Day
1: Arrive in
Hanoi City
Welcome to
Hanoi - You
will be met
by our tour
guide /
driver.
Transfer to
the hotel in
the city
centre.
Check-in and
rest of the
day at your
own leisure
or make your
own
exploration
to the
city's old
quarters for
relaxing or
shopping.
Overnight at
hotel in
Hanoi city.
Day
2: City
Touring
(Meals: B)
This
comprehensive
day tour
takes in all
of Hanoi's
essential
sites. In
the morning
we will
visit the Ho
Chi Minh
Mausoleum
and
historical
presidential
relics and
then the
Temple of
Literature
nearby.
Afterwards
we head to
Ngoc Son
Temple,
Hanoi Hilton
Museum. In
the
afternoon,
we will
visit
Museum of
Ethnology,
widely
acknowledged
as the best
in the
country
which houses
a display
dedicated to
Vietnam's 54
ethnic
minority
peoples.
Then we will
take 1 hour
by cyclo
ride through
Hanoi's Old
Quarters to
experience
daily life
of people
who are
living in
the oldest
parts of the
city,
Enjoying the
famous
traditional
water
puppetry
show where
you will
have
chance
to get a
general
picture
of the
daily
activities
typical
to
Vietnam's
rural
areas.
Overnight
at hotel
in
Hanoi.
Day
3: Hanoi -
Halong Bay
(Meals: B)
Morning
depart for
Halong Bay,
we go
through the
scenic
countryside.
The wondrous
Halong Bay
is truly one
of Vietnam’s
most
impressive
scenic
sights.
Heading out
of the town
we embark on
a boat for
an
exploration
of the
legendary
Halong Bay.
This
exciting
cruise will
provide us a
fantastic
view of the
picturesque
scenery
blending
with the sky
and some
3,000
limestone
islands
rising
amazingly
from the
clear and
emerald
water. The
limestone
karsts
formations
are littered
with
beaches,
grottoes and
beautiful
caves. Along
the way we
will anchor
for a
leisurely
swim in a
secluded
cove and an
enjoyable
visit to one
of the many
hidden
grottoes
beneath
towering
cliffs. Stay
overnight on
the Junk
Cruise
Day
4: Halong
bay - Hanoi
- Hoi An
(Meals: B)
Waking up
and enjoy
the sun
rising over
the Bay.
After
breakfast,
visit
beautiful
limestone
grotto then
back to the
boat for a
final
glimpse of
the Halong
Bay while
cruising
back to the
dock and our
van will
pick you up
at the pier
and transfer
back to
Hanoi and
then go to
the airport
to catch
flight to
Danang. Pick up
and transfer
to Hoi An. Stay
overnight at
hotel.
Day
5: Ancient
town touring
- Shopping
(Meals: B)
Known as Faifo to
early
Western
traders,
Hoi An
Ancient
Town is
an
exceptionally
well-preserved
example
of a
South-East
Asian
trading
port
dating
from the
15th to
the 19th
century.
Its
buildings
and its
street
plan
reflect
the
influences,
both
indigenous
and
foreign,
that
have
combined
to
produce
this
unique
heritage
site.
In
the
morning,
you will
enjoy a
walking
tour
with
first
stop is
the
bustling
fish and
vegetable
market
and then
we will
go
through
the Old
Quarters
to see
the
town's
landmarks
of
Japanese
Covered
Bridge,
ancient
Assembly
Hall, Phuc
Kien
Temple
and then
we take
a river
trip and
you will
enjoy
the
scenery
along
the Thu
Bon
River
and the
general
view of
Hoi An
Ancient
Town. It
transforms
itself
at
night,
when
many of
the
shops
hang
lanterns
outside.
We will
transfer
you back
to the
town and
rest of
time at
your own
leisure.
Hoi An
is well
know for
souvenir
shopping
with
great
prices
and also
famous
for its
large
number
of
tailor
shops,
so if
you want
to get a
cloth
tailor
made to
measure,
this is
the time
to do
it.
Overnight
in Hoi
An.
Day
6: Hoi An -
Danang - Ho
Chi Minh
City (Meals:
B)
Morning at
leisure and
you will fly
to Ho Chi
Minh City in
the
afternoon.
Check-in
hotel and
rest of the
day at your
own leisure.
