Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia

Welcome to Vietnam, a country full of breathtaking scenery and charming culture, offering a unique blend of East and West. Hanoi may certainly be a bustling city, but it still retains the mystery and charm of the past centuries and French colonial influence with its narrow lanes and traditional shop houses that invite one to explore.

Its many beautiful public areas, lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments give the city a touch of elegance and a harmony with nature. In the afternoon we spend our time getting orientated with the French Quarter as we drive through the local streets and pass by some of Hanoi's most unique sites, such as the St Joseph's Church and the Opera House. This evening we'll enjoy a group welcome dinner in the Old Quarter.

Make sure you bring your camera today to capture some fantastic photos as the people vie for trade just metres from the trains. Our afternoon sightseeing includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside only), the beautiful Presidential Palace (outside only) and Ho Chi Minh's neighbouring traditional Stilt House, where the former Prime Minister lived from 1954 to 1969. We'll also see the One Pillar Pagoda before enjoying high tea in the Le Club Bar located in the beautiful Sofitel Metropole Hotel. We then head to the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, which is also host to the ‘Imperial Academy'—Vietnam's first university.

Our final stop for today is at the notorious Hanoi Hilton (Hỏa Lò Prison). Formerly used by the French colonists for political prisoners, it later housed the imprisoned US pilots that were shot down during the Vietnam War, and today the remnants of the gatehouse remain as a moving museum. Please Note: We suggest packing an overnight bag for the Halong Bay cruise, on day 4. The remainder of your luggage will be stored securely in our vehicle; however, you can take all your belongings if you'd prefer. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Special Experience: Walk along the ‘Rail Tracks of Hanoi' and explore a rarely seen side of Vietnam's capital. Meet the locals and see how they have adapted to daily life just metres from the trains.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

An early start this morning as we discover Hanoi as the city awakens, which is a great way to see how the locals begin their day. Our tour begins at the photogenic flower market and moves onto the Old Quarter—a fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses, also known as 'The 36 Streets'. Each street has been named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics and crafts to medicines and tombstones. This is also a great time of day for us to stroll along the majestic Hoan Kiem Lake as it stirs to life—a favourite spot among locals to practise Tai Chi, an exercise long known for its promotion of health and longevity, in the tranquil half-light.

We can just watch these practitioners or join in ourselves. Breakfast today includes a traditional Vietnamese ‘banh mi', followed by a visit to a local coffee shop. We'll travel through the Hai Hong Province next, to breathtaking Halong Bay, dotted with thousands of limestone islands and outcrops. Cruise Embarkation: We'll board our cruise boat and enjoy lunch as the boat sails towards the southeast of the bay. Cruising to the popular Thien Canh Son Cave this afternoon, we'll explore the stunning caverns, take in the scenic views over Bai Tu Long Bay and have the opportunity to swim in the tranquil waters. Back on board, you'll enjoy a cocktail party and cooking class before dinner. You can even join the crew fishing for squid later this evening.

Described as one of the most picturesque spots in all of Vietnam, Halong Bay comprises of close to 2,000 limestone pillars and tiny islets, rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Brush up on your Tai Chi this morning or just simply sit back, relax and watch the incredible scenery pass by from the deck as we continue cruising on the waters of Halong Bay. There will be a light breakfast served before we visit the floating, fishing village of Vung Vieng. We'll then enjoy brunch back onboard before disembarking and returning to Hanoi for our flight to Danang. Once we arrive, we'll drive to the charming seaside town of Hoi An.

Hoi An was known as Faifo to early western traders, and it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This ancient town remains a well-preserved mix of both indigenous and foreign influences, with architecture styles pulled from Chinese, Japanese and later European, designs. Our walking tour this morning includes a visit to the Culture and History Museum to learn more about this quaint town before taking a stroll along the main street where we'll come to the Chinese Assembly Hall of Fujien Chinese Community. This was built in 1697 as a place of worship dedicated to Thien Hau—the Goddess of the Sea. Strolling along the banks of the river we'll come to the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, first built by the Japanese community in order to link the town with the Chinese quarters on the other side of the river.

Special Experience: Visit the colourful local market before taking a short cruise along the Hoi An River to the secluded Red Bridge Cooking School for an aromatic and informative cooking class.

