2027 Vietnam & Cambodia inc. Mekong River Cruise

Time this morning for connecting flights before an early afternoon departure for Singapore. Arrival time is early evening and overnight hotel accommodation has been reserved at the airport

This morning, we join the flight to Hanoi. On arrival we are met by our local hosts and transferred to our hotel for a 3-night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure until we go to dinner at KOTO restaurant, specially set up to train the under-privileged youth of Hanoi in restaurant skills.

Today, we start our sightseeing tour with a visit to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a complex of historic buildings associated with the history of Vietnam. We pass by Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation’s independence in 1945 before we visit the ancient Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century and the first university established in Vietnam. We then take a cyclo ride in the Old Quarter of “36 streets and 36 wares” dating back from the 11th century to see the historic quarter. Late afternoon, we enjoy a street food tour of Hanoi by a member of the Hanoi Gastronomy Club. Experience the amazing sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Hanoi as we visit authentic small street eateries to taste “real Hanoi food”.

This morning, we drive along the Red River to Bat Trang pottery village. Our first stop is Bat Trang communal house which was built during Le Du Tong King’s period (from 1719 to 1720) to admire the ancient architecture of rural villages in the Red River Delta. We then visit the ancient house and workshop of ceramic artist Tran Van Do. We talk with other talented ceramic artists and learn about the history of the village, while admiring their exquisite handmade ceramic products. Later on, witness craftsmen forming, painting, and glazing their products in traditional ways and have a go trying to make your own cup, vase, or bowl. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure until we meet again this evening to enjoy a traditional and unique Vietnamese water puppet show before dinner at the Press Club Restaurant which serves fusion cuisine.

After breakfast, we depart by coach for Ha Long for one of our tour highlights. The Halong Bay region is referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown” of Vietnam, with some of the most stunning scenery in Vietnam.  We join a traditional Vietnamese junk for two nights cruising Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, a World Heritage site, with accommodation onboard in private ensuite cabins. Enjoy the Vietnamese buffet lunch and the sumptuous seafood dinner as you cruise the bay passing fishing villages and small towns. Lots of activities available for the more active – cooking demonstrations, pristine beaches for swimming, fishing, kayaking – or just sit back and enjoy the wonderful setting as the world passes by.

Another fabulous day cruising to some of the more secluded and untouched locations. Enjoy a leisurely day of sightseeing, swimming and relaxing as you take in the magnificent scenery.

The cruise continues this morning passing many islands, inlets, caves, bizarre rock sculptures. Don’t forget to watch the magnificent sunrise from the sundeck, maybe even join the crew for Tai Chi exercises. Sadly, after a late breakfast, its time to disembark at Tuan Chau Island, where we rejoin our  coach, making our way to Hanoi Airport where we join our flight to Da Nang. On arrival in Da Nang, we transfer by coach Hoi Ann where we stay for 3-nights.

After breakfast, we depart to Hoi An’s countryside to explore the villages. Crossing the first the canal bridge near the night market we continue to the new metal bridge connecting Hoi An proper and its southern villages. We head past rice fields and vegetable farms along small canals and waterways towards a boat building site at Kim Bong village. We will then head to Tra Que vegetable village, which is named after a sweet-scented herb they grow and use to spice up Hoi An specialties. Upon arrival, learn about the history and custom of this charming village. Learn the traditional gardening methods and how they cultivate the vegetables. Finally, we arrive at Kumquat Cooking class restaurant. Working together with our chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food, using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils, before coming together to enjoy the fruits of our labour. We return to our hotel in the afternoon and the remainder of the day is at leisure. Enjoy a walk to local coffee in Hoi An town (near the riverbank) to try a local coffee or local fruit/ice-cream.

After breakfast, we set out to enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town centre, seeing temples, old houses, pagodas and the Japanese-covered Bridge, providing us with an insight into Hoi An architecture/ history as well as learning about the restoration plan being implemented by UNESCO. You have the afternoon free to explore this ancient town at your leisure. Visit the colourful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialties. The market is a good place to buy silk, which can be made into fine garments, all within a day.

