16 Days Beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia with Mekong River Cruise

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi | Arrive in Hanoi

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to your hotel in the Old French Quarter for check-in.

After check-in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay | Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lan Ha Bay – 16 Days Beauty Vietnam Cambodia Mekong River Cruise

In the morning, our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Haiphong where you’ll enjoy some time at Orchid’s Private Lounge for refreshments until boarding. Then board Orchid Cruise.

Receive a safety briefing and check in your cabins. The boat sets adrift for Da Chong islet, home to an old French lighthouse. Enjoy a sumptuous feast in the panoramic dining hall while en route to the islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan. The bay opens up to you with stunning green karsts towering above the water. This area receives very few cruise ships as it has just been newly opened up. Continue to Ba Trai Dao beach of Lan Ha Bay. A paradise with perfect beaches and natural beauty. Stop at one of the beaches for swimming or kayaking during the afternoon.

As dusk approaches, welcome the sunset with a local specialty – “Ba Kich”(a liquor made from Noni fruit). Back on board, you’ll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets. Enjoy your creation! Then time for supper in the dining hall. Delicious Vietnamese cuisine and seafood in a romantic setting. After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or give night squid fishing a try with the staff(subject to seasonal availability).

Accommodation: Orchid Cruise

Day 3: Hanoi | Sunrise Lan Ha Bay | Return to Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Rise early for one of the top best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Enjoy breakfast in the dining hall before taking a journey to explore the area around Sang Tai sea cave via canoes.

Return to Hanoi.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 4: Hanoi – Hue | Hanoi Art Scene and Temple of Literature | Flight to Hue

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your private guide and car will greet you to start your tour. The first visit will be the Museum of National Fine Arts, which showcasing Vietnam’s fine art from every historical period.

The next stops will be the most important Antique Collectors in the city as Duong Phu Hien, Nguyen Van Truong, Tran Lam, or Mai Hien.

To finish the tour, you’ll visit the Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius’s teachings.

After the tour, return to the hotel for check out.

Board a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Azerai La Residence, Hue

Day 5: Hue | Hue Imperial Citadel | Afternoon: Leisure | Evening: Traditional Vietnamese Orchestra and Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, you’ll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 6 miles long. You’ll be able to view it’s vast gardens and structure relics. Then you’ll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you’ll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you’ll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off-limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in the Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you’ll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale.

Hue Royal Citadel – 16 Days Beauty Vietnam Cambodia Mekong River Cruise

In the evening, transfer to Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre – here you’ll enjoy private dining with live music. Ben Xuan exhibits the royal architecture of the Vietnamese Imperial Era alongside the Perfume River. Painter, musician and host, Huyen, is a descendant of the royalty of Hue and likes to share the traditions passed through generations of her heritage. After this cultural experience, return back to the hotel for leisure time.

Accommodation: Azerai La Residence, Hue

Day 6: Hue | Morning: Emperor Tombs and Gardens | Afternoon at Leisure

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, you’ll start with a visit to the Perfume River, a river famed for its natural scenery and numerous flowers that cover its shores. Along the river, you’ll see Vietnamese daily life up close. Your boat will take you to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations.

Then you’ll visit Tu Doc, a compound with the private royal residence and a tomb that also houses the body of one of the wealthiest emperors in Vietnam. Archaeologists have attempted to find his body and the vast treasures, legends have held, that are contained with it. However, these attempts have failed as the body was buried in an inconspicuous place in the large compound unknown to this day. You’ll then continue on to see the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern tomb with ornate decorations inside.

Your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant.

Accommodation: Azerai La Residence, Hue

Day 7: Hue – Saigon | Flight to Saigon | Saigon Highlights | Leisure

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

You’ll transfer by flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Saigon(officially Ho Chi Minh City) is a bustling metropolis of the South and the economic muscle of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was the main base center of the US military with the largest airport in the region. Prior to that, it was under French colonial rule and was an Asian hub of sea trade. The city is based in the Mekong River Delta region – the rice basket of Southeast Asia and where many exotic fruits are cultivated. Full of history and culture, Saigon will certainly be an interesting visit.

In the afternoon, your private guide and car will greet you to see some of the most important places in Ho Chi Minh. You’ll start by visiting the Reunification Palace. This residence was the home of the president of South Vietnam during the war. The war ended when a tank from the North came through the gate.

Saigon Post Office – 16 Days Beauty Vietnam Cambodia Mekong River Cruise

Then you’ll visit the Notre Dame Cathedral constructed by French colonists during their settlement. Crossing the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building that is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the city.

