporary Cambodia.
Angkor and the Khmer Civilization
The author presents a concise but complete picture of Khmer cultural history from the Stone Age until the establishment of the French Protectorate in 1863, and is lavishly illustrated with maps, plans, drawings, and photographs.
Bangkok 8, A Novel
In this gritty, humorous and gruesome thriller, Burdett explores the criminal underworld of Bangkok and a series of mysterious deaths. Burdett's hero, Sonchai Jitpleecheep, becomes obsessed with finding the killer when his own partner is murdered.
Angkor: An Introduction to the Temples
Rooney’s Angkor: An Introduction to the Temples has grown in girth over the years, but remains one of
the most important and easy to understand guidebooks to the temples of Angkor. For those looking to
gain some insight on the temples before they go, use the maps and legends to help them explore the
temples’ features while in the park, or read after returning home to increase their understanding, this is
the book to buy.
A Traveller's History of Southeast Asia
A compact history of the region, including the Khmer and the various ancient kingdoms that produced Borobudur, Angkor and other architectural marvels.
Cambodia's Curse, The Modern History of a Troubled Land
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Joel Brinkley returns to Cambodia a generation after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime to report on the country's continuing struggle to recover from its past.
First They Killed My Father
A heart-wrenching historical autobiography that recounts the brutality of war with vivid detail. A story of political oppression in Cambodia, it is all the more striking and intense as it is told from the perspective of a child, one who is thrust into situations that she doesn't understand, as she is only five years old when the terror begins.
Anna and the King of Siam
The enduring, fanciful tale of a governess in mid-19th century Siam, which is the basis for the hit musical production "The King and I".
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