Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
KIKINETWORK TRAVEL
kiki@kikinetwork.com
Kiki 603-858-2733
Price per person (Shared Room): $ Coming Soon
Single Room Supplement: add $ Coming Soon
This curated art-historical journey through Vietnam and Cambodia is designed for intellectually curious travelers seeking depth, continuity, and meaning across Asia. Building on the shared experiences of past travels with Kiki and Mahesh in India, the expedition reveals the artistic, anthropological, and historical threads that connect South and Southeast Asia—patterns of ritual, architecture, narrative art, and performance shaped by centuries of migration, exchange, and empire.
In Vietnam, we explore these continuities firsthand: in the northern highlands of Sapa, where ethnic minority cultures echo the tribal worlds of Northeast India, and in central Vietnam, where classical Vietnamese traditions reflect both Chinese intellectual influence and profound Indian artistic lineages. The Cham civilization opens a particularly vivid chapter, with temples, sculpture, and narrative forms that recall Mahabalipuram, Pallava aesthetics, Ellora, and Ajanta—recognizable touchstones for seasoned travelers of the subcontinent.
The journey culminates in Cambodia, where Angkor and the legacy of the Indianized kingdom of Funan reveal one of Asia’s great cultural syntheses—Indian cosmology transformed through Khmer genius into monumental architecture, sculpture, and performance. Along the way, travelers also encounter the grandeur of French Indochina, experiencing colonial urbanism and visual culture at scale in Sapa, Danang, Hoi An, and Siem Reap—an evocative counterpoint to earlier encounters with French India and a fitting conclusion to a richly layered expedition.
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarters. After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to rest and relax after your long journey to Vietnam. Depending on your arrival time, you might even want to step out for a short walk to explore the surrounding streets. The Old Quarters is very lively with plenty of cafes, little shops and restaurants within walking distance.
We officially kick things off this evening with a welcome dinner, program orientation and conversations with Professor Jean Francoise Filipe moderated and orchestrated by Mahesh Sriram on Vietnamese and Cambodian history and culture and their Chinese, Indian, French and American heritage. As it’s the first night, the meal will feature a lighter selection of local dishes alongside familiar international options to help us to ease into the program.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Start the day with a brisk morning walk through Hanoi’s historic Old Quarters where you’ll see the city’s old trading streets, narrow tube houses and traces of French-era planning that still influence much of Hanoi’s architectural layout. As we explore the neighborhood and adjoining streets around the lake, you’ll get a sense of the city’s early-day activity, with markets opening, locals gathering for exercise and daily routines beginning to unfold. After breakfast we will check-out and begin our journey toward the northern highlands. Our first stop is the National Museum where your guides will walk you through Vietnam's pre-history, ancient and medieval historical period after which we continue driving to Sapa. For lunch we will have a Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich lunch arranged on the go during the drive to Sapa.
As the landscape changes, you’ll notice the shift from urban outskirts to rural farming areas and foothill settlements typical of northern Vietnam. In Sapa, we check-in to our French-Indochine-inspired hotel with beautiful views overlooking the town and surrounding valleys.
In the evening, we’ll head into Sapa town to explore the lively main square and surrounding streets. The town serves as a meeting point for several communities whose markets and handicraft traditions shape much of the town’s character. The main square becomes particularly lively in the evenings, with small shops, local vendors, and street performances creating a unique and interesting setting. Dinner this evening is at a Vietnamese-European fusion restaurant in Sapa town, offering a mix of local flavours alongside lighter Western-style dishes.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel De La Coupole Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We start the day with a breakfast conversation to understand the common traits in the art, craft, rituals, and beliefs of hill tribes across Asia - spanning China, Vietnam, Thailand, Northeast India, and Tibet. We then adventure into the Muong Hoa Valley to spend the day with the local Hmong community. As we walk through fields, small hamlets, and village pathways, you’ll get a firsthand look at unique farming practices, local traditions, crafts including the weaving of textiles, cane, and bamboo, and everyday routines that define life in this part of northern Vietnam. Conversations along the way offer insight into traditions that have been passed down through generations and carried across geographies.
We will have a simple Humong lunch is arranged at a local Hmong restaurant overlooking the rice terraces and valley below. Then we continue exploring with a Hmong host who helps us understand the community’s customs, family structures, and connection to the land. The afternoon also includes more short walks to scenic viewpoints and optional longer hikes deeper into the Muong Hoa Valley if you are interested. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon with some time to rest.
