Vietnam and Cambodia Uncovered

On arrival, we have airport transfers arranged for you. Relish the warm embrace of Vietnam and her welcoming people, who will touch you with their humility and entrepreneurial spirit throughout your journey across this intoxicating land. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a dinner at a local restaurant.

Ready to step into Vietnam’s past? You’ll visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university from the 11th century. It’s a beautiful example of traditional Vietnamese architecture—and if you’ve got a 100,000 dong note, you’ll spot it right there. Next, hop on a cyclo, a three-wheeled bicycle taxi, and cruise through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, known for its 36 streets once home to artisan guilds. You’ll also view the striking Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and then go inside the One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh’s peaceful wooden house. Then, meet Mr. Liem Phan, a skilled artisan who brings the ancient art of water puppetry to life. Hear the story behind this unique tradition, enjoy a show, and even try your hand at puppet-making. End the day at your leisure, soaking in Hanoi’s charm and culture.

• Ho Chi Minh House Visit
• Hanoi City Tour
• Cyclo Tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter
• Water Puppet Show

Board your cruise, check in to your cabin and meet the crew over a drink before listening to a safety briefing. Enjoy lunch as the boat cruises towards the southeast of Ha Long Bay, with its limestone scenery unfolding around you. You’ll explore the Ho Ba Ham area by kayak before freshening up and getting ready for the evening. As the sun sets, enjoy happy hour drinks, then join a cooking competition on the sundeck or in the restaurant where you’ll practise making Vietnamese dishes before dinner. The rest of the evening is yours, with the option to join a rice wine tasting, try squid fishing or enjoy a second happy hour with your fellow passengers.

• Kayak through Ho Ba Ham

Ease into the day with a Tai Chi lesson as the sun rises over Ha Long Bay, followed by breakfast on board. Choose to visit Tien Ong Cave and discover its archaeological heritage, or explore the Cua Van Floating Culture Center by kayak or traditional rowing boat. After checking out of your cabin, enjoy your final views of the bay as you cruise back to the wharf. You’ll continue to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang, followed by a transfer to Hoi An. Your evening is free to explore the old town and discover why Hoi An is known as the tailoring capital of the world.

• T'ai Chi on Ha Long Bay
• The Art of Tailoring

Step into Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with roots as a 15th-century trading port. Once a bustling hub for merchants from China, Japan, and Europe, this town now welcomes you to explore its rich history and blend of cultures. Stroll through narrow lanes lined with ancient merchant houses, cross the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and admire the intricate carvings of the Chaozhou Assembly Hall. Afterward, visit the market, where you’ll be greeted by the enticing aroma of fresh spices and the shimmer of colourful silk. Browse the market stalls and you’ll certainly find a Hoi An treasure to bring home. Your afternoon is free but why not try one of our Optional Experiences.

Spend the morning at leisure—explore Hoi An at your own pace or relax at your hotel. Alternatively, join one of our Optional Experiences: visit the ancient My Son Sanctuary or uncover history at the Ky Anh tunnels in Tam Thanh village. In the afternoon, Dive into Culture at the Red Bridge Cooking School. Start with a welcome drink at Hai Cafe, shop for fresh ingredients at the market, then take a boat to your private cooking class, enjoying your creations with a river view.

• Red Bridge Cooking Class

Hoi An’s waterways, a lifeline for villagers and a window into its past. Visit a fishing village to learn the art of casting Vietnamese fishing nets and try paddling traditional round basket boats through coconut-palm groves. Hear stories of the area’s wartime history as you cruise back with a refreshing drink in hand. This afternoon, cross the spectacular Hai Van Pass, famed for its breathtaking views, and stop at Red Beach, where American marines first landed in Danang. Wrap up the day in Hue, Vietnam’s imperial capital, for an overnight stay steeped in history.

• Cua Dai River Cruise

You’ll navigate the busy streets of Hue on the back of a cyclo en route to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, once home to Nguyen emperors. From here, you’ll drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's best-preserved religious monument. Boarding a local dragon boat next, cruise along the Perfume River to the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son, the daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh. Although the house is no longer owned by royalty, you will meet the current Phan family for a Be My Guest lunch to gain a glimpse of their life in this historic house. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences.

