Vietnam and Cambodia Tour 23 days

8:30 A.M or 9:00 A.M, pick up from hotel.

Today, you will visit Ho Chi Minh's complex, including the mausoleum (outside only) of the nation's founder and leader. Here, large crowds gather to pay their respects to the man they simply call “Uncle Ho” as he spent his whole life for our freedom. The Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho's wooden stilt house can also be seen here. One of must-see places in the complex is the One Pillar pagoda dating back tothe 11th century.

The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university and dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, confucius. Inside the temple grounds, huge steles rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnam's culture, the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who later became mandarins in the Emperor's court.

You also will visit the Hoa Lo Prison where you will know about our people, culture and custom and our history.

Then you will have 45 minutes on cyclo  to see Hanoi Old Quarter. And then our guide will take you to see ancient house 87 Ma May.

You will end the trip at 4:30 P.M or 5:00 P.M. 

After breakfast at hotel, you will be picked up at the hotel for your trip to Sapa in 5 hours by car. Arrive in Sapa at around 01:00pm or 02:00pm, you will enjoy the lunch at local restaurant by your own way. Check in hotel in Sapa. In the afternoon at around 02:30pm or 03:00pm, you will trek to visit Cat Cat village, enjoy beautiful landscape and scenery along the road. Upon reaching a waterfall and a hydroelectric station, we will take a short rest before continuing our trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraced fields. The area is still covered by rain forest under the protection of Hoang Lien National Park.

Back to Sapa at around 05:00pm, free at leisure by your own way  and having dinner at local restaurant.

08:30am or 09:00am, pickup from hotel. Today, we will visit Ta Phin commune, 14km southeast of Sapa town. Located in a large valley, surrounded by high mountains, which covered by pine trees and forest, Ta Phin commune is home to the Red Dzao and Black H’mong ethnics. Although living closed to each other for decades, these two ethnic people are very different: The H’mong are cheerful and open minded while the Red Dzao are economical and reserved.

Taking a short drive to the center of the valley, you will enjoy an easy walk following village path around the valley, paying visit to H’mong hamlets scattering from the bottom of the valley to higher mountain slopes. From high elevation, great view of the valley stretching under your feet. Continue your walk to the Red Dzao village in which you will meet groups of women making handicrafts includes embroidered clothes, handbags…

After that transferring back to Sapa. Lunch at local restaurant in Sapa ( by your own way) and then you will take the cable car to discover the fansipan moutain - the roof of Indochina. 

You will end the trip at around 04:30pm or 05:00pm.

Free at leisure by your own way and then you will be picked up at hotel in Sapa to drive to Hanoi.

Cause you have free time today, no activity so you can talk to guide what time you want to back to Hanoi (maybe in the morning or afternoon). Or after check out time. At 12:00 at noon.

09:00 You will be greeted  at your hotel to take the new highway to Got Ferry Terminal, Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City. You will travel on the longest bridge in Southeast Asia and be greeted at our lounge before boarding.

12:30 Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions and check in to your suite. Lunch is served at L’Indochine Restaurant.

12:40 Cruise to Da Chong islet, where you can see a heritage lighthouse built by the French more than 100 years ago. After lunch, cruise to Gia Luan Lagoon where limestone karst formations rise out of the sea. This quiet bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise ships visit.

15:30 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao or Three Peach beaches in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swim in the clear waters of the bay.

17:30 Back on Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

18:30 Activities include afternoon tea and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cookery class.

19:30 A memorable dining experience will be offered at the restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.

21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand squid fishing. The bars are open until late.

06:15 Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve the breakfast. Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and head out to explore the bay in the area where Ao Ech is situated.

07:45 You enjoy on your own for kayaking at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay with its quieter

09:30 Azalea Cruise welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out

10:00 Whilst cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch

10:30 Tea Ceremony is served at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and Vietnamese cultural at this ceremony. Joining Tea Ceremony with our crews team and have great fun with us!

11:35 We return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark. We bid farewell at Got ferry. You will drive directly to Hanoi airport for your short flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Phu Bai Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
 

At 08:00am. After breakfast, our tour guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel in Hue for an excursion to Quang Binh, approximately 200 kilometers away.

