The 2023 5★ Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery

Upon arrival, be transferred to your hotel, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi for your two night stay. Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. (D)

This morning, a tour of Hanoi will take you to the city’s most famous historical and cultural sites. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and The Temple of Literature. You’ll also take in the sights of the Old Quarter during a cyclo ride. Spend the afternoon on your selected Freedom of Choice activity.

Freedom of Choice

Perhaps tour the 500-year-old village of Bat Trang. Or, relax and enjoy a foot massage back at your hotel. Embark on a walking tour to observe Hanoi’s French colonial architecture, and explore the interior of the Hanoi Opera House, take in a water puppet show, or a leisurely bicycle ride.

How your evening evolves is also up to you – choose from a range of different but equally superb and delicious restaurants for dinner. (B,D)

Travel by coach to Ha Long Bay and embark your ship, the luxurious Au Co. Embark on your luxurious three-day cruise on World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Feel the wind in your hair as you set sail among thousands of spectacular limestone islets this afternoon, gliding slowly over the azure waters.

Enjoy lunch on board as you traverse through stunning scenery towards Ba Ham Lake, where you will have the chance to go for a dip or enjoy a spot of kayaking in the emerald green waters. Back on board, you might like to try your hand at creating authentic Vietnamese dishes during a cooking demonstration. Dinner this evening will be accompanied by a Vietnamese cultural dance. Afterwards, perhaps catch a movie at the ship’s moonlight open cinema, or take in the views as you enjoy a cocktail on the sun deck. (B,L,D)

Awake early and as the sun rises, perhaps rejuvenate your body and soul with a Tai Chi class. A secluded swim or chance to sunbathe is on the cards with a stop at Ba Trai Dao beach. After lunch, continue to Cat Ba Island, where you will take a guided bike tour to Viet Hai Village, nestled among the jungle-clad mountains of Cat Ba National Park. While here, you will also have the chance to visit an ancient Vietnamese house.

Upon retiring to The Au Co for the evening, relax and enjoy a barbecue dinner. (B,L,D)

This morning after breakfast, take to the waters around the Cua Van Floating Culture Centre by kayak or traditional rowing boat. Renowned for its natural beauty, this calm bay allows you to see traditional floating fishing villages and enjoy local life. Return onboard for a farewell Vietnamese tea ceremony.

After, transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, Hotel Sofitel Angkor, for your three night stay. (B,L,D)

Today, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park to visit the enduring capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, and the 12th-century temple of Bayon.

Later this afternoon, explore the intriguing temple of Ta Prohm, with its stunning ruins, then visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art’ (ODA), a Siem Reap organisation that provides education opportunities for disadvantaged local children.

Tonight, take in an exciting Apsara performance before you enjoy dinner. (B,D)

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a Signature Experience. After experiencing the majesty of World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat, enjoy a guided exploration of what is regarded as Angkor’s best-preserved temple, said to be the world’s largest single religious monument. Relax back at your hotel after breakfast. Later on, set out on your chosen Freedom of Choice activity.

Freedom of Choice

Your many activity options include a traditional Buddhist blessing, a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshop, a quad bike adventure, a leisurely horse and cart ride, a bicycle tour across the countryside, a Khmer cooking class, a shopping trip or a relaxing spa treatment. (B,D)

Journey through remote Cambodian villages to Kampong Cham to embark your ship, the Mekong Serenity for your seven night all-inclusive river cruise. Following lunch on board, take a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture.

Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region. (B,L,D)

Join a walking discovery of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.

Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, a small island renowned for its skilful silk weaving traditions. (B,L,D)

Disembark in Phnom Penh and discover Oudong, an important place of pilgrimage in Cambodia where you’ll be treated to a special Signature Experience.

Signature Experience

In Oudong, partake in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony.

Return to your ship via the village Koh Chen and perhaps visit some home workshops that manufacture copperware.

The afternoon is yours to explore Phnom Penh. You might like to wander the streets and familiarise yourself with the buzzing city.

Tonight, enjoy a special Khmer folk performance before dinner. (B,L,D)

Freedom of Choice

Explore Cambodia's past or present today wit a range of Freedom of Choice experiences.

Perhaps experience some of Cambodia’s sobering history with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields. Afterwards, see the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Or, discover Phnom Penh on a tuk tuk ride with a stop at the Central Market. History buffs can visit the National Museum or, if you prefer, take a leisurely bike ride through the city’s quiet back roads.

After lunch on bord, either explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, enjoy some shopping or indulge in high tea.

This evening is yours to relax. (B,L,D)

Relax on board as you cruise towards the Vietnamese border. You might like to attend a fruit-carving demonstration while border crossing formalities are carried out. Continue cruising towards Tan Chau. (B,L,D)

Step ashore in Tan Chau today for a rickshaw tour. On board your rickshaw, you’ll glide past shops, rice wine rooms and friendly locals who are always eager to say hello. Stop to pay a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop.

Later, step back in time during a visit to an evergreen island aboard a small boat, where you’ll experience authentic rural Mekong life.

The remainder of today is left free for you to relax back on board your river ship. (B,L,D)

Head to Sa Dec this morning, 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.

Afterwards, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple.

Later, continue to Sa Dec and visit the French Gothic cathedral and port area. Then, at a rice paper manufacture, learn how this Vietnamese staple is made. (B,L,D)

Disembark at My Tho and be transferred to Ho Chi Minh City.

You may journey to Ba Ria and learn about the Battle of Long Tan. Afterwards, attend a memorial service at Long Tan Cross - a memorial erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment which is set in a rubber plantation and marks the site of the Battle of Long Tan. On the second alternative, visit the impressive Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. These tunnels served as Viet Cong hiding spots, supply and communication routes, hospitals and weapon caches, and make for a fascinating visit.

Two night hotel stay at Park Hyatt Saigon. (B,L,D)

Enjoy a Freedom of Choice Sightseeing activity today

Freedom of Choice

Perhaps enjoy a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office. Or jump on the back of a motorbike for an exciting city tour. Alternatively, tour the Ky Long Art Villa where you’ll learn about Vietnamese lacquer art and see artist workshops. You may like to try out your culinary skills with a fun cooking class at GRAIN cooking studio or delight in an exciting shopping tour.

Signature Experience

Experience dinner at Vietnam House, founded by Australia-born Vietnamese celebrity chef Luke Nguyen. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. (B)