Day
7: City
Touring & Cu
Chi Tunnels
(Meals: B)
Our city
tour
will
help you
to see
the best
of
Saigon.
In the
morning
we visit
the
historic
Reunification
Palace
and War
Remnants
Museum,
followed
by the
architectural
treats
of
French
colonial
Notre
Dame
Cathedral
and the
Post
Office.
In the
afternoon.
In
the
afternoon,
we
drive
to
Cu
Chi
district,
50
km
to
the
Northwest
of
Saigon
City.
On
arrival
watch
a
video
presentation
on
the
construction
of
the
tunnels
before
making
your
way
into
the
tunnels.
Here
you
can
spend
around
an
hour
exploring
the
maze
of
tunnels
and
also
view
the
various
mantraps
on
display
and
the
remains
of
an
American
tank
as
well
as
numerous
bomb
craters
made
by
500
pound
bombs
dropped
by
B52
bombers.
This
unique
experience
gives
a
fascinating
insight
into
what
underground
life
in
the
war
must
have
been
like.
The
return
journey
to
Ho
Chi
Minh
City.
Free
time
at
leisure
or
shopping
at
Ben
Thanh
Market
nearby.
Overnight
at
hotel
in
Saigon
Day
8: Embark on
RV La
Marguerite
(Meals: B,
L, D)
Welcome onboard the RV La Marguerite where the vessel is
moored at the Saigon port (Embarkment dock is subject to
change due
to river
water level). Check-in is at 12h00
where port and immigration formalities will be
conducted. After checking in, freshen up and enjoy the
fascinating views of the Saigon River either from your
private balcony or from the sun deck. At 14h00, the ship
departs Saigon sailing through the international
waterways, up the broad Mekong Tributary. Tonight join
fellow passengers onboard for Welcome Dinner at the
Mekong Restaurant.
Day 9:
Cruising
(Meals: B,
L, D)
Arriving at Cai Be in the morning, early risers could
enjoy crimson sunrise on the sun deck. After breakfast,
sail through Cai Be's floating market, go ashore to
visit the French Gothic Cathedral, colorful flower
gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. Cruise past
Vinh Long Province and arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon
walk. French writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her
childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town. In Sa Dec,
director Jean-Jaques Annaud shot much of his 1992 film
"The Lover". Aside from the fact that the
French have long departed, not a lot has changed in Sa
Dec since Duras' day. Warehouses, mostly old Chinese
shop-houses, bulge with merchandise. Ancient riverboats
load and unload at the wharves built almost to the shop
doors. Both the school where Duras' mother taught and
the small house behind it where the family lived still
stand. Spend time in the house of Mr Huynh Thuy Le,
Duras' Chinese lover. The house is now the "The
Lover Museum" in Sadec. In the evening, cruise
through the Mekong Delta to Tan Chau.
Day
10: Cruising
(Meals: B,
L, D)
Tan Chau is a remote small town on the main Mekong
River. After breakfast, transfer to small boats visit a
catfish farm, rice-polishing factory, mat making
workshop and a silk weaving workshop. Take a round trip
trishaw ride around this fascinating town. We return to
the ship by boat for lunch and cast off for the
Cambodian border for port and immigration formalities.
In the evening, cruise up the broad Mekong River, an
international shipping route and moor overnight
mid-stream just outside of Phnom Penh.
Day 11:
Cruising
(Meals: B,
L, D)
Early morning cruise into Phnom Penh and dock at the
passenger port terminal. This capital of Cambodia
retains its French charm with old colonial architecture
framing busy cafes. The city has several impressive
Wats, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly
painted Wat Lang Ka. Visit the Royal Palace, the
spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in
Cambodia where the Khmer Rouge preserved artifacts
embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture.
The National Museum is another highlight, with
outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An afternoon
excursion is arranged to the Killing Fields and the
Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention center.
Day
12: Cruising
(Meals: B,
L, D)
Early morning departs from Phnom Penh and stop at
secluded Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisurely
walk. Cruise past the Mekong's timeless villages with
extensive fishing activities. The scenery is serene, and
in the distance, forested hills rise. On the river above
Phnom Penh there is real Cambodian life. In the
afternoon, stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the
Wat or Monastery and its school. Explore this peaceful
and friendly community at your own pace. In the Wat,
splendid village racing boats are stored. Anchor
mid-stream at Kampong Cham.
