Journey to Mekong Delta - Vietnam to Cambodia

After breakfast, our guide pick up at hotel at 8.00AM. Sightseeing today includes explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, start a Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda; and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). End the day’s explorations; watch a traditional puppet show on water that shows off an ancient art form.

Our guide and shuttle bus will pick you up at lobby of hotel at 8.00 - 8.20AM and start journey east to Halong Bay, through picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta, where we see every day Vietnamese village life. On arrival, we board a beautiful traditional junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal and later there is opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat. Spend the night on our luxurious boat

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Halong. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier to get back Hanoi,

Morning fly to hue. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel to leave your baggage and spend an entire day touring the Vietnam’s former ancient capital. Start the day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, home to the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City – once the Emperor's private residence. The Imperial Citadel gives you a better understanding of the beauty of Vietnamese Royal architecture and culture.  Then we will take a beautiful dragon boat trip along Perfume River and visit to Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the most popular attractions in Hue. In the afternoon, continue on your tour with the visit to King Ming Mang and King Khai Dinh tombs which are the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. Overnight in Hue. 

Drive south over the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. Stop at Marble Mountain and lang co beach for taking photos. Upon arrival, check hotel and it is time for you to explore art and handicraft galleries, try on clothes tailor-made, relax at the riverside restaurants or take the short journey to the nearby beach. Overnight in Hoi An. 

OPTION 1: Hoi An - Cam Thanh Farmer - Buffalo Experience
08:30 – Meet your expert guide at your hotel and cycle along quiet countryside roads to the local fishing village of Cam Thanh. Along the way, stop at rice paddies and fish and shrimp farms.
Meet local farmers working in the fields and join them in traditional farming activities, including ploughing, preparing the soil, and planting young rice seedlings. You will also have the opportunity to ride a water buffalo and help feed it — a truly memorable experience.
Continue to a local fisherman’s home to taste homemade coconut jam and tea while meeting members of the family.
Explore the water coconut palm forest and learn about traditional fishing techniques. Share hands-on experiences with local fishermen as you catch fish and purple crabs using unique fishing nets, and paddle a traditional bamboo basket boat.
Learn more about the Vietnam–American War through interesting and authentic stories shared by locals.
Enjoy lunch at a local home, where you will learn how to make fresh rice milk and cook the traditional Hoi An pancake (Bánh Xèo).
13:00 – Return to your hotel and end of the program. Thank you for choosing our company.
Optional departure:
Guests may also choose an afternoon departure, starting at 14:00 and finishing at approximately 18:30.

OPTION 2: Countryside & Handicraft Villages by Bike and Boat – Half-Day Tour
Morning Tour: 07:30 – 11:30 or Afternoon Tour: 13:30 – 17:30
Start with a bike ride through rice paddies and quiet villages, heading to the harbor. From here, embark on a boat trip along the Thu Bon River to discover Hoi An’s traditional handicraft villages.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village: Visit this famous village known for its centuries-old pottery traditions. Explore the temple, museum, and join a hands-on pottery-making workshop.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village: Hear the rhythmic sounds of chiseling and drilling as you walk through this community where woodworking skills have been passed down for generations.
Tra Nhieu Mat-Weaving Village: Learn how locals weave traditional sleeping mats and listen to stories about village life, fishing traditions, and resilience during wartime.
Stop at a local restaurant for lunch (or early dinner for afternoon tours), where you’ll enjoy authentic countryside flavors.
Cycle back to your hotel. Tour ends.

