Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival, you will be met at the airport for your private transfer to your chosen Hanoi hotel.

You have the rest of the day at leisure, to relax after your flight or explore the local area. A stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake provides a nice introduction to the city; you’ll likely pass Tai Chi sessions and family get-togethers. Cross the wooden footbridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the middle of the lake.

If you’ve arrived on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, head to the Night Market in the Old Quarter in the evening. It’s perhaps a little early for souvenir shopping, but you won’t be able to resist the street food!

Your chosen Hanoi hotel

Breakfast

Today you’ll be met at your hotel for a 4 hour Hanoi city tour, taking you through tree-lined streets past grand French colonial buildings, to the city’s recently restored Opera House and the nearly-1000 year old Temple of Literature, then onto the Museum of Ethnology for an insight into the culture and traditions of the 54 ethnic groups that call Vietnam home.

Next, on the front of a cyclo, you’ll weave your way though the labyrinth of streets that make up the Old Quarter, many of which are named after the materials you could traditional buy there, such as Tin Street, Sugar Street and Paper Street.

Your chosen Hanoi hotel

Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel for the roughly 2.5 hour drive to Halong Bay, a mystical seascape where thousands of limestone karsts rise from emerald green waters.

Settle in to your cabin before relaxing on deck as your overnight Halong Bay cruise sets sail. After a buffet lunch, as you pass the intriguingly named Fighting-Cock and Human Head islets, you’ll stop at Trinh Nu Cave to admire its stalactites and stalagmites, then swim, snorkel or kayak from a private beach.

Dinner is served on board, often accompanied by an unforgettable Halong Bay sunset.

On board your Halong Bay cruise

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Resist the temptation for a lie in this morning so not too miss the sunrise over Halong Bay. The tranquillity is absorbing, as is watching the morning mist slowly disappear from the tops of the karsts.

There will be time to swim or kayak before brunch and your return to Halong City where you’ll disembark and travel to Hanoi airport for your flight to Da Nang. On arrival, you will be greeted at the airport for your transfer to your chosen Hoi An hotel, for a three night stay.

Your chosen Hoi An hotel

Brunch

To wander through Old Town Hoi An is to take a step back in time. Over 800 of the traditional buildings are recognised by UNESCO for their historic importance.

On a guided Hoi An walking tour, you’ll see these, as well as cross the famous Japanese Covered Bridge and visit the wonderfully elaborate Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation.

For a cultural break, you could spend the next day on Cua Dai or An Bang Beach, both fringed by palm trees, bars and restaurants.

Your chosen Hoi An hotel

Breakfast

It’s a short flight from Hoi An to Ho Chin Minh City, where you’ll be greeted at the airport for your transfer to your chosen Ho Chi Minh City hotel.

The pace of change here matches that in other South East Asian megacities, and is no more evident than from the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower.

You’ll get to enjoy this view on your Ho Chi Minh city tour, after you’ve visited the Opera House and Notre Dame Cathedral, the underground war bunker at the Reunification Palace, the iconic Saigon Central Post Office, and the moving War Remnants Museum.

If you would like to add an extra day in Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels just let your Travel Consultant know.

Your chosen Ho Chi Minh City hotel

Breakfast

Leave the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind this morning, as you transfer to My Tho to board your Mekong River cruise.

Upon boarding, the crew will guide you to your stateroom providing a short briefing on the cabin’s facilities. After spending some time to settle in, lunch awaits in the ship’s restaurant, followed by a welcome and safety briefing in the lobby by the cruise director.

As the afternoon unfolds, sailing with the flow of the Mekong River, you can enjoy time on the deck. In the evening the cruise director invites you to a sunset event with canapés and prosecco, where you can socialise with fellow passengers. After officially kicking off your journey, dinner is served. Later that evening why not join the cinema in the climatised indoor lounge for some movie magic.

Your chosen cabin

Lunch and dinner

Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. After breakfast head by local boat to Cai Be before heading out to Than Phong, a smaller island in the middle of the Mekong River.

During a visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. After the workshop, you’ll head to Tan Phong Island where you’ll ride by buggy through the island to a family house where they specialize in weaving water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.

Continue by buggy to another local family who will demonstrate the art of making traditional Jackfruit Leaf Cakes; all the way from picking fresh leaves and extracting their juice, to shaping and steaming the cakes in their casings.

Once back on board, visit the lounge for a presentation about life on the Mekong Delta. Later that evening dinner is served as the ship sails towards Gieng Island.