Day
13: Cruising
(Meals: B,
L, D)
In the morning, journey upriver to the hilltop.
Pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating back to the
8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize
the architecture of the Chenla Empire, which predated
the glories of Angkor. Sail back downstream for an
exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. Travel by bus to
the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor. This
colorful temple is unique in Cambodia, as a modern Wat,
it is set within the ruins of an ancient temple.
Continue to the Eco Village of Cheungkok. There are many
pagodas and shrines on the hilltops.
Day
14: Cruising
(Meals: B,
L, D)
Sail along Tonle River, which connects Tonle Lake with
the Mekong and Bassac Rivers at Phnom Penh. Winding
through the jungles, coming up close with local river
folks. Temples abound along the riverbanks at Kampong
Chhnang and we witness a rich tapestry of Cambodian
rural life. This is a busy rural port town with bustling
markets. Mooring mid-stream, visit lakeside wetlands
that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning
variety of bird life are seen and be amazed at the
schools of fish migrating from the lake into the Tonle
River.
Day
15: Cruising
- Disembark
(Meals: B)
The great lake over 150 km long, dominates Cambodia.
Here bird life is profuse. From the middle of the lake,
enjoy the stillness and tranquility along the floating
fishing villages. And we will either cross Tonle Lake at
dawn and disembark at Siem Reap Port or transfer by
coach from Prek Kdam on the Tonle River to Siem Reap
stopping for a short rest at Kampong Thom, depending on
the water levels. Arrive at Siem Reap and bid farewell
to fellow travelers and crew members.
Day
16: Angkor
Wat Temple
Touring
(Meals: B)
we will
start
exploring
the Small
Circuit.
This tour
includes the
huge pyramid
of
Takeo,
and the
jungle-clad
Ta Prohm,
made famous
by the
Hollywood
blockbuster
‘Tomb
Raider’. You
continue to
visit
Sras Srang,
known as the
King's
bathing
pond, and
Banteay Kdei,
before
exploring
Prasat
Kravan,
an elegant
brick
temple.
After lunch
you explore
the
impressive
Royal City
of
Angkor Thom,
where you
will find
the
Bayon,
a temple
famed for
its many
gigantic
carved faces
smiling
beguilingly
down at you.
You will
also visit
other
important
sites in
this immense
walled city,
including
the pyramid
of
Baphuon,
Phimeanakas,
and the
royal
viewing
stands known
as the
Terrace of
the
Elephants
and the
Terrace of
the Leper
King.
If you have
the time
your guide
will take
you to an
excellent
spot for
watching a
mesmerizing
Angkor Wat
sunset. The
evening is
free at your
leisure.
Overnight at
hotel in
Siem Reap.
Day
17: Angkor
Wat Temple
Touring
(Meals: B)
Breakfast at
hotel and
then we will
head 30km
north to
visit the
captivating
and
beautiful
temple of
Banteay Srei
or ‘Fortress
of the
Women’. The
journey
allows you
to
experience
the
beautiful
Cambodian
countryside
as you pass
through
small
typical
villages,
on-route you
will
visiting
Banteay
Samre.
Banteay Srei
is an
elaborately
decorated
temple,
embellished
with floral
motifs and
scenes from
the
Ramayana,
all carved
from pink
sandstone.
It is said
the carvings
must have
been done by
women as the
detail is
too fine for
the hands of
a man. You
will return
to town for
lunch. After
lunch you
continue
your Angkor
encounter
with a visit
to the
spectacular
temples of
the Grand
Circuit,
beginning
with
Preah Khan
or ‘Sacred
Sword’, one
of the
largest
temples at
Angkor. You
continue to
Neak Pean
surrounded
by fountains
and ponds.
Next is
Ta Som
and its
famous
strangler
fig tree.
Finally, you
arrive at
Pre Rup,
a pleasant
spot to
experience
another
Angkor
sunset if
you wish.
This evening
you will
enjoy dinner
and a
fascinating
Apsara dance
show at a
local
restaurant.
Overnight at
hotel in
Siem Reap.
Day
18:
Departure
(Meals: B)
Airport
transfer to
connect your
flight back
to home. End
of service
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