Vietnam, Cambodia and Hidden Treasures of the Mekong

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Travel to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
• Day 2
  Arrival in Saigon - On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel where we'll stay for three nights. If you arrive before normal check in time, we will arrange an early check in for you. The rest of the day will be for you to relax after your overnight flight* or enjoy the facilities of the hotel and the local area. *Based on current flight schedules.
• Day 3
  Saigon - On our first full day of exploration, we'll enjoy a comprehensive tour of the lively city of Ho Chi Minh - previously Saigon - delving into its rich history, beautiful French architecture and poignant war memories. Our first port of call is Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, a popular Buddhist Temple for locals. Consisting of several buildings, each with its own architectural style and cultural significance, we'll stop to admire the carved wood columns, frescoes and pictures which align with Buddhist teachings and astronomy. Then we'll continue to the War Remnants Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the brutal realities of the Vietnam War and its impact as we explore the museum's poignant exhibits. We'll make our way to the iconic Reunification Palace, a symbol of the war's end, where history comes to life. It was at this historic site that a North Vietnamese Army tank famously crashed through the gates, marking a pivotal moment in Vietnam's history. Wrapping up our tour, we'll discover the captivating beauty of French Colonial architecture on a visit to the Central Post Office and the majestic Saigon Opera House. These architectural marvels stand as timeless symbols of the city's cultural heritage and are sure to leave a lasting impression.  Returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure. You may wish to try your hand at bartering at the Ben Thanh market or perhaps take a stroll around Tao Dan Park, the largest in the city with delightful green spaces and over 1,000 species of trees and tropical plants. An absolute must-try is a traditional coffee, where coffee beans, usually roasted in butter, are added to a filter with hot water and allowed to drip through to the cup below onto condensed milk. Delicious!
• Day 4
  Cu Chi Tunnels - The Cu Chi Tunnels are a unique and complex underground network stretching for 124 miles and included hospitals, meeting rooms, sleeping quarters and kitchens. Begun during the last years of French rule and vastly expanded during the 1960s, the tunnels provided a base for the Vietcong from which to attack US forces within just 30 miles of Saigon. Our visit here is a fascinating insight into these troubled times: we see the tunnels themselves and examples of the many mantraps and stake pits which protected them. Despite being carpet bombed, the tunnels were never really penetrated, and should you wish, you can try out real period weapons on a firing range. After our tour, we'll return to our hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure. If you're peckish this afternoon, why not try Banh Mi, a delicious Vietnamese sandwich? Made with a freshly cooked short baguette and traditionally packed with pate, meats, mayo, pickles and salad - it's so popular that you can find versions of it in UK street food markets! Or, if you prefer something heartier, you could try a warming bowl of pho noodles. Delicious flat rice noodles, served in a broth, traditionally cooked for many hours for a deep, rich flavour. Best paired with Vietnamese rice paper rolls made with fresh vegetables, prawns and vermicelli noodles. Whatever you choose, you will be spoilt for choice!
• Day 5
  Board the ship - Leaving Saigon this morning, you can't help but feel the anticipation building as we approach the Mekong Delta. The sight of the coconut groves gently swaying in the breeze and the countryside adorned with pagodas creates an atmosphere of tranquil beauty. The network of paddy fields tended to by farmers in their iconic conical hats, paints a serene yet enduring image of Vietnam. Originally named Mae Khong, meaning 'Mother of all Rivers', the Mekong Delta is a testament to the astonishing journey of water, draining from the distant plains and the majestic snow-clad peaks of the Chinese Himalayas, spanning over 3,000 miles. Life in this region revolves around the waterways, where sampans gracefully glide through the currents, and the vibrant floating markets overflow with the abundance of nature. Each visit to this remarkable place is a reminder of the sheer beauty and resilience of the human spirit. We'll stop at the riverside town of Cai Be for lunch at the elegant La Longanier Restaurant set amidst lush fruit trees by the river before continuing to Can Tho. Arriving mid-afternoon, we'll board our ship: the Victoria Mekong. After being welcomed by the professional and friendly crew, you'll be shown to your cabin with time to settle in as the ship sets sail towards Long Xuyen. Once you've unpacked, why not enjoy a sundowner as the sun sets over the Hau River? This evening, we'll be treated to a traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performance, known as Don Ca Tai Tu, before a delicious Vietnamese buffet dinner - the perfect welcome to life on board the Victoria Mekong cruise.
• Day 6
  Long Xuyen & Tiger Island - After breakfast onboard, we'll visit the authentic Long Xuyen Floating Market by sampan (a flat-bottomed wooden boat). As less discerning travellers have yet to 'discover' Long Xuyen floating market in An Giang province, it still maintains its authentic, rustic atmosphere with boats selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and more. It's lively, colourful, and when all the bartering is underway, it’s rather noisy too! Reuniting with the ship for lunch, we'll set sail for Tiger Island and disembark by sampan. We'll visit one of the cottage industries that still exist here - plant pot making and the planting of ornamental Bonsai plants, a real insight into local life. We'll continue to Tiger Island itself to enjoy a walking tour and hear the story of how the island got its name on a visit to the site locally known as 'Mr Tiger's Temple'. After an afternoon of discovery, we'll re-join the ship for a cocktail competition and dinner followed by the evening's entertainment as the ship cruises to Vam Nao before anchoring overnight.
