MELBOURNE TO HANOI

Welcome to our fascinating tour as we cruise on the Mekong Delta from Vietnam and Cambodia! Our excitement will be building as we are collected by our chauffeurs and transferred to Melbourne International Airport where we meet our fellow passengers and our Tour Manager. Our flight departs early on Friday morning for a direct night-time flight to

Hanoi.

Inflight meals and refreshments

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OVERNIGHT: Inflight

ARRIVE HOI AN

After completing our immigration formalities in Hanoi, we fly to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, we will be welcomed by our local English speaking guide then transferred to Hoi An, approximately a one hour drive to the south along the coast road. We have early check-in so we can unpack and have a snooze or explore our resort, perhaps take a dip in the pool. Late afternoon, we transfer to the Old Town of Hoi An. As a wonderful introduction to Hoi An, we step aboard a lantern boat and immerse ourselves in the enchanting beauty of Hoi An's ancient town as we take a mesmerizing journey along the Hoai River. Our 15-minute lantern boat ride promises to be a magical experience, offering us a glimpse of Hoi An's rich cultural heritage illuminated by the gentle glow of traditional lanterns. Back on dry land, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Lunch own expense and arrangement

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OVERNIGHT:  La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa, HOI AN  

HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN WALKING TOUR

Known as a prosperous trading port between the 15th and 19th Centuries, the riverside town of Hoi An still retains many remnants of its glorious time, as evident in the bustling market and abundance of souvenirs and tailor shops. What makes Hoi An remarkable is that its Old Quarter has been beautifully reserved. The streets are still lined with old tile-roofed shophouses, shady pagodas, and colourful communal halls that contribute to its status as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Today, enjoy a guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town, which is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and typical local cuisine. During this leisurely exploration on foot, we can observe some of the historic merchant and community houses, ancient pagodas and traditional places of worship with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture. We make a stop at the iconic over 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge first built by the Japanese community in 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water. Visit the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation and notice its gorgeous woodcarvings on the beams, walls and altar while unravelling with your guide some untold stories about the Chinese community during their time in Hoi An. Our morning break will be at Reaching Out Tea House, a welcome little oasis of calm in the busy, vibrant Old Quarter, owned and operated by the mute and deaf people. Here we will be treated with delicious cakes and incredible tea in the Eastern style. Our tour continues as we stroll around Hoi An's back streets and hear a soft, clattering hum which is the sound of sewing machines. This little charming town is also home to hundreds of tailor shops and nobody can explain exactly when, how or why it became sewing central. Known as a key part of Hoi An culture, the silk lantern is a simple yet colourful handicraft. Follow the narrow street to reach the home of a local craftsman, nestled away in a small corner of the quarter. After a brief introduction to the history, shape and colour of the lanterns as well as the stages of production, we create or decorate a lantern and take it home as a souvenir. Our tour over, we now have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves. Visit a tailor shop where you can get some express made-to-order clothes. Continue to explore the old town. Or some of us may like to return to the resort to relax. The choice is yours! Once again, dinner is at a local restaurant this evening.

Lunch own expense and arrangement

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OVERNIGHT:  Quality Hotel, SUBURB 

DISCOVER BA NA HILLS & THE GOLDEN BRIDGE

Today, we drive to Ba Na Hills, a scenic mountainous area with panoramic vistas. Standing more than 1,400 metres (4,878 feet) above sea level, the temperature of this place is mostly cool year-round. When we arrive at the Ba Na Hills cable car station, we ride on a modern system of cable cars and get a bird's-eye view of our surroundings while enjoying a feeling of flying as we ascend the mountain. When we alight, we take a walk across the Golden Bridge which seems to be supported by a pair of giant hands jutting out of the mountain. We return to the terminal and descend by cable car back to our coach which will return us to Hoi An. We now have some free time - perhaps treat yourself to a massage! Dinner will be in the resort this evening.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement​

OVERNIGHT:  Quality Hotel, SUBURB 

FREE DAY IN HOI AN

Today is a free day to collect clothes from the tailors, wander around the market, do some personal sightseeing or just relax by the pool. Tonight, we gather at a local three-generation house to have a pleasant chat while enjoying some tasty dishes prepared in the traditional way. What a fabulous evening!

Lunch at own expense and arrangement​

OVERNIGHT:  Quality Hotel, SUBURB 

HOI AN TO HO CHI MINH CITY

We have an early start this morning but we’ll all be sad to say goodbye to stunning Hoi An as we transfer back to Da Nang Airport. Here we connect with our flight to Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Airport. Upon our arrival, we will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred into town where we enjoy lunch. This afternoon, we'll explore the local Chinatown and experience the daily life of the people. We'll also visit the Giac Lam Pagoda, which is over 300 years old and is the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. Lastly, we'll visit the Flower Market and Binh Tay market for a 15-minute walking tour to explore how locals buy and sell local food and products. Transfer to the Toum Tiou II and after comfortably settling into our cabins, we’ll be introduced to our crew with a welcome cocktail, have dinner and spend the night on board downtown.

