INCLUDES A 7 NIGHT LUXURY RIVER CRUISE * Return flights from Australia to Vietnam & from Cambodia 7 night Mekong River Cruise aboard the RV Mekong Navigator 2 nights in Hanoi, 3 nights in Hoi An & 1 night in Hue 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City & 2 nights in Siem Reap Overnight cruise on Halong Bay aboard a luxury junk Home to airport transfers (Adelaide metro area only) 20 breakfasts (B), 10 lunches (L) & 13 dinners (D) Tour the sights of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Dress up in royal costume for an Imperial banquet in Hue Learn traditional painting & lantern making techniques in Hoi An Hear fascinating stories about the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels Enjoy a sampan cruise and tour of Cai Be s floating market Explore the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Visit a family home and a local school in Angkor Ban Receive a Buddhist Water Blessing at Wat Hanchey Witness the spectacular theatrics of the Cambodian circus, Phare
Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula. With an estimated 92.7 million inhabitants as of 2016, it is the world's 14th-most-populous country, and the ninth-most-populous Asian country. Your adventure begins in Hanoi, with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and a walking tour through the city s Old Quarter. Then, relax onboard a cruise through spectacular Halong Bay. Later, travel south to discover Hoi An before travelling to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You ll then travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam s commercial centre. Here, you will visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels before travelling to My Tho to board your luxurious cruise aboard the RV Mekong Navigator. Cruise for 7 nights on the Mekong River on-board the luxurious RV Mekong Navigator. With only 68 Guests onboard, your ship includes a restaurant, lounge, sun deck, fitness Room, Spa, Library and 35 Staff and crew including 3 expert local guides. The ship creates truly unforgettable experiences for guests as a fine, luxurious 5-star floating hotel with spacious and sophisticated designs. As a tribute to the incredibly flavourful cuisine of South East Asia, the La Marche Dining Room will take you on a gastronomic journey with fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables that fill the local markets. Guests will also enjoy a variety of western dishes, thoughtfully prepared to provide an array of choices throughout their experience on board. Cruising up the Mekong River, you ll arrive in Phnom Penh, a city once known as the Pearl of Asia. Journey to the Royal Palace complex and the National Museum housing Angkorian and pre-angkorian artifacts. Visit the charming town of Angkor Ban and get a glimpse into the lives of the local people. Then, visit Wat Hanchey and receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the monastery s resident monks. Disembark from your river cruise at Kampong Cham and travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to the magnificent Temples of Angkor. Visit Angkor Wat, a temple known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings before travelling to the impressive Bayon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Your Vietnam & Cambodia adventure begins this morning with a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Xin Chao and welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam! With large boulevards, tree lined lakes and French inspired architecture Hanoi is blessed with charming atmosphere. You will be met by an Evergreen Cruises & Tours representative and be transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Director for a tour briefing and then enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel stay: Hanoi (2 nights) This morning visit historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (view from outside) and learn about the man who liberated his country from French Colonial rule. See Ho Chi Minh s former home then the iconic One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam s first university established to educate royalty. Being over 900 years old with well-preserved architecture this is a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam s past. Take a walking tour through Hanoi s historic Old Quarter. Consisting of bustling streets and lanes named after the products sold in each street, it is an area oozing with character and is a great way to see local life in Hanoi. Finish with a stroll around picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake. Stop for lunch at KOTO restaurant, a unique restaurant that trains and educates disadvantaged street children in English and hospitality skills. Then, attend a traditional Water Puppets performance. Dating back to the 11th century, the Water Puppets are a unique Vietnamese art form. After the show we take you backstage to meet the puppeteers and get an intimate look at this fascinating art form. Add a scenic flight for an extra cost: Scenic Flight over Halong Bay This morning, you will have an opportunity to view spectacular Halong Bay from the air with a 45 minute seaplane flight. You ll board the scenic seaplane flight in Hanoi and travel over Halong Bay before returning to Hanoi to re-join your tour. This scenic flight must be prebooked before you depart. Travel to Halong Bay and join your luxurious traditional style junk. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning scenery. Thousands of karst limestone pillars rise dramatically out of the emerald water creating a surreal but incredibly beautiful seascape. Settle in for an unforgettable overnight cruise through the bays and islets of this magnificent region. After a sumptuous lunch, board row boats and visit Dark and Bright Lagoon, a spectacular lagoon accessed by passing under a natural tunnel. In the evening enjoy the breath-taking surroundings as you relax on board. Hotel stay: Bhaya Classic Junk (1 night)
