Trip Inclusions
- 10 nights in premium accommodation
- Seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the RV Apsara, featuring all suites with twin balconies
- Two-night Ha Long Bay cruise on the Bhaya Classic
- Services of a Travelmarvel Tour Leader and expert English-speaking local guides
- 45 meals: 19 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners, plus select international wine and local beer included with lunch and dinner on board your Mekong River cruise
- Witness the sunset over the magnificent Angkor Wat temples
- Listen to a private Hat Xam performance and engage with the artists
- Explore the villages of Sapa and engage with the local ethnic minority people
Map & Itinerary
Trip Notes
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Disruptions to cruising and touring may occur due to operational issues, including high or low water levels, and unforeseen weather conditions
- Some port stops may have physical conditions which prevent some guests from going ashore
- Flights should arrive in Hanoi before 4pm
- Prices include transfers, port charges, tipping and flights between Vietnam and Cambodia
- Days 1 – 4 are escorted by a local guide
- Please note: During certain Vietnamese national holidays such as Tet Festival (February) including Independence Day (2 September) touring and activities may be impacted
- Prices are for land/cruise and internal flight as specified only. International flights not included
Insider Experiences
Designed exclusively for our guests
Insider Experience
Enjoy an included special or unique excursion or event
Arrive Hanoi
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Stay at the stylish Movenpick Hotel Hanoi, located right in the heart of the city.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, be met at the airport and transfer to your five-star hotel close to the Old Quarter.
Stay: Movenpick Hotel Hanoi
Hanoi, Sapa
Rise early to drive to the mountain town of Sapa, where hills and valleys cascade in lush greenery. Located near the Chinese border, this picturesque mountain town, once a former French hill station is home to local hill tribe’s people. Witness spectacular mountain views and valleys dotted with terraced paddy fields along the way. Step out on a guided walk around town. Stroll through the local market and learn about several of the ethnic minority groups, including Hmong and Dao, who make their way in from nearby villages to sell their produce. Savour dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your mountain resort perched atop one of Sapa’s highest hills.
Stay: Two Nights, BB Sapa Resort & Spa
Daily :Sapa
Head out this morning on an easy hike through breathtaking landscapes to explore the small village of Ma Tra. Home to the H’mong and Red Dao tribes, here you will see the famous terraced rice fields and witness the simple lifestyle that this area is renowned for. Take time to explore the ruins of a church dating to the French occupations and stop to chat with the local people. After the village visit, enjoy an included lunch before having the remainder of your afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take the opportunity to go exploring, shopping or relax at your accommodation.
Daily :Sapa, Hanoi
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Listen to a private Hat Xam performance and engage with the artists.
Drive back to Hanoi and spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, your Insider Experience awaits before sitting down to your multicourse Vietnamese dinner in the hotel.
Stay: Two Nights, Movenpick Hotel Hanoi
Daily :Hanoi
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Weave through Hanoi’s Old Quarter on a cyclo adventure.
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Feast on a soulful Vietnamese lunch hosted by a KOTO, a social enterprise.
Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Hanoi, taking in the most famous historical and cultural sites. Visit Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, a beautiful example of Vietnamese architecture and the first university in Vietnam. Afterwards, an Insider Experience awaits.
The afternoon and evening are at leisure or choose from one of our select experience options.
Daily :Hanoi, Tuan Chau, Embark Ship, Ha Long Bay
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Cruise the stunning waters of World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay on Bhaya Classic.
Set off early to Tuan Chau before boarding Bhaya Classic, your home for two nights. Meet your crew and set sail among thousands of limestone islets. Feast on a Vietnamese lunch as you soak in the views of Ha Long Bay. Then it’s time to kayak around the Tung Sau area. Catch sunset on board as you cruise towards anchor for the night. Enjoy dinner before doing some squid fishing, sipping cocktails or relaxing in your cabin.
Stay: Two Nights, Ha Long Bay, Bhaya Classic
Daily :Ha Long Bay
Board rowing boats to visit the Luon Cave area, listen to the ancient folklore and enjoy close views of the magnificent limestone karsts. Visit Cua Van Floating Village in the heart of Ha Long Bay, by kayak or traditional rowing boat. Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Trinh Nu. Spend time relaxing at the private beach or visit one of the finest sunlight caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Later gather for a sumptuous dinner.
Daily :
Ha Long Bay, Disembark Ship, Tuan Chau, Hanoi, Siem Reap, Cambodia
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Stay at the stunning Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas.
Explore Sung Sot Cave this morning before cruising to Tuan Chau, where you will disembark. Travel to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Siem Reap. For dinner, perhaps choose from one of our select experience dining options.
Stay: Three Nights, Siem Reap, Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas
Daily :Siem Reap
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Watch a traditional Apsara dance and music performance and experience local Khmer culture.
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Visit Opportunities of Development thru Art (ODA), an organisation that offers support to local disadvantaged youth, and a OneTomorrow partner.