The evening will be flexible so you can relax in the beautiful surroundings of the hotel after a full day outdoors. You may choose to unwind at the property or take a short stroll around the area at your own pace. Dinner tonight will be on your own either at the Hotel’s scenic rooftop restaurant or at one of the many little restaurants located around the property.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel De La Coupole Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at leisure
We start our day with an optional visit to Sapa’s local market, where different communities come to sell fresh produce, textiles, and everyday goods. It’s a relaxed way to observe morning activity in the town before we check out and return to Hanoi. The journey follows the same scenic route through the foothills and farming areas of northern Vietnam. During the journey, we will discuss the Vietnam War and its fallout.
We will stop for lunch at a well-known local restaurant in Hanoi where we enjoy a traditional bowl of Vietnamese phở - a local favorite before checking in to the hotel. Following lunch, we will settle in then visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the mausoleum, the HCM museum, and the adjoining one pillar pagoda. Together they explain Vietnam’s path to independence and how national identity has been shaped.
We attend a traditional water-puppet performance, a long-standing art form that originated in Northern Vietnam and uses water, music, and carved wooden puppets to depict scenes of rural life and folklore. Dinner is at a plant-based Buddhist restaurant in Hanoi known for its peaceful setting and creative interpretation of traditional Vietnamese dishes. After dinner, we head back to the hotel for an overnight stay
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Movenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We start the morning with a relaxed breakfast before making our way toward Halong Bay. The scenic drive takes us through small villages and rice fields along the Red River Delta region. Upon arrival at the pier, we board our overnight cruise boat and have a short orientation before settling into our cabins. Lunch is served shortly after departure, featuring a selection of Vietnamese and regional dishes prepared by the onboard chef. In the afternoon, we will spend our time cruising through the quieter sections of Halong Bay, known for its limestone formations and sheltered lagoons.
There will be time to relax on the deck and take in the scenery, and you are also welcome to kayak or swim. The pace is slow and scenic, offering a comfortable transition into this part of the program. As the boat anchors in a calm part of the bay, you can enjoy sunset views from the deck before dinner. The evening is kept relaxed, allowing time to unwind, read, or simply enjoy the stillness of the bay. Dinner will include a mix of freshly prepared seafood and Vietnamese dishes.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Alisa Luxury Cruises or Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on-board) and Dinner (on-board)
We begin the morning with tea or coffee on the deck as the boat makes its way through the quiet waters of Halong Bay. You may join a tai chi session combined with readings from Thích Nhất Hạnh, the guru of mindfulness, on the upper deck. A relaxed breakfast is served on board as we continue cruising toward the pier. After disembarking, we begin the drive to Hanoi Airport for our flight to Hue.
Lunch is on your own at the airport before boarding the flight. Upon arrival in Hue, we make our way to a beautiful lodge set in a peaceful area just outside the city. After check-in, the evening is yours and you are free to unwind or explore the nearby village pathways, which offer a quieter look at daily life in central Vietnam. We will lead an evening walk to a small Buddhist nunnery, where we discuss Vietnamese Buddhism and converse with resident nuns. We will also be introduce to their monastic life and the gentle routines of this community.
We return to the lodge in the evening to discuss Vietnam’s historical relations with China, followed by dinner featuring local specialties such as spicy spring rolls, rice pancakes, and other dishes prepared in light broth with local herbs. After dinner, we are introduced to the traditional music of Hue, a UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam. We will learn about this unique orchestra and how it travelled from China to the imperial courts of Vietnam.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hue EcoLodge
Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner
After breakfast, we begin the day with a visit to the Imperial City, the former seat of the Nguyễn Dynasty and the political and cultural centre of Vietnam until the mid-20th century. As we walk through its courtyards, ceremonial halls, and reconstructed gates, you’ll get a sense of the grandeur of Vietnamese imperial traditions, courtly rituals, architecture, and the layout of the complex, along with insights into the civil and military administration of medieval Vietnam. We end the visit with a walk through a photo gallery that sheds light on how Vietnam became a French protectorate and eventually a colony. The visit also includes time in sections that remain unrestored, offering a contrasting look at the impact of conflict and the ongoing efforts to preserve Hue’s heritage.
Lunch is arranged at a local café, where we sample one of Hue’s most well-known dishes, bún bò Huế, a signature central Vietnamese noodle soup. In the afternoon, we continue to the Tomb of Emperor Khải Định, known for its distinctive blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. The tomb’s mosaics, ornate stairways, and panoramic views provide a striking contrast to the traditional imperial design seen earlier in the day. After the visit, we return to the lodge for some downtime to rest or explore the surrounding gardens before heading back for dinner. The evening begins with a conversation about the Champa and Funan dynasties that once ruled central and southern Vietnam. This is followed by a cooking class focused on central Vietnamese cuisine and dinner.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hue EcoLodge
Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner
Day 8: Friday May 17th - Fly back from Bari Airport
Located in Trani and with Trani Beach reachable within a 10-minute walk, Ognissanti Restaurant Spa Hotel Rooftop provides concierge services, allergy-free rooms, a terrace, free WiFi throughout the property and a restaurant.
