Today is yours at leisure to explore the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. Perhaps head to nearby Ben Thanh Market in search of some local trinkets or choose to relax in the sanctuary of your hotel garden. Take a moment to settle in to your hotel before meeting your Tour Director and enjoying a delicious dinner. Stay Two Nights: Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon (D)

Today choose from two Signature Experiences before a delicious Signature Experience dinner at Luke Nguyen’s exclusive restaurant, Vietnam House. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• You may 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 of Long Tan. On the second alternative, visit the impressive Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. These tunnels served as Viet Cong hiding spots, supply and communication routes, hospitals and weapon caches, and make for a fascinating visit.
• This evening, head to Vietnam House for a tantalising and exclusive dinner - a menu created personally by APT Ambassador Luke Nguyen.

After a Freedom of Choice sightseeing experience this morning, transfer to My Tho and embark your ship. Stay Seven Nights: Mekong River, APT’s RV AmaLotus (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps enjoy a walking tour 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 tour. 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 by Luke Nguyen cooking studio or delight in an exciting shopping tour.

A local boat will take you to the beautiful river-land town of Cai Be today. Once here, step ashore to visit the French Gothic cathedral as well as the colourful port area, which is filled with crumbling colonial buildings and delightful flowering gardens. The morning then takes you onwards to a rice paper manufacturer where you’ll see how Vietnamese rice paper is made. Lunch will be served back on board later as your ship cruises past scenes of charming rural life towards the quaint town of Sa Dec. This delightfully sleepy locale is where iconic French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. On arrival, tour Huynh Thuy Le’s old house and learn the story behind Marguerite Duras’ best-selling novel, The Lover. Later, pay a visit to a traditional Cao Dai temple. (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 right past a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a rickshaw tour of Tan Chau. Ride past shops, rice wine rooms and friendly locals eager to say hello. Disembarking your rickshaw, you’ll pay a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop, and watch as the materials are carefully strung together. 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 as you cross the border into Cambodia and cruise towards Phnom Penh. (B/L/D)

Spend the day embarking on a Freedom of Choice Sightseeing excursion. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• After breakfast, perhaps enjoy a guided tour of the dazzling white and gold Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, which houses many national treasures. Alternatively, you may wish to discover some of Cambodia’s sobering history with a moving excursion to the infamous Killing Fields before visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum which is located on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Here, you’ll learn of the atrocities inflicted upon Cambodians during Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime in the mid-to-late 1970s. Your other options are a visit to the National Museum of Cambodia or a guided city tour in a tuk tuk taking in city sights, including the Independence Monument and Wat Phnom, a sacred Buddhist pagoda.

With a free morning in Phnom Penh, you may like to enjoy a restful start to the day and stay aboard your ship. Or, make use of your time in this beautiful city and head out on your own to discover the sights and attractions. Your APT Cruise Director can provide inspiration should you need it. Later in the day, your ship will cruise to remote Koh Chen, a small village specialising in copperware. Here you’ll visit some of the delicate home-workshops that manufacture beautiful handmade copper souvenirs. Watch the clever artisans at work and perhaps purchase a memento to take home for family or friends. After an exploration, you will return to your river ship for a delicious dinner with your fellow travellers. Perhaps take a moment to relay the day’s events over a drink. (B/L/D)

Today brings you an authentic glimpse into religious and lifestyle traditions of locals. Disembarking this morning, you’ll take a coach to Oudong, the fascinating royal capital of Cambodia from 1618 until 1866. Set in the foothills of Phnom Udong Mountain, the town is surrounded by beautiful nature. Calling in on a local monastery, you are met by Buddhist monks before receiving a special blessing from them - an unforgettable experience. Afterwards, continue to the village of Kampong Tralach for a visit to the Wat Kampong Tralach Pleu pagoda. Then, take an exciting ox cart ride through the countryside, passing lush rice fields and smiling locals on your way back to your luxury river ship. Once back on board, take a moment to unwind before joining fellow guests for a delicious dinner. (B/L/D)

Board a small boat and head to the wetlands near Kampong Chhnang. Known as the ‘Clay Pot Port’, the local people craft pottery under their stilt homes on the river. Afterwards, you’ll return to your ship and cast off towards Prek K’dam, enjoying a Farewell Dinner. (B/L/D)

Disembark at Prek K’dam and transfer to your hotel. Then, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Angkor Thom and the 12th-century temple, Bayon. Stay Three Nights: Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Tonight in Siem Reap, choose where to enjoy dinner from seven unique and delicious restaurants.

