Charming Vietnam Tour & River Cruise to Siem Reap

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be welcomed by our tour guide at the airport, then transfer to your hotel for check-in (the room is at your disposal from 14:00). The rest of the day is at your leisure.
In the evening, your private guide will escort you to a local authentic restaurant with the welcome dinner arrangement. Back to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning your private guide will meet you at your hotel lobby to start the tour. We will spend whole day discovering Hanoi, the beautiful capital of Vietnam, by visiting the must – see places. Begin with Ho Chi Minh Complex, the most solemn place in Hanoi which includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday), the Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then we head to the Temple of Literature - the first University of Vietnam and also the symbol of Vietnamese education. This 11th century temple was built to tribute the greatest teacher Confucius, Chu Van An and thousands of doctoral laureates. Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit one of the museums (Vietnamese Women's Museum, Fine Art Museum, Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton” – a nick name given by US pilots during the war)). After enjoying the traditional water puppet show, slowly travel around the Old Quarter of Hanoi on cyclo with 36 interesting street names and enjoy its specific goods. Back to your hotel and free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, you will leave Hanoi and head straight to Halong bay a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with its 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin (180km – 3.5 - 4 hour driving). After arriving at noon, you will board a beautiful boat for an overnight cruise on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood. Lunch and dinner are served on boat. Overnight on board.

This morning, you will wake up early in the morning to enjoy aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After tea break, the boat continues to cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy this more isolated bay's spectacular and unique islands of the bay. Return to Halong harbour after a brunch for car transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi for check-in and relaxation. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, free at your leisure until being transferred to the airport for a short flight to Da Nang, one of Vietnam's major ports, situated on the coast of the South China Sea. Travel south to the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An, where people still wear the "ao dais", Vietnam’s traditional dress. The ancient town of Hoi An, a World Heritage Site, was the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia in the 15th century. Its ancient past is superbly preserved in an enchanting collection of temples, pagodas, shop houses and magnificent private homes in the town's Old Quarter. Walking tour of this artistic jewel, with its century's old architecture includes the gorgeous Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the 400 year old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge and the Ancient House. Back to your hotel or free on your own to enjoy the the peaceful pace of life in this charming small town. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, we will take the drive to the Traque Organic Village. Here, you’ll learn about the many vegetables and herbs organically grown to support the people of Hoi An. We will Experience the farming life there.After a Vietnamese culinary lesson and tasting, return to Hoi An.
You will take a boat trip at a local pier in the Old Town, cruising down streams and past many fishing areas before arriving in Kim Bong village, home of traditional woodworking and boat-building. Return to our hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight at the hotel.

Today, you will leave this peaceful ancient town for a ground transfer to Danang Airport to catch a flight to bustle Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Upon arrival, meet your local guide at the airport, drive to the hotel for check-in and relax. The remainder of the day is totally free at leisure to discover this young city which is well-known as the largest economic and financial city of Vietnam. Taste local cuisine and shopping around the sparkling streets. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, a one and half hour drive takes you to Cu Chi Tunnels which were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Saigon. These tunnels were first used during the French/Vietnamese War (1946-1954) and later used by the Viet Cong as a base of operations during the 1968 Tet offensive. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. The entire structure was dug out of the rock by hand tools without the use of cement. On this tour, you’ll learn about the tunnels and other aspects of the war. Opportunity for a brief view of life underground as you enter areas that have been enlarged to create easier access for visitors. The majority of the tour will be above the tunnels. Drive back to the city centre for lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, and the French architecture of the Central Post Office, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market - where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping street in the center of the city. Back to your hotel and free on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, you are free on your own till the car transfer to the meeting point of the shuttle bus of Mekong River Cruise in the city centre. Then bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon as we travel 70 kilometers south by land to My Tho to embark your boutique Ship. Check in on board.
You will be served refreshing welcome drinks and light lunch as the Ship steadily glides along the Mekong. We will bathe in the fading sunset on the balcony followed by a briefing at the lounge. Later, a welcome dinner awaits us.
When approaching Cai Be, the Ship drops anchor midstream. Light lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are included. Overnight in Cai Be on cruise.

“Vietnamese inventiveness”
Everyday, our journey starts with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson on the Sundeck just as the sun begins its gentle glow. Coffee and tea awaits the early bird.
The day-tour starts with a visit to Cai Be’s boisterous and colorful floating market on a traditional sampan (a flat bottomed traditional Vietnamese wooden boat). During the ride, discover breathtaking landscapes along the river and quaff the rustic life on the Mekong Delta. The cruise will halt intermittently to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, rice pop, rice wine and coconut candies are made, enjoy local life along the canals on the way back to the Ship for lunch.
In the afternoon, we cruise to Sa Dec. Upon arrival, we embark a traditional sampan to tour Binh Thanh Island to visit an untouchable village. Here, every villager is involved in the process of making rattan mat and this give us the chance to interact with the old local people. We then board the Ship for a tranquil evening cruise towards Tan Chau.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The Ship will moor midstream overnight near Tan Chau. Overnight on cruise.

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the Dining Hall of your balcony. Brace yourself for a short excursion in Tan Chau, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community.
Firstly, the journey takes you to the “evergreen” islands where you will be thrilled to learn the life of the locals.
The inhabitants of these islands live on houses poised on high stilts – a centuries-old tradition in this part of the Mekong Delta.
We stop to visit a fish farm located in the Tan Chau canal – this farm consists of floating houses and the villagers make their living by cultivating fish. You continue by boat to Tan Chau pier, disembark here and stroll around this colorful local market with lots of regional products. You return to the cruise Ship after your market visit.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight we anchor midstream near Phnom Penh. Overnight on cruise.

