Essential Vietnam and Cambodia

12 days, 28 meals. Explore the remote villages of Vietnam and Cambodia that line the banks of the Mekong River and its tributaries. Take in the stunning scenery and landscapes from your private balcony. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the winding streets and see how the locals live. Experience authentic delights and receive a Buddhist blessing by monks in Oudong, see a traditional performance by Khmer dancers and take in the rich cultural history of these regions.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap

Explore Siem Reap this morning at your own pace. Later, discover Ta Prohm temple, commonly referred to as the Tomb Raider temple. having featured in the movie starring Angelina Jolie. The temple and its atmospheric surrounds have been left to slowly return to nature, with the overgrown jungle and vast root systems creating a unique sight throughout the ruins. Enjoy Insider Experiences this afternoon and tonight. This evening, enjoy local Khmer flavours during dinner.

Day 2: Siem Reap

Rise early for a special Insider Experience at Angkor Archaeological Park. After a guided tour of the well-preserved temple, return to your hotel for breakfast. In the early afternoon, explore Siem Reap on your own or choose from our select experience options. Later this afternoon, return to Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Bayon Temple and Angkor Thom. This evening enjoy an unforgettable Insider Experience.

Day 3: Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Embark Ship, Angkor Ban

An early drive through picturesque countryside and remote villages brings you to Kampong Cham to join your Mekong River cruise. Step aboard the RV Apsara, your boutique river ship and home for the next seven nights. Spend your afternoon enjoying your Insider Experience. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow travellers as your Mekong River cruise begins.

Day 4: Angkor Ban, Oknha Tey, Phnom Penh

Start your day with a tour of Angkor Ban by foot and see one of the few rural villages in Cambodia that escaped destruction from the Khmer Rouge regime. Return to your ship and continue sailing towards Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Hop in a local tuk tuk for a village tour, pass rice fields and get a glimpse into rural life. Stroll amongst the still houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. Back on board, you start sailing towards the capital, Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh

Start your morning with a road trip to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital, for a special Insider Experience. On the way back to Phnom Penh, take a leisurely walk through Koh Chen village and visit open-air copperware workshops. Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh or choose from our select experience options to enhance your time.

Day 6: Phnom Penh

Begin your day with a sobering visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn about Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge era and honour the victims at the Memorial Stupa. After lunch, explore the Royal Palace, known for its stunning white and gold Khmer architecture, and the Silver Pagoda with its 5,000 silver tiles. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to visit the Russian Market, try local delicacies at the Central Market, or relax aboard.

Day 7: Phnom Penh, Vietnam Border Crossing, Tan Chau

Spend today on board as your ship cruises to the Vietnamese border. While border formalities are carried out, sit down and enjoy the onboard activities and presentations. Cross into Vietnam and cruise towards the small town of Tan Chau.

Day 8: Tan Chau, Sa Dec

After breakfast, transfer to a small boat and travel along the Mekong’s tiny tributaries, observing the stilt house villages. Go ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw. Known as one of the largest silk-weaving centres in Vietnam, visit the fascinating local artisan workshops to learn more about the history of the craft. Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, where the land is ploughed by water buffalo and where you will see authentic rural Mekong life. Settle back in and watch the passing scenery as you continue cruising towards Sa Dec.

Day 9: Sa Dec, Cai Be, My Tho

Take a boat ride to the charming colonial town of Sa Dec and explore the colourful markets on foot. Visit the former home of Huynh Thuy Le. Here Le’s one-time lover, French writer, Marguerite Duras, penned her best-selling novel, The Lover, about their affair. After lunch, step aboard a local boat and journey to Cai Be to see the French Gothic cathedral. Go ashore to visit a local rice paper manufacturer to learn how rice paper is made. Afterwards, visit a coconut candy factory to see how the local sweet is created. Enjoy a final dinner on board your ship as you cruise to My Tho your last stop.

Day 10: My Tho, Disembark Ship, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City

Disembark at My Tho and bid farewell to the crew and travel by coach to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a tunnel network built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. Listen to stories of the history of the Vietnam-American war, the ingenuity of the Cu Chi residents and the daily activities of the people. Part of a larger network, the tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat. Crawl through a section for a firsthand experience of what it was like for the soldiers who lived and fought here. Later transfer to your accommodation and enjoy time at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon. For dinner, you may like to choose one of our select experiences.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City

Begin with your Insider Experience then return to your hotel for breakfast. Explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure today. Alternatively, you may like to choose from our select experience options. Tonight, gather for a flavourful Vietnamese Farewell Dinner.

Day 12: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Your journey ends after breakfast today with a transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.