Essential Vietnam and Cambodia

Be immersed in the best of Vietnam and Cambodia on this tour, which includes a visit to the iconic Angkor Wat. Be blessed by a Buddhist monk in Oudong, enjoy life on the Mekong River and explore historic Ho Chi Minh City.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart London

Make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Cambodia.

Day 2: Arrive Siem Reap

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and spend at your leisure.

Insider Experience – Three Nights at the Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas 

Unwind at the Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, an oasis of tranquillity, and relax amid the lush gardens and large swimming pool.  

Day 3: Siem Reap

Explore Siem Reap this morning at your own pace. Later, discover Ta Prohm temple, commonly referred to as the Tomb Raider temple. having featured in the movie starring Angelina Jolie. The temple and its atmospheric surrounds have been left to slowly return to nature, with the overgrown jungle and vast root systems creating a unique sight throughout the ruins. Enjoy Insider Experiences this afternoon and tonight. This evening, enjoy local Khmer flavours during dinner.

Insider Experience – Local Charity Visit

Visit Opportunities of Development through Art (ODA), a OneTomorrow partner which supports local underprivileged children by providing them with an education.

Insider Experience – Khmer Dinner and Apsara Performance

Dine on tantalising Khmer cuisine and peer into the heart of Cambodia by watching a performance of an Apsara
dance, a delicate, beautiful tradition dating back to the seventh century.

Insider Experience – Three Nights at the Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas

Unwind at the Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, an oasis of tranquillity, to relax amid the lush gardens and large swimming pool.

Day 4: Siem Reap

Rise early for a special Insider Experience at Angkor Archaeological Park. After a guided tour of the well-preserved temple, return to your hotel for breakfast. In the early afternoon, explore Siem Reap on your own or choose from our select experience options. Later this afternoon, return to Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Bayon Temple and Angkor Thom. This evening enjoy an unforgettable Insider Experience.

Insider Experience – Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Wake up early and witness the sun rising over Angkor Wat. This also includes a seat during the experience as well as refreshments (coffee, tea or juice).

Insider Experience – Circus Performance

Take your seat at Phare Circus and be amazed by the skills of the performers. This acclaimed show blends modern Khmer tales with music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, aerial acts, and contortion.

Enhance Your Journey – APOPO HeroRATs Tour and Landmine Museum

Take a tour of APOPO, a non-profit organisation that trains African Giant Pouched rats to save lives by detecting landmines. Close by, the Landmine Museum will showcase the devastating impact of landmines, sharing personal stories of hope and resilience while highlighting ongoing de-mining efforts.

Enhance Your Journey – Horse Cart Ride  

Journey through the Cambodian countryside on a traditional horse cart. Relax and watch the scenery go by on this authentic outing.

Enhance Your Journey – Quad Bike Adventure 

Explore authentic Cambodia away from the tourist crowds on a quad bike. Journey through rice fields, forests and villages. 

Day 5: Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Embark Ship, Angkor Ban

An early drive through picturesque countryside and remote villages brings you to Kampong Cham to join your Mekong River cruise. Step aboard the RV Apsara, your boutique river ship and home for the next seven nights. Spend your afternoon enjoying your Insider Experience. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow travellers as your Mekong River cruise begins.

Insider Experience – Tuk Tuk Tour of Koh Pen

Hop on a tuk tuk and explore the agricultural island of Koh Pen. Travel along the shaded lanes and past wooden stilted houses, tucked among palm and sandalwood trees.

Day 6: Angkor Ban, Oknha Tey, Phnom Penh

Start your day with a tour of Angkor Ban by foot and see one of the few rural villages in Cambodia that escaped destruction from the Khmer Rouge regime. Return to your ship and continue sailing towards Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Hop in a local tuk tuk for a village tour, pass rice fields and get a glimpse into rural life. Stroll amongst the still houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. Back on board, you start sailing towards the capital, Phnom Penh.

Day 7: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh

Begin your morning with an excursion by road to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital. Indulge in your memorable Insider Experience. En route back to Phnom Penh take a leisurely walk to explore the village of Koh Chen. Stop to visit the open-air copperware workshops and watch the skill of the artisans. Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in fascinating Phnom Penh or enhance your time by choosing one of Travelmarvel’s select experiences.

