20 Days: Ultimate Vietnam & Cambodia Mekong Cruise.

Our ultimate Vietnam and Cambodia tour. Cruise the mighty Mekong river in style...

• Hanoi (2 nights)
• Halong Bay cruise (1 night)
• Hoian (3 nights)
• Danang
• Hue (1 night)
• Saigon (2 nights)
• Luxury Mekong River cruise (7 nights)
• Shore excursions along the Mekong
• Phnom Penh
• Siem Reap (3 nights)
• Angkor Wat Temples
• Guaranteed departure

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1 Hanoi
Meeting & greeting at the airport upon your arrival and transfer to hotel for check-in and tour briefing. If time permits we will take an orientation tour around central Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi (B)
Today we'll be on a full day tour to discover the most outstanding attractions of Hanoi. First we pay a visit to the complex of memorials to Ho Chi Minh to know his amazing life. Continue to the Single Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature to gain understanding of the two driving forces in Vietnam culture.

Afternoon we visit the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection of artifacts about the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in the country. Next we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter, a series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers still trade the way they have done for centuries. The rickshaw tour ends up at an old house on Ma May Street, an example of dwellings in the 19 century.

Later we walk through the busy traffic to the water puppet theatre and enjoy a performance of the famed traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River Delta region.

Day 3 Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
This morning we journey east to Halong Bay, Vietnam's greatest natural wonder. Board a beautiful traditional luxury wooden junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay's 3000 magnificent limestone islets.

In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal and later there is opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat. Stay overnight aboard.

NOTE: Kayaks are available if specified at time of booking

Day 4 Halong - Hanoi - Danang - Hoian (B, L)
Wake up to fresh coffee then further cruising and more sightseeing. En route the junk weaves through impressive rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further!

Disembark and transfer to airport for a flight to Danang in Middle Vietnam. Meet up with our local guide upon arrival and drive 35 km along the scenic coast to the quaint town of Hoian for the night.

Day 5 Hoian (B)
This morning we'll be on foot exploring the ancient quarter of Hoian, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its historic role in international trade, unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, a Sino-Vietnamese merchant house, a Chinese Temple, the Central Market, and the Culture Museum.

There'll be time for independent exploration and shopping opportunities, which many of our guests prefer as Hoian is a very good place to find interesting gifts. This is also the place that you can have a suit or dress tailor-made (usually ready in 24 hours).

Optional tour of herb village: take a bike ride or car depending on your preference through the rural scenery of Hoian to a small vegetable planting village located on the banks of Tra Que lagoon (5km - 15mins cycling from Hoian). Tra Que village has been known for its special aromatic herbs such as mint and basil. Join local people in their daily work of planting and watering vegetables. Learn to cook some local specialties, for example "Tam Huu" - a set of shrimps, pork and aromatic herbs, and then enjoy lunch. Tour finishes around 14:00 PM. We can re-arrange your morning walking tour to suit.

Overnight in Hoian.

Day 6 Hoian (B)
Free day to relax in Hoian and enjoy the hotels ammenities, the local beaches or shopping.

Day 7 Hoian - Danang - Hue (B, D)
We leave Hoian and travel overland to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, This visiting the Cham sculpture museum, the Non Nuoc Beach and Marble Mountains in Danang, climbing over the breathtaking Pass of Ocean Clouds and passing by the scenic beach of Lang Co.

In Hue we'll be exploring the former Imperial Citadel, a complex of palaces and temples built in the early 19th century and a recognized UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We also take a leisure boat trip on the scenic Perfume River and visit Thien Mu pagoda.

Round off the evening with Hue cuisine and folk music.

Day 8 Hue - Saigon (B)
This morning we visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and also a fascinating royal garden house before taking the flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival in Saigon, meet your guide and explore some of Saigon's famous landmarks including the Former Presidential Palace, War Remnant Museum, War Remnant Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Opera House, the City Hall, and Ben Thanh Market.

Day 9 Saigon - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi tunnels - Saigon (B, L)
Our tour today includes a visit to the opulent Holy See Temple of Caodai Sect in Tay Ninh. Caodai is a fascinating Vietnamese religion combining aspects of Christian, Buddhism, Muslim, Taoism and Confucius into a single religion. There's a chance to observe the impressive noon service of adherents.

Early afternoon we travel to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network of underground combat tunnels where our guide will explain how the Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam War. Now the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those interested in Vietnam's military history. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 10 Mekong River Cruise : My Tho - Cai Be (B, L, D)
Meet at the Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon at 9 am for the transfer arrangement to My Tho, located 70 kilometres away. The transfer includes a stop at the Cholon Market and visit to a lacquer factory. Arrival in My Tho, we'll receive cordial welcome from RV Mekong Prestige, followed by lunch on board.

This afternoon we start cruising upstream the mighty Mekong River. In the evening, enjoy Welcome Dinner & traditional Music Show.

Day 11 Mekong Cruise: Cai Be - Sadec (B, L, D)
We arrive in Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast, take a junk trip around Cai Be to visit a floating market and go ashore to see a French Gothic Cathedral. Stroll along the river bank and visit a factory producing rice paper and coconut sweets.

Return to the ship for lunch. Cruise past Vinh Long Province to Sadec for an afternoon walk. The French writer Marguerite Duras spent parts of her childhood in Sadec, a sprawling busy town on the Mekong Delta. Both the school where Duras' mother taught and the small house behind it where the family lived still stand. We'll see the house of Marguerite's Chinese Lover, now a small museum of "The Lover" in Sadec. Continue to a Caodaist Temple and wander through the colourful market. At night we navigate through the Delta.

Day 12 Tan Chau - border crossing (B, L, D)
This morning we arrive in Tan Chau, a remote town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer on small boats to a floating farm to learn about an industry once regarded as more lucrative than gambling. We then go ashore to visit a local workshop producing woven mats, and a silk weaving workshop.

Enjoy a rickshaw ride round this fascinating town before returning to the pier for lunch. Later, depart for the Cambodian border. Clear immigration formalities then start cruising in Cambodia.

Day 13 Mekong Cruise: Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
Arrive in Phnom Penh in the morning. The capital city of Cambodia still retains its old French colonial architecture in riverside streets. Visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board.

Afternoon excursion to the former High School "S21", converted to a detention centre under the Red Khmer's rule between 1975 and 1979, followed by a visit to Wat Phnom after which the city was named. Enjoy dinner and traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show on board

Day 14 Mekong Cruise: Koh Chong - Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
Early morning we sail from Phnom Penh to Koh Chong. Upon arrival, take a leisurely walk through this silk weaving village and visit a local workshop. The excursion also includes a visit to a pagoda and a meeting in a primary school to chat with pupils.

Return to the ship for lunch. We cruise past the Mekong's timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. Return to Phnom Penh and afternoon at leisure for a discovery of the city on your own and shopping at the Russian Market.

Day 15 Outdong-Kampong Tralach (B, L, D)
Today we journey upriver towards Oudong, 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital city of Cambodia. Erected on a hilltop this place houses numerous Stupas dating of the last Khmer Kings. We see the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, a place of meditation for Buddhist Monks.

After the visit buses depart for Kampong Tralach to visit the very charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back to the last century to see the beautiful wall paintings. Return to the ship by ox-drawn carriage.

Day 16 Kampong Chhnang (B, L, D)
This morning we sail on the Tonle Sap River, which connects the Mekong River to the Tonle Lake. In Kampong Chhnang, busy rural port town with bustling markets approximately 90 km from Phnom Penh, we board local boats to visit the authentic floating village. The life of the entire population is connected to the river with local people using the canal system which criss-cross this little town. We go ashore to stroll through the scenic market.

Day 17: Tonle Lake-Siem Reap (B)
We cross Tonle Sap Lake early in the morning. The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length, with interesting and varied bird life resulting from the varied the water levels in the lake and river depending on the time of year and rainfall.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Siem Reap. Meet up with your private guide at the meeting point and transfer to the hotel for check-in and tour briefing. Enjoy the balance of the day at own leisure.

NOTE: It may not be possible to cross Lake Tonle if the water is low. Alternative arrangements will be made to cross the lake either by speed boat or bus. Passengers will be informed of details before departure. The cruise schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modifications.

Day 18: Siem Reap (B)
Today we start exploring the wonders left by a highly complex civilization that controlled the greater part of Southeast Asia for four centuries. Enter the Great City of Angkor Thom through the South Gate and traverse to admire the temples of Baphoun and Phimeanakas, the Terraces of Elephant and Leper King, and especially the mysterious smiling Bayon.

After a break we'll visit the fascinating temples of Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Thevoda, and the Royal Bath of Sras Srang. Hike up Phnom Bakheng to behold the magnificent sunset over the land of temples.

Day 19: Siem Reap (B)
This morning we tour the epic temples of Angkor Wat - a vast rambling complex of diverse temple structures dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Many are adorned with exquisite carvings and bas-reliefs; some are so entwined with trees and vines that they almost returned to the jungle.

Angkor Wat is the apogee of classical Khmer architecture and has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on the national flag, and stands on par with such other monumental achievements as Machu Picchu and the Great Pyramid. Free in the remainder of the day.

Day 20: Departure (B)
Free till transfer to the airport for departure flight

Small Group Departure Dates & Price

Ref	Weekly Departures Cruise Dates- 4 Star hotels + main deck on cruise	Departure Dates	Twin share (£)
VCC	Jan -30th April 2016	Weekly	£2790
VCC	Oct 2016 - April 2017	Weekly	£2880

Prices are based upon a small group tour excluding international flights from UK. As an agent for airline consolidators, we can obtain your international flights at a competitive rate to suit your preferred departure date. Contact us to discuss your requirements. Hotel upgrade to 5-Star and Cabin upgrade on the MEKONG CRUISE are available. Private tailor-made tours can also be arranged. We can also arrange this tour as a 'down stream tour' starting from Siem Reap and departing Hanoi.

Price Includes (The prices shown are 'per person')

• All flights within Vietnam including airport tax.
• All airport/hotel transfers where specified (private transfer).
• Selections of superior/deluxe (generally 4 star)
• Sightseeing tours including entrance fee by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Air conditioned transportation
• 7 nights on board Deluxe Mekong cruise Ship
• The Welcome and Farewell Dinners on board the cruise boat include the option of local beer, packaged soft drinks and house brand spirits, filtered coffee, selection of teas & herbal infusions and local mineral water during the Mekong cruise.
• Halong overnight cruise.
• Guaranteed Departure.

Price Does Not Include

• International Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
• Visa letter of arrival fee (please contact us for details).
• Travel Insurance.
• Tip for driver and Guide.
• Imported beverages such as wines, premium beer, premium spirits and liqueurs, imported mineral waters, espressos and cappuccinos at bar on the Mekong cruise ship.

RV Mekong Prestige cruise boat

Meals: As stated in itinerary, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner

FAQ and further Tour information
Please see our FAQ page for further essential tour information.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of the flight available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.