ITINERARY:-
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
In depth day to day itinerary:
Apon arrival into HCMC, having cleared passport control and collected your luggage you will walk outside the terminal, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: InterContinental Saigon / Classic City
Address: Corner Hai Ba Trung St. & Le Duan Blvd, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
DAY 2 - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
Day 2: Full Day City Tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today you will join a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City which was built by the French in 1850. You will begin your day with a visit to the beautiful CENTRAL POST OFFICE, the NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and along the way view the SAIGON OPERA HOUSE and CITY HALL, constructed by the French in 1898.
You will visit the INDEPENDENCE PALACE also known as the Reunification Palace designed by the famous Vietnamese architect Ngo Viet Thu. The Palace was the former home and official residence of the former South Vietnam Presidents during the Vietnam War.
Next you will visit the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, a history museum telling the story of the Vietnam War and the BEN THANH MARKET where virtually anything and everything is for sale, including handicrafts, traditional clothing and textiles, t-shirts and local food specialties. A fascinating and vibrant place.
LUNCH: At a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: InterContinental Saigon / Classic City
DAY 3 - CU CHI TUNNELS
- BREAKFAST: included at hotel.
This morning you will depart for a two-hour drive, through the countryside, northwest of Saigon, to the famous CU CHI TUNNELS. The tunnel complex was originally constructed in 1948 to hide weapons and soldiers from the French. The tunnel system also offered protection from both French air and ground operations and served as storage for food, weapons and as communication routes. Hospitals and living quarters were also built into this system. The tunnels were also used in the fight against the Americans and their allies during the Vietnam War.
Your visit to the tunnel system will give you a better understanding of the area’s history and the hardship that the Vietnamese soldiers endured during these wars.
- LUNCH: At a local restaurant.
After Lunch you will be transferred back to your hotel. The balance of the day is at Leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: InterContinental Saigon / Classic City
Welcome dinner
This evening a welcome dinner will be served on board the beautiful SAIGON PRINCESS as you cruise the Saigon River with the stunning skyline of Saigon as your backdrop.
Inclusions:
- Dinner Cruise at SAIGON Princess (4 Courses)
- 2 units of beverage/pax (Red or White Wine/local beer/soft drink/canned juice/mineral water)
- Private transfer
DAY 4 - CRUISE HO CHI MINH CITY EMBARKATION THE RV MEKONG PRINCESS
Breakfast at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. End of land service in Ho Chi Minh city.
Transfer to the Saigon port by cruise company to embark RV Mekong Princess.
Meals: Breakfast
SAIGON PORT / EMBARKATION (L / D)
Our guide awaits you at the Meeting Point, Park Hyatt Saigon, then transfer to the RV Mekong Princess docking at Saigon Port. Once aboard, you will be welcomed by your Vietnamese and Cambodian ship’s crew, before embarking on the most extraordinary journey of discovery. We sail at midday through the famed Mekong Delta on our way to the ‘Mighty Mekong River’.
Lunch, with highly attentive oriental hospitality, will be served soon after departure, as we cruise along the Saigon River. Having settled into your luxurious suites, you can relax and enjoy the new scenes and watch the world pass by.
Late in the day we anchor in the heart of the Mekong Delta, where cocktails are served as sun sets, and sampans pass by. A traditional Vietnamese dinner is soon ready, embracing a subtle fusion of dishes for the most eclectic tastes.
DAY 5 - CRUISE BEN TRE & CAN THO
BEN TRE / CAN THO (B / L / D)
This morning, sampans take you through a channel lined with mangroves to visit a local coconut candy maker. After watching the candy-making process, walking through the village to visit an orchard where fruits native to Vietnam can be seen in various stages of maturity on the vine. After a fresh fruit tasting, you continue to a pier where you board small, local boats (two guests per boat) for a trip through the narrow creeks lined with Nipah palm before returning to the ship.
This afternoon, the ship sails through an area of the Mekong Delta barely touched by tourism to Can Tho city, the capital riverside city of Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Guests will take a short and orientated city tour with visiting to the Zihuang Pagoda (Chua Ong) and enjoying the welcome unicorn dances. Explore yourself on own around the charming city before having dinner onboard.
