Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Northbound)

Historic Ho Chi Minh.

Motorbikes, Monuments, and Mouth - watering Cuisine

• Classic: Take a Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City's historic landmarks, including a stop at the Rex Hotel for a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar where the U.S. Military held the infamous “Five O'clock Follies” during the war. Then visit the War Remnants Museum featuring the history and relics of the Vietnam War before spending time in bustling Ben Thanh Market.
• Discovery: For lunch, participate in a hands-on Vietnamese Cooking Class. Learn to prepare several local dishes and how to recreate them at home. Last, but not least, sample your delicious creations!

Secret Passageways and Underground Hideouts.

• Classic: Drive out of the city for a Guided Visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels—an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length—used as a hideout and secret village by the Viet Cong. Explore these tunnels and learn what life was like living in these cramped spaces.

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AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG (B/L/D)

Sweets, Sampans, and Sun Hats.

• Discovery: Board a sampan this morning to visit a local workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made.
• Discovery: This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts at a local workshop, where a skilled family hand - crafts sampan boats. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain, but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, stop at one of Vietnam's oldest Catholic churches.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO CHAU DOC (B/L/D)

Colorful markets, Charming Locals, and Cotton Weavers.

• Discovery: In Chau Doc take a Guided Walk through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then embark on a River Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more.
• Discovery: After lunch, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of a well-preserved artisan's tradition.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH (B/L/D)

The Royal Treatment

• Classic: Take a City Tour of this Cambodian capital by private cyclo to visit the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts.

A Dark History or Market Dynamics

• Classic: This morning, a Guided Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields offers a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR:
• Discovery: Visit the lively Central Market by tuk-tuk to see its unique Art Deco design.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY (B/L/D)

Water Blessings and Back-to-School Adventures

• Discovery: Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks.
• Discovery: After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KONPONG LOUANG (B/L/D)

Calm in the Cambodian Countryside.

• Discovery: Start your Guided Sightseeing at the silversmith village in Konpong Louang. Here, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. In Kampong Tralach board an ox cart for a ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life.

EVENING CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH (B/L/D)

A Pilgrimage of Inspirational Beauty.

• Classic: After lunch, begin your Sightseeing Tour by tuk-tuk to explore the temples. Start at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, visit Angkor Thom, where you will explore Bayon Temple with its 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-relief sculptures.

Roots Carved in Stone and Celebrated in Dance.

• Classic: Continue your Guided Sightseeing of the Angkor Temples at Ta Prohm. Tree roots cover the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as early explorers. Then visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. En route stop at a local village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand. Be sure to sample some of the freshly prepared noodles!

• Discovery: This evening, enjoy dinner and a private Apsara Dance Performance brings ancient Khmer culture to life through music, song, and dance. (B/D)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)