Explore Siem Reap this morning at your own pace or choose from one of our Enhance Your Journey options. Later discover Ta Prohm, known as Tomb Raider temple. 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. After an Insider Experience this evening, enjoy local Khmer flavours during dinner.
Daily :Siem Reap
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Witness sunset over the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex.
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Watch a mesmerising performance at Cambodia’s Phare Circus.
Set off early to explore some of the breathtaking architecture and sites of the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. Delve into the history and significance of Angkor Wat as you explore inside the vast temple complex. Continue to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital built in the 12th century and then head to the intriguing Bayon Temple, with its carved stone smiling faces. Stop at Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later, enjoy your Insider Experiences.
Daily :
Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Embark Ship, Angkor Ban
INSIDER EXPERINCE
Explore the agricultural island Koh Pen by tuk tuk.
Transfer to Kampong Cham to join your Mekong River cruise. The RV Apsara will be your beautiful home for the next seven nights. Enjoy an Insider Experience this afternoon before feasting on a Welcome Dinner on board as you begin cruising.
Stay: Seven Nights, Mekong River, RV Apsara
Daily :Angkor Ban, Oknha Tey, Phnom Penh
Start your day with a tour of Angkor Ban by foot. Nicknamed the 'Lucky Village', Angkor Ban is one of the few rural villages in Cambodia that escaped destruction from the Khmer Rouge regime. Stroll through town and witness traditional wooden stilted houses, some over a century old.
Return to your ship and continue sailing along the lush banks of the Mekong River to Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island. Disembark and discover the town well known locally for its delicate silk weaving.
Daily :Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Visit a Buddhist monastery where you will have the opportunity to partake in a Buddhist blessing.
Begin your morning with an excursion by road to Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital for a special Insider Experience. En route back to Phnom Penh take a leisurely walk to explore the village of Koh Chen. Here, you will have the chance to visit open-air home copperware workshops.
Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in fascinating Phnom Penh or enhance your time by choosing one of our select experience options.
Daily :Phnom Penh
Start the morning today with a sobering excursion to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Learn about Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime as well as the resilience of the Cambodian people. Spend a moment to pay your respects at the Memorial Stupa, a monument erected in memory of the thousands of people who lost their lives.
After lunch, visit the Royal Palace built in 1866, delight in its white and gold Khmer architecture. Head inside the glorious Silver Pagoda - named after its floors, which are designed with 5,000 silver tiles. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to head to the Russian Market for souvenirs, the Central Market where you can try the local delicacy of fried tarantula and crickets, or simply stay on board and enjoy the facilities and service.
Daily :Phnom Penh, Border Crossing, Tan Chau
Relax on board as your ship cruises to the Vietnamese border. While border formalities are carried out enjoy the onboard presentations and demonstrations. Cross into Vietnam and cruise onto the riverside town of Tan Chau.
Daily :Tan Chau, Sa Dec
Travel along the tributaries around Tan Chau by a small boat, then go ashore for a rickshaw tour. Weave through rambling laneways past shops and friendly locals who are always eager to say hello and visit local silk and rattan weaving workshops.
Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, then head back to the ship and continue cruising towards the quaint town of Sa Dec.
Daily :Sa Dec, Cai Be, My Tho
Take a boat ride to Sa Dec pass floating fish farms before exploring the colourful market on foot. Continue past crumbling waterside mansions to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le who inspired the French writer Marguerite Duras' novel L'Amant (The Lover).
Return to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch while you cruise towards Cai Be. After lunch, a local boat takes you to the river-land town of Cai Be. Go ashore to visit the local cathedral and a rice paper and coconut candy manufacturer. Tonight, enjoy your special Farewell Dinner on board as you cruise towards your final stop My Tho.
Daily :
My Tho, Disembark Ship, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Relax in comfort and soak in the Saigon River views from your well-appointed room at Le Meridien Saigon.
Disembark at My Tho and travel by coach to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a tunnel network built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. Spend time to gain an understanding of the tunnel's construction by the Viet Cong, during both the French and American wars. Then you have a chance to crawl through a section of the tunnels, giving you a firsthand experience of what it was like for the soldiers who lived and fought here. Continue to Ho Chi Minh City, and this evening for dinner, choose from one of our select experience dining options.
Stay: Two Nights, Ho Chi Minh City, Le Meridien Saigon
Daily :Ho Chi Minh City
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Step out on an early morning guided walk to watch the busy streets come to life and gain a deeper understanding of what drives this urban centre.
Begin with your Insider Experience. The afternoon has been left for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience options. Tonight, gather for a delicious Farewell Dinner.
Daily :Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Your holiday comes to an end today after breakfast with a transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward journey.
Daily :Travelmarvel's program runs smoothly from go to whoa, with great guides, perfectly paced excursions.
Similar Trips
Essential Vietnam and Cambodia
Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
Discover Vietnam and Cambodia
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Natural Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia
Hanoi to Siem Reap
Essential Vietnam and Cambodia
Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
Discover Vietnam and Cambodia
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Natural Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia
Hanoi to Siem Reap