Discover Vietnam and Cambodia

16 days, 36 meals. Discover the best of Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise through the picturesque waters of Ha Long Bay on a classic junk, be blessed by a Buddhist monk, enjoy authentic cultural experiences and stay at premium hotels and resorts. Finish with a river cruise along the Mekong River, taking in the sights from the comfort of your private balcony.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

On arrival in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, be met at the airport and transferred to the Grand Mercure Hanoi, only a short walk from the Old Quarter. Tonight, relish a multi-course Vietnamese Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Hanoi

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Hanoi, taking in the most famous historical and cultural sites. Visit Ba Dinh Square, one of the largest squares in Vietnam and drive by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. Nearby is the iconic One Pillar Pagoda built on a single pillar of stone in the middle of a lotus pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, a beautiful example of Vietnamese architecture and the first university in Vietnam. Afterwards, enjoy an Insider Experience. The afternoon and evening are at leisure or perhaps choose from one of our select experiences.

Day 3: Hanoi, Tuan Chau, Embark Ship, Ha Long Bay

Set off early to Tuan Chau Harbour to board your boutique ship, the Bhaya Classic. Meet your crew and set sail among thousands of limestone islets. Feast on a Vietnamese lunch as you soak in the views of Ha Long Bay. Then it's time to kayak around the Tung Sau area. Catch the sunset on board as you cruise towards your anchor point for the night. Enjoy dinner before doing some squid fishing, sipping cocktails or relaxing in your cabin.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay

Board rowing boats to visit the Luon Cave area, listen to the ancient folklore and enjoy close views of the magnificent limestone karsts. Visit Cua Van Floating Village in the heart of Ha Long Bay, by kayak or traditional rowing boat. Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Trinh Nu. Spend time relaxing at the private beach or visit one of the finest sunlight caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Later gather for a flavourful dinner.

Day 5: Ha Long Bay, Disembark Ship, Tuan Chau, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City

Visit Sung Sot Cave before docking back at Tuan Chau Harbour and transferring to Hanoi airport. Board your included flight to Ho Chi Minh City. A delicious dinner awaits you tonight.

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City

Discover the military history of the area. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by the Viet Cong during the war. Take the opportunity to crawl through a section to understand first-hand what it was like for the soldiers who lived and fought here. The afternoon and evening have been left free for you to explore at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience touring and dining options.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship, Cai Be

Begin the day with your Insider Experience then return to your hotel for breakfast. Drive to My Tho and board the RV Apsara, your boutique river ship and home for the next seven nights. Exuding a locally inspired ambience, the ship offers twin balconies with every suite to ensure a unique and scenic perspective on your Mekong River cruise.

Set sail from My Tho and soak in the scenery as you cruise towards Cai Be, where you anchor overnight. Settle in and familiarise yourself with your suite or relax up on the Sun Deck and watch life along the river. Tonight, enjoy your special Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow travellers.

Day 8: Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau

Early risers can witness the sunrise from the Sun Deck and enjoy coffee and freshly baked pastries in the Saigon Lounge. Keep an eye open for the wholesalers pedalling their tropical fruits and vegetables at the floating market.

Board your small tender boat, a traditional sampan for your first excursion on the banks of the Mekong. See the colonial port filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. Step ashore to visit the Cai Be Church, the tallest church in the Mekong Delta with its impressive bell tower. Afterwards, visit a rice paper and coconut candy manufacturer and learn how these tasty Vietnamese favourites are made.

Head back to the ship and sit down to lunch whilst cruising to the quaint town of Sa Dec. Upon arrival, explore Sa Dec by foot and meet some sellers at the market. From fish to leafy vegetables and mangoes the markets are a riot of colour and activity. Continue past crumbling waterside mansions to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le who inspired the French writer Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant (The Lover). Hear the stories of this Vietnamese Chinese tragic love story retold by your local guide.

Return to the ship to unwind or relax with a rejuvenating treatment from the spa. As the sun sets, the RV Apsara sets sail for Tan Chau. Dine in the restaurant and later spend time in the lounge enjoying the evening entertainment or sip on a late-night cocktail.

Day 9: Tan Chau, Cambodia, Border Crossing, Phnom Penh

Transfer to a small boat for a cruise along the tiny tributaries that snake around Tan Chau, the last stop before the border. Step ashore for a rickshaw tour and weave through rambling laneways past shops and friendly locals and stop to visit a local silk and rattan weaving workshop.

Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, where the land is ploughed by water buffalo and where you will see authentic rural Mekong life.

Appreciate some down time and watch the scenery of the Mekong River pass as the RV Apsara spends the afternoon cruising towards the Cambodian border. While border formalities are carried out, sit down and enjoy the onboard activities and presentations. Cross into Cambodia and cruise overnight towards the capital, Phnom Penh.

Day 10: Phnom Penh

Today learn of the atrocities inflicted upon Cambodians during Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, where you'll find the Memorial Stupa, a glass monument erected in memory of the thousands of Cambodians who lost their lives. After lunch on board, visit the spectacular Royal Palace, with its dazzling white and gold architecture. Then head to the glorious Silver Pagoda, set on the southern side of the palace complex. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to head to the local markets for souvenirs or perhaps to taste the local delicacy of fried tarantula. Alternatively, relax on board and enjoy the facilities and service.

Day 11: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh

Disembark and travel by coach to Oudong for an Insider Experience. Then continue to Koh Chen to see the open-air copperware workshops. Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh, or perhaps enhance your time by choosing one of Travelmarvel's select experiences.

Day 12: Phnom Penh, Oknha Tey, Angkor Ban

Rise early as you cruise towards Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), more commonly known as the Silk Island, renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over the centuries. Travel by tuk tuk, pass rice fields and get a glimpse into rural life. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail towards Angkor Ban. In the afternoon, take a dip in the pool and take in the passing scenery from the Sun Deck.

Day 13: Angkor Ban, Koh Pen, Kampong Cham

Start your day with a tour of Angkor Ban by foot. Nicknamed the 'Lucky Village', Angkor Ban is one of the few rural villages that escaped destruction from the Khmer Rouge. Stroll through town and see traditional wooden houses, some over a century old, and a Khmer style pagoda surrounded by stupas dedicated to Buddha. This afternoon, your ship docks at its final location, Kampong Cham. After lunch, jump in a tuk tuk for your Insider Experience. This evening, savour a final dinner on board and reminisce about your Mekong River cruise.

Day 14: Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap

Transfer to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages. Take a break before heading to the jungle temple of Ta Prohm, commonly referred to as the Tomb Raider temple having featured in the movie starring Angelina Jolie. En route to the hotel enjoy your Insider Experiences.

Day 15: Siem Reap

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a special Insider Experience. Afterwards, join a guided exploration of this well-preserved temple, then return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, embark on an unforgettable journey to explore the magnificent Angkor Thom and its iconic Bayon Temple. Angkor Thom, a stunning ancient city built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, served as the grand capital of the Khmer Empire. As you wander through this vast, historical landscape, you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time, surrounded by majestic temples and awe-inspiring structures. At the heart of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon Temple, renowned for its remarkable architecture and the mysterious, serene faces that adorn its towering spires. These intricately carved expressions will leave you in awe as you delve deeper into the rich history and artistry of this extraordinary site.

Day 16: Depart Siem Reap

Your journey ends this morning. after breakfast with a transfer to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.