Insider Experience - Buddhist Blessing Ceremony

Take part in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony for good luck, health and safe journey, with resident monks at a monastery in Oudong.

Enhance Your Journey – Hands-on Cooking Workshop

Meet your chef, visit a local market and select fruits, spices and more local ingredients to prepare Khmer dishes.

Enhance Your Journey – Phnom Penh by Cyclo

Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo, taking in sights such as Independence Square, the Royal Palace, trendy cafes, boutiques, local markets, and pagodas.

Enhance Your Journey – High Tea in the Clouds

Savour unobstructed panoramic views of the city, Central Market, and the legendary Mekong River from the iconic Rosewood Phnom Penh while indulging in a delightful afternoon tea experience. Enjoy fine TWG teas in the Living Room lounge, accompanied by delicious sweets and savouries made with local ingredients and crafted under the expert eye of the pastry chef.

Day 8: Phnom Penh

Begin your day with a sobering visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn about Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era and honour the victims at the Memorial Stupa. After lunch, explore the Royal Palace, known for its stunning white and gold Khmer architecture, and the Silver Pagoda with its 5,000 silver tiles. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to visit the Russian Market, try local delicacies at the Central Market, or relax aboard.

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

Spend today on board as your ship cruises to the Vietnamese border. While border formalities are carried out, sit down and enjoy the onboard activities and presentations. Cross into Vietnam and cruise towards the small town of Tan Chau.

Day 10: Tan Chau, Sa Dec

After breakfast, transfer to a small boat and travel along the Mekong's tiny tributaries, observing the stilt house villages. Go ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw. Known as one of the largest silk-weaving centres in Vietnam, visit the fascinating local artisan workshops to learn more about the history of the craft. 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. Settle back in and watch the passing scenery as you continue cruising towards Sa Dec.

Day 11: Sa Dec, Cai Be, My Tho

Take a boat ride to the charming colonial town of Sa Dec and explore the colourful markets on foot. Visit the former home of Huynh Thuy Le. Here Le's one-time lover, French writer, Marguerite Duras, penned her best-selling novel, The Lover, about their affair. After lunch, step aboard a local boat and journey to Cai Be to see the French Gothic cathedral. Go ashore to visit a local rice paper manufacturer to learn how rice paper is made. Afterwards, visit a coconut candy factory to see how the local sweet is created. Enjoy a final dinner on board your ship as you cruise to My Tho your last stop.

Day 12: My Tho, Disembark Ship, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City

Disembark at My Tho and journey by road to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Gain a first-hand look at the history of the Vietnam-American War and learn about the network of underground tunnels carved out by hand. Continue to Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon, and your home for the next two nights. This evening for dinner, choose from one of our select experience dining options.

Insider Experience – Two Nights at Le Méridien Saigon

Experience a stay at the one-of-a-kind Le Méridien Saigon. Located on the banks of the Saigon River in the bustling District 1, this contemporary hotel is centrally situated only moments away from Bến Thành Market and Independence Palace.

Enhance Your Journey – Hoi An Sense

Indulge in authentic Hoi An delicacies, complemented by warm hospitality and rich cultural charm.

Enhance Your Journey – Le Corto

Dine on a three-course French fusion-inspired menu during a dining experience like no other.

Enhance Your Journey – Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro

Savour the delights of this Vietnamese bistro, where the walls are adorned with locally crafted propaganda posters offering food-oriented advice.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City

Begin with your Insider Experience. The afternoon has been left for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience options. Tonight, gather for a sumptuous Farewell Dinner.

Insider Experience – Morning Walking Tour

Step out on an early morning guided walk to watch the busy streets come to life and gain a deeper understanding of what drives this urban centre.

Enhance Your Journey – Ho Chi Minh City by Foot

Explore the bustling city on this walking tour, passing the Saigon Opera House People’s Committee building, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office.

Enhance Your Journey – History of Saigon

Delve deeper into Ho Chi Minh City’s turbulent history. Start at the Reunification Palace, visit the War Remnants Museum and see the Burning Monk Memorial.

Enhance Your Journey – Shopping Tour by Foot

Seek out the city's boutiques as only a local knows and discover locally made and produced items such as clothing, souvenirs and jewellery. 

Day 14: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast with a transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight back to the UK.

Day 15: Arrive London

Arrive back in London today.