“Pearl of the East”
Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. Sightseeing in the morning will include the Killing Field outside town. Be prepared to be heart wrenched by this stark reminder of the genocide that transpired during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime.
Before lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Genocide Museum, see the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witness exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum.
We go back to the Ship by “cyclo” – traditional vehicle after our museum visit. Take a rest on your cabin balcony or the lounge and get prepared for an exciting evening event. The evening starts with a variety of cocktails served on the Sundeck. In late afternoon, we will be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history. BBQ dinner is served right after the lecture. Take a seat and enjoy the Apsara dance performance. Experience the brilliance and richness of this culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a barbeque on the Sundeck. It is indeed a truly marvelous experience, dining in the open with the moon and the starts as our companions. Ovenight on cruise.

We will depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh with a stop at the little known Silk island community. We will then return to the Ship and pass by the Mekong’s tranquil villages, exhilarating river life and sun-hardened fishermen on their shift boats.
We will tour the rural Angkor Ban village where time stand still. We are transported back a hundred years into an era unaffected by modernity. The houses here are truly rustic, made by hand and without any concrete. But most of all, we feel overwhelmed by the unbridled warmth of the villagers.
Travelers can take part in the daily activities of the villagers to experience village life first hand. Then, we are back to the Ship to cruise towards Kampong Cham. Overnight on cruise.

“Monks and Hilltops”
We will wake up in the early morning, truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers either take a motor-taxi or climb 303 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, it offers one of the most breath-taking views in Cambodia. Built in the 8th century, this ancient structure, together with a bigger and newer addition underscores the superb architecture of the Chenla Empire which predates the mighty Angkor temple complex. We even get to engage in light banter with some of the monks in the area. We will return to the Ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks. Lunch on board.
We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a Wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple which holds a timeless story. Visit OBT project of Heritage Line and organization for Basic Training.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight on cruise in Kampong Cham.

“Water World”
Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail towards Kampong Chhnang on the Tonle River – an amazingly narrow river – which glides through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle. We are greeted by cacophonous children who waive enthusiastically early in the morning when they bring their livestock for a bath in the meandering Tonle River.
Then we approach Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “Water World” where everything is on stilts balanced on water rich soil– it’s an awesome sight whilst practicing Tai Chi on the deck.
Here we take a minivan to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. Then, it is back to the river for an adventurous motorboat excursion to the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. The village has no electricity and has around 600 inhabitants.
We then return to the Ship for lunch while cruising the narrow and meandering Tonle Sap River.
Your floating sanctuary will then cruise gently, in the afternoon, along the narrow and meandering Tonle Sap Lake. In the evening, a sumptuous spread will be served. And for the big entertainment – bring along your dance shoes and learn to jiggle the Cambodian way with our staff doubling up as dance instructors. (If you can’t dance, do not fret. Neither can our staff). Overnight on cruise in the middle of Tonle Sap Lake.

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to this nation. The Tonle Sap has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare – and endangered – feathered life. This great lake dominates Cambodia and is the largest freshwater lake in Asia with abundant birdlife. This lake is so wide that one cannot see its shores from the middle of the lake.
Enjoy the stillness of the water and the quiet tranquility on the way to Siem Reap. The water level varies a great deal according to the time of the year and the amount of rainfall recorded. Thus, minor changes to the itinerary may occur during different seasons.
Our Heritage Line cruise liner comes to an end as we reach this city of the fabled Angkor temple complex. We bid farewell to the cruise as our journey comes to an end. But the memories and the friendships made on board linger on for a lot longer.
We will cross the Tonle Lake at dawn and at 09:00am, we will disembark at the Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the drop off point in town.
Breakfast on board is included.
Note: ***Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed proposal, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. It may be necessary to make some changes as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules or other operational factors.
Arriving at the drop-off venue in Siem Reap City, you will meet your local guide who will take you to your hotel in Siem Reap to check in and relax after your long 8 days cruise program. The rest of today is totally free on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will start joyful journey to Hariharalaya for exploring Rolous Group. This place is famous for three temples built in the late 9th century and early 10th century which are Lo Lei, Preah Koh and Bakhong). Rolous Group represents Angkor Architecture with elaborate towers made from bricks or sandstone.
After having lunch with local family, we will drive abut 35 kilometer to visit Banteay Srey temple. Built in 10th century and dedicated to Shiva, Banteay Srey is the representative for Khmer classical style in the first period. Also known as “Citadel of Women”, this temple owns various amazingly delicate and elaborate carved motifs and statues, among which women dancing Apsara carved on pillar or wall will surprise and fascinate tourists most. At the end of the day, tourists will relax at hotel in Siem Reap.

In the early morning, we will visit Ta Prohm – a Angkor temple with spectacular sight: tree growing from ruined structures. Departure from Ta Prohm, tourists will continue exploring Angkor Wat – the most famous attraction in Cambodia. Built in 12th century, Angkor Wat is a majestic architectural complex with hundred-meter-long hall and high towers all elaborately carved. At about 9 a.m, we will turn back to the hotel for breakfast. Tourists will have relaxing time until 3p.m before going on discovering Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom together with Bayon Temple represent Angkorian architecture in which Bayon Temple put strong impression on tourists by huge four-faced statues carved on stone. Besides, tourists will have a glimpse at Baphoun, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place. In the late afternoon, we will turn back to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

You are free at your leisure until the private guide meet you at the hotel lobby (pick-up time dependent on your departure flight time), then transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Room is at your disposal until 12:00 noon only. Meals on your own. End of services. Thank you very much for travelling with us.