This 20 day adventure combines the best Vietnam and Cambodia including Hoi An, Hanoi, Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. The highlights include a Junk cruise around Ha Long Bay and a luxury 7 day Mekong River Cruise.
Day 1. Arrive Saigon, Freedom of Choice Touring
Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city, located on the banks of the Saigon River. On arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by an APT representative and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, you’ll select from our three Freedom of Choice Touring activities. Perhaps enjoy a guided walking tour of Saigon, visiting such sights as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Afterwards, embark on an exciting cyclo ride. Alternatively, visit an artist’s home, the Ky Long Art Villa, and learn the techniques and processes of Vietnamese lacquer art. Or take a tour on the back of a motorbike as you’re driven safely through the bustling city streets. Later, get to know your fellow travellers and APT Tour Director at a special Welcome Dinner this evening, enjoying Luke Nguyen’s menu with matching wines at Xu Restaurant.
Day 2. Cu Chi Tunnels, Tay Ninh, Saigon, Dine Around Dinner
This morning visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. Part of a larger network of tunnels, the tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat. They also served as communication and supply routes, hospitals, weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. Afterwards, drive through the southern Vietnamese countryside to the town of Tay Ninh. Here, enjoy lunch at Thu Thao restaurant then visit the Tay Ninh Holy See, a temple of the indigenous Cao Dai faith. Observe the noon service then return to Saigon. This evening, choose from a selection of five outstanding restaurants for dinner.
Day 3. Saigon, Da Nang, Hoi An
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport this morning for your short flight to Da Nang, a major port city on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. On arrival, travel by coach to the ancient and beautiful trading city of Hoi An. After checking in to your hotel, relax with an evening of fine Vietnamese dining and outstanding service in the serene gardens of the Nam Long restaurant.
Day 4. Hoi An, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning attend a cooking tour and class with the Red Bridge Cooking School. After a welcome drink, head to Hoi An’s colourful market to experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas. Learn about the ingredients that you’ll use in the cooking lesson then take a leisurely boat cruise along the Hoi An River to the cooking school. Here, explore the herb garden then learn how to prepare famous Vietnamese dishes. After the lesson, you’ll sit down and sample the results of your efforts at lunch. This afternoon, perhaps take a walking tour of Hoi An, enjoy an eco-tour of the surrounding countryside, learn how to make traditional lanterns with a local craftsman, enjoy a bicycle tour of the countryside or take a wet rice planting tour.
Day 5. Hoi An, Da Nang, Lang Co Beach, Hue
Travel to the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located south of Da Nang. Visit one of the many beautiful pagodas and explore a nearby craft village before continuing to the city of Da Nang. Here, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which houses the largest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. After time to explore, head to beautiful Lang Co Beach then cross the Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic hillside roads in the country, with great views of the coast. Later, arrive in Hue and check in to your hotel.
Day 6. Hue
This morning in Hue, board a cruise along the Perfume River, which runs through the heart of Hue. Here, flowers fall from the upriver orchards into the water creating a perfume-like aroma that give the river its name. Disembark and enjoy time at historic Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. Later, drive to the tomb of former emperor Minh Mang, a complex consisting of temples, pavilions and palaces set among tranquil gardens and lakes. Enjoy lunch in a garden setting before visiting Hue’s Imperial Citadel, which occupies a large walled area on the north side of the Perfume River. Tonight, enjoy an Emperor Feast unique to this region, featuring Vietnamese royal cuisine, including Minh Mang Liquor.
Day 7. Hue, Hanoi, Freedom of Choice Touring
A short flight this morning takes you to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, located on the right bank of the Red River. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Then choose from three touring options. Perhaps travel to Le Mat village and visit a traditional home to meet a calligrapher and learn about the art form. Alternatively, take a walking tour of the 500 year old village of Bat Trang, world famous for its production of beautiful pottery. Or you may like to relax and enjoy a foot massage at your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a meal of Vietnamese cuisine at the local restaurant, Club Opera.
Day 8. Hanoi, Dine Around Dinner
This morning, a tour of Hanoi will take you to the city’s most famous historical and cultural sites. Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, The Temple of Literature and the historic Buddhist temple, One Pillar Pagoda. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride through the city’s charming Old Quarter. Late this afternoon, head for Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and enjoy front row seats at a water puppet show. Witness a series of short stories and legends presented through the use of traditional music, song, and puppets. Tonight, choose to dine at the Ly Club, the Hanoi Press Club, Nineteen 11, Madame Hien or Sen Restaurant.
