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22 day Vietnam and Riches of the Mekong Tour

The delights of Vietnam and Cambodia come alive on this 22 Day tour as you explore each country by land, and cruise the spectacular Mekong River. Discover the sights of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue and Hanoi, then fly to Siem Reap for three days to explore the temples and monuments of Cambodia. To conclude the adventure, cruise back to Ho Chi Minh City via Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, Sa Dec and Cai Be, to discover cultural and historical highlights.

Itinerary

Day 1. Ho Chi Minh City

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, be met and transfer to your hotel.

Two Night Stay: Ho Chi Minh City, Sofitel Saigon Plaza

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Day 2. Tay Ninh, Cu Chi Tunnels

Enjoy a morning drive through southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh province. Visit the Cao Dai Temple, a temple that combines elements from other world religions, and observe the noon service. This afternoon, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network.

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Day 3. Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An

Today transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Da Nang, Vietnam’s fourth-largest city. Then take a coach to the ancient trading town of Hoi An, a World Heritage-listed site.

Three Night Stay: Hoi An, Palm Garden Resort

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Day 4. Hoi An

See the sights of Hoi An, including the Hoi An Museum, old Chinese Merchants’ houses, Assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Later, travel by sampan on the Thu Bon River or relax on the beautiful sandy Cua Dai beach.

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Day 5. Hoi An

Enjoy the Red Bridge Cooking School tour, including the local village market and the herb garden. Learn how to prepare some of Vietnam’s best-known dishes during this hands-on experience. After lunch, take a boat ride on Hoi An River to observe local life.

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Day 6. Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue

En route to Da Nang and Hue, visit the Marble Mountains, including the pagoda and a craft village nearby. In Da Nang visit the Cham Museum. Continue to Lang Co Beach and cross the beautiful Hai Van Pass before arriving at Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day.

Two Night Stay: Hue, Imperial Hotel

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Day 7. Hue

Today, cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. Then drive to the Tomb of former Emperor Minh Mang, set among tranquil gardens and lakes. Later visit the tomb of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Royal Citadel, with its Imperial Purple City.

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Day 8. Hue, Hanoi

Head to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city or perhaps visit the fabled Old Quarter.

Two Night Stay: Hanoi, Sheraton Hotel

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Day 9. Hanoi

A guided morning tour will take you to Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda and The Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, enjoy an authentic rickshaw ride (known as cyclo ride) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional water puppet show.

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Day 10. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay

After breakfast, travel to Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden Junk that combines classic beauty with modern conveniences. Set sail to discover the bay’s magnificent scenery set amidst limestone cliffs. This evening, you’ll enjoy dinner onboard.

Stay: Ha Long Bay, Indochina Sails Junk

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Day 11. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Siem Reap

Disembark and transfer to Hanoi Airport, visiting the Holy Buddhist Pagoda en route. Arrive in Siem Reap – gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire and one of the most renowned archeological sites in Southeast Asia.

Three Night Stay: Siem Reap, Le Méridien Angkor

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Day 12. Siem Reap, Angkor

After breakfast, begin a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a World Heritage-listed site. Highlights include Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, Bayon. This afternoon, visit the most iconic of all Angkorian temples – Angkor Wat.

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Day 13. Siem Reap, Angkor

This morning, travel through rural countryside to the pink sandstone temple of Then Banteay Srei. Then visit Ta Prohm, the temple famous for its intertwined trees (showcased in the film Tomb Raider).

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Day 14. Embark MS La Marguerite Cruise

Travel to Tonle Sap Lake to board the MS La Marguerite for your seven night Mekong River Cruise. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner onboard as you cruise to Kampong Chhnang.

Seven Night Stay: MS La Marguerite

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Day 15. Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Cham

After breakfast, cruise to the mouth of the Tonle Sap River. Later, the ship enters the jungle as the river narrows. Temples abound along the riverbanks, offering you the opportunity to observe the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. Arrive in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, then enter the Upper Mekong bound for Kampong Cham. Stop in the quaint silk-weaving village of Chong Kho.

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Day 16. Kampong Cham

This morning, journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Later, sail downstream to explore the Kampong Cham area. Travel by coach to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor, which has been fused with a modern Wat. Continue to the eco-village of Cheung Kok. Depart late in the afternoon for Phnom Penh.

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Day 17. Phnom Penh

Cruise into spectacular Phnom Penh for a morning tour. Visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, with displays of Khmer crafts. After lunch on board, another excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim S21 Detention Centre (Genocide Museum). Tonight perhaps enjoy the opportunity to dine in one of many local restaurants.

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Day 18. Phnom Penh – Tan Chau

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River. Stop at the jungle village of Preak Dach to visit fruit orchards before crossing the border into Vietnam.

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Day 19. Tan Chau – Sa Dec

After breakfast, transfer via small boats to the pier, where a trishaw awaits to transport you around Tan Chau. Visit a mat-making workshop and silk-colouring workshop. Then board a local boat for a channel cruise and visit a fish farm before returning to the ship overnight.

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Day 20. Sa Dec – Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh City

Tour the village of Sa Dec then continue to Cai Be, where a Junk trip will take you to the floating market. Later, go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and ancient Kiet House. Tonight enjoy cocktails and a Farewell Dinner on board.

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Day 21. Ho Chi Minh City, Disembark Cruise

Disembark the ship and tour Ho Chi Minh City, visiting landmarks such as the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Cho Lon (China Town), Binh Tay market and Thien Hau pagoda.

Stay: Ho Chi Minh City, Sofitel Saigon Plaza

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Day 22. Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Departure Dates & Prices

 **Number of travellers, per person price.

All prices are displayed in Australian Dollars (AUD)