We depart Hoi An mid-morning and return to Da Nang airport, where we join the flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 3-night stay.

Certainly, one of the tour highlights today. We begin the day early for a full day-tour of Angkor. When it is well-lit and relatively quiet is the best time to visit Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous of the Angkor temples – it is an architectural marvel and one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple has fine carvings of Apsaras in stone made during the Angkor period. We then return to the hotel for breakfast. This afternoon, we take a fun tuk tuk ride to visit Angkor Thom, a walled and moated royal city and the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. We visit the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace and Royal Place area. We end our sightseeing this afternoon with a visit to Bayon temple with its iconic carved faces.

This morning, we visit the picturesque Ta Prohm, which has nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown; an oddly haunting and exotic scene, emphasizing the ‘lost city’ legend. Then, walk through the Sra Srong village, located just behind Ta Prohm temple where we can see the villagers making wooden carvings and weaving. Enjoy a coffee break at one of the villagers’ houses with the opportunity to interact with the local family. We head back to hotel after the visit for a late breakfast. Later, we drive out of Siem Reap and visit Wat Bo Krum village on the banks of Siem Reap River. Wander around this typical Khmer village and enjoy the peaceful scenery. Visit the local children at the village school.  Donations are always welcome, and you may want to bring some notebooks, pens, new or used clothes, or rice to hand over to the school or village pagoda.  After the visit, drive back to Siem Reap with a stop en route to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture, and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. Lunch is taken at local restaurant and the remainder of the day is free at leisure.

This morning, we transfer to Kampong Cham on the Mekong River. Early this afternoon, we embark at Kampong Cham on our boutique river cruise ship “The Jahan” where we are greeted by the crew with a welcome drink and buffet lunch. As the afternoon unfolds, sailing with the flow of the Mekong River, you can enjoy time on the deck. This evening, we enjoy a sunset event with the cruise director, enjoying canapés and prosecco, as we socialise with our group, and other fellow passengers. Later in the evening, dinner is served.

For those that wish, start the day with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson on the sun deck just as the sun begins its slow rise. The ship sails up towards the small Angkor Ban village on the Mekong River. The Angkor Ban village is famous for its unspoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses. Back on board we enjoy lunch, sailing downstream towards Phnom Penh. Before we arrive at Cambodia’s capital, we halt at the small silk weaving community of Prek Bangkong, located at the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers. This village was also the former residence of the Royal family before they moved to the Royal Palace. We will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about the intricate silk production process before concluding our excursion with a visit to the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, once a famous architect for the royal family. The rest of the day is spent sailing, passing the skyline of Phnom Penh and heading into the small Tonle River northbound. Enjoy dinner and a cinema evening offered afterwards in the lounge. We moor midstream in the Tonle River at Kampong Laeng.

This morning we explore Kampong Laeang, an unknown hamlet situated just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, we embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, we’ll discover the art of pottery making and visit a charming pre-Angkorian temple. From a vantage point, amazing panoramic views of the vast floodplains and lush rice fields (seasonal) can be enjoyed. Back on-board lunch is served while the cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. Children wave enthusiastically while bringing their livestock down to the river. Further down the river we take part in an Ox cart ride being introduced to the Heritage Line pro-bono “literacy project” at the Green School. After some additional cruising time the boat arrives at the pier of Phnom Penh where we overnight.

Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. Our full day sightseeing tour starts with a cyclo ride, meandering through the town, and then visit historic places such as the palace and the silver pagoda. Our journey takes us to the “S21” prison, a poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia’s history during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Afterward, we’ll pause for lunch in town before continuing with a visit to the Champey Academy of Arts – a school dedicated to preserving traditional arts. Observe young dancers training in the intricate Apsara dance and take the opportunity to learn basic “Kbach” techniques under their guidance. Alternatively, you can interact with students or simply witness traditional paintings and drawings created by local youth. We conclude the day with a leisurely stroll through the city’s French Quarter, seeing the iconic Wat Phnom temple. To cap off this eventful day, we’ll indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city at night, savouring Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.