OVERNIGHT:  Toum Tiou II

EXPLORING HO CHI MINH CITY

We enjoy a tasty breakfast onboard before continuing our tour of Ho Chin Minh. Take a short downtown drive to the city. Our walking tour commences and we stop for some photographs at notable sites like the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor-General, and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the downfall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. We also see Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires, based on the original construction from Paris and then we head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy the vibrancy of this city by foot and explore the city’s green space enjoying the beauty of nature in the middle of this dynamic city. Experience the local coffee scene – Vietnam is famous for producing high-quality coffee and coffee shops are a common sight downtown. Transfer back to ship for lunch. This afternoon we’ll continue our touring with a visit to the War Museum to learn more about the history of Vietnam before returning to the ship. We now “set sail” as we leave Saigon for My Tho, enjoying dinner on board.

OVERNIGHT: Toum Tiou II

MY THO TO SA DEC

Today we start our adventure on the water as we enjoy breakfast cruising the magnificent Chao Gao Canal. This is a “must see” start to our experience as we notice the lively and vibrant canal full of ships and also see life on shore. On our arrival in My Tho, we will kick off with a local boat pick-up that will take us to Thoi Son Island; here we will have the opportunity to explore the daily lives of the local people and enjoy seasonal fruits. We will also take a Sampan ride along the scenic canals for a closer look at the Mekong Delta and its unique features. Later we can explore the village on our own to see firsthand how the local people live and to admire the magnificent fruit orchards in the area. This is the perfect chance to connect with the locals and witness their way of life. Back to ship as we leave for Cai Be enjoying lunch whilst cruising. In Cai Be we join a local boat to cruise along the Mekong River. Disembark to visit the craft village where you can witness how the local products are made. Continue cruising on the boat to our next stop - the fruit orchards comprising of many kinds of fruits such as: jack-fruit, durian, guava, rambutan, longan etc...drink hot tea, eat fresh fruits and enjoy a live local music performance. We’ll now have time to explore further before returning to the ship as it leaves for Sa Dec. Dinner during cruising and night on board.

OVERNIGHT: Toum Tiou II

SA DEC

Following breakfast, a local boat will take us on a short panoramic tour of Sa Dec, ncluding a visit to the Trung Vuong Primary School. Here we’ll get a chance to learn more about the local education system. Afterward, we will enjoy a walk around the Sa Dec market on the riverbank where we can experience local commerce. This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the charming river surroundings. Ship leaves Sa Dec for Chau Doc, lunch and dinner on board during cruising.

OVERNIGHT: Toum Tiou II

CHAU DOC TO PHNOM PENH

We enjoy breakfast on board, then our friendly Vietnamese guide and comfortable van will be awaiting passengers at the pier, ready to take us on a tour to Tra Su Forest. We’ll experience this beautiful forest with a motorboat and rowing boat tour, where we can witness this incredible and diverse flora and fauna of this stunning natural environment. Back to the ship for lunch. This afternoon, we will board a cable car and embark on an unforgettable journey to Sam Mountain with our exclusive addition to the excursion program in Chau Doc – the Nui Sam Cable Car. We can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as the ride unfolds. On the summit of Sam Mountain, we will embrace spectacular views towards the border of Cambodia and Vietnam. After soaking in the views, we pay a visit to the Ba Chua Xu Temple on the way back down the mountain before returning to the ship. We’ll then depart to Vinh Xuong Border where we will undergo entry formalities into Cambodia. Later, we arrive in Phnom Penh. We enjoy dinner on board and will remain at anchor overnight.

OVERNIGHT: Toum Tiou II

EXPLORING PHNOM PENH

This morning, we take a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture with its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the area by "tuk-tuk" for an authentic and immersive experience like no other. Visit the beautifully renovated Art Deco Central Market and experience the local shopping scene firsthand. Known as ‘Phsar Thmei’ locally the market is a bustling hub for clothing, food and souvenir shopping. After exploring the market, we will stroll through the city’s off-the-beaten-path alleyways, where you’ll have a chance to engage with the locals and see how they live their daily lives in the city. Observe and experience the locals enjoying their coffee while playing Cambodian-style chess and see the local food in its most authentic form, learning about the way of life in this vibrant city. We continue our visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. From there, we will enjoy a short walk to the French Quarter, where we’ll get a glimpse of the city’s colonial era while admiring the beautiful architecture. The area boasts a number of Belle Époque and Art Deco houses and public buildings dating from the French Protectorate (1863-1953). As we get back on board, we will enjoy an Apsara dance show. Dinner and overnight on board in the port of Phnom Penh.