OPTION 3: Tra Que Village – Bay Mau Coconut Forest
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Distance (cycling): ~ 4.5 - 5km | Duration: Full day
08:30 AM – Cycle (~15–20 mins) from your hotel to Tra Que Village. Visit herb gardens, meet local farmers, and join light gardening activities using organic methods.
10:00 AM – Ride through rice fields and quiet roads to Van Lang Fisherman Village & Bay Mau Coconut Forest. Visit a local family, enjoy green tea, and row a basket boat through the palm-lined waterways. Learn traditional fishing techniques.
1:00 PM – Herbal foot soak, then join a hands-on cooking class with the host. Enjoy lunch with local dishes: Tam Huu, Banh Xeo, grilled fish, and more.
2:30 PM – Relax before returning to your hotel by ~4:00 PM.
Note: Non-cyclists can join by car/electric buggy (extra charge).

OPTION 4: Coconut Forest - Hoi An Walking Tour - Tailor Streets
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
8:30 AM – Pick-up from your hotel. Transfer to Bay Mau Coconut Forest (Cam Thanh Village), known for its peaceful canals and lush nipa palm groves.
Enjoy a basket boat ride through the waterways, guided by local fishermen. Learn traditional fishing techniques and have fun with basket boat "spinning" performances.
10:00 AM – Head to Hoi An Ancient Town. Begin your walking tour through the UNESCO-listed Old Quarter:

- Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge
- Explore the Fujian Assembly Hall
- Wander through narrow alleys, tailor shops, art galleries & local markets

12:30 PM – Lunch at a local restaurant, featuring Hoi An specialties: Cao Lau, Mi Quang, Banh Mi, etc.

Afternoon & Evening: Free at Leisure
Suggested activities:
- Walk along the lantern-lit streets of the Ancient Town
- Take a Thu Bon River boat ride at sunset
- Visit the vibrant Night Market
- Dine at a riverside restaurant
- Watch a traditional show like Ký Ức Hội An

OPTION 5: Lantern Making & Be a Farmer at Tra Que Village – Half-Day Tour from Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast 
Distance: ~3 km (~10-15mins by cycling)
08:00 – 08:30 (Flexible for private tour): Your guide will meet you at your hotel and provide bicycles for the trip. Begin cycling through rice paddies and shrimp farms on the way to Tra Que.

Tra Que Vegetable Village
Arrive at the peaceful Tra Que vegetable village. Stroll through the lush gardens and experience daily farming life. Join the locals in traditional activities such as digging, sowing, planting, and harvesting with centuries-old tools. Refresh yourself with E Water, a Tra Que specialty made from medicinal herbs, and enjoy becoming a farmer for the morning.
Lantern Making Workshop
Continue cycling past rice fields and quiet villages to reach a local lantern-making workshop. Skilled craftsmen will demonstrate how to create colorful lanterns, and under their guidance you will craft your own lantern — a perfect souvenir to bring home.
Return to Hoi An
After the workshop, cycle back to your hotel. The tour ends around 13:30.

OPTION 6: Countryside & Handicraft Villages by Bike and Boat – Half-Day Tour
Morning Tour: 07:30 – 11:30 or Afternoon Tour: 13:30 – 17:30
Start with a bike ride through rice paddies and quiet villages, heading to the harbor. From here, embark on a boat trip along the Thu Bon River to discover Hoi An’s traditional handicraft villages.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village: Visit this famous village known for its centuries-old pottery traditions. Explore the temple, museum, and join a hands-on pottery-making workshop.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village: Hear the rhythmic sounds of chiseling and drilling as you walk through this community where woodworking skills have been passed down for generations.
Tra Nhieu Mat-Weaving Village: Learn how locals weave traditional sleeping mats and listen to stories about village life, fishing traditions, and resilience during wartime.
Stop at a local restaurant for lunch (or early dinner for afternoon tours), where you’ll enjoy authentic countryside flavors.
Cycle back to your hotel. Tour ends.

My Son Sanctuary, situated around 50km away from Hoi An, is another Cultural Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1999 with 32 epitaphs and 71 monuments. The unique Hindu sanctuary is the perfectly ideal destination for those who want to learn everything about the Champa Ancient Kingdom including the history, culture, and architecture.