After soaking up the majesty of Angkor Wat in the early morning sun, enjoy a guided tour of this impressive temple, the best-preserved temple of Angkor and said to be the world’s largest single religious monument. Return to your hotel for breakfast and some time at leisure. This afternoon, you’ll explore the intriguing temple of Ta Prohm, a World Heritage-listed site famous for its bewildering intertwined trees. Later, visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art’ (ODA), a Siem Reap organisation that provides education opportunities for disadvantaged children. (B)

Signature Experiences:

• Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park to enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat with drink in hand. As the sun rises over the spectacular World Heritage-listed monument, raise a bubbling glass.

Embark on your selected sightseeing activity. With the afternoon at leisure, you might like to step out and explore the city independently. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance before a memorable Farewell Dinner. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps visit the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath and participate in a Buddhist blessing; enjoy a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshop, where you can shop for local handmade crafts; participate in a fun Apsara dance class; take off on a thrilling quad bike adventure; enjoy a leisurely bicycle tour across the Cambodian countryside; take a horse and cart ride; partake in a traditional Khmer cooking class; go on a shopping adventure; or perhaps indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.

Enjoy breakfast this morning in Siem Reap. You might like to take the time to converse with fellow travellers about all the special moments you have shared. Afterwards, say farewell to your Tour Director and other travellers, and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner. Stay Two Nights: Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon (D)

Choose from one of two Signature Experiences today. Tonight, another Signature Experience awaits. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Journey to Ba Ria and learn about the Battle of Long Tan, followed by a memorial service at Long Tan Cross, a memorial marking the site of this battle. Erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, it is located in a rubber plantation. Or visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. This remarkable tunnel network concealed the Viet Cong and served as supply and communication routes, as well as hospitals and weapon caches.
• Head to Vietnam House to dine on a menu created personally by APT Ambassador, Luke Nguyen.

Exploring more of Ho Chi Minh City, select from the array of Freedom of Choice experiences on offer. Later, transfer to My Tho and embark your ship. Stay Seven Nights: Mekong River, RV AmaMekong (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Why not join a motorbike, shopping or walking tour? Or, visit Ky Long Art Villa to learn about Vietnamese lacquer art or enjoy a cooking class at GRAIN by Luke Nguyen cooking studio.

In Cai Be, visit the French Gothic cathedral and port area. Then, at a rice paper manufacturer, learn how this Vietnamese staple is made. Continue to 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. (B/L/D)

Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. Pass a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a fun rickshaw tour and a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop. Later, step back in time as you experience authentic rural Mekong life on nearby Evergreen island. The remainder of today is yours to relax on board and soak up views of the Mekong. Upon entering Cambodia, you'll cruise towards its enthralling capital, Phnom Penh. (B/L/D)

Explore Cambodia's past or present today with a range of Freedom of Choice experiences. After lunch back on board, more choices await. The evening is yours to relax. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps experience some of Cambodia's sobering history with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields. Afterwards, see the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the site of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Or, discover Phnom Penh on a tuk tuk ride with a stop at the Central Market. History buffs can visit the National Museum or, if you prefer, take a leisurely bike ride through the city's quiet back roads. After lunch, either explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, enjoy some shopping or indulge in high tea.

Today, journey to historic Oudong, which was Cambodia's fascinating royal capital from 1618 until 1866. During your time here, you'll enjoy a Signature Experience. On the way back to Phnom Penh, take a leisurely stroll through the village of Koh Chen and perhaps visit some home workshops that manufacture copperware. Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, which is renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Here, gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. After, return to your river ship to relax before enjoying delicious onboard dining tonight. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• In Oudong, pay a visit to a monastery for a Buddhist blessing experience with local monks.

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. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive. Continuing cruising towards Siem Reap this afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure on board. Perhaps go for a dip in the pool, or kick back on the Sun Deck with a good book and relax as life along the Mekong passes you by. (B/L/D)

If you are feeling active this morning, perhaps set out on a walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey. From here, enjoy views over the Mekong, making it well worth the climb. You'll find many temples, pagodas and stupas, some dating back to the 8th century. Lunch is back on board, before taking a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. On your ship this evening, toast the end of your cruise during a final farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Disembark your ship in Kampong Cham and transfer to Siem Reap. Then, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Angkor Thom and the 12th-century temple, Bayon. In Siem Reap tonight, dine in one of the local restaurants. Stay Three Nights: Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a Signature Experience. After experiencing the majesty of World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat, enjoy a guided exploration of what is regarded as Angkor's best-preserved temple, said to be the world's largest single religious monument. Relax back at your hotel after breakfast. Then this afternoon, explore the temple of Ta Prohm, a World Heritage-listed site which is famous for its intertwined trees. Later, visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art' (ODA), a Siem Reap organisation that provides education opportunities for disadvantaged children. The evening is at your leisure. (B)

Signature Experiences:

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

Explore Siem Reap your way today. The afternoon is yours to enjoy as you like, before tonight's traditional Apsara dance performance and a delicious farewell dinner. (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.

Farewell Siem Reap after breakfast this morning, as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)