Cambodia Vietnam Cruise Holiday

Upon arrival, you will be pick up at the airport by our guide, then transfer to the lovely hotel for check in and then free at your leisure.

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
Begin your day with a visit to one of Angkor’s largest Khmer temples, Angkor Wat, built for King Suryavarman II in the 12th century A.D. With its beautiful proportions and extensive, intricate bas-relief stone carvings, it is one of the most spectacular sights in Southeast Asia. Spend some time exploring the fortified city of Angkor Thom, which houses several of Angkor’s most popular sights such as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings with their dramatic bas reliefs. Today you also visit the mysterious Bayon Temple, known for its giant, stone carved faces with their enigmatic smiles.

Today, continue your exploration of the temple ruins left behind by the mighty Khmer Empire. Ride to the spectacular 10th-century Hindu temple Banteay Srey (“Citadel of Women”) to see magnificent carvings of Shiva and Vishnu. Then, journey to Ta Prohm, one of the most popular of the temples of Angkor. Unlike many other buildings, it has been largely left intact as it was when discovered, with trees and large shrubs growing over the ruins.
Return to Siem Reap this afternoon and learn how local crafts are alive and well in the modern-day city. Visit a vocational center that trains 650 young apprentices every year in the traditional crafts of stone sculpture, wood carving and painting; then take a guided tour through Artisans D’Angkor, a network of studios for the newly trained craftspeople. Mingle with the locals at some of Siem Reap’s open air markets.

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to this nation. The Tonle Sap has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare and endangered feathered life. At 12:00 pm gather at the meeting point followed by a quick transfer to the boutique RV Jayavarman Cruise. The ever-smiling crew welcomes us with unbridled warmth, refreshing welcome drink awaits us followed by a sumptuous lunch on the ship.Then, it is a lazy afternoon as the ship glides along the water. Dinner is at Dining Hall. Enjoy a spectacular experience on the sun-deck as we bathe in the glow of the moon and the radiance of the stars. The ship then moors overnight on the RV Jayavarman Cruise in The Great Lake.

Cambodia’s province and the wetlands”
The day in fact everyday – starts with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, just as the sun begins its slow rise. Coffee and tea awaits the early bird. Before dawn, the ship sets sail across the Tonle Sap Lake. As the ship is about to exit the lake, we see spectacular marshlands floating along the river banks of Kampong Chhnang province.
The afternoon cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle Sap, which narrows through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle. Here, the river is very narrow and we are greeted by kids waving enthusiastically at us from the banks. Follow a short bus trip to the see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. We then embark on a truly marvelous motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region before reaching Kampong Cham in the evening.Further down the river we take part in an ox Cart to see daily life of local people in the villages. Overnight on The RV Jayavarman Cruise in Kampong Cham.

“Monks and hilltops”
Wake up early in the small hours of the morning, truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers either take a motor-taxi or climb the 291 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, it offers one of the most breath-taking views in Cambodia. Built in the 8th century, this ancient structure, together with a bigger and newer addition underscores the superb architecture of the Chenla Empire which predates the mighty Angkor temple complex. We even get to engage in light banter with some of the monks in the area. We will return to the ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks.
When the tide allows, we will enjoy a surprise sojourn in our zodiacs (inflatable boats) to the nearby bank to swim in the tea-coloured Mekong river, an experience that will, no doubt, dominate dinner conversations in the weeks to come.
We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple which holds a timeless story. On the way back to the ship, we will visit an orphanage. Along the way, we will have to maneuver a 2-kilometer rickety bamboo bridge. Our sense of balance lies in the balance! Overnight in the RV Jayavarman Cruise.

“Pearl of the East”
Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. After breakfast, we will be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history. This will be followed by a city tour of this dynamic, historical capital city of Cambodia which has managed to preserve huge slices of its French colonial allure. Sightseeing in the morning will include visiting the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witnessing exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Genocide museum and the Killing Field in town. Be prepared to be heart wrenched by this stark reminder of the genocide that transpired during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime.
We go back to the ship after our museum visit. A variety of cocktails will be served followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance onboard. Experience the brilliance and richness of this culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a barbeque on the sundeck. It is indeed a truly marvelous experience, dining in the open with the stars and the moon as our companions. Overnight on the RV Jayavarman Cruise in Phnom Penh.