Accommodation: The Myst Dong Khoi

Day 8: Saigon | Art Galleries | Leisure

Meals: Breakfast

Start the morning with a heritage walk along Dong Khoi St.(formerly the Rue Catinat), the old French colonial corner of Saigon. The road is a major draw for art aficionados visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Many art galleries, cafes, and boutiques are found in this part of Saigon, along with several historic hotel buildings. After you finish exploring here, go with our guide to the Craig Thomas Gallery.

Started by an American lawyer, to which it draws the name, the gallery features a good mix of new emerging local talent, along with better known Vietnamese artists. Craig Thomas and curator Mai Ardia enjoy keeping an eye out for new upcoming artists who use their talent to convey a message.

Accommodation: The Myst Dong Khoi

Day 9: Saigon – Cat Be | Embark The Jahan: Pearl of the Orient | Mekong Delta Discovery at Cai Be

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You’ll transfer to the welcome lounge in Saigon before noontime. Lean back with a drink as the staff welcomes you and collects your details for the boarding. Bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometers south overland to My Tho to embark your luxury floating home for your coming journey along the Might Mekong.

Upon boarding, the crew will warmly welcome you and you will check in to your prepared staterooms. The ship sets sail and your fascinating journey of exploring the Mekong can begin. The lunch buffet is in the restaurant while the vessel steadily glides upstream to reach the overnight spot. Make yourself familiar with all the ship facilities. Now it is time to become one with one of the largest streams in Asia.

The afternoon allows you pastime at your private balcony or joins our tea time at the open-air bar as the twilight bathes the land of Mekong Delta into a golden haze. During the time you savor your dinner, the ship reaches Cai Be. Cai Be is a charming small town, famous for its Catholic French church and manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The floating market of Cai Be is getting smaller every year since trading on the water is shifting more and more into modern central markets. The cruise will drop anchor mid-stream. Overnight near Cai Be.

Accommodation: The Jahan

Day 10: Cat Be – Tan Chau | Cai Be Floating Market | Mekong Delta: Sa Dec and Village Life

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy an invigorating Tai Chi class on the sun deck. Set in your day as many local people do around Asia just as the sun begins its gentle glow. A sumptuous buffet breakfast is a perfect start in your first exploration day in the Mekong Delta.

Cai Be floating market, Mekong Delta – 16 Days Beauty Vietnam Cambodia Mekong River Cruise

The morning tour takes you to Cai Be. Cai Be still hosts a small floating market for a boat to boat trading of local goods such as fruits and agricultural products. Our guide explains the particularities of this long lasting dealing culture. Each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling.

Cai Be is a rustic town criss-crossed by and many water canals. Go on-shore to visit a workshop where you will learn about and observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, or rice wine is manufactured. Cai Be and its surrounding areas are covered by palm trees and hence the region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. With the local boat, you will continue to cruise through the lush and green canal network and can observe farmers working in the fields.

Back on board. Lunch is served and you will have some time for yourself afterward to either enjoy a true Vietnamese coffee at the bar or simply watch the life on the riverbanks floating by.

Sa  Dec Village Life

In the afternoon, you will reach the area of Sa Dec. Embark a traditional sampan and tour toward Binh Thanh Island. This island is one of the larger ones in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and made their living by growing water hyacinths. Visit exclusively one of those untouched areas. By wandering through the village, you will get a deep understanding of native life. Moreover, you can follow the whole process of ratt making. You can even try yourself the weaving which is still done manually. You will meet also an old local people who share with us their story on this island and they are happy for any chit-chat with you.

Back on board. You may like to pamper yourself with a spa treatment or take a dip in the pool on the sun deck. Our expert guides offer a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the ship continues sailing to Tan Chau – near the border to Cambodia. We moor mid-stream near Tan Chau. Dinner is served and afterward, you can join our evening cinema session (offered every night) featuring selected classic movies.

Accommodation: The Jahan

Day 11: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh | Mekong Delta: Tan Chau’s Mixed Community | Phnom Penh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the dining hall or in the quiet sanctuary of your balcony. Brace yourself for a tour around Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer community. Once on-shore we hop on “xelois” to explore Tan Chau. A “xeloi” is a local vehicle that is still used as a taxi in this region. You will slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses, and domiciles. Get to feel the laid-back vibes of this place.

Stop at the colorful local market near one of the town’s temples. This is the best time to interact with the vendors of this friendly town to practice your bargaining skills. Board our local boat and cruise past floating houses and finally reach a floating fish farm. This region is the source of fish production that is sold all over the world. Here you will get a deep insight into how fish farming works.

