28-Day Grand Southeast Asia

Fishing, golf and, of course, elephant kraals.

Established in 1767 as the capital of Thailand the city maintains a timeless charm. An extensive system of canals has earned it the nickname “Venice of the Far East,” and visitors should make a point of experiencing its floating marketplace. Bangkok is of course also world-renowned for its wealth of ancient temples and beautiful gardens–and did we mention, shopper’s paradise. An hour from Laem Chabang is Pattaya, Thailand’s most popular vacation spot. That’s where the elephant kraals come in.

The way to Hué. Such is Da Nang’s current lot: gateway to the historic city of Hué. Da Nang, founded in the 2nd century, was visited by Marco Polo (1285) and by Napoleon II (1856).

Hué served as Vietnam’s capital from 1802 to 1945 under 13 different emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, whose splendid tombs are one of the city’s major attractions.

Da Nang is mostly a historical community, setting of much of the Viet Nam War, and lies on the mid-western coast of Viet Nam. It has a tropical climate, and the terrain has a low, flat delta.

Thanks to its central location between them, the working port of Chan May is the gateway to both these historic cities.

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.

No wonder they built a city here! The harbor. The cliffs. The duty-free shops (well, those came later). Referred to as the beautiful city in the World by many, Hong Kong has a lure all its own. Once you visit, you will want to return.

There is nothing like Hong Kong and the bustle of commerce, of enterprise, of fortunes being made. And there’s nothing like her duty-free shops and colorful markets to explore both on land and afloat in Victoria Harbour.

An intriguing blend of old China and the modern world, this venerable British Crown colony reverted to Chinese sovereignty on June 30, 1997. Lying at the southern area of Mainland China and the China Sea, it serves as a major sea port and access point to southern China. It is has ferry and plane service to Maccau and the many outlying islands,
many that offer excellent vacation opportunities.

Manila, (me-nîl´e) city (1990 pop. 1,587,000), capital of the Philippines, SW Luzon, on Manila Bay. The Philippine capital before 1948 and after 1976, it is the country’s second largest city, its chief port and transport center, and the focus of its commercial, industrial, and cultural activities. Manufactures include automobiles, textiles, and chemicals. Founded in 1571 and developed by Spanish missionaries, Manila was taken (1898) by the U.S. in the Spanish-American War. During World
War II it was occupied (1942) by the Japanese; many 17th-cent. buildings were destroyed in the Allied assault (1945); only the Church of San Agustin (1606) survived. Among the city’s outstanding modern buildings is the Philippine Cultural Center complex.

The next boom city in China

It’s already been pegged. Xiamen, China, is the closest point on the mainland to Taiwan, and there is a great deal of investment flowing into the city. You’ll enjoy the city mainly for its colonial mansions, twisting streets, turn-of-the-century Latin quarters, and balmy breezes sweeping across its palm-fringed beaches.