Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery

On arrival in Hanoi, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city. Later this evening, you'll get to know your fellow travellers and your local guide during a Welcome Dinner. Stay Two Nights: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (D)

A guided tour of Hanoi takes you to the city's most famous historical and cultural sites. Highlights include Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. You'll also enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old French Quarter. Then, explore more of this vibrant city on your selected Freedom of Choice experience. Tonight, choose your dining experience. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps tour the 500-year-old village of Bat Trang, world famous for its pottery. Or, relax and enjoy a foot massage back at your hotel. Embark on a walking tour to observe Hanoi's French colonial architecture, and explore the interior of the Hanoi Opera House, or take in a water puppet show. Another option is a leisurely bicycle ride past Hanoi's lush rice paddy fields.
• Tonight, you're invited to choose from a vast range of superb restaurants that have been carefully selected for you.

Travel by coach to Ha Long and set sail among thousands of limestone islets this afternoon, gliding slowly over the waters towards Ba Ham Lake while enjoying lunch on board. Take some time to enjoy a swim in the emerald waters, paddle in a kayak, or find a stretch of white sand at a nearby beach and soak up some sun. Tonight, perhaps take in a fun Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board your ship. The evening is yours to spend how you wish. You might like to watch a film in the onboard open cinema or order a cocktail to enjoy on the sundeck. Stay Two Nights: Ha Long Bay, The Au Co (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Embark on your three-day cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.

Awake early and as the sun rises, perhaps rejuvenate your body and soul with a Tai Chi class. A secluded swim or chance to sunbathe is on the cards with a stop at Ba Trai Dao beach. After lunch back on board, gain a first glimpse of Cat Ba island before disembarking to discover Cat Ba National Park and Viet Hai Village. A barbeque dinner aboard The Au Co caps off an exciting day. (B/L/D)

Visit the Cua Van Floating Culture Centre, considered the most idyllic spot on the bay. Take part in a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony on board as your ship makes its way back to port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, be transferred to your hotel. Stay Three Nights: Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor (B/L)

In World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, discover the last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, and the 12th-century temple of Bayon. This afternoon, explore the temple of Ta Prohm, a World Heritage-listed site famous for its intertwined trees. Later, visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art' (ODA), a Siem Reap organisation that provides education opportunities for disadvantaged children. Tonight, enjoy an Apsara dance show before dinner. (B/D)

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a Signature Experience. Afterwards, join a guided tour of the temple, before breakfast back at your hotel. This afternoon, set out on your included Freedom of Choice activity. It's up to you where you'd like to dine this evening. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps visit the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath for a Buddhist blessing or enjoy a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d'Angkor workshop. If you're feeling energetic, join a quad bike adventure or take a leisurely bicycle tour through the Cambodian countryside. Other options include a horse and cart ride, a traditional Khmer cooking class, a shopping adventure, or why not indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.
• Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.

Signature Experiences:

• At Angkor Archaeological Park, enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat.

Journey through remote Cambodian villages to Kampong Cham, where you'll board the Mekong Serenity, your home for the next seven nights. Following lunch on board, take a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region. Stay Seven Nights: Mekong River, Mekong Serenity (B/L/D)

Join a walking discovery of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, renowned for its silk weaving traditions. (B/L/D)

Disembark in Phnom Penh and discover Oudong, a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, enjoy a Signature Experience. On the way back to your ship, take a leisurely stroll through the village of Koh Chen and perhaps visit some home workshops that make copperware. The afternoon is yours to explore Phnom Penh as you wish. Tonight before dinner, be treated to a special Khmer folk performance. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• In Oudong, be treated to a Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery.

Today presents a wealth of included sightseeing choices. After lunch back on board, more choices are presented. The evening is yours to relax back on board. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Experience some of Cambodia's sobering history with a moving excursion to the infamous Killing Fields. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, located on the site of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Otherwise, discover Phnom Penh on a tuk tuk ride past the railway station and the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. You will also stop to haggle for a bargain at the Central Market. History buffs can embark on a visit to the National Museum, while the active can hop on a leisurely bike ride through the quiet back roads. After lunch, perhaps explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, partake in some retail therapy on a shopping expedition, or take a little high tea indulgence accompanied by panoramic views over Phnom Penh.

Enjoy the morning cruising. This afternoon, you might like to take in a fruit-carving demonstration by one of the ship's chefs while border formalities are carried out as you cross into Vietnam. Upon entering, your ship will continue cruising towards Tan Chau. (B/L/D)

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around the riverside town of Tan Chau. Cruise past a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a rickshaw tour of Tan Chau. On board your rickshaw, you'll glide past shops, rice wine rooms and friendly locals who are always eager to say hello. Stop to pay a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop.

Later, step back in time during a visit to an evergreen island, where you'll experience authentic rural Mekong life. The remainder of today is left free for you to relax on board your river ship. Perhaps take a moment to watch local life gently glide by. (B/L/D)

Arrive at Sa Dec, where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Marguerite Duras' best-selling novel, The Lover. After, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple. Continue to Cai Be and visit the French Gothic cathedral and port area. Then, at a rice paper manufacturer learn how this Vietnamese staple is made. (B/L/D)

Disembark in My Tho and continue to Ho Chi Minh City, once the bustling French colonial city known as Saigon. Your first day here offers you the chance to choose from two Signature Experiences, during which you'll learn about Vietnam's recent past. Stay Two Nights: Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Perhaps journey to Ba Ria and learn about the Battle of Long Tan. Afterwards, attend a memorial service at Long Tan Cross – a memorial erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which is set in a rubber plantation and marks the site of the battle. Alternatively, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. These tunnels served as Viet Cong hiding spots, supply and communication routes, as well as hospitals and weapon caches.

A range of Freedom of Choice options await today. This evening, we have arranged a special Signature Experience for you. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps rise early and join the locals for a morning Tai Chi class. Then enjoy a leisurely walking discovery of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office. Or jump on the back of a motorbike for an exciting city ride. Alternatively, tour the Ky Long Art Villa where you'll learn about Vietnamese lacquer art and see artist workshops. You may like to try out your culinary skills with a fun cooking class at GRAIN cooking studio, or take a final shopping spree.

Signature Experiences:

• Experience dinner at Vietnam House, founded by Australia-born Vietnamese celebrity chef Luke Nguyen.

Enjoy breakfast and a free morning in Ho Chi Minh City. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)