Scenic Border Crossing

Back on board and continue sailing toward the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Get ready for a fascinating and leisurely cruise through the deep Cambodia countryside toward Phnom Penh.

The whole afternoon is at your own arrangements. This is the cruise part when even the last passenger will turn into cruise mode and hopefully experience the therapeutical influence this mighty river radiates. It is time for massages, time for sun bed relaxations, time for private balcony kick-backs – forsooth the time to merge with the river. A culinary class if offered during the afternoon to sharpen your knowledge and skills on the local cuisine. Some may like to do a flying visit at the bridge – the captain always has a story to share about “his” river. “The Highway Blues” beckons as we float into a state of mild bliss and before you totally drift away join the afternoon tea for some treats.

Dinner is served before you arrive in the capital of Cambodia in the evening. The boat docks at the pier of Phnom Penh. You are free to go for your first exploration by yourself. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars (kindly inform the crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).

Accommodation: The Jahan

Day 12: Phnom Penh | Disembark at Phnom Penh | Royal Palace

Meals: Breakfast

Welcome to Phnom Penh – the once called Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town to bespeak centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners. After breakfast, bid the cruise farewell. Then our guide will meet at the pier and transfer you to the hotel in Phnom Penh for check-in.

Phnom Penh Royal Palace – 16 Days Beauty Vietnam Cambodia Mekong River Cruise

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital, is seated on the junction of the mighty Mekong and Tonle Rivers. Known as the “Pearl of Asia” in the early 20th century, it was completely abandoned during the civil strife of the mid-1970s. This now vibrant city teems with the many delights Cambodia offers. From vibrate bars and restaurants along the waterways to the National Museum, Royal Palace, and large art deco Central Market or Phsar Themi, with its hundreds of stallholders selling their wares inside. It is home also to the historic reminder of the years of troubles, the Tuol Slang Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields a short distance from the city center.

In the afternoon, go with our guide to discover the National Museum where you will see the large collection of Khmer history, arts, and architecture. After that, you will also visit the Silver Pagoda, which has 5,000 silver tiles on the floor. You’ll finish the day with a visit to the Royal Palace, a large complex of ornate Khmer royal-styled buildings where many of the treasures and relics of Cambodia are housed and where the Khmer royal family lives.

Return to the hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day 13: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap | Flight to Siem Reap | Afternoon: Leisure | Apsara Performance and Dinner

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

You’ll transfer by morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.

Be prepared to enjoy a beautiful traditional dance performed by a team trained in the Dance of Apsara.

In the evening, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Angkor Village Hotel Theater for a traditional Apsara Dinner Show. where you will have a unique dinner experience which will bring ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodia cuisine. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience highlights the mysterious civilization and heritage of Khmer spoken through choreography and music. Colorful costumes and playful activities will give you insights into the Khmer daily life and wedding traditions while you enjoy a delicious meal to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonders.

Accommodation: Jaya House River Park

Day 14: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom Ancient City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you’ll be visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. On your way to Angkor Thom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the front of Angkor Wat as you pass by, which will leave you with a tingling feeling on the back of your neck as you take your first glance of the enormity and wonder of the largest religious complex to ever exist.

However, we’ll be saving the best for last as you go on today to see some other equally impressive structures of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under the canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.

After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei Citadel of Chambers. You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon, and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup. After sunset, you’ll be taken back to the hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Jaya House River Park

Day 15: Siem Reap | Angkor Wat Sunrise | Banteay Srei: Citadel of Women | Afternoon: Leisure | Cuisine Wat Damnak, and Rosana Broadway

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Before the light of the day, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light shine through the chambers as the morning haze settles giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day.

After that, you’ll continue to a remote temple deep in the jungle called Banteay Srei: The Citadel of Women. Banteay Srei was carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are still well preserved to this day. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale to the other callosal temples around Siem Reap, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a precious gem or the jewel of Khmer art. Then you’ll return to your hotel for some leisure time.

Khmer Cuisine and Rosana Broadway

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak by chef Joannes Riviere. The restaurant is housed in a traditional Cambodian wooden house and recently rated as one of the Top 50 Asia Restaurants. The set menus change every two weeks based on the freshest seasonal products from the local market. It is one of the best restaurants in Siem Reap in terms of food quality.

After dinner, transfer to Rosana Broadway. Enjoy the famous Cambodian Traditional Dance and International Cabaret Show which provides a unique mix of entertainment on stage. The Stunning Performers are trained by a Professional Choreographer to bring you several varieties of dancing, with magnificent costumes to sweep you away on a magical and musical journey of song and dance.

Accommodation: Jaya House River Park

Day 16: Siem Reap | Farewell!

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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