Luxury suites in the historical centre of Lecce
More than a luxury hotel, Palazzo Sant’Anna is a newly renovated historical building in the centre of Lecce. Our suites are equipped with all comforts with a great attention to detail to ensure the wellbeing of our guests.
Price per person (Shared Room): $ Coming Soon
Single Room Supplement: add $ Coming Soon
Commitment
Planning a trip can be daunting. We want you to relax and know that we are committed to ensuring that you will enjoy your journey. We work hard to create trips that have the feel of casual travel with friends rather than formal tours and plan itineraries that match your interests and fit your budget.
Responsible Travel
Global travel can only succeed if communities benefit from tourism. We hire local operators who value sustainable travel and support their communities.
Inspiring Through Travel
We specialize in journeys of discovery and inspiration. Our adventures are all about local culture—the people, history, art, architecture, and food. Our trips showcase a rich source of inspirational people, landscapes, and cityscapes. Traveling is the time for discovery, exploration, and adventure.
Trusted Support
In case of an emergency, all our guides are licensed and trained to handle situations that may arise. We are always with you to assist in any way we can to make your trip safe and memorable.
Disclaimer
Payments: As soon as we receive your down payment, we will confirm your reservations and at this point, all change and cancellation policies will be in effect. KikiNetwork Travel will send you a finalized itinerary which will contain all necessary information including confirmation numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. We must receive 40% of the trip cost when you register for the trip. The full cost of the trip must be paid 45 days before the start date of the trip.
Forms of Payment: We accept ACH transfers (1% fee and .30) and credit cards (American Express, Visa, and MasterCard). There is a 2.9 processing fee for MC and Visa credit cards, and American Express incurs a 3.9% fee. If you pay by check there is no additional fee. You will need to mail the check to Kiki Keating, PO Box 223, Georges Mills, NH 03751.
Airfare/Visas/Special Permits: You are responsible for your flight to the place of the trip departure. I am happy to advise and recommend the best flights for you. Please email me at kiki@kikinetwork.com for more details.
I will inform you of any visa needs, and you must obtain any necessary visas and travel permits for all countries that you will be traveling to or transiting through. Visa and entry requirements may vary depending on your nationality, the length of your stay, and the purpose of your visit. Please make certain that your passport is valid for at least six months after the latest expected end date of your planned trip, as some countries will not allow entry if your passport expires sooner.
Insurance is required for any KikiNetwork Travel trip. KikiNetwork Travel requires an insurance plan with 100% of trip cost insured, $150,000 of emergency assistance and transportation, and a minimum of $50,000 medical evacuation coverage. I am happy to work with you to recommend one of my recommended insurance coverage companies. Please call me directly at 603-858-2733 to discuss and ask questions about travel insurance coverage.
Health and Safety Matters: Please visit your local hospital Travel Clinic. Your doctor will let you know what, if any, vaccinations or other health or safety precautions are necessary or recommended for your destinations. We are not physicians, and nothing we say should be interpreted as professional medical advice. Government health advisories can be found on the internet at: http://www.cdc.gov and http://www.who.int
Cancellations: In addition to any cancellation penalties related to trip components we are not responsible for (e.g. permits, airfare, travel insurance, etc.), the following fees will apply:
Cancellation penalties apply as soon as we have received payment. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is required.
Responsibility/Release and Assumption of Risk: By paying and signing up for a KikiNetwork Travel trip you are agreeing to the following statement; I understand and am aware that during the travel itinerary in which I will participate under the arrangements of KikiNetwork Travel and its agents or subcontractors, certain risks and dangers may arise, including but not limited to the hazards of traveling in unsafe areas or under unsafe conditions, the dangers of civil disturbance and war, unplanned forces of nature, or disease. In consideration of, and as part of the payment for, the right to participate in such travel itineraries, I have and do hereby expressly assume all of the above risks. The terms of this agreement shall serve as a release and express assumption of risk for myself, my heirs, assignees, administrators, executors, and all members of my family, including any minors accompanying me. I have read and fully understand the provisions and the legal consequences of this Release and Assumption of Risk and I hereby agree to all its conditions, especially noting and agreeing to the portion of this provision that releases the Company and its agents, employees, officers, associates, and subcontractors, to the extent permitted by law, from liability for the negligent or reckless acts or omissions of the Company’s affiliated companies or subcontractors.