“The Highway Blues”
The cruise liner then sets sail for a lazy day of cruising along the main Mekong Channel. As this is an international shipping route, you will witness large commercial ships plying this route. Later, in the afternoon, we set off to the Vietnamese border for the requisite cross border paperwork. As the process tends to take some time, we bask in the glow of the afternoon sun on the Sun Deck, pamper ourselves silly at the Spa, or sharpen our culinary skills with the Heritage Line’s Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine cooking class. The ship moors midstream overnight.

“Circus of fish”
After a hearty breakfast at the Indochine Dining Hall or in the quiet sanctuary of your balcony. We will brace ourselves for a short excursion in Chau Doc, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities. We will also visit the colorful local market near an ancient temple. This is followed by a trip to the quay, where we will be feted to a boat excursion to the floating villages and rustic catfish farms.
We will certainly enjoy watching schools of basa fish being fed by hand. Then, it is back to the ship for a lunch. In the mid afternoon, we will set off for My An Hung Village. Passengers walk to the family house through the vegetable garden to see the boat building yard, canals. We will cross a monkey bridge and see chili, corn and beetle nut plantations amongst other vegetable fields. Then gather at the family house to taste tea with honey with local delicacies and fruits before back to the ship to set off for Sa Dec.
In the late afternoon we will set off for Sa Dec. Overnight on The RV Jayavarman Cruise.

“Good morning Saigon”
Our cruise on the magnificent cruiser comes to an end as the ship winds its way to My Tho, approximately 70km south of Saigon on the upper Mekong river in Vietnam. We bid farewell to the cruise as our journey comes to a close. But the memories – and the friendships made on board – linger on for a lot longer. We disembark at around 8:30 am and we join the transfer to madding crowd of Saigon. Drop off will be at the meeting point in Saigon.

Morning private city touring Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the moving War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city’s upscale shopping boulevard with boutiques selling clothes and accessories designed by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. Try the south’s strong Vietnamese iced coffee and a banh mi (baguette sandwich). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

The highlight of today is to discover the Central of Vietnam. Catch a domestic flight and reach Danang airport. Head towards to Hoi An, the Ancient Town which was recognized as a World Culture Heritage by UNESCO. Immerse yourself in the great charm of this lovely town and explore some of beauty spots there like Phuc Kien Temple, Tan Ky Ancient House, Phung Hung House, Japanese Bridge and cultural show rooms in Hoi An. Dinner on your own and Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, you will be picked up and transfer to Tra Que Vegetable Village, experience a day of living and working with the local farmers in this village. A tour of the organic vegetable and herb gardens can include some time working in the field if you like, or merely observing and learning about the system and the fresh ingredients. Upon returning to the house, we were all treated to an herbal foot massage followed by a session of cooking various local dishes als such as: Tam Huu Spring Roll, Banh Xeo or the local pancake of the people from the middle region. Relax and transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, take a drive to visit Cham Museum and then depart for Hue city. Being a former capital city of Vietnam where the World Heritage of Hue Citadel locates at, Hue definitely is an attractive destination that you should not miss. Admire the Hue Citadel’s royal scenes before stopping at Dong Ba Market for a shopping. In the evening, embark on a boat to enjoy a traditional music performance on the waterway of the Perfume River. Meals on your own and Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, visit the traditional Thien Mu Pagoda on the bank of the river. Then, transfer to Tomb of Nguyen Dynasty Emperor Minh Mang and a garden house to enjoy the traditional architecture and quiet garden paths. Continue to visit the Tomb of the Emperor Tu Duc. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure and overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, transfer to Phu Bai Airport for another flight to Hanoi Capital. On arrival, our guide and driver will take you to the hotel in the city centre. In the afternoon, enjoy a city sightseeing around Hanoi visiting some key attractions of this capital city like Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple. Next, get on a cyclo to travel around the Old Quarter – the most ancient quarter there. Enjoy a Water Puppet Performance to grab a hold of a unique traditional folk show belongs only to Vietnam.

Leave Ha Noi this morning and head straight to Ha Long Bay a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with its 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin. After arriving at noon, you will board a beautiful boat for an overnight cruise on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood. Lunch and dinner are served on boat. Overnight on board.

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After tea break, the boat continue to cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy this more isolated bay’s spectacular and unique islands of the bay. Return to Halong harbor after a brunch for transfer to Hanoi, check in hotel and overnight in Hanoi.

Free for further exploration in Hanoi – the land of traditional culture, beautiful custom and special daily life – by yourself until the onward flight to your hometown. Good bye and see you again!