Your chosen cabin

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an optional morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast a visit will be made to Gieng Island, also known locally as Mango Island. Here you will explore a small incense workshop and traditional boat-building workshop to experience what local life is like on the Mekong. Before departing, taste some of the delicious mangoes with a local tea in the courtyard of a century-old local home.

Conclude your mornings excursion with an optional culinary twist. Prepare with a local family an authentic ‘Banh In’, a sweet treat made from rice flour and sugar, served with jasmine tea.

After lunch the ship continues to Evergreen Island, a wonderful example of a Mekong Delta village. Enjoy time with a local farming family and gain insight into their daily routine.

That evening the ship sails towards the border. Once in Cambodia, an overnight sail continues to the country’s capital.

Your chosen cabin

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the ‘Paris of the East’. Today’s full sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing you to explore the city’s highlights. Enjoy a cyclo ride to the Royal Palace and the silver pagoda. Followed by a visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum where you will learn about the poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia’s history during the Khmer Rouge regime.

Back on board join a captivating talk held by a former prisoner at Tuol Sleng prison, who will recount their harrowing time during the Khmer Rouge period, giving guests the opportunity to ask questions.

To cap off this eventful day, you’ll indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city at night, savouring Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today the tour begins with an exciting journey to a small village called Kampong Tralach by ox-cart. Travel through winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about a local NGO school and library project.

Back on the ship, lunch can be enjoyed as the crew showcases traditional Khmer fashions worn by locals during special occasions.

Later embark on a tour of Kampong Laeang. Once ashore, travel by tuk-tuk to discover this pottery making village, including a visit to a charming pre-Angkorian temple.

Today’s optional culinary themed excursion is a cooking demonstration on the famous snack called ‘Nom Kruak’ which is a kind of cake made from white or brown rice.

That evening the ship sets sail again toward Kampong Luong.

You chosen cabin

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The first stop of the day is Kampong Luong. This renowned Silver Smith Village is home to 400 families who create art pieces and jewellery with silver, copper and brass. Continue with a visit to Wat Prang, the royal Buddhist temple where you will have the chance to engage with monks, learning about their daily lives, rituals and personal stories.

In the afternoon a stop is made at a small silk weaving community, Prek Bangkong. You will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate process.

The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish.

Your chosen cabin

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early risers may like to try some Tai Chi on the sun deck as the ship sails towards the village of Angkor Ban.

This enchanting local village features a monastery where you will have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversation with the villagers.

Today’s optional culinary excursion involves preparing a century-old soup recipe called ‘Samlor Korko’. This fish soup dish is made with vegetables, spices, herbs and roasted rice and is accompanied by a duck egg omelette.

After lunch its time to switch into cruise mode as the ship continues its sail towards Kampong Cham. Why not enjoy a visit to the on-board spa.

Your chosen cabin

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gaze out across the Mekong River as you enjoy your final breakfast on board. A roughly 4 hour transfer will take you to your chosen hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second largest city and the gateway to one of South East Asia’s greatest ancient wonders; the incredible Temples of Angkor.

You have the rest of the day at leisure, to relax by the pool or explore the local area, perhaps visiting the impressive Wat Damnak temple, or picking up a few more souvenirs at the Old Market.

Your chosen Siem Reap hotel

Breakfast

Ensure to have a hearty breakfast this morning, as you have a busy day ahead! You’ll be collected at your hotel around 08:00 for the short drive to Angkor Thom, where you’ll start your tour of the wonderous Temples of Angkor.

Angkor Thom translates into English as the ‘Great City’. Built in the late 12th Century, it was centre of Jayavarman VII’s empire. You’ll see the Elephant Terrace, the pyramid temple Bayon and 54 stone figures from Hindu mythology that line the causeway to the South Gate.

Next you’ll visit the temples of Ta Phrom, now interwound by the roots of tropical trees, before enjoying a whole afternoon exploring the famed Angkor Wat. On the temples, towers and terraces of the Khmer empire’s most important religious site are carved over 1,700 apsaras and devatas (celestial dancers and guardians). You’ll have no doubt seen photos, but to witness the sunset at Angkor Wat tonight will be a moment you’ll never forget.

Your chosen Siem Reap hotel

Breakfast

Your Vietnam and Cambodia cruise holiday comes to a close today, as you are met at your hotel for your private transfer to the airport for your flight home, on which you can start planning your next South East Asian adventure…

Breakfast