On the way, you will have a chance to visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge, important sights that marked violent battles which took place in Quang Tri Province during the American War.

Arrive in Dong Hoi, you will visit the Paradise Cave Paradise Cave was discovered by scientists of the British Caving Research Association in 2005 and has a length of 31km, making it the longest dry cave in Asia. With naturally primitive features, Thien Duong Cave looks like a landscape painting, making it very attractive to visitors. You will then go back to Quang Binh and overnight stay in Quang Binh.

After breakfast (08:00am), pick up at your hotels and then our driver and guide will take you to Da Nang.  

Arrive in Da Nang at around 03:00pm.

07:00pm having dinner at local restaurent. 

08:00pm our guide will take you to see Dragon bridge in one hour. Please be advise that you only can see the light of bridge.
 
 

Departure after Breakfast from hotel at 8:00 A.M or 8:30 A.M,  drive to Ba Na is located 1,480 meters above sea level in the Truong Son mountain range, two hours from Hoi An. Ba Na was formerly a 1920's French resort and once boasted 200 villas, restaurants, and clubs. Its temperate climate, unspoiled forest, and spectacular views over the South China Sea and the Lao mountain range made Ba Na a popular retreat for both the French and the wealthy Vietnamese.

Today the area still attracts locals and tourists alike, although extra effort and a four-wheel drive are required to reach Ba Na as the roads are quite rough and sinuous.

You also will visit the Golden Bridge. (NO CABLE CAR RIDE HERE).

Back to Hoi an for an overnight stay. 

Pickup from hotel ,after breakfast in the morning. Located 60 km from Da Nang, My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a

Must-See for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam.

If time is permitted, our guide will take you to see Linh Ung pagoda before being dropped off at the airport  for your flight to Rep.

Breakfast at hotel: Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends.

Start your sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat.

This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple and the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Pickup from hotel for Show & dinner to be advised

Pick up from the hotel and We will start our day trip to Prek Toal bird sanctuary at 05:30am with our CBGA bird guide in private air-con car and travel to the port of Me-chrey. Our group will transfer to a private boat for the journey across Tonle Sap to Prek Toal. Depending on the lake water level the boat journey cuts through the flooded scrub surrounding Me-chrey and a small band of primary forest lining the edge of the lake. The boat moors at this point for breakfast – (international type breakfast box with milk coffee from the hotel) - before continue to the village of Prek Toal.

At Prek Toal village the group will be transferred to a local community boat (part of an initiative to help spread income from eco-tourism to the local village economy), and heads off into the core reserve for a treetop observation platform next to bird colonies (water level changed by season, when in dry season the water level is pretty shallow so we probably can’t reach the observation platform, so we will just be birding along the water channels. A packed lunch  with Vegetarian International Lunch – Sandwich & Milk Coffee (A packed lunch, will be  arrange for you or you can eat the vegetarian meal, do  not worry so much  about the  lunch)

The group can decide to take the paddled boat tour around the village early before lunch or later after lunch. Then by 02pm we will head back to Me-chrey and get in the air-con car back, arriving at hotel around 03:30pm.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Transfer from GOLDEN TEMPLE RETREAT to Victoria Angkor palace for check in Heritage Line The Jahan cruise.

They will pick you up from hotel Lobby by their shuttle bus  and there is enough space for  your bags. (Pick up from Hotel after breakfast at 8.00Am drop at welcome lounge-We will base this on check in time at welcome lounge to pick you up so you do not have to wait long time there).

We gather in the morning at our welcome lounge in Siem Reap. Relax with a drink as our staff collects your details for the boarding. Then, we bid farewell to the iconic sights of Angkor and travel over land south to the town of Kampong Chamwhere our ship awaits us. The transfer takes about 4.5 hours, snacks and water are provided during the trip. Upon arrival you check in to your well prepared staterooms. A lunch buffet is served in the dining hall. Make yourself familiar with all facilities onboard and take some rest. In the afternoon we learn more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (NGO project). The children join us on board, always excited to show their skills in music and art.

Be sure to be bathed in smiles upon your applause. After the performance, we leave the ship by bus for an afternoon excursion. During low water season, we have the chance to see a bamboo bridge which connects the mainland with an island. Local communities re-build the bridge every year when water levels drop. We continue our land journey to the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). This small complex sits on a hill top on the shore with a breath-taking view over the Mekong. When returning to the ship, you can enjoy some private time until dinner is served in the dining hall.

Our lounge cinema features selected classic movies (every night).

Every morning, our Tai Chi class on the sun deck will give you energy for the day ahead. Breakfast is served in the dining hall. 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. It feels like being transported back a hundred years ago, into an era unaffected by modernity.

Villagers are characterized by their unbridled warmth. Back on board a Monks’ blessing ceremony will deliver spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for all. Enjoy your lunch as we set sail downstream the Mekong. In the afternoon a High Tea is offered and our staff is keen to showyou the variety of traditional Khmer fashion. We arrive at the Island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for manufacturing high class silk products. By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silkworms, to a final top quality product made of original Cambodian silk.

After some additional cruising time, passing the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Rivers, the boat achors near Kampong Chhnang. Have a fresh drink before dinner and marvel at the amazing marshlands of this beautiful area

Wake up early to witness this spectacular scenery at the break of dawn. Our morning Tai Chi class offers the perfect scenery today. Breakfast buffet is served in the dining hall. We are now in Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is on sticks balanced on water rich soil. We take a local boat to the shore. By mini buses we head to a rural village nearby and go on a walking tour. Our guides introduce you to the village specialities – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. You should defi nitely bring some home. Before returning to the boat, we explore the floating villages and wetlands of the region. Back on board lunch is served while the cruise continues with a languid meander along the

Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. Gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape we reach Kampong Tralach. Cacophonous children wave enthusiastically while bringing their livestock for a bath in the meandering river. We will stop at the “Green School” which is partly supported by Heritage Line. See all this river life – which is so different than ours - by a local ox cart ride.

After some additional cruising time the boat arrives at the pier of Phnom Penh. Feel free to have your first exploration by yourself after dinner. 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 our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).
 

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 with centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.

After breakfast we bid farewell to our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (3-nights).

We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after breakfast. By bus we visit the Killing Fields at the outside of the city and afterwards the centrally located prison “S21”. Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of Khmer history when the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and suppression. Those places have not changed much since this horrifc time back in the early seventies and it can bequite heartbreaking. Alternatively, you can explore the city in the morning by your own before re-joining the group.

We take lunch at a fne restaurant in town. Our exploration of Phnom Penh continues on the fascinating cultural heritage of Phnom Penh. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum are our afternoon highlights. The day trip ends with a “cyclo” ride back to the ship through the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh.

Take some rest in your spacious cabin or join other fellow passengers at the bar for refreshing drinks before our captivating evening activities start.
In the early evening a barbecue dinner on the sun deck commences. The dinner is accompanied with an Apsara dance performance. You have to witness the brilliance and richness of this dance along with the soothing sounds of the traditional music.

As the evening unwinds, enjoy your supper with a good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh, and the calming flow of the Tonle River.

After breakfast we gather at the lounge for a great lecture. After breakfast we bid farewell to our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (4-nights).

At 8 o’clock we welcome our passengers of the Pearl of the Orient Cruise (3-nights).

The lounge is set up for a captivating lecture about Cambodian modern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Definitely a highlights of this cruise receiving knowledge first hand as our lecturer has studied the subject extensively and personally.

The whole afternoon is at your own arrangements. From now on, even the last passenger will turn on his cruise mode and hopefully experience the therapeutic influence that this mighty river radiates. It is time for massages, relaxation on the sun bed, and private balcony kick-backs - it’s time to merge with the river.

Some may like to visit the bridge as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Float into a state of mild bliss. Before totally drifting away, do not forget lunchtime around noon.

A culinary class is offered in the afternoon to sharpen your knowledge and skills on the local cuisine. Before slumbering in a nap, join our. High Tea with coffee and snacks if you like to.

We reach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam. From here it is just a short distance to Chau Doc, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views on the riverbanks.