• Lunch Experience with a Local Family in Hue
• Hue City Tour

A short flight this morning brings you to the bustling heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Get ready to uncover its sights on a walking tour along vibrant Dong Khoi Street. Marvel at the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville, then stroll up to the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, crafted by none other than Gustave Eiffel. Take a poignant journey through the War Remnants Museum, offering a glimpse into the war through the eyes of locals, before walking through Ben Thanh market, a treasure trove of history and culture. Later, your Stays with Stories experience at Grand Hotel Saigon is a French colonial gem right in the city’s historic heart. End the day with dinner at KOTO restaurant, where your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

• Support the Community at KOTO Restaurant
• Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour
• Hotel Grand Saigon

The mighty Mekong beckons today, as you take a day trip to Cai Be town, in the heart of the Mekong Delta. You’ll transfer to a charming traditional boat where you will cruise and explore the bustling riverbanks. Visit a beautifully preserved ancient house dating back to the 19th century, passed down through many generations of the family. Enjoy a leisurely sampan ride through the narrow canals, stopping for a home-hosted lunch of delicious Mekong Delta specialities, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.

• Visit Cai Be
• Visit a Local Family in Cai Be

Uncover Vietnam’s fascinating past with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate underground network used by the Viet Cong. A veteran shares how these tunnels served as homes, hospitals and hideouts. You’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City by private speedboat, with free time to unwind. Later, you’ll step into history at the former home of US Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, followed by dinner to end the day.

• Visit the Home of the Former American Ambassador
• Visit Cu Chi Tunnels

Transfer to the airport for the short international flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. On arrival you’ll meet your local Cambodian Travel Director. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Today, walk through a pyramid-shaped gateway into an ancient world. Serene stone faces watch as you cross the causeway suspended over a moat into the spiritual heart of the ancient lost city of Angkor. Be amazed by the sheer size, you’ll be memorised by the intricate carvings and murals of celestial nymphs and mythical serpents along the abandoned hallways of Angkor Wat. Your next stop is the terracotta-hued walls of Banteay Srei Temple – the “Citadel of Women” dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. You will have time to admire the 10th-century carvings of women, said to have been too delicate to have been carved by a man, hence the name. Finishing with a visit to Krabei Riel local village you will have a chance to walk and talk with the villagers who are always keen to share their smiles with you. Learn some of their traditional skills such as palm leaf weaving, your time will be spent truly engaging in a real-life Cambodian Village MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Later, enjoy the best of Cambodian cuisine and be entertained by a traditional Apsara dance performance.

• Visit Angkor Wat
• Visit Banteay Srei Temple
• Experience Traditional Skills of Cambodia
• Apsara Dance Dinner and Performance

Start at Angkor Thom, exploring the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Enclosure, and Bayon Temple’s smiling faces of Buddha. Next, wander Ta Prohm, its mossy ruins you may recognise from the film ‘Tomb Raider’. Under the canopy, you’ll discover towers, courtyards and stone carvings hidden among the foliage. Visit Artisans d'Angkor this afternoon, supporting Khmer craftsmanship in silk making and wood carving. You’ll join a private blessing at Wat Damnak where a sacred thread is tied around your wrist as protection from evil spirits. End your day with an Optional Experience to join a sunset boat cruise on Tonlé Sap Lake.

• Visit Angkor Thom
• Private Monk Blessing at Wat Damnak

Depart for Siem Reap, a drive offering a glimpse into Cambodia’s rural life. From the city outskirts, you’ll see vast fields of rice alongside cassava shrubs and rubber trees. Watch the daily lives of farmers as you travel between two of Cambodia’s key cities.

• Phnom Penh Cyclo Tour

Indulge in the exotic flavours of Phnom Penh this morning, joining a Local Specialist for an in-depth city tour. Our first stop is Wat Phnom temple where we’ll delve into the legend of Lady Penh who discovered the four statues of Buddha deposited on this tree-covered hill. We’ll continue to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda before visiting the National Museum showcasing centuries-old Khmer art and sculptures. Delving deep into the turbulent, terrifying history of the Khmer Rouge years, we’ll travel along a dusty road to the outskirts of the city to visit the former school turned interrogation and execution centre of Tuol Sleng. The history of that time is depicted in the thousands of S-21 portraits of victims that are on display at the Museum of Genocide, Finally, take time to reflect on the past with a visit to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where a large memorial was built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died under the reign of the Khmer Rouge. The evening is free to explore the boutiques in Street 240 area or the many restaurants, cafes, shops along the bustling riverside area.

• Phnom Penh City Tour
• Visit the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center

Airport shuttles have been arranged on the last day of the tour only. Please speak to your Trafalgar representative for further information.