Day 9. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, travel to World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Here, transfer to a traditional wooden junk for your luxurious overnight cruise on the beautiful bay. With a Welcome Drink in hand, set off to sail among thousands of spectacular limestone islets. Enjoy lunch on board before arriving at Titop Island, where you’ll have time to swim or explore. Later, choose to continue to the Bat Cave area for a visit to the bay’s largest floating fishing village, or embark on a kayak tour to explore the nearby Bat Cave. Back on board this evening, enjoy dinner and a range of entertainment options before retiring to your cabin for the night.
Day 10. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Siem Reap
Wake this morning in one of the world’s most beautiful places. Early risers might like to participate in a tai chi class on the junk’s deck. Before breakfast, you’ll travel by small boat to Surprise Cave, which was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout during the Vietnam War. Tour the cave system and absorb the magnificent bay views from the viewing platforms at the top of the cave. Return to the junk and enjoy breakfast as you sail back to Ha Long pier. You’ll then disembark and transfer to the airport in Hanoi for your flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia, the gateway to the temples of Angkor.
Day 11. Siem Reap, Angkor
With free time this morning, perhaps explore the bustling markets of Siem Reap or relax in luxury at your hotel. Later, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. Visit the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer empire, Angkor Thom, where you’ll see the 12th century temple, Bayon as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. On return to Siem Reap, this evening you’ll relish the opportunity to dine on a typical Khmer meal at the Apsara Theatre and take in a traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as Apsara Dance.
Day 12. Siem Reap, Angkor, Dine Around Dinner
Today explore Ta Prohm, a well-preserved temple famous for its intertwined trees (seen in the film ‘Tomb Raider’). On your return to Siem Reap, visit a ‘grass roots’ orphanage for a glimpse into the lives of rescued orphans that now live as a large happy family. Then visit Angkor Wat, the best-preserved temple of Angkor and said to be the world’s largest single religious monument. Back in Siem Reap, enjoy a Dine Around Dinner at one of five quality restaurants L’Angelo; Alliance Café; Viroth’s Restaurant; Champey; or the Kanell Restaurant.
Day 13. Siem Reap, Freedom of Choice Touring, Embark Cruise
This morning enjoy your selected touring activity. Visit the Wat Preah Phrom Rath Temple to be part of a Buddhist blessing; enjoy a tuk-tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshops; take a tethered balloon ride to view the Angkor temple complex from above; enjoy an elephant ride to Bayon; or embark on a quad bike adventure to the Wat Athea temple. Afterwards, a short boat ride will take you past floating fishing villages to your river ship for the start of your luxury Mekong River cruise. Enjoy lunch as your ship sets off over the lake of Tonle Sap. This evening, meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Dinner.
Day 14. Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Tralach, Oudong
A small boat excursion today takes you past a number of fishing villages into the wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle Sap. Afterwards, return to your ship and set out for Kampong Tralach. Here, you’ll disembark and enjoy an ox-cart ride past rice fields and a small village. Visit the town’s pagodas then travel by coach to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. Visit the Buddhist monastery before travelling to nearby Prek K’dam to re-board your ship before dinner.
Day 15. Chong Koh, Phnom Penh
After breakfast, enjoy a walk around the silk-weaving village of Chong Koh before your ship departs for Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Become oriented with this spectacular city on a walking tour to Wat Phnom, one of the city’s most important pagodas. Afterwards, return to the ship for dinner, followed by a special Khmer folk performance on board.
Day 16. Phnom Penh
On a tour of Phnom Penh, visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda as well as the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. After lunch, take an excursion to the infamous Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). After dinner tonight, perhaps step out to take a leisurely stroll around this intriguing capital.
Day 17. Border Crossing, Tan Chau
Spend today on board as your ship cruises to the Vietnamese border. This afternoon, perhaps attend a fruit carving demonstration by the ship’s chef while the border formalities are carried out. Later, arrive in the Vietnamese town of Tan Chau. This evening, perhaps take a shuttle boat into this small town for a walk.
Day 18. Tan Chau, Sa Dec
Take a small boat ride through narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. Visit a floating fish farm and then go ashore for a rickshaw tour of Tan Chau, visiting a rattan mat and slipper making workshop. In the afternoon, perhaps attend a lecture on Vietnam in the ship’s lounge.
Day 19. Sa Dec, Cai Be
Enjoy a boat ride past floating markets to Sa Dec, where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Here, a tour takes you to Huynh Thuy Le’s old house as well as Thien Hau Pagoda and the Fujian Temple. After lunch, a boat will take you to the town of Cai Be and its floating markets. On land, visit the French Gothic Cathedral and a local rice paper manufacturer. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Day 20. Disembark Cruise, Saigon
Today disembark at My Tho Port and transfer to Saigon. Enjoy some leisure time before transferring to the airport.