DAY 6 CRUISE - CAN THO & HOA AN
CAN THO / HOA AN (B / L / D)
We begin our morning before breakfast aboard the sampans for a cruise through the fascinating Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. The sampans will weave in and out of the many boats that sail into the market each morning to sell produce and other items the residents of the Mekong Delta need in their daily lives. As they weave through the market, there will be many opportunities for amazing photographs, while enjoying fresh fruit and the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” fresh coconut water. Before returning to the ship for breakfast, we stop at a local noodle factory, where we witness the amazing process of how they are made.
After lunch, continue excursion by boat to Hoa An village, where is untouched and well- known with flower growing and handmade craft. Our first stop at flower gardens where we will see many different kinds of flowers and learn how to grow and take care of them. Then, a short walking to a local house and chat with the host to see how they live and work in their daily life.
After a short break, continue our excursion on motor cart to another village. We stop by at the conical hat-making and mat weaving families, have memorable time chatting with local family members and learning how to create products though hands-on experience. Enjoy your walk in the peaceful village with rice fields, fruit trees...in between visiting 2 local families. Then, we say goodbye and go back to the ship by boat.
DAY 7: CRUISE – Gieng Island
GIENG ISLAND (B / L / D)
This morning we board sampans that will take us into Gieng Island. After a short walk around the local sampan village, where hundreds of sampans are produced daily by local families, we take a canal drive to explore the untouched floating area with duck farms, monkey bridges, and tropical orchards along the riverside. We will try one of most popular local transportation named “xe loi” (motor trishaw) driving through this island to visit a Catholic Church, built around the same time as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon in the 1870s.
DAY 8 - CRUISE - HONG NGU & CAMBODIAN BORDER CROSSING
HONG NGU / BORDER CROSSING (B / L / D)
Today we visit the local island village of Hong Ngu, not far from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces a large number of the traditional, Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. Woven in many homes around the village, here we have the opportunity to see the weaving process under several homes. Some villagers are also embroidery artists, displaying their art in and around the homes. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered one western visitor prior to the arrival of the RV Mekong Princess, they are especially friendly and welcoming. Guests will also visit the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hoa. This afternoon, the RV Mekong Princess will cross the border into Cambodia and continue up the Mekong River.
DAY 9 - CRUISE - PHNOM PENH
PHNOMPENH (B / L / D)
After breakfast this morning, local cyclo drivers meet you for an exciting city tour of Phnom Penh. You begin your ride along the riverfront to the Royal Palace, where a leisurely walk takes you through the grounds, with opportunities to visit the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion. Upon crossing into the second section of the complex, you walk amongst enormous stupas and spirit houses, on the way to the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha, encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. Following a short break, your cyclos take you to the National Museum. Housing the largest pre-Angkorian and Angkorian holdings in Cambodia, the National Museum ends the morning tour with a comprehensive look at many of the artifacts excavated around the Angkor Archeological Area in Siem Reap, as well as other areas around the former Khmer Empire. After a return cyclo ride to the ship, you may wish to take some time to have lunch at a local restaurant, walk along the quay, or visit some of Phnom Penh’s famous markets and lovely boutiques.
This afternoon, private motor-coach take you on a scenic 45-minute drive from the ship, arriving at Choeung Ek, the killing fields depicted in the movie, and the center of the darkest days of Cambodian history. You may walk through the fields, visit the small museum and Memorial Stupa, and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. On the return drive to Phnom Penh, a stop is made at Tuol Sleng (infamously known as S-21), which was converted by the Khmer Rouge from a large school to a prison and torture headquarters.
Before dinner, children from a local orphanage entertain guests with a cultural performance including Apsara, Cambodia’s national dance, as well as several traditional folk dances.
