Itinerary

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1. DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

   Welcome to Vietnam, one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City, still often called Saigon by many locals, the local guide will greet you at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and then transfer you to your hotel by private transfer. Experience Vietnam’s chaotic biggest cities, Ho Chi Minh City with its vibrating energy and fascinating culture. This dazzling city still proudly boasts French colonial charm from its architecture to its food.
   The rest of the day is yours to relax after a long journey, and do a little exploring city at your own leisure.
   This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at local restaurant.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
   Meals included: Dinner.

2. DAY 2: HO CHI MINH – CITY TOUR & CU CHI TUNNEL

   Start your day with a transfer to Cu Chi, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and the Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits, all airms for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlas prolonged sieges.
   After lunch, enjoy the attraction of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Reunification Palace, a former residence of Indochina Governor General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam. Then, head out to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, where the French colonial presence can be felt. It was constructed between 1863 to 1880 entirely of imported French building material, including bricks from Marseilles and stained-glass windows from Chartres. The French-influenced design of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral still acts as a stop for people who seek for old beauties and calmness.
   Across the street to the Saigon Central Post Office, a stunning architectural marvel with rich Gothic, Renaissance and French influences.
   Next will be Jade Emperor Pagoda, nestled in a quiet enclave in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the Pagoda offers a calming sanctuary from the bustle of the busy streets outside.
   The final stop will be at Ben Thanh market where is to stock up on souvenirs, T-shirts, bags, coffee and other local products. Discover local life and culture if shopping is not your mission. You’ll find some of the friendliest, liveliest, most convivial people in the city here.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

3. DAY 3: HO CHI MINH – MY THO – EMBARKATION (on Thursday)

   The guide and driver will meet you at hotel’s lobby and take you to Sofitel Plaza hotel for the shuttle bus transfer arrangement to My Tho, located 70 kilometers away. The transfer includes a stop at the Cholon Market and visit to a lacquer factory. Arrival in My Tho and welcome on board the RV MEKONG PRESTIGE II. Lunch on board. Departure in the afternoon. Welcome Dinner on board & traditional Music Show.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. 

4. DAY 4: ON MEKONG CRUISE: CAI BE – SA DEC

   Arrival at Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast we take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to visit a floating market and go ashore to see the French Gothic Cathedral. Take a stroll along the river bank and visit a local manufacturer producing rice paper, and coconut sweets. Return to the ship for lunch. Cruise past Vinh Long Province to arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon walk. We see the house of Marguerite’s Chinese Lover. The house is a small museum of « The Lover » in Sadec. Visit to a Caodaist Temple and stroll through the colorful local market.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch. Dinner. 

5. DAY 5: ON MEKONG CRUISE: TAN CHAU – BORDER CROSSING

   Arrival at Tan Chau in the morning, a remote town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer on small boats to visit the village. A rickshaw ride round this fascinating town takes you back to the pier for lunch. Depart for the Cambodian border. Evening cruise up the broad Mekong River to Phnom Penh.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

6. DAY 6: ON MEKONG CRUISE: PHNOM PENH

   Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning. The capital city of Cambodia still retains its old French colonial architecture in riverside streets. Visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board. Afternoon excursion to the former High School « S21 », now the Tuol Sleng Museum, converted to a detention center under the Red Khmer’s rule between 1975 and 1979.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

7. DAY 7: ON MEKONG CRUISE: PHNOM PENH – SILK ISLAND

   Early morning sailing from Phnom Penh to Chong Koh or Oknathey (both located in Silk Island). Visit this silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure and a visit to the local workshop. The excursion includes a visit to a Pagoda and a meeting in a primary school. We cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages and River life with extensive fishing activities. Return to Phnom Penh and visit to Wat Phnom Hill after which the city was named. Time at leisure in the city.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

8. DAY 8: ON MEKONG CRUISE: ANGKOR BAN

   Morning navigation on the Upper Mekong. Arrival at Angkor Ban in the morning. Overlooking the River Mekong, Angkor Ban offers a peaceful and majestic image of the river bathed in morning light in this still pristine area. Angkor Ban is one of the very few villages that has not been burned or destroyed during the Khmer Rouge period. It is a dive in intimate Cambodia, to the rhythm of its inhabitants. Visit of the village on stilts, discovery of traditional houses some of which are more than a century old. Back on board for further navigation to the north.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

9. DAY 9: ON MEKONG CRUISE: WAT HANCHEY – KAMPONG CHAM

   Stop at Wat Hanchey in the morning and after breakfast, visit the pre-Angkorian temple located on top of a hill overlooking the Mekong. Dating back to the 8th century, its ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire, which preceded the glory of Angkor. Back on board for lunch.
   Continued navigation and arrival at Kampong Cham during lunch. In the afternoon, departure by bus to discover the temple of Wat Nokor. This twelfth century Buddhist temple built on the ruins of an ancient temple, is unique in Cambodia.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

10. DAY 10: KAMPONG CHAM – DISEMBARKATION - SIEM REAP

    Early morning, disembarkation and transfer (5h) to Siem Reap. Stop at the Kampong Kdei Bridge dating from the Angkorian period, built during the reign of Jayavarman VII and arrived in Siem Reap at lunch time.
    Arrival at Sokha Angkor Resort, your local and driver will meet up and take you to your hotel. Check in & you are free at leisure at hotel.
    Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

11. DAY 11: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TOURS

    A very early start today for one of the highlights of our tour. We travel by TukTuk to experience Sunrise at Angkor Wat Temple, the most wonderful remains of a disappeared civilization which between the 8th and 13th century, built the splendid Temple of Angkor, partially annihilated afterwards by invasion and hidden for centuries by forest. Angkor is the biggest attraction not just for Cambodia but for all over the world. This temple, dedicated to Vishnu, was constructed at the beginning of the twelfth century. It is remarkable for its powerful architecture and for the richness of its sculptures. Dawn is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays.
    Return to the hotel for breakfast then free at leisure.
    Have a lunch at local restaurant
    We will enjoy a tour in the afternoon to discover more of Angkor Thom (the Great City) including the Southern Gate, Bayon temple, Baphuon temple, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King & Phimean Akas: “Celestial Palace”, dedicated to Hinduism. Then visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm - a hauntingly beautiful temple where the roots of giant banyans and strangler figs enfold much of the stonework, creating scenes little changed since the French Adventurer Henri Mouhot re-discovered Angkor in the 1850s. This temple makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
    **Option Experience:
    Your guide and driver will take you out to watch Phare – the Cambodian Circus, an amazing blend of traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatic, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society.
    Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

12. DAY 12: SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE

    Free at hotel until our guide and driver will take you to Siem Reap International Airport, to catch your departure flight home!
    Meals included: Breakfast.