Today is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the resort and local surrounds or explore the old city at your own pace. An ideal town to discover by foot, why not immerse yourself in Hoi An's history. If you're feeling adventurous you could take an optional day trip to the nearby temple of My Son, the site of Vietnam's most extensive Cham remains.

We'll transfer to the airport today, for our flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The largest city in Vietnam, the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life is visible everywhere in Saigon. There are street markets, sidewalk cafés and trendy new bars. The city is constantly moving, yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture.

Special Experience: Discover Saigon at night on a foodie tour by jeep. Pass by iconic sites including the Opera House, City Hall and Post Office. Taste authentic Vietnamese cuisine as the locals do.

Our half day city tour departs from the historic Rex Hotel today, as we begin our walking discovery of some of Saigon's most famous locations. Our first stop is one of the most beautiful and ancient streets of Saigon, Dong Khoi Street. We will visit Municipal Theatre, Hotel de Ville and Nguyen Hue Boulevard. We'll then head to the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, before hopping on our coach to finish our tour.

Our final sights in the city centre, include the impressive Presidential Palace (Re-unification Palace) with its lush gardens and secret rooms and the War Remnants Museum, a sobering reminder of the brutal effects of war on civilian populations. We'll then visit Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda one of the most atmospheric temples in Ho Chi Minh City, stuffed with statues of phantasmal divinities and grotesque heroes. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

We explore the Ben Tre province in the Mekong region today, riding a xe loi to the local village of Huu Dinh. Travelling along the tributaries and narrow canals in a traditional-style cruise boat, we can observe daily life along the banks. We'll stop at a family-owned coconut processing business and a brick making factory.

We'll then cycle to a local rice noodle factory before enjoying lunch. Our cycling excursion then continues as we visit Mr Sau Toung, a former Viet Cong soldier who spent two years fighting the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh. Enjoy a chat with Mr Sau Toung (if he is available), whilst sampling crispy rice paper made fresh by his wife.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Today we head out of the city and travel by boat to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels. Never discovered by the U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi Tunnels were an important Viet Cong base during the war. Stretching over 200 kilometres, this incredible underground network was dug out by hand and consists of connected command posts, hospitals, shelters and weapons factories.

Accompanied by a Vietnam Veteran guide, we will be able to walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the Viet Cong, while seeing the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps. We can even venture inside the tunnels (warning: not for the claustrophobic). Take in the city skyline as we relax with a sundowner atop a rooftop bar. Tonight we bid farewell to Vietnam as we enjoy our group dinner.

Today we will fly to Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's incredible Angkor region. Upon arrival we'll transfer to our hotel before this evening's welcome dinner. We'll travel by tuk tuk to a local restaurant serving typical Khmer dishes.

Wake up this morning, surrounded by rice paddies. Siem Reap is dotted with millennium-old temple ruins from the Khmer Empire, the most famous of which is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat, which we will be exploring tomorrow. Our introduction to Cambodia's sights begins with a visit to the fortified city of Angkor Thom. This dramatic structure covers an area of 10 square kilometres. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, it includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. We enter by the monumental south gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Our next stop is the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings.

Formerly spaces for public ceremonies, both are adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. We'll visit the ruined Baphuon Temple, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas Temple before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, we explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary. Here we will find the famous giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at us from every angle.

This afternoon we travel to Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. During the monsoon season the lake swells to four times its normal size, so it is important for the locals that live on the banks and surrounds to build their houses on stilts. Here we'll board a boat and take a ride along the canal of the lake. This gives us an opportunity to see how the locals live in their colourful stilt houses. Watch children playing on the banks while fishermen wade in the shallows with their nets and traps. As we reach the mouth of the canal and lake, the stilt houses end, and boats are transformed into houses to make up the floating villages.

Angkor Wat, the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia, is the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, and the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of all the Angkor temples. To approach the temple, we cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As we enter the main building we'll ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside.

On the way, we stop and enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls runs the longest continuous bas relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Special Experience: Experience a monk's blessing at an ancient pagoda, and learn more about Buddhism and the local spiritual beliefs.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Today marks the end of our incredible adventure through Vietnam and Cambodia. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!