Americans have obvious reason to be curious about Vietnam, and most return from their visits stirred by the beauty of the landscape and the generosity of their hosts. Hotels and resorts in Vietnam have attained a commendable level of excellence.

The people of Thailand are consistently charming, the food is unfailingly delicious, and orchids grow like weeds. Few cities contain finer hotels than Bangkok. And to the south, the white-sand beaches of Phuket remain as alluring as ever. November-February is the best time to visit, with sunny weather, moderate heat and low humidity.

Cambodia has emerged as a destination in its own right. The capital, Phnom Penh, is worthy of a day or two’s exploration; the exceptional river cruise company Aqua Expeditions offers journeys down the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers; and along a stretch of coastline known as the Cambodian Riviera, an increasing number of upscale resorts provides competition for beach properties on the Thai island of Phuket.