• Day 7
  Phu Tan & Tan Chau - Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board this morning as the ship sails towards Phu Tan, the provincial capital of An Giang in the Mekong Delta. Tender ashore to visit a craft village famed for handmaking Ca Rang clay stoves. Used for hundreds of years by the southern Vietnamese, these stoves have a unique design which allow them to block the wind, retain heat and keep ash from dispersing. After your visit here, return to the ship for lunch before venturing out again in the afternoon to visit more of the attractions along the Mekong Delta, including a floating fish farm, and see how people of the Mekong Delta raise freshwater fish under stilts. After a real glimpse of traditional rural life, return to the ship for a traditional Vietnamese lion dance followed by a delectable dinner in the ship’s restaurant. The ship will moor overnight in Tan Chau.
• Day 8
  Cruise to Phnom Penh - Today is all about relaxing as the ship cruises towards the Vietnam - Cambodia border. With a full day on board, why not begin the day with a dip in the infinity pool followed by a leisurely breakfast? Relax on board and enjoy the ship’s many facilities. Perhaps challenge your new-found friends to a round of mini golf? Or pamper yourself with a treatment from the spa? Maybe crack open that book you've been meaning to read in the library. There's plenty to keep you entertained as we sail. After crossing the border into Cambodia, we'll arrive in the country's charming capital, Phnom Penh, in the late afternoon. Once known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ or the ‘Paris of the East’, Phnom Penh has preserved much of its wonderful rustic charm, elegance and French allure. As our ship moors here overnight, there's the opportunity to get out and explore the city's French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and attractive riverside walk. Tonight, we'll enjoy Khmer Apsara dancing and the chance to meet the performers afterwards. This unique dance, known for its beautiful costumes and captivating hand movements, was once only performed for the royal family and their special guests. In recent decades, it has gained worldwide recognition as a symbol of Khmer culture. In 2003, UNESCO recognized the Royal Ballet of Cambodia as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' due to its significance.
• Day 9
  Phnom Penh - We'll begin with a guided tour of the city on a three-wheeled cyclo - the oldest mode of transportation in Cambodia. Our first stop is the majestic Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda complex. Established in 1866, it stands as a symbol of Khmer grandeur and history. Exploring its intricate detail, we'll admire the elaborately constructed palace buildings and see the 5,000 silver floor tiles which give the Silver Pagoda its name, as well as spectacular gold and bejewelled Buddha statues - they're considered national treasures. After that, we will visit the National Museum, a beautiful sandstone structure that houses the world's most extensive collection of Khmer sculptures. This collection spans over a millennium and showcases the masterful and timeless Khmer design. After lunch back onboard, there'll be the opportunity to head just outside of the city for a poignant visit to Choeung Ek, one of the mass grave sites of the Killing Fields where the Khmer Rouge executed over a million men, women and children between 1975 and 1979. Today, Cheoung Ek is a peaceful memorial with a Buddhist stupa filled with skulls and bones, arranged by sex and age, to honour the victims. After a somewhat haunting visit, you will be taken to Raffles Hotel Le Royal to complete your afternoon on a lighter note with a cocktail at the famed Elephant Bar. The former first lady, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, visited Cambodia in 1967 and had an honorary cocktail created for her in this very bar. The femme fatale is still on the menu today - as is their unique version of the Singapore Sling. We'll return to the ship for another delicious dinner as we sail away from Phnom Penh and overnight in Koh Chen.
• Day 10
  Koh Chen & Koh Dach - After breakfast, we'll enjoy a walking tour of Koh Chen. As we approach, you'll notice a large Buddha statue sitting peacefully near the riverbank and, beyond, is the yellow-tiled roof of a temple built in Khmer style. Your highlight here, will be visiting its famed ornamental silver and copper smiths. After our exploration of Koh Chen, we'll journey by coach to Cambodia's ancient capital, Oudong. There, we'll have the opportunity to visit the Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation retreat, renowned for its transformative method of purifying the mind and alleviating distress and pain. Keep an eye out for the awe-inspiring jade Buddha and a mummified monk, as well as other ancient art, ornate sculptures and facades. Later, we'll return to our ship for lunch. Known locally as Koh Dach, Silk Island is an island in the Mekong River, celebrated for its time-honoured silk-weaving craft. We'll journey through the island in a charming tuk-tuk to learn more about the process of silk weaving, from silkworms feasting on mulberry leaves to the creation of beautiful fabrics. This is a chance to experience the skilled artisans at work, weaving the iconic Cambodia krama (a traditional scarf) with dedication and expertise.