Luke Nguyen's Vietnam & Mekong River Cruise

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) today, you’ll be met and transferred to your luxury hotel to begin your exciting journey. Stay Three Nights: Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon (D)

Embark on a special Luke Nguyen Signature Experience this morning. After, visit GRAIN by Luke Nguyen for another exclusive experience. The day is tied off with a delicious and exclusive dinner at Vietnam House. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Later tonight, head to Luke’s own restaurant Vietnam House, for a special dinner menu created by Luke Nguyen.
• Meet APT Ambassador Luke Nguyen this morning. He’ll then guide you through the bustling streets of Old Saigon where you’ll wander the atmospheric neighbourhoods. Dodge swarms of motorbikes as they whirl amid the bustling streets. During the walk, you’ll also visit the area in which Luke’s parents grew up and meet his extended family of aunties and uncles.
• Enjoy an exclusive cooking class with Luke at his culinary school, GRAIN by Luke Nguyen, where you’ll learn how to prepare some of his favourite Vietnamese dishes.

This morning, you have the choice between two equally fascinating Signature Experiences. Then following afternoon of leisure time, a special Luke Nguyen Signature Experience awaits at dinner. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Today you are able to select one of two fascinating Signature Experiences. Perhaps journey to Ba Ria and learn about the Battle of Long Tan. Afterwards, attend a memorial service at Long Tan Cross. Alternatively, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war.
• Back in Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy dinner at a restaurant personally selected by Luke.

Explore the exciting Vietnamese city, Ho Chi Minh City, on one of our Freedom of Choice activities. Later, transfer to My Tho to embark your luxury river ship where you’ll enjoy a Luke Nguyen Signature Experience for dinner. 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, taking in the charming French colonial architecture as you visit the Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office. You might like to jump on the back of a motorbike and tour the city or visit the Ky Long Art Villa to learn the techniques of Vietnamese lacquer art and see active artist workshops. Alternatively, join a shopping tour.

Signature Experiences:

• Tonight, enjoy an exclusive Luke Nguyen Vietnamese dinner on board your river ship.

A local boat will take you to the river-land town of Cai Be today. Step ashore to visit the French Gothic cathedral and colourful port area, which is filled with colonial buildings and delightful flower gardens. Afterwards, visit a rice paper manufacturer then enjoy lunch back on board as your ship cruises towards the quaint town of Sa Dec. This is where 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 Duras’ best-selling novel, The Lover. Later, visit a colourful Cao Dai temple, watching visitors and pilgrims come and go as they worship and appreciate the artistry of the building. (B/L/D)

After a breakfast on your ship, disembark and transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around Tan Chau. Cruise past a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a rickshaw tour. Ride past shops, rice wine rooms and friendly locals eager to say hello. Later, step back in time during a visit to an evergreen island as you observe traditional rural Mekong life. Enjoy a delicious dinner later this evening and cross into Cambodia towards the capital. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• This afternoon, take part in an exclusive ‘Get to Know Luke’ session, where APT’s Ambassador will discuss fascinating details of his background and passion for food while border formalities are carried out and you cross into Cambodia.

Perhaps rise early to take in Phnom Penh’s river promenade as your ship nears the capital. After breakfast, disembark and enjoy one of APT’s many immersive Freedom of Choice inclusions. Return to your luxury river ship for dinner this evening. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps enjoy a guided tour of the white and gold Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, which is located on the south side of the palace complex and 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, located on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Another option is a visit to the National Museum of Cambodia. Or, you might like to embark on a guided city tour in a tuk tuk.

With some free time at hand, perhaps you’ll enjoy a late breakfast and a restful morning on board. Or, you can set out to discover the city’s many attractions independently. Later, your cruise continues, this time to remote Koh Chen, a small village specialising in copperware. On arrival here, you’ll visit some of the home workshops to watch locals manufacture these fine handmade wares. You will also have the chance to purchase a memento. Return to your ship for a relaxing afternoon before dinner. (B/L/D)

Disembark and travel by coach to Oudong, the fascinating royal capital of Cambodia from 1618 until 1866. During your time here, visit the monastery for a Buddhist blessing experience. Continue to Kampong Tralach for a visit to Wat Kampong Tralach Pleu pagoda before an ox cart takes you through rice fields and a small village to rejoin your ship and continue your journey. (B/L/D)

Enjoy an authentic glimpse into the local way of life today with a small boat excursion into the wetlands near Kampong Chhnang. Afterwards, you’ll return to your ship and cruise towards Prek K’dam. This evening, reflect on the days that have just gone by as you enjoy your last night on board your ship and indulge in a Farewell Dinner with your fellow guests. Take some time to relax and prepare for the next portion of your exciting journey. (B/L/D)

Farewell your crew in Prek K’dam this morning and transfer to your luxurious hotel in Siem Reap. After settling in, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. Visit the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, where you’ll see the 12th-century temple, Bayon. Stay Three Nights: Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Enjoy dinner at your choice of restaurants.

After your Signature Experience at Angkor Wat, enjoy a guided tour of the impressive temple, the best-preserved temple of Angkor and said to be the world’s largest single religious monument. Afterwards, 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. A free evening in the city then gives you the chance to step out and explore the local dining scene at your leisure. Your APT Tour Director can point you in the direction of some fantastic restaurants. (B)

Signature Experiences:

• Rise early this morning and travel to the Angkor Archaeological Park to enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat with drink in hand.

Embark on your selected sightseeing activity. Afterwards, with the afternoon at leisure, you might like to step out to explore the city independently. Tonight before your Farewell Dinner, enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance, a dance that was once reserved for the royal family’s entertainment, and tells an interesting tale. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps visit the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath and participate in a Buddhist blessing; enjoy an exciting 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 a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Siem Reap this morning. Take the time to chat to fellow travellers about the adventures you have just been through, and memories you now share. Your journey comes to an end with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)