This morning (afternoon), you will set out on a drive to the southwest of Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary for a My Son half day tour. This is where the Cham culture in Central Vietnam started in the 4th century, declined in the 13th century, and ceased to exist in the 15th century. The once capital of the Champa Kingdom dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva is now a cluster of partially ruined and heavily damaged Hindu temples, with only 20 left, due to age and bombing during the Vietnam War. This unique and majestic sanctuary stands as a witness to a glorious bygone era of the once-thriving Cham culture.

Notes: If you dont want to spend this day with My Son, you could consider to take Bana Hills with Golden Hand Bridge

7:20 AM – Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. For private tours, pick-up time can be adjusted upon request.
8:00 AM – Meet your guide and depart for Ba Na Hills (~30 km, ~1 hour drive from Da Nang).

Upon arrival, take the Ba Na Hills cable car, one of the longest and highest in the world, reaching the summit in 15–20 minutes. During the ride, enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and forested valleys below.
At the top, visit the key highlights:

• The Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands – an iconic photo spot
• The romantic Le Jardin d’Amour (nine themed flower gardens)
• The historic French Wine Cellar (optional with extra fee)
• The peaceful Linh Ung Pagoda

Continue exploring the French Village, including:

• Campanile Bell Tower, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, and Tombstone Temple
• Linh Phong Monastery, Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple, and Tru Vu Tea House
• Watch the colorful Carnival Performance at Du Dome Square

12:00 PM – Enjoy a buffet lunch at a mountaintop restaurant.
1:00–3:00 PM – Free time to explore or join games at Fantasy Park (indoor amusement area).
3:30 PM – Take the cable car down (15–20 minutes) and meet your guide at the base station.
4:30 PM – Transfer back to Da Nang. On the way, stop by the Han Market, where locals shop for fresh produce, dried goods, and souvenirs. A perfect spot to observe daily life and experience the local vibe. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Da Nang/ Hoi An

This morning is free before journeying to Saigon. This evening, enjoy the cultural extravaganza that is the ‘A O Show’, staged at the magnificent Saigon Opera House and a delicious dinner in your own way

Travel out of Saigon to the Cu Chi tunnels, part of an elaborate network of excavations used by the Viet Cong. Returning to the city, visit the beautiful colonial Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace, and the harrowing War Remnants Museum.

We greet our guests in the morning at our welcome lounge in Saigon. Kick back with a second coffee as our staff collects your details for boarding. We bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometres south over land towards My Tho to embark on our vessel. After checking into your luxurious floating “home” for the next several days, your first inclination may be to step on your balcony to watch the ship set sail on its fascinating Mekong River voyage.

A lunch buffet is served in the restaurant while the vessel steadily glides upstream. Now it is time to get acquainted with one of the largest streams in Asia, which runs an estimated length of 4,909 km (3,050 mi) and discharges 475 cu km (114 cu mi) of water annually. Millions of people – from China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam – pay tribute to this mighty river which provides sustenance and protection over its inhabitants.

Let your soul float and your eyes wander while the boat makes its way upstream. It is often stated that “nautical air” makes you hungry, so you are cordially invited to our afternoon tea in the open-air bar as twilight bathes the Mekong Delta in a golden haze. Get to know your fellow travellers while enjoying some tasty treats. The rest of this cruising day is fully yours to relax on your private balcony or be pampered by our therapists at the Apsara Spa.

While you savour your delightful dinner, the ship reaches Cai Be. This historic town was established in the 19th century by Vietnam’s last ruling family, the Nguyen dynasty, on the Mekong River where three provinces meet: Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Ben Tre. Cai Be would later become the surrounding region’s predominant water-based trading hub, as we will see in tomorrow’s visit to the floating market. We anchor mid-stream near Cai Be and moor there overnight. If you are in the mood for some evening entertainment, there is a cinema in the lounge showcasing classic movies and interesting documentaries on a nightly basis.

Wake up early to witness the spectacular scenery at the break of dawn. To make the experience complete, join our daily morning Tai Chi class. Afterwards, a rich breakfast buffet awaits, or if you prefer, we can serve breakfast directly to your room.

