Essential Vietnam and Cambodia

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon. Meet your Travelmarvel representative and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, feast on a delicious Welcome Dinner showcasing the distinctive flavours of Vietnamese cuisine.

Insider Experience - Two Nights at Le Méridien Saigon Experience an unforgettable stay at the unique Le Méridien Saigon. Nestled on the banks of the Saigon River in vibrant District 1, this contemporary hotel is perfectly situated just moments away from Bến Thành Market and Independence Palace.

Visit the Cu Chi tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were used as hiding spots during combat, and they also served as communication and supply routes, hospitals and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. Take the opportunity to crawl through a section to understand the cramped conditions experienced by the soldiers who lived and fought here. The afternoon and evening have been left free for you to explore at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience touring and dining options.

Enhance Your Journey - Ho Chi Minh City by Foot Explore the bustling city on this walking tour, passing the Saigon Opera House, People's Committee Building, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saigon Central Post Office.

Enhance Your Journey - History of Saigon Delve deeper into Ho Chi Minh City's turbulent history. Start at the Reunification Palace, visit the War Remnants Museum and see the Burning Monk Memorial.

Enhance Your Journey - Shopping Tour by Coach Seek out the city's boutiques as only a local knows and discover locally made items such as clothing, mementos and jewellery.

Enhance Your Journey - Street Food Tour by Motorbike Embark on a thrilling motorbike tour through the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, guided by a knowledgeable local. Savour three courses of classic Vietnamese street food, beginning with a steaming bowl of traditional noodles, followed by a bánh mì, and concluding with a fried rice flour cake - served with fresh juice or a smoothie. Finish at HỢP Sky Bar, a stylish rooftop venue offering panoramic views of the city's dazzling lights, where you'll enjoy a drink and a snack.

Enhance Your Journey - Hoi An Sense Indulge in the authentic specialties of Hoi An in a unique culinary setting, complete with Vietnamese music and warm hospitality.

Enhance Your Journey - Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro Offering traditional Vietnamese cuisine with a modern twist, this bistro draws inspiration from the theme of 'propaganda', enchanting guests with its lively ambience and striking hand-painted murals.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, then drive to My Tho and board the RV Lotus, your boutique river ship for the next seven nights. With its locally inspired ambience and twin balconies in every suite, the ship immerses you in the spirit of the Mekong while offering ever-changing views along your journey. As you cruise from My Tho to Cai Be, soak up the scenery and observe river life as you settle into your suite or relax on the Sun Deck. This evening, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow travellers.

Explore Cai Be and its surrounds by tender boat as you view local life on the river and along its banks. Go ashore to see the Cai Be Church, the tallest church in the Mekong Delta with its impressive bell tower, and visit manufacturers of rice paper and coconut candy to learn how they're made. Head back to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch while cruising to Sa Dec.

Afterwards, take a boat ride to the charming town of Sa Dec for a guided tour. Stroll through the colourful markets and continue by foot to the home of Huynh Thuy Le, once the lover of French writer Marguerite Duras, whose best-selling novel The Lover offers a fictionalised account of their affair. Back on board, unwind or relax your body with a rejuvenating treatment from the spa. As the sun sets, the RV Lotus sets sail for Tan Chau. Enjoy dinner and later, head up to the Saigon Lounge for evening entertainment or a cocktail.

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around Tan Chau. Disembark for a rickshaw tour and visit a local rattan weaving workshop. After lunch, take a small boat to discover authentic rural life on Evergreen Island. Observe traditional Vietnamese farming techniques, where the land is ploughed by water buffalo.

Later, appreciate some downtime and watch the scenery of the Mekong River pass by as the RV Lotus cruises towards the Cambodian border. While border formalities are carried out, sit down and enjoy the onboard activities and presentations. Cross into Cambodia and cruise overnight towards the capital, Phnom Penh.

Today, learn of the atrocities inflicted upon Cambodians during Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, where you'll find the Memorial Stupa, a glass monument erected in memory of the thousands of Cambodians who lost their lives.

After lunch on board, visit the spectacular Royal Palace, delighting in its dazzling white and gold architecture. Then, head to the glorious Silver Pagoda, set on the southern side of the palace complex. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to head to the local markets for souvenirs or perhaps to taste the local delicacy of fried tarantula. Alternatively, relax on board and enjoy the facilities and service.

Begin your morning with an excursion by road to Oudong, Cambodia's royal capital from the early 17th until the 19th centuries. Here, enjoy a memorable Insider Experience. En route back to Phnom Penh, take a leisurely walk to explore Koh Chen, a village specialising in the manufacture of copperware. Visit some small family workshops and perhaps purchase some souvenirs. Enjoy a free afternoon or choose one of our select experience options.

Insider Experience - Buddhist Blessing Ceremony Take part in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony to wish you good luck, health and safe journey, led by resident monks at a monastery in Oudong.

Enhance Your Journey - Hands-On Cooking Workshop Meet your chef and visit a local market to select fruits, spices and other local ingredients before learning how to prepare authentic Khmer dishes.

