Best of Vietnam and Cambodia
Tour Operator: APT
Prices From:
Tour Overview
On this extensive journey plunge into bustling Hanoi, before a luxury Ha Long Bay cruise. Stop in seaside Hoi An and Hue on your way to the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. For the grand finale, enjoy a cruise along the Mekong and a Siem Reap exploration.
Highlights
- Watch the golden glow of a sun rise over the temples of Angkor Wat.
- Absorb the stunning scenery of Ha Long Bay on a three day cruise.
- Visit Hue’s Imperial Citadel, an impressive walled fortress and palace.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Today you’ll arrive in Hanoi and be met and transferred to your luxurious hotel then enjoy the rest of the day to explore this fascinating city at your leisure. Hanoi is both bustling and beautiful with many peaceful lakes that contrast with the busy city to make this part of Vietnam truly unique. Take your time to explore this exciting city before enjoying a welcome dinner this evening at your hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi
Head out on a guided tour of Hanoi before joining your selected Freedom of Choice activity. Tonight, choose your dining.
Day 3: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
Travel by coach to Ha Long and set sail among thousands of limestone islets this afternoon, gliding slowly over the waters towards Bai Tu Long Bay. Enjoy lunch on board, and later, arrive at the mysterious Trinh Nu Cave. Here, you can swim in the emerald waters or sunbathe on a private beach nestled behind the cave. Tonight, perhaps take in a fun Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board your ship.
Day 4: Ha Long Bay
Awake early and as the sun rises, perhaps rejuvenate your body and soul with a Tai Chi class. Gain a first glimpse of Cat Ba island before disembarking to discover Cat Ba National Park and Viet Hai Village. Here, explore the sights of the island by bike. After lunch back on board, continue to Ba Ham Lake, where the active may wish to head out on a kayak to explore deserted sandy beaches. Relax over dinner aboard The Au Co this evening.
Day 5: Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An
Visit the Cua Van Floating Culture Centre. Disembark your ship and transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Da Nang, from where you’ll travel to historic Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An
Explore this delightful seaside town on your selected sightseeing activity. Enjoy a free afternoon to further explore before dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Day 7: Hoi An
Set out on a Signature Experience today in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An, Hue
Travel past the Marble Mountains and cross Hai Van Pass on your way to Hue. Lunch is in a garden restaurant before visiting Hue’s Imperial Citadel and the historic Thien Mu Pagoda. For dinner, enjoy an Emperor Feast unique to this region, featuring royal Vietnamese cuisine.
Day 9: Hue, Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure before dinner.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City, Long Tan or Cu Chi Tunnels
Choose from one of two Signature Experiences today. Tonight, another Signature Experience awaits.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship
Choose your sightseeing this morning, then be transferred to your river ship. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region.
Day 12: Cai Be, Sa Dec
In Cai Be, visit the French Gothic cathedral and port area. Then, it’s off to visit a rice paper manufacturer. Continue to Sa Dec where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Marguerite Duras’ best-selling novel, The Lover. After, visit a Cao Dai temple.
Day 13: Tan Chau, Evergreen Island, Border Crossing
Transfer to a small boat for a cruise around Tan Chau and past a fishing farm. Disembark for a rickshaw tour and visit a local silk and rattan weaving workshop. Then explore Evergreen island to see authentic rural Mekong life.
Day 14: Phnom Penh
Enjoy your Freedom of Choice activity then relax back on board this evening.
Day 15: Oudong, Koh Chen, Oknha Tey
Explore Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital. Return via Koh Chen village and perhaps visit local copperware workshops. Back on board, cruise to Oknha Tey, known for its silk weaving traditions.
Day 16: Angkor Ban
Enjoy a walking discovery of ancient Angkor Ban today, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive.
Day 17: Kampong Cham, Koh Pen
If you are feeling active this morning, perhaps set out on a walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey. From here, enjoy views over the Mekong, making it well worth the climb. You’ll find many temples, pagodas and stupas, some dating back to the 8th century. Lunch is back on board, before taking a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. On your ship this evening, toast the end of your cruise during a final farewell dinner.
Day 18: Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap
Disembark at Kampong Cham and transfer to your hotel. Then, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Angkor Thom and the 12th-century temple, Bayon. Dine in Siem Reap this evening.
Day 19: Siem Reap
Return to Angkor Archaeological Park for sunrise over Angkor Wat. Take a guided tour before breakfast at your hotel. Later, explore Ta Prohm Temple and visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art’ (ODA).
Day 20: Siem Reap
Embark on your selected activity today. Tonight, take in an Apsara dance performance, once reserved for the royal family’s entertainment, before a memorable Farewell Dinner.
Day 21: Depart Siem Reap
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