We arrive at Cai Be, a charming market town which is famous for its Catholic French church and the manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The once enormous floating market of Cai Be gets smaller year by year since trading on the water is continually shifting towards modern markets. However, you can still see boat-to-boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products and imagine what this must have looked like on a larger scale. We learn from our guide about the long-lasting trading culture and how each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling.

By local boat, we sail along the green canal network and watch the farmers working in the fields. A visit ashore of a workshop shows us the manufacturing of rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine. Cai Be’s surrounding areas are covered by palm trees, which is why the region is also famous for the production of coconut candy. While the vessel continues sailing upstream, you can enjoy time to yourself or head to the bar to and enjoy a true Vietnamese coffee as you watch the life on the riverbanks float by.

In the afternoon, the vessel reaches the area of Sa Dec and arrives at one of the larger islands in the vast stream of the Mekong, Binh Thanh Island. Several communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyacinths. We exclusively visit one of these untouched areas. By wandering through the village, we get a deep understanding of native life. One of the local artisans, for example, demonstrates the entire process of traditional mat making. You can try weaving yourself. We also meet a local elderly couple who share their story of living on this island. They are always happy to chit-chat with our guests.

Back on board, you may take a dip in the pool on the sun deck. In the evening, our expert guide offers a presentation on life on the Mekong Delta as the ship continues sailing to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views on the riverbanks.

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam.

Once on shore, we see Tan Chau’s vibrant town-life as we hop on “xelois”, which are local vehicles still used as a taxi in this area. Your personal xeloi driver slowly navigates through the streets to observe all the workshops, houses and shops while feeling the laid-back vibe of this place. We stop at the colourful, local market near one of the town’s temples. This is a great opportunity to interact with the vendors of this friendly town and try your hand at bargaining with them.

To see what Tan Chau is famous for, we board local boats and head to a floating fish farm. You are about to get an exclusive look into the world’s largest inland aquaculture industry. Each of the floating structures has netting hanging down into the water to enclose the fish, which are raised and fed on a daily basis. The region’s specialties are tilapia and the Basa catfish, or Pangasius, which is unique to the Mekong River basin and rapidly gaining popularity on the international seafood market.

Back on board our “home”, we sail towards the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Get ready for a fascinating and leisurely cruise through the deep Cambodian countryside towards Phnom Penh.

The whole afternoon is at your own disposal. From here, even the last passenger turns on their cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing influence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed or private balcony kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river and float into a state of mild bliss.

You also may like to visit the bridge as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

After some additional cruising time back aboard, the boat arrives and docks at the pier of Phnom Penh. Feel free to go out and explore by yourself after dinner. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars.

Welcome to Phnom Penh - the city once named Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town with centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home before disembarking the ship. We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you and share the stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

In the afternoon, visit the National Museum. Housed in a beautiful traditional building, it contains many outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship. Learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history with a visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Explore Wat Phnom, a peaceful temple situated on a hill for which the city is named. According to legend, a 14th-century woman named Penh found sacred Buddhist objects in the nearby river and placed them here on the small hill.

Dinner not included and night at hotel in Phnom Penh 

Breakfast at hotel

In the morning, head out to the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was the execution ground for the torture victims of TuolSleng and standing in this peaceful setting it's almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9000 corpses have been exhumed from the area. Confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the TuolSleng Genocide Museum, a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here.Lunch not included

Transfer to Phnom Penh for flight to Siem Reap. 

Breakfast at hotel

Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Visit to the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Pre Rup Temple.

Breakfast at hotel

Visit to Banteay Srey, known as Citadel of Women or a Pink Temple, and Banteay Samre Temples

Visit to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used or ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei(surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake) and Preah Khan temple, Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.  

Breakfast at hotel

In the morning, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake at KAMPONG PHLