16 Day Luxury Vietnam & Mekong River Cruise

Welcome to the Capital of Vietnam! Upon arrival you will be greeted by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. Take the evening to relax after your flight and prepare for tomorrow’s adventure!

Hotel: 5★ Hilton Hanoi Opera or similar

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Hon Gai pier to board your Halong Bay Cruise. After settling in you’ll receive a warm welcome speech by the Cruise Manager. Lunch today will be enjoyed on board and will include the best ingredients that Halong Bay has to offer. In the afternoon you will be visiting the Vung Vieng floating fishing village via kayak. Vung Vieng is located in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay and will offer a remarkably authentic experience. Immerse yourself in the peaceful village and take in the stunning landscape and traditional lifestyle. Back onboard enjoy some leisure to yourself and try out the ship’s sauna at no extra cost. This evening you’ll discover the secrets of Vietnamese Cuisine with a cooking demonstration and after dinner you’ll have the opportunity to join in a uniquely engaging activity: Squid Fishing!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: 5★ Athena Elegance Cruise or similar

Wake up with the sun this morning and try your hand at one of the oldest traditions of East Asia: Tai Chi. This beautiful and relaxing experience will take place on the open deck. Afterwards reward yourself with some fresh tea and coffee before heading to breakfast. Today’s highlight will be a visit to the Thien Canh Son Cave. Explore this natural cave and witness its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. After this unique experience you will return to the boat for brunch and then prepare to disembark at the pier. Once back in Hanoi, feel free to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or participate in one of our optional Inspiring Sights.

You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.

Optional Inspiring Sight (1 of 5) - Private Hanoi Food and Foot Tour - take a walk around the Old Quarter and explore Hanoi’s “36 streets”. Visit some famous food stalls and local restaurants, tasting around 6-8 authentic dishes.

or (note: both can't be select as they run simultaneously)

Optional Inspiring Sight (2 of 5) - Hanoi Guided Cyclo Ride and Water Puppet Show - enjoy a cyclo ride around the old town and see the world-famous water puppet show. The tradition of the water puppet theatre stems from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would entertain themselves by standing in the waist-deep water with the puppets performing on the surface.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: 5★ Hilton Hanoi Opera or similar

Today will begin with an intimate city tour of Hanoi where you will get the chance to view its centuries-old architecture and rich culture. You will first be visiting the scenic Tran Quoc Pagoda. At 1400 years old, this temple is the oldest in the city, located near West Lake and offering a gorgeous watery landscape. Your next destination today is the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you have chance to visit President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Uncle Ho's House and the One-pillar pagoda – a very iconic temple in Vietnam. This will be followed with a visit to the Temple of Literature, where education and study is center point. After lunch you will say farewell to Vietnam for now as you head to the airport for your brief flight over to Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: 5★ Sokha Angkor Resort or similar

The highlight for today is a tour of the jewel of Cambodia, Angkor Wat, the most famous of all temples on the Angkor plain. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean. From here you will continue to the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm, another incredible sight. You will witness 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. You will explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. Following this you will visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom and see the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk. You will also get to see Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, as well as the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: 5★ Sokha Angkor Resort or similar

This morning you will travel to Kampong Cham to embark on your Mekong River Pandaw Cruise. The Mekong is the world's twelfth longest river and the seventh longest in Asia. Get settled in and prepare for a magical excursion sailing over the new few days through its richly varying riverscape. Enjoy afternoon cocktails and have an opportunity to meet the crew.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ship: RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw

Today will begin with a visit to Koh Trong Island, a small Mekong River hamlet which can be explored by bicycle or ox cart. Immerse yourself into Khmer rural life by visiting local schools and English classes before heading to a reforestation site where you can leave your mark by planting your own tree. Feel free to generously donate items to the schools such as books & pens as they will be greatly appreciated by the students! After lunch you’ll be mooring off at Kratie and will continue on to the renowned Dolphin Grounds via local boat where you will observe the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphins.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ship: RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw

This morning you will be sailing past the Capital City of Phnom Penh and then up the Tonle River where you will then board the Pandaw Explorer, an expedition vessel that will take you to Koh Okhna Tey, or ‘Silk Island’. On the way enjoy some fascinating lectures and film presentations about the local area and culture. On arrival at Silk Island you will be introduced to the entire silk making process from worms to weavers and have a chance to purchase some of the lovely fabric. Next you will be able to witness a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator. That afternoon the Pandaw Explorer will return you to your ship and you will head back down the Tonle River to join again with the Mekong. This evening will provide an interesting lecture on Angkor and Khmer culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ship: RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw

Today you will be visiting Cambodia’s Capital City and architectural masterpiece, Phnom Penh! Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonization of Cambodia and was once known as the “Pearl of Asia” and one of the loveliest French-built cities in Southeast Asia. Begin your orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo, visiting the magnificent Royal Palace and stunning Silver Pagoda. Follow this with the National Museum and its marvellous collection of Angkorian statuary. This afternoon enjoy an optional visit to the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum or take a tuk-tuk to explore the riverfront. Finish the day’s adventure with High Tea at the luxurious Raffles Hotel. Tonight your ship will remain moored at the Phnom Penh city port where you will have the exciting opportunity to explore its lively bars, restaurants and nightlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ship: RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw

Vietnam awaits to welcome you back into its staggeringly beautiful landscape. Sail to the border where, while waiting for the crossing formalities, you’ll have the option to tour the working ship or take a fruit carving class on deck. This afternoon you’ll be exploring the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau and visiting a Taoist temple, where the monks will read fortunes. Continue from here through some local villages by Xi Loi where you will be stopping off to help the locals tend to their fields. Enhance this incredible cultural experience further by visiting a fish farm where you’ll earn merit by assisting to release fish back into the Mekong.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ship: RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw

This morning you’ll be sailing up a small canal to moor off Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore the island by tuk-tuk. Here you’ll get to witness the intricate basket production, an incredible example of Vietnamese craftsmanship before visiting a 100-year old Catholic Church and local woodworking artisans. After cruising downstream in the afternoon you’ll be taking a short coach trip to the Gao Giong ‘green oasis’ with its marvelous natural scenery and bird sanctuary. You’ll witness a diverse selection of elegant water birds and egrets that gather in the tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or ‘Plain of Reeds’. Rowing boats will take you across the charming canals to see some of the principal nesting areas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ship: RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw

After breakfast the ship will be mooring off Cho Lach Island to offer you a further glimpse into Delta life, agriculture and local Viet hospitality. Watch talented artisans working their pottery and enjoy a culinary lesson making traditional Banh Xeo or “sizzling pancakes”. Upon returning to the boat you’ll continue to cruise downstream towards Ben Tre. From here you’ll travel by sampans, small, flat-bottomed wooden boats, through mangroves and bamboo groves to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. Here local artisans are at work and will invite visitors into their homes for tea, fruit and honey products made from their very own honey. Your journey back to the ship will include a horse cart ride through the lush countryside where you’ll have the opportunity to witness another area rich in bird life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: 5★ RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw

Today your magnificent cruise of the Mekong River comes to a close as the ship moors at My Tho, where your coach will be waiting to transfer you to Ho Chi Minh City. Feel free to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or participate in one of our optional Inspiring Sights.

You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.

Optional Inspiring Sight (3 of 5) - Half Day Small Group to Cu Chi Tunnels - This impressive tour begins in the morning from your hotel. Cu Chi is an immense network of more than 120 kms of tunnels under the ground, built by the sweat and blood of Vietnamese guerrillas to hide and fight against the rival forces. You will be introduced to the many kinds of clever booby traps used during the Vietnam war. You learn the methods of creating, maintaining and living in these tunnels as well as the special technique of “hiding smoke” invented by the guerrillas. Your visit here will also include the different types of underground halls and secret meeting rooms. Afterwards you will enjoy tea and cassava, the guerrilla’s main food type during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City just in time for lunch.

Or (note: both can't be select as they run simultaneously)

Optional Inspiring Sight(4 of 5) - Group Cooking Class - Participants will experience cooking together by following a step by step recipe from our wonderful Chef. Everyone will have their own materials and ingredients and will get to try all of the traditional cooking techniques. You will discover the intricacies of Vietnamese kitchenware and enjoy a tasty 4 course meal with complimentary water and iced tea. MSG and “Knorr powders/enhance flavors” are of course forbidden! You’ll even get the chance to bring home a folder with all the recipes.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel: 5★ Rex Hotel Saigon or similar

Today will include an extensive tour of Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon), famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War. The morning will begin on Cyclo, with visits to the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace and the home of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Next will be a visit to the historical Buddhist Monument and Notre Dame Cathedral. The tour will also include stops at other city icons such as the Central Post Office, the Opera House, and the Saigon River. End this enlightening tour at the Ben Thanh Market, a large marketplace in the centre of the city and one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon. It is very popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Here you will also have the opportunity to visit a charming Vietnamese Coffee shop. After your tour of the city, take the afternoon to explore further, relax at the hotel or join our optional Inspiring Sights.

You may choose to include two (2) optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.

Optional Inspiring Sight (5 of 5) - Saigon private food tour on motorbike - This evening you’ll have the exhilarating option to participate in the rush hour of Saigon the way the locals do: all from the back of the bike. Learn how to safely ride your motorbike and follow your personal English speaking guide as you ride through the beautiful lit boulevards, the back alleys, and the busy streets, which is undoubtedly a superior experience to looking through pictures in your handbook! First you’ll be enjoying the traditional Vietnamese pancake (Bánh xèo) and spring rolls as you learn all about each dish from your guide. You will also get the chance to test your own culinary skills by trying to make it! You’ll feel like a true local as you sit on small plastic chairs in the alleys, enjoying your food and drinking like Vietnamese. Later on, your guide will take you around Saigon to explore "Chung cư" - a Vietnamese residential building which was built a very long time ago. Sit down to taste coffee from a hidden coffee shop and learn how to make a glass of coffee without any machinery. Back on the bike, you will witness local activities and discover small alleys where Vietnamese always enjoy their spare time in the evening. More snacks will be enjoyed along the way including some Vietnamese pizza with which you are guaranteed to fall in love with!

Your last stop for tonight is the famous Vietnamese dessert, the sweet soup. You will have a chance to rock your senses until your jaw drops with 3 – 5 kinds of sweet soup desserts. You will then return to your hotel with a full belly and more incredible memories to bring home with you as you prepare to depart Vietnam tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: 5★ Rex Hotel Saigon or similar

This morning enjoy some free time reminiscing about your favourite parts of this trip-of-a-lifetime before boarding your airport transfer. Say farewell to this beautiful country and relish in some well-earned rest on your flight home.

Meal: Breakfast

Arrive home this morning.