Dinner will be served soon and you can join our evening cinema with another selected classic movie afterwards.

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the dining hall or in the quiet privacy of your balcony.

However, for early risers, we organize a local boat trip to a bustling floating market on the river. We will have you back on board in time for breakfast.

Brace yourself for a tour around Chau Doc, a pleasant, slow-paced town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. Once arrived on-shore we hop on “xelois” to explore Chau Doc. A “xeloi” is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this region. We slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles. Get to feel the laid- back vibes of this place. We stop at the colorful, local market near one of the town’s temples. This is the best time to interact with the vendors of thi friendly town and make your own bargain experience. We board our local boats and cruise along floating houses until we finally reach a floating fish farm. This region is the source of a fish production that is sold all over the world. We get an exclusive insight in how fish farming works.

Back on board before lunch is served, you may like to pamper yourself with some spa treatments or take a dip into the pool on the sundeck. Our expert guides offer a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the ship continues to My An Hung near the Sa Dec province. Before we arrive mingle with fellow passengers and share some stories.

We will set off for the My An Hung Village. In the village we receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family. We are allowed to visit their vegetable garden and access the seasonal vegetable fields via crossing a monkey bridge. We are also invited to their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting. Vietnamese tea is often bitter and locals sweeten it with honey. The honey is produced by the family, a true delicacy in this region. We are offered fruits - juicy, fresh, and right from the tree. A local artist group performs a typical traditional dragon dance while we munch on those natural “vitamins bombs”.

As the sun sets and the light bathes everything golden, we settle on a riverbank gathering with cocktails to recap the day.

Back on the ship we cruise downstream the Mekong. Refresh yourself and get ready for dinner. The ship moors mid-river near SaDec.
 

In the morning we arrive at the island of Binh Thanh. We embark on a local boat and head towards Binh Thanh Island. Binh Thanh isone of the larger islands in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyacinths.

We exclusively visit one of those untouched areas. By wandering through the village we get a deep understanding of the native life. But moreover, we can follow the whole process of their traditional mat making. You can try weaving yourself which is still done manually. Wen will also meet an old local couple who share their story on this island. They are happy for any chit-chat with you.

Back on board lunch is served and you have some time to leisurely spend onboard while we cruise along the Mekong.

In the early afternoon we arrive in Cai Be, a charming town which is famous for its Catholic French church and their 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 to the modern central markets. We can still see some boat to boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products.

Our guide will explain all the particulars of this long lasting trading culture. Each boat has a special marker that lets buyers know what goods they are selling. Afterwards we go on-shore to visit a workshop where we learn how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and 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. The city is criss-crossed by many water canals. By local boat we will explore the lush and green canal network and observe the farmers working in the fields.

As the sun sets, our crew invites you to a farewell event. Before dinner, you can enjoy dances and music together with the crew. The ship moors at My Tho.

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home.We will disembark the ship after breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to the drop off point in Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometers on the highway. You will arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you that will linger on with the stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong. The shuttle bus of cruise will drop you off at the Renaissance riverside hotel ( 5 star hotels).

Our driver then will pick you up from Renaissance Riverside hotel and take you to your hotel

Pick up after breakfast In the morning you will have an excursion to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. This network of tunnels, which stretched for over 200km, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon.

At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specifically constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!). For those interested there's even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.

Back to Ho Chi Minh city for the afternoon tour.

In the afternoon, you visit:

• The Reunification Palace: This is one of the most important buildings in the city. Here on April 30, 1975, what the Vietnamese refer to as the ‘American War' officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was, at the time, the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
• War Remnants Museum: Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of war. Some of the black and white photography in the ‘Requiem' exhibit is particularly touching, dedicated to both foreign and Vietnamese journalists and photographers who perished during the conflict. The exhibit includes the last shots these photographers had taken before their deaths. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks and cannons captured from the American military machine.
• Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office: Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam. Her two 40m towers, topped with iron spires dominate the city's skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country's largest post office.
• Ben Thanh Market & DONG KHOI STREET: This bustling and well-organized market is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dais.

There is no activity today, you will be dropped off at the airport for your flight to home.