DAY 10 CRUISE - ANGKOR BAN
ANGKOR BAN (B / L / D)
Today we start the day with a visit to the charming town of Angkor Ban. Here, we witness the daily life of the local people, starting with a visit to a family’s home, to meet the family and discuss their lifestyle. We continue through the village to the local school where we join the children in their classroom and experience what their typical school day is like
DAY 11 - CRUISE ENDS KAMPONG CHAM - DISEMBARKATION & SIEM REAP
KAMPONG CHAM / DISEMBARKATION (B)
After breakfast we disembark the RV Mekong Princess in Kampong Cham. Transfer by motor-coach to Siem Reap. Arrive Meeting Point at the Park Hyatt Siem Reap Hotel at noon.
- LUNCH: en-route at a local restaurant in Siem Reap.
Evening: This evening you will be transferred to your APSARA CULTURAL EVENING AND WELCOME DINNER.
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner/Show
- Accommodation: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort / Superior
Address: Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Khum Svay Dang Kum, Siem Reap, Cambodia
DAY 12 ANGKOR WAT TOUR SIEM REAP
Breakfast: Included at hotel.
Depart hotel to explore one of the most spectacular religious sites in the world. It’s regarded as the pinnacle of the amazing Khmer Empire that flourished here around the 12 century.
FEATURED TEMPLES.
- ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE.
- BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE
NOTE: Order of temple visits may change due to local conditions.
Lunch: Included today at a local restaurant.
Dinner: This will be your own arrangement.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort / Superior
DAY 13 ANGKOR THOM TOUR SIEM REAP
This morning you will depart the hotel by TUK TUK early to view the sun rise over the ‘peaks’ of ANGKOR WAT. A stunning experience and can be one of many highlights of your visit to Angkor Wat. After sunrise you will return to your hotel to freshen-up and enjoy breakfast.
Breakfast completed you will again depart hotel to continue your exploration of the Temples of Angkor Wat.
Today you will explore the spectacular remnants of ANGKOR THOM, THE ROYAL CITY. Prepare to be amazed! Built during the ‘peak’ of the Khmer Empire, this extraordinary complex of both Hindu and Buddhist monuments were once lost to the world, hidden under dense jungle.
Lunch: Your own arrangement.
INCLUDED FEATURES.
- SOUTH GATE ANGKOR THOM.
- BAYON TEMPLE.
- TA PROHM TEMPLE.
Dinner: Included at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort / Superior
DAY 14 SIEM REAP DEPARTURE
Breakfast: Included at your hotel.
Check out of your luxury hotel and head to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Pre-Cruise Northern Vietnam extension
Starts 01Sep23 – from Hanoi
Ends 04Sep23 – into Ho Chi Minh
Duration – 3 nights additional
Itinerary summary:
01Sep23 – Make own way to Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. 2 night hotel stay at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel (Deluxe Pool or Lake view room) with breakfasts.
Rest of day at leisure
02Sep23 – Enjoy breakfast at hotel, then on a Hanoi City tour visiting the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, the mausoleum of Cho Chi Minh, house on stilts and a cyclo tour through the historic quarter. Includes water puppet performance and lunch
Dinner at local restaurant
03Sep23 – Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Travel about 4 hours to Ha Long Bay, embark Paradise Elegance ship then enjoy lunch onboard. Afternoon visit to the Tung Sau Pearl Farm and Titov Island are included. Dinner onboard. Accommodation in a Deluxe Balcony Cabin onboard ship.
04Sep23 – Enjoy breakfast onboard, then disembark and transfer back to Hanoi airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City, to join group for rest of arrangements.
Inclusions:
2 nights accommodation at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel in a Deluxe Pool or Lake View room with breakfast
The services of English speaking guides throughout (tips additional paid direct)
All transfers – Hanoi airport to hotel to Ha Long Bay to Hanoi airport (driver tips additional paid direct)
Day tour of Hanoi including entrance fees, with lunch at a local restaurant – includes 2 drinks of either soft drink or local beer (driver/guide tips additional paid direct)
Dinner at Hanoi local restaurant – includes 2 drinks of either soft drink or local beer
One way economy class airfare from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (luggage may be paid directly to carrier)
Not included:
FVietnam Visa
IPersonal expenses
Excess luggage charges
Driver and guide local tips