Before bidding farewell to Phnom Penh, join your fellow passengers in the lounge of the ship, as we listen to the captivating testimony of Mr. Sum Rithy. Having endured the S21 imprisonment and later taking an active part in the Khmer Rouge tribunal, Mr. Sum Rithy continues to bear witness to a difficult chapter of Cambodia’s history. Guests have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to talk and question a living witness of this dark Cambodian era. Once the ship departs, the rest of the day is at your own disposal. Switch into cruise mode and experience the relaxing cadence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is the perfect time to indulge in a spa treatment or relax on a terrace deck before paying a visit to the bridge, where the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, learn more about Khmer gastronomy: join a local culinary workshop held by the head chef. Later in the afternoon, we reach the Vietnamese border for the requisite cross border paperwork which can take some time. From here we continue the sailing into the heart of the bustling Mekong delta mooring near Gieng Island.

After breakfast, we visit Gieng Island, known locally as Mango Island due to the flourishing mango groves that shape the island’s landscape. A visit to a small incense workshop introduces us to the careful process of crafting these fragrant sticks by hand. Another local highlight is a traditional boat-building workshop, where generations of families assemble wooden vessels that are essential to life along the river. Before departing, we taste some of the delicious and freshly picked mangoes with a local tea in the courtyard of a century-old local home. Lunch is on board the ship before we set off for My An Hung Village. We receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to understand what the farmers are currently cultivating. A Vietnamese tea tasting is accompanied by a presentation of a variety of fruits that are grown near-by, freshly cut from the tree. An artistic group performs the traditional dragon dance, whilst we enjoy our refreshments. Back on board, the ship sails into the sunset toward Sa Dec where we moor for the night.

This morning, we transfer by local boat to Sa Dec, a charming riverside town in Dong Thap Province. This town reveals a graceful blend of colonial elegance and everyday Mekong life. Begin with a walk through the lively central market, where an abundance of fresh produce, seafood, and local delicacies reflects the region’s rich agricultural rhythm. We visit the historic home of Huynh Thuy Le, closely tied to Marguerite Duras’ The Lover. Stepping inside offers a glimpse into a narrative that has left its mark on both literature and the town itself. The journey continues to Kien An Cung Pagoda, a century-old temple of Chinese heritage. With its ornate details and tranquil riverside setting, it provides a peaceful contrast to the town’s lively streets. After enjoying lunch back on board the ship, it is time for our afternoon excursion. We visit a workshop in the town of Cai Be, we’ll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. This is a very interesting process involving manual labour and special production techniques. After the workshop, we head to Tan Phong Island, a smaller island in the middle of the vast Mekong. We visit a local family and their fruit garden, where we have the opportunity to sample various kinds of tropical fruits. A buggy ride through the island takes us to another local family’s house who specialize in weaving water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand. In the evening, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho, as we enjoy our final night on board.

Our cruise sadly comes to an end, as the ship winds its way to My Tho, approximately 70km south of Saigon on the upper Mekong River in Vietnam. We disembark after breakfast and leave the rural tranquillity behind us as we transfer to the bustling city of Saigon for a 2-night stay. On arrival, we enjoy an orientation tour, visiting historic landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France. Then, we head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while our guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into daily life of a Saigonese. We check into our hotel early afternoon and the remainder of the day is at leisure.  For those that wish, there is the option to enjoy a “Saigon Nightlife by Vespa” tour this evening (price on request).

Today is a full day of sightseeing. After breakfast travel out of the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast network of tunnels, stretching for over 150 kilometres was built by the Viet Cong in the battles for the South. The tunnels are a sobering insight into the dedication of the Viet Cong who virtually lived in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels whilst the war raged. Nearby, a chilling demonstration of the traps and weapons that were used against the Americans is given and we then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is yours for some last-minute shopping, sightseeing or just relaxing by the pool in preparation for the journey home. We enjoy one final dinner together this evening.

A leisurely day until our lunchtime transfer to the airport where we join the flight to Singapore connecting with the overnight flight home. NB: Those who wish may break their journey at Singapore for a stopover and return independently at a later date.

Arrive home mid-morning.