Red, Mekong and Yangtze Rivers Odyssey

Where were you half a million years ago?

Well, if you were Peking Man, you were right here, in what is now known as Beijing. For literally thousands upon
thousands of years, this has been the heart of commerce and political power in China. So when the folks here talk about having a sense of history, you can be sure they know that of which they speak.

You will be able to taste just a bit of that history-but oh, how rich the sample will be. There is Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Palace, the Great Hall of the People, and Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, just to mention a few. An excellent way to see the city is to do as the locals do get on a bicycle and wend your way through the Beijing most tourists miss. It’ll be an unforgettable experience.

Smaller, quieter, greener and more dignified than Ho Chi Minh City, the nation’s capital can sometimes look like a provincial French city. This, like most things in Vietnam, is changing fast as economic restrictions are lifted and old regulations are forgotten. Life (and traffic, unfortunately) is returning to the streets and shopping no longer means a trip to a dreary government department store. Still, the city remains quiet enough for cycling to be the ideal means of getting around, and many hotels and cafes rent bicycles.

Places to visit include the fascinating 11th-century Temple of Literature (site of Vietnam’s first University), the 15th-century Old Quarter, some enchanting lakes and temples, and the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh.

Budget accommodation can be scarce in Hanoi, especially between June and September, but many people rent rooms and with some searching you should find something. Whatever your budget, you’ll pay more for accommodation in Hanoi than elsewhere in the country. Hanoi has plenty of domestic and international air connections, and is connected with Ho Chi Minh City by the Reunification Express train.

As they say on TV, we’re back! Two decades after the last Americans left what was then South Vietnam, the country is luring back Americans as well as many other nationalities with its colorful, diverse blend of Vietnamese, French and American cultures. Divided into 18 districts, this dynamic city has experienced a dramatic reawakening after so many
years of isolation.

Your ship will dock in the well known resort area of Vung Tau. To reach Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), the capital, requires a day long shore excursion. For those with an appreciation of foreign culture as well as American history, it is highly recommended.

Shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan city (this due to the influence of the port, which brings a steady stream of international visitors). Many of the buildings are European in design, as is the layout of the wide boulevard known as the Bund. In the mornings, you will see the locals performing their tai-chi movements here. Be sure also to visit the Number One Department Store, your best bet for bargains in this region.

Behind the Bund you will find another Shanghai, this one filled with low houses, winding alleys and mysterious looking courtyards. It’s worth exploring if you have the time.