Experience 19 days as you explore Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise along Ha Long Bay and the Perfume River, and discover Angkor Wat, believed to be the largest temple in the world. Complete your adventure with a 7 day Mekong River Cruise aboard the ms La Marguerite
Day 1. Arrive Hanoi
On arrival in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception.
Day 2. Hanoi
A tour of Hanoi today will take you to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, The Temple of Literature and the Buddhist temple, One Pillar Pagoda. In the afternoon, enjoy a rickshaw ride through the city’s Old Quarter then head for Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and enjoy a water puppet show. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. .
Day 3. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, travel to World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay and transfer to a traditional junk for your overnight cruise. Enjoy a seafood lunch as you set off cruising amid grottoes and limestone islets. Explore Sung Sot Cave and unwind on Titop Island before dinner.
Day 4. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Hue
Enjoy breakfast as your junk returns to land. Disembark and head to the airport in Hanoi for your included flight to Hue. Check in to your hotel, then enjoy time at leisure.
Day 5. Hue, Perfume River Cruise
This morning in Hue, cruise the Perfume River, which runs through the heart of Hue. Disembark and enjoy time at historic Thien Mu Pagoda, Vietnam’s tallest pagoda, then drive to the tomb of former emperor Minh Mang, a complex consisting of temples, pavilions and palaces set among tranquil gardens and lakes. After lunch, visit Hue’s Imperial City. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6. Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An
Today visit beautiful Lang Co Beach and cross the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most scenic hillside roads. Arrive in Da Nang and explore the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which houses the world’s largest collection of Cham sculptures. Afterwards, travel to the Marble Mountains, a cluster of marble and limestone hills south of Da Nang. Visit one of the pagodas and explore a craft village then continue to Hoi An.
Day 7. Hoi An
Today attend a cooking tour and class with the Morning Glory Cooking School. Begin with a tour of Hoi An’s market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients. Then head to the cooking school and learn how to prepare a selection of signature Vietnamese dishes. Afterwards, sample the results of your efforts at lunch. This afternoon is at your leisure for you to explore.
Day 8. Hoi An, Saigon
This morning board your included flight to Saigon. On arrival, check in to your hotel then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9. Cu Chi Tunnels, Tay Ninh, Saigon
Today you’ll visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed during the Vietnam War, then drive to the town of Tay Ninh. Enjoy lunch at Thu Thao restaurant then visit the Tay Ninh Holy See, a temple of the Cao Dai faith. Later, return to Saigon and enjoy free time.
Day 10. Saigon, Embark Ship
Transfer to My Tho Port this morning to embark your river ship. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board.
Day 11. Cai Be, Vinh Long
A local boat will take you to Cai Be today, an intriguing river-land town. Visit the floating markets then enjoy lunch back on board as you cruise to Vinh Long. Here, enjoy a boat ride and explore the markets.
Day 12. Sa Dec, Tan Chau
Today, board a local boat bound for Sa Dec, the city where the French writer Marguerite Duras met her 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. Later, cruise to the town of Tan Chau. On arrival, enjoy a walk through town.
Day 13. Tan Chau, Border Crossing
Board a small boat this morning to visit a floating fish farm. Then go ashore and tour Tan Chau by rickshaw. The rest of today is spent on board as you cross into Cambodia.
Day 14. Phnom Penh
On arrival in Phnom Penh, a tour will take you to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda as well as the National Museum of Cambodia. After lunch, another excursion leads 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).
Day 15. Chong Koh, Prek K’dam, Oudong, Kampong Tralach
Walk around the silk-weaving village of Chong Koh today then cruise to Prek K’damand set off by coach via Oudong to Kampong Tralach. Visit Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu before an ox-cart ride back to your ship.
Day 16. Kampong Chhnang, Tonle Sap
Enjoy a boat excursion into the wetlands near Kampong Chhnang this morning. Then return to your ship and cast off towards Tonle Sap. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 17. Disembark Ship, Siem Reap
Disembark your ship this morning. Later visit Angkor Thom, where you’ll see the 13th-century temple Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later visit Angkor Thom, where you’ll see the 13th-century temple Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. This evening simply relax or absorb Siem Reap’s nightlife.
Day 18. Siem Reap, Angkor
See the sunrise at world-famous Angkor Wat before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Later, visit Ta Prohm, an ancient temple renowned for its intertwined trees. On your return to Siem Reap, visit a ‘grass roots’ orphanage. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner and a performance of Apsara dance.
Day 19. Depart Siem Reap
After breakfast today, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onwards flights.