After breakfast, explore one Halong Bay s biggest caves, Surprise Cave which is known for its impressive stalagmite and stalactite formations. Sail back to the mainland leaving the majestic scenery behind. Transfer to Hanoi and take your flight to Danang where you will be picked up and transferred to the historic port town of Hoi An. From the 17th to 19th centuries Hoi An was a thriving port that saw trade from all parts of Asia as well as Europe. Today, it is a well preserved town full of shops, great cuisine, history and architecture. Hotel stay: Hoi An (3 nights) Hoi An s old town is closed to cars so is great for exploring on foot. This morning take a short guided walking tour through the World Heritage listed ancient town. See old merchants houses, a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese architecture, including the beautifully carved Japanese Covered Bridge as well as the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. Join the Lifestart Foundation, an organisation that assists the underprivileged in becoming self-sufficient through the production of traditional handicrafts. Receive an engaging and interactive glimpse into local life in Vietnam as you visit the studio of a local painter who will teach you the art of Vietnamese painting. Today is free to explore Hoi An and it s surrounds. Wander the streets, visit the shops and markets, relax by the river or on the beach or take a Discover More tour. Learn how to cook like a local at a Vietnamese cooking class, or tour the historic ruins of the Champa Kingdom at My Son (additional cost). Drive along one of Vietnams most scenic roads travelling over the Hai Van pass with views of the picturesque coastline and quaint villages. Arrive in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. On the banks of the Perfume River, Hue hides secrets of an impressive past with a plethora of cultural sights. Visit the Imperial Citadel, a wonderfully historic structure that was the seat of the former Nguyen Dynasty. Modelled on Beijing s Forbidden City, it houses the emperor s residence, temples and palaces. Cyclos are a Vietnamese institution and are a fun and relaxed way to get around. Experience a traditional cyclo ride through the Dai Noi or Old City to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. Board a boat for a tranquil ride down the Perfume River to Hue s most significant and iconic temple, the Tien Mu Pagoda, a seven story octagonal tower that is a Buddhist Temple. Royal cuisine under the Nguyen Emperors banquets were legendary, and tonight we live like an Emperor of Hue and dress up in royal costume for an Imperial banquet. Savor an unforgettable dinner with typical royal dishes which gives a glimpse of the city s splendid past. Hotel stay: Hue (1 night)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. More commonly known as Saigon, it is a city with a turbulent and colourful past, although today it is the country s commercial centre with over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel stay: Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights) Travel from the city, through the countryside to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. An ingenious network of over 200km of underground tunnels, they were built by the Viet Cong guerrillas as a means of protection, communication and deception against both the French and American forces. At its peak, the network included sleeping quarters, kitchens, meeting rooms and hospitals serving more than 18,000 fighters. Join a Vietnamese Veteran and learn of the wars, strategies, atrocities and the resourcefulness of the Vietnamese which eventually led to the defeat of their enemies. See traps, bombs, weapons, tanks and if you dare, you can even go underground and experience what it was like to be a guerrilla. Hear fascinating stories from first-hand experience to allow a real insight into one of the most famous wars of our time. Return to Saigon and spend the afternoon exploring the city. Evening street food walking tour introducing you to some hidden culinary delights of Ho Chi Minh City, or Discover Saigon old and new with a tour of modern, traditional and historical sights (additional cost). Be guided on a city tour seeing Reunification Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, bustling Dong Khoi Street, Opera House, City Hall and the War Remnants Museum. Transfer to My Tho in the Mekong Delta. From here we will begin our journey upstream aboard the luxurious RV Mekong Navigator. Meet your Cruise Director and crew followed by a welcome reception. This evening enjoy a Vietnamese Mekong Delta Theme Dinner. Cruise: RV Mekong Navigator (7 nights) Board sampans and sail through Cai Be s floating market, a fascinating and iconic scene of the Mekong Delta. Pass the city s French gothic cathedral, tour Anh Kiet House, then visit a traditional rice factory. Observe daily routines of the villagers before stopping at a local brick factory. Upon arrival to Sa Dec, visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras novel, L Amant (The Lover), and take a walk through the town s market. Board Sail to a Cao Dai temple, then ride a Vietnamese tuk-tuk to a mat weaving workshop. Cruise to a floating fish farm, and visit Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village. Reboard the ship and cruise to the border and Phnom Penh. Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia! Please note we are unable to dock until the customs office is open tomorrow.
