Your Itinerary
Fly to Vietnam's vibrant capital city, Hanoi. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. This evening, meet your guide and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Spend the morning discovering Hanoi's top sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, Mausoleum, Humble House on Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda. Later, enjoy a memorable cyclo ride through the bustling streets of the city's Old Quarter.
Days 3-4: Cruise Halong Bay
Board a 4 star ship and cruise out into the tranquil waters of Halong Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has long enthralled visitors with its beauty. Enjoy an afternoon of activities such as kayaking, swimming or cave tours, or simply relax on the sundeck. After a night anchored out on the water, rise early to see the sun and enjoy an invigorating session of Tai Chi. Transfer back to Hanoi and fly to Hue, Vietnam's imperial capital.
This morning visit the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City at the heart of Hue, once the home of Vietnam's emperors. Cruise on the picturesque Perfume River and admire the Thien Mu Pagoda. Later, see the magnificent tomb of Minh Mang before heading to Zen house where you learn about architecture and spiritual meaning of this beautiful place. Finally, visit Tha Om Garden house to learn of the 19th century heritage of Mr Vinh, its owner.
Depart Hue, taking the scenic route over the Hai Van Pass to charming Hoi An. En route, stop at Lang Co and admire the views from the spectacular Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills.
Head out into the countryside to visit a small farming community and stroll through the gardens to see the farmers at work. In the afternoon, discover Hoi An itself, grabbing some refreshment at the Reaching Out Tea House, a wonderful social project in the heart of town, as you explore.
Day 8: Free Time In Hoi An
Spend some time at leisure before flying to Saigon. After checkin, the rest of your day is at leisure in Saigon.
Explore Saigon, a vibrant, modern city with a treasure trove of fascinating heritage. Visit the chilling War Remnants Museum and learn of the turmoil that once gripped the country. Then admire the beautiful colonial architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, before a look around the Reunification Palace.
Head out of the city to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passageways used by the Viet Cong during the war. After an afternoon at leisure, enjoy dinner in the dark at Noir, a restaurant supporting Saigon's visually impaired.
Day 11: Embark the Victoria Mekong
Transfer to the meeting point to board a Victoria Mekong shuttle to Can Tho,
stopping en route for a delicious local lunch. Board the Victoria Mekong and attend a welcome briefing before relaxing with a sundowner on deck. Sit down to a sumptuous gala dinner whilst enjoying a performance of traditional music of the Mekong.
Take a tender boat to explore Long Xuyen's bustling floating market, where farmers trade fresh produce from their boats. Return to the ship for lunch before visiting Tiger Island for a scenic walk through rice fields, meet local artisans, and learn about Mr. Tiger's Temple.
Head ashore in Phu Tan and visit a craft village famous for its handmade clay stoves. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise toward Tan Chau, then take a tender to explore a floating village and see how locals farm freshwater fish beneath their stilt houses. This evening, enjoy a riotous Vietnamese lion dance on the sky deck!
Enjoy onboard activities such as a cocktail competition or a mini golf tournament as the ship crosses the border into Cambodia. Arrive into Phnom Penh late this afternoon. Tonight, watch a lively Apsara dance performance onboard and feast on a farewell dinner.
Day 15: Disembark In Phnom Penh
Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant before disembarking and bidding farewell to the Victoria Mekong and meeting your Cambodian National Escort. Board a cyclo into the heart of Phnom Penh, where you will visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.
Day 16: Explore Phnom Penh
Reflect on the history of the city with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields, locations that provide chilling reminders of the Khmer Rouge regime. Later today, fly to Siem Reap.
Day 17: The Temples Of Angkor
Journey to the old city of Angkor Thom and pass through the magnificent South Gate flanked by 54 gods and demons. At Angkor Thom's centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a breathtaking temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Also admire the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm. The rest of the day is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magnificent and best preserved of all of Angkor's treasures. Later, relax on a boat as you watch the sunset from Angkor's moat.
In the high water season (Aug to Feb), enjoy a morning cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the floating village of Kampong Phluk and observing the way of life of these lake communities. In the low water season (Mar to Jul), visit Chong Kneas floating village. Return to Siem Reap to enjoy a rollicking performance of the Phare Cambodian Circus.
Day 19: Local Cooking Class
Today, travel by tuk-tuk to a Khmer cooking school, where you will learn to prepare traditional Khmer dishes. The chef will teach you all about what goes into the local cuisine, as you create a delicious meal! Spend your afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner.
Days 20-21: Fly Siem Reap To Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the following day.