OVERNIGHT: Toum Tiou II

UDONG TO KAMPONG TRALACH

We enjoy breakfast on board as the ship departs to Udong, Cambodia’s former capital. We’ll dock at Koh Chen and transfer by van to Udong. On arrival, first we visit the colourful Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre where we will hear about the school of Vipassana or Insight Meditation. Then we can walk up the steps to the various temples and the three large stupas where the ashes of three former kings are preserved. You will be rewarded with wonderful views of the plains below. After returning to the ship, we start cruising towards Kampong Tralach enjoying lunch enroute. This afternoon, we visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda, we need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach in ox carts, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields – what fun! We then return to the ship by oxcart – or for those of us who are feeling energetic, we can enjoy a mountain biking experience through the stunning countryside to witness the beauty of the rice fields surrounding the area before returning to the ship. Set sail to Kampong Chhnang with dinner onboard.

OVERNIGHT: Toum Tiou II

KAMPONG CHHNANG TO KOH CHEN

This morning, we visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap Lake. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is also known for its traditional pottery combining ancient knowledge with modern techniques - Chhnang itself means "pot." We'll enjoy a tasting of regional products before returning on board. Option: For those seeking more activity, there will be an option at Kampong Chhnang to cycle alongside the riverside and then to the pottery village to explore this area. When we return to the ship, lunch will be served whilst cruising to Koh Chen. We’ll have a farewell dinner and spend our final night on board this beautiful ship.

OVERNIGHT: Toum Tiou II

KOH CHEN TO SIEM REAP

After breakfast, we farewell our crew, now our friends, and transfer in an air-conditioned coach from Koh Chen to Siem Reap. Upon our arrival, we’ll check into our lovely accommodation where we have time to settle in and freshen for our evening out. Tonight, our dinner will be at Friends Restaurant, Marum.* This is a social enterprise-based restaurant that empowers disadvantaged youth with vocational training amongst other support. It won’t be a late night as we’re up early tomorrow morning. 

Lunch own arrangements and expense

OVERNIGHT: Borei Angkor Resort & Spa, SIEM REAP

*In 1994, Sebastien Marot was leaving a restaurant in Phnom Penh when he stumbled over children sleeping rough on the street. That was the moment he made a decision to do something about this situation and to set up an organization which would work with those children to build a real future for them. Eighteen years later Friends provides social support, education and training to 60,000 children a year who have been pushed onto the margins of society. By eating at Friends, we are supporting a young person on their journey to a better future.

SUNRISE OVER ANGKOR WAT & ANGKOR THOM

We have an early start today as we embark on a sightseeing tour around the Angkor Archaeological Park which stretches over some 400 sq kms, including forested area. The park contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the great Khmer Empire of the 9th to the 15th centuries. As first light dawns, we will be at the most important religious monument in the country, admiring the extraordinary Temple of Angkor Wat across a reflecting moat. We will make use of the cool temperatures and soft morning light to explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat in a more peaceful atmosphere. You most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates, but now we’ll finally get to see it for ourselves. We enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archeologists leaving more questions than answers. Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend some time adventuring through the many passages, levels and exploring chambers that once housed one of many treasures of the ancient world. It will be an experience you will never forget. Around 8.30am, we return to the hotel for breakfast and a few hours to relax and enjoy the resort’s facilities. Mid afternoon, we depart for the ancient Angkor Thom City, founded by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th Century and was one of the largest Khmer cities and remained the capital until the 17th Century. Get inside the reinforced city of Angkor Thom to admire the mysterious Bayon Temple, crowned with the large number of serene faces sculpted on its towers. Also, take this chance to learn more about the intricate carvings of the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later this afternoon, we transfer to the hidden bank nestled inside the ancient moat of Angkor Thom, where we board an Angkor Gondola boat for a unique waterway slow journey over the hidden yet charming lake of the South Gate. Khmer people are proud of their skilled boat makers throughout history and it is possible to find out the ancient Khmer boats carved in the wall of the Bayon temple are the victories of King Jayavarman VII's navy force over Cham's navy in the war after 1177 A.D. Our gondola is a traditional Khmer boat, carefully and proudly constructed to resemble the fine artwork that was done in the past. The ride over water offers leisure and an insightful experience, allowing you to indulge yourself in the treasures of historical and cultural sites that have been untouched for centuries. The boat captain will steer by hand as we sail the ancient waters, viewing the ancient walled temple of Angkor Thom from afar. Get your camera ready to photograph along the great wall of Angkor Thom, Royal Secret Path and the City Guard Post - and we’ve come at the best time, right on sunset. We return to the hotel for a slightly later dinner.

Lunch own arrangements and expense

OVERNIGHT: Borei Angkor Resort & Spa, SIEM REAP

DEPART CAMBODIA

After breakfast, we have a free morning. Perhaps take a tuk tuk to the vibrant local market or maybe just relax around the pool. Our rooms are available until 12 noon; we now have time to purchase lunch and relax. It’s now time to transfer to the airport to connect with our flight home. Own arrangements and expense for lunch. Inflight meals and refreshments.

Own arrangements and expense for lunch. Inflight meals and refreshments.

OVERNIGHT: Inflight

ARRIVE MELBOURNE

After completing Customs and Immigration, our chauffeurs will be waiting for us in the arrival lounge. We’re sure you will arrive home with a sense of well-being, appreciation and love for both beautiful Vietnam and captivating Cambodia.