Cambodia s capital Phnom Penh was once known as the Pearl of Asia, but it was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Meet our cyclo drivers for a city tour of Phnom Penh. Journey to the Royal Palace complex and the National Museum housing Angkorian and pre-angkorian artifacts. Enjoy a performance by the Cambodian Children s Group which includes Cambodia s national dance as well as local traditional folk dances. This afternoon, you may wish to join a backstreets, temples and communities tour, or street food tour (additional cost). Visit the Killing Fields, which is a disconcerting reminder of the recent atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime. Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. Visit the charming town of Angkor Ban. Here, you will get a glimpse into the lives of the local people, starting with a visit to a family s home where you will have the opportunity to meet the family and discuss their lifestyle. Continue through the village to the local school and join the children in their classroom to experience a typical school day. Visit Wat Hanchey which offers views of the Mekong River. Receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the monastery s resident monks. See Phnom Pros (man hill) and Phnom Srei (woman hill), the reclining Buddha, and the preaching Buddha. Our final visit is to the Angkorian-period complex of Wat Nokor Bachey. Return to the ship and gather for a farewell reception and Royal Cambodian Theme Dinner. Disembark and bid farewell to the RV Mekong Navigator and her crew. Transfer to Siem Reap, the gateway to the magnificent Temples of Angkor. This evening, witness the incredible Phare Cambodian Circus, a spectacle of acrobatics, theatre and music. Phare is an NGO founded by Cambodian refugees to assist disadvantaged young people by teaching them performing arts. This afternoon, you may wish to uncover either Bantey Srei or Beng Mealea temples, take a Cambodian cooking class, or explore the Roluos temple group (additional cost). Hotel stay: Siem Reap (2 nights) Start at the famous Angkor Wat, known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout. Continue to the unique Ta Prohm temple which is overgrown by jungle trees. Visit the impressive Bayon Temple, and finish at the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King known for their intricate bas-reliefs. This evening enjoy a farewell banquet.
Transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your tour of South East Asia and hope to see you again soon!. Arrive back in Australia today. Arrival times at your homeport will vary depending on your departure city & flights available. Mar: 30 $8,700 pp twin share Apr: 13 $7,400 pp twin share Sep: 14 $8,500 pp twin share Sep: 28 $8,050 pp twin share Nov: 23 $7,350 pp twin share Contact us for more details Embark on a journey to the magnificent region of Sapa on an overnight train journey from Hanoi. Known for its colourful and traditional hill tribes, breathtaking scenery and cultural diversity, this is a magical part of Vietnam that will leave you spellbound. Tour the villages, markets and hill tribes and learn of the fascinating lives of the locals. TO BOOK THIS STOPOVER HOLIDAY, ADD: From $1,195 per person twin share Single supplement: from $700 per person $595 per person The above prices include our earlybird FLY FREE offer. Luang Prabang is an ancient capital filled with temples, saffron robed monks and French Colonial architecture. It is a tranquil and beautiful town with UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit the city and surrounds, and be immersed in the local traditions and culture. Witness river life as you cruise up the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves. TO BOOK THIS STOPOVER HOLIDAY, ADD: From $795 per person twin share Single supplement: from $300 per person