Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia

Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing and welcome drinks with your fellow travellers.

This morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel for a city tour of Hanoi. Your first stop will be the popular Hoan Kiem Lake, situated in the heart of Hanoi city and Dong Xuan market. Your next stop will be Ho Chi Minh complex comprising Ba Dinh Square, Presidential Palace (for outside photos), as well as his private residence from 1954 until 1969. The wooden ethnic minority style house, built on stilts, is surrounded by lovely peaceful gardens. In the same complex you will see the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to the Temple Of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. You will then visit Hoa Lo Prison (formerly known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the American war). Your tour will also include the historical St Joseph’s Cathedral. The last stop of the day before returning to your hotel will be the visit inside the Opera House, ending with a wonderful afternoon tea.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Guided city tour of Hanoi

Drive past scenes of traditional rural life from Hanoi to Halong City, the gateway to Halong Bay. Board a well-appointed junk boat, enjoy a delicious lunch and begin cruising among the 3,000 islands which rise from the sea. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, relax on the main deck or enjoy a drink at the bar. Spend the night on board.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Insider Experiences

Unique – River cruising on the Halong Bay and overnight onboard

Continue your exploration of Halong Bay before enjoying brunch on board. Cruise back to port for disembarkation, before we drive to Hanoi for your onwards flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in the charming town of Hoi An. Enjoy an evening of free time.

Meals included:

Brunch

Insider Experiences:

River cruise on Halong Bay

Explore the riverside town of Hoi An on a walking tour. We will start with the Museum of Folk Culture where you will learn about the history of this charming and peaceful town before you walk around the small market. Walk along the main street to the Chinese Assembly Hall of Fujien Chinese community. The hall, built in 1697, has been used as the worshipping place to dedicate to Thien Hau (the Goddess of the Sea or Holy Mother). Continue to the river bank along narrow streets – on both sides are old houses transformed into beautifully decorated shops with colourful lanterns. Next, we’ll stop to see the Japanese covered bridge built in the early 17th century by Japanese traders who settled in the town. The special pagoda-shaped bridge is now the official symbol of Hoi An. We finish with a visit to a historic old house of this UNESCO-recognized town. The afternoon is free for you to do as much or as little as you like. Choose to explore the old town, have a tailored custom make for your wardrobe or cycle to An Bang Beach.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Activities included:

Guided walking tour of Hoi An

Enjoy more free time in Hoi An before flying to Saigon. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in and enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Meals included:

Breakfast

The day starts with a tour of Cu Chi. Discover the network of over 200km-long underground tunnels and their significance during the Vietnam War, before returning to Saigon. After lunch join a guided walking tour and discover the rich history of this spirited city as you visit some of its main attractions. Visit the former Presidential Palace, it was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese resistance fighters tanks (Viet Cong) rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. From the palace you will go on foot (your car will be available at all times) to visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City including the red-brick Catholic cathedral of Notre-Dame, the nearby 19th century Empire-style Post Office, and the next door ‘Hotel de Ville’ or City Hall all look indomitably European, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Opera House. Continue your tour by stopping at Ben Thanh market, one of the biggest market in the downtown area of Saigon. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and today is considered one of symbol of Saigon, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, “ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional custom), and souverirs, as well as local cuisine.
Meals included:

• Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

• Half day excursion to Cu Chi
• Guided walking tour of Saigon city

Transfer to Can Tho and board your boat to begin your exploration of the Mekong Delta. Cruise past the many fields of rice or sugar cane on palm or fruit fringed canals and waterways. Mid afternoon enjoy a shore visit and discover the peaceful life in the countryside with an optional cycling tour. Enjoy a complimentary drink on returning to the boat before enjoying the sunset over the countryside.

Meals included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Insider Experiences

Unique – River cruising on the Mekong Delta and overnight onboard

Start the day with an early breakfast while cruising to Can Tho. On arrival, boat a local boat to visit the Cai Rang floating market and a noodle factory. After that, meet your guide and drive to visit Binh Thuy ancient house. The unique aspect of Binh Thuy ancient house is that it bears the clear imprint of Eastern feng-shui, resulting in a harmonious combination of the two cultures of the East and West. As a result, visitors can see the luxury French style and the old villa style in the design of the ancient house.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Visit of the Cai Rang floating market on a local boat

Guided visit of Binh Thuy ancient house

After breakfast, meet your guide and drive to Chau Doc. If time permits, continue your tour by visiting a beautiful Khmer temple, and later visit the floating houses that double as catfish farms, a huge industry for the country.

Meals included:

Breakfast

After breakfast travel by speedboat to the Cambodian Border. After clearing border requirements cruise along the Mekong River to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Check in to your hotel before visiting the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields memorial at Choeng Ek. Enjoy sunset drinks at the iconic Foreign Correspondent Club/Le Moon Bar overlooking the beautiful Mekong River.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Guided tour of Phnom Penh

Sunset drink overlooking the Mekong River

Explore Phnom Penh with Cyclo (Bicycle Rickshaw), a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Start our tour at Wat Phnom, the birthplace of the capital. Then, visit to the Royal Palace, the residence of King Norodom Sihamoni, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer art. Continue the day with an overland drive to Siem Reap, with multiple stops along the way such as the Spider and Insect Market in Skun and the stone mason village near Phnom Santuk. Arrival in Siem Reap during the early evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Insider Experiences:

Cyclo tour of Phnom Penh

Stops at the Spider and Insect Market in Skun and the stone mason village near Phnom Santuk

At the southern gate of Angkor Thom, you will marvel at the imposing 23m (75-foot) high stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, featured in the Tomb Raider movie. These astonishing carvings inspire awe and wonder in all who view them. At the centre of this citadel lies the state temple of Bayon, which we will also visit. This temple-mountain, built at the end of the 12th century, is adorned with hundreds of gigantic stone faces. This tour also includes the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day you will discover the most famous temples from the 11th century: Baphuon, Phimeanakas. Continue the day by visiting Ta Prohm, known for the massive trees with thick roots that entangle the walls. End today’s visit by exploring the magnificent Angkor Wat, built under Suryavarman II. In the evening, join your group for a farewell cultural experience dinner with a spectacular performance of Khmer ancient culture, while enjoying the finest cuisine in town.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Dinner

Insider Experiences:

Guided tour of Angkor complex

Arts & Craft – Apsara dance performances

It’s time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels.

Meals included:

Breakfast