20 days
Ultimate Vietnam & Cambodia Mekong Cruise

Meeting & greeting at the airport upon your arrival and transfer to your hotel. If time permits we will take a short orientation tour around central Hanoi.

(Includes Breakfast)

Today we have a full day tour to visit the various memorials and complexes of Ho Chi Minh, the famous revolutionary leader. We will also visit Single Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.

Afternoon we visit the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection of artefacts and full size unique wooden buildings of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Next we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter and end up at an old house on Ma May Street, which is a great example of dwellings in the 19th century.

Later we walk through the busy traffic to the water puppet theatre and enjoy a performance of the famed traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River Delta region.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We Leave Hanoi by road to Halong Bay and enjoy the rural scenery as our vehicle travels through the picturesque countryside. Along the way we can stop for close-up views and photographs of water buffalos ploughing, and chat with the rural women wearing their traditional conical hats as they work in the paddy fields.

On arrival at Halong we board a nostalgic traditional junk boat and enjoy a full day and night cruising among the inspirational islets of Halong Bay. Kayaking and swimming are optional and you can also try your luck at fishing in the bay, or just relax after your dinner. Overnight in Halong Bay on a luxury Junk watching the sun set.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

Wake up to fresh coffee then further cruising and more sightseeing. En-route the junk weaves through impressive rock formations as we return to port.

Disembark and transfer to airport for a flight to Danang in Middle Vietnam. Meet up with our local guide upon arrival and drive 35 km along the scenic coast to the quaint town of Hoian for the night.

(Includes Breakfast)

This morning we'll be on foot exploring the ancient UNESCO registered quarter of Hoian, with its well-preserved ancient streets. 

Tour includes the Japanese Bridge, a Sino-Vietnamese merchant house, Chinese Temple, Central Market, and the Culture Museum.

There'll be free time for shopping opportunities, as Hoian is a very good place to find interesting gifts or have a shirt, suit or dress tailor-made (usually ready in 24 hours).

(Includes Breakfast)

Free day to relax in Hoian and enjoy the hotels amenities, relax on the sandy local beaches or go shopping.

(Includes Breakfast, Dinner)

We leave Hoian and travel overland to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, We break our journey to the Cham sculpture museum, seeing Non Nuoc Beach and the Marble Mountains in Danang, 

In Hue we'll explore the former Imperial Citadel, a complex of palaces and temples built in the early 19th century and a recognized UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. 

We also take a leisure boat trip on the scenic Perfume River and visit Thien Mu pagoda.

Round off the evening with Hue cuisine and folk music.

(Includes Breakfast)

This morning we visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and also a fascinating royal garden house before taking the flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).

Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver and explore some of Saigon's famous landmarks including the Former Presidential Palace, War Remnant Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Colonial Central Post Office, Opera House and Ben Thanh Market.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch)

Our tour today includes a visit to the opulent Holy See Temple of Caodai Sect in Tay Ninh. Caodai is a fascinating Vietnamese religion combining aspects of Christian, Buddhism, Muslim, Taoism and Confucius into a single religion. There's a chance to observe the impressive noon service of adherents.

Early afternoon we travel to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network of underground combat tunnels where our guide will explain how the Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam War.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Meet at the Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon at 9:00am for the transfer arrangement to My Tho. The transfer includes a stop at Cholon Market and visit to a lacquer factory. 

Arrival in My Tho, we'll receive cordial welcome from RV Mekong Prestige, followed by lunch on board. This afternoon we start cruising upstream the mighty Mekong River. 

In the evening, enjoy Welcome Dinner & traditional Music Show.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We arrive in Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast, take a junk trip around Cai Be to visit a floating market and go ashore to see a French Gothic Cathedral. Stroll along the river bank and visit a factory producing rice paper and coconut sweets.

Return to the ship for lunch. Cruise past Vinh Long Province to Sadec  where we take an afternoon walk. 

Continue to a Caodaist Temple and wander through the colourful market. At night we navigate through the Delta.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This morning we arrive in Tan Chau, a remote town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer on small boats to a floating farm to learn about an industry once regarded as more lucrative than gambling. We then go ashore to visit a local workshop producing woven mats, and a silk weaving workshop.

Enjoy a rickshaw ride round this fascinating town before returning to the pier for lunch. Later, depart for the Cambodian border. Clear immigration formalities then start cruising in Cambodia.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Arrive in Phnom Penh in the morning. The capital city of Cambodia still retains its old French colonial architecture in riverside streets. Visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board.

Afternoon excursion to the former High School "S21", converted to a detention centre under the Red Khmer's rule between 1975 and 1979, followed by a visit to Wat Phnom after which the city was named. 

Enjoy dinner and traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show on board.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Early morning we sail from Phnom Penh to Koh Chong. Upon arrival, take a leisurely walk through this silk weaving village and visit a local workshop. The excursion also includes a visit to a pagoda and a meeting in a primary school to chat with pupils.

Return to the ship for lunch. We cruise past the Mekong's timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. 

Return to Phnom Penh and afternoon at leisure for a discovery of the city on your own and shopping at the Russian Market.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we journey upriver towards Oudong, 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital city of Cambodia. Erected on a hilltop this place houses numerous Stupas dating to the last Khmer Kings. We see the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, a place of meditation for Buddhist Monks.

After the visit buses depart for Kampong Tralach to visit the very charming Vihara of Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda, dating back to the last century. 

Return to the ship by ox-drawn carriage.

(Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

This morning we sail on Tonle Sap River, which connects the Mekong River to the Tonle Lake. 

In the rural port town of Kampong Chhnang, we board local boats to visit the authentic floating village. The life of the entire population is connected to the river with local people using the canal system which criss-cross this little town. We go ashore to stroll through the scenic market.

(Includes Breakfast)

We cross Tonle Sap Lake early in the morning. The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length, with interesting and varied bird life.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Siem Reap. Meet up with your private guide at the meeting point and transfer to the hotel for check-in and tour briefing. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure.

NOTE: It may not be possible to cross Lake Tonle if the water is low. Alternative arrangements will be made to cross the lake either by speed boat or bus. Passengers will be informed of details before departure. The cruise schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modifications. 

(Includes Breakfast)

We enter the great city of Angkor Thom through the South Gate and visit the temples of Baphoun and Phimeanakas, the Terraces of Elephant and Leper King, and the mysterious smiling Bayon.

Take a break then continue exploring the fascinating temples of Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Thevoda, and the Royal Bath of Sras Srang.

Hike up Phnom Bakheng to behold the magnificent sunset into the land of temples.

(Includes Breakfast)

This morning explore the epic Angkor Wat complex. Built in the 12th century as the capital of King Suryavarman II's kingdom, this is the largest and best-preserved of the Angkor temples.

Free time in the afternoon..

(Includes Breakfast)

Free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.