Enhance Your Journey - Phnom Penh by Cyclo Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo, taking in sights such as Independence Square, the Royal Palace, trendy cafes, boutiques, local markets, and pagodas.

Enhance Your Journey - Phnom Penh by Tuk Tuk Discover Phnom Penh by tuk tuk, passing sights like Wat Phnom, the Phnom Penh Post Office, U.S. Embassy, Raffles Hotel, and Royal Railway Station. Ride along Pasteur Street, the Central Market, and Phsar Tapang. Stop to walk around the Independence Monument and statue of King Norodom Sihanouk, then continue past NagaWorld, the Royal Palace and Sisowath Quay.

Rise early as your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island. The river island is renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Travel by tuk tuk past rice fields and get a glimpse into rural life. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms.

Return to your river ship and savour lunch on board as the ship sets sail for Angkor Ban. As you cruise up the Mekong River in the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure. Take a dip in the pool or sit and read a book on the Sun Deck while soaking in the scenery.

Start your morning with a guided walk of Angkor Ban, a village awash with stories of Cambodia's cultural history, and one of the few traditional villages that survived the Khmer Rouge regime. Stroll through the town - nicknamed the 'Lucky Village' - to see traditional stilted houses and a Khmer-style pagoda.

After lunch, your cruise docks at its final location, Kampong Cham, where you can enjoy your Insider Experience. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board with your fellow travellers as you reminisce about your Mekong River cruise adventure.

Insider Experience - Tuk Tuk Tour of Koh Pen Hop on a tuk tuk and explore the agricultural island of Koh Pen. Travel along the shaded lanes and past wooden stilted houses, tucked among palm and sandalwood trees.

Bid farewell to the crew and disembark the RV Lotus. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages. Savour lunch at the hotel before heading to the jungle temple of Ta Prohm, often referred to as the ‘Tomb Raider Temple' due to its depiction in the Angelina Jolie film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Afterwards, two Insider Experiences await. Tonight, perhaps enjoy the optional select experience on offer.

Insider Experience - Local Charity Visit Visit Opportunities of Development thru Art (ODA), a OneTomorrow partner that provides education to local disadvantaged children living in Siem Reap's remote villages.

Insider Experience - Two Nights at Shinta Mani Angkor Unwind in an idyllic setting during an indulgent stay at this upscale retreat, designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley. Combining elegance and sustainability, your accommodation is situated in Siem Reap's leafy French Quarter, close to the famous Angkor Wat temple.

Enhance Your Journey - Circus Performance Take your seat at Phare Circus and be amazed by the skills of the performers. This acclaimed show blends modern Khmer tales with music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, aerial acts and contortion.

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a special Insider Experience. Afterwards, join a guided exploration of the well-preserved Angkor Wat, then return to your hotel for breakfast.

Perhaps enjoy one of our Enhance Your Journey options before embarking on an unforgettable journey to explore magnificent Angkor Thom and the iconic Bayon. Angkor Thom, a stunning ancient city built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, served as the grand capital of the Khmer Empire. As you wander through this vast, historical landscape, you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time, surrounded by majestic temples and spectacular structures.

At the heart of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon, a temple renowned for its remarkable architecture and the mysterious, serene faces that adorn its towering spires. These intricately carved expressions will leave you in awe as you delve deeper into the rich history and artistry of this extraordinary site.

Insider Experience - Sunrise at Angkor Wat Wake up early and witness the sun rising over Angkor Wat. A seat is included during the experience, as well as refreshments (coffee, tea or juice).

Insider Experience - Khmer Dinner and Apsara Performance Dine on tantalising Khmer cuisine and peer into the heart of Cambodia as you watch an apsara dance performance, a delicate, beautiful tradition dating back to the seventh century.

Enhance Your Journey - Local Boutiques and Markets Explore Siem Reap's vibrant arts and crafts scene, starting at the Angkor Handicraft Association. This Fair Trade Village is home to a wide variety of artisans who produce handmade goods using time-honoured practices. Peruse Angkor Artwork to see traditional lacquerware crafted using ancestral techniques. Stop at Phsar Chas, the oldest market in Siem Reap, where you'll find stalls selling everything from fresh vegetables, seafood and meat to souvenirs.

Enhance Your Journey - APOPO HeroRATs Tour and Landmine Museum Take a tour of APOPO, a non-profit organisation that trains African giant pouched rats to save lives by detecting landmines. Close by, the Landmine Museum shows the devastating impact of landmines, sharing personal stories of hope and resilience while highlighting ongoing de-mining efforts.

Enhance Your Journey - Horse-Drawn Cart Ride Relax and watch the scenery go by as you travel through the Cambodian countryside on a traditional horse-drawn cart.

Enhance Your Journey - Quad Bike Adventure Explore authentic Cambodia away from the tourist crowds on a quad bike. Journey through rice fields, forests and villages.

Your Vietnam and Cambodia journey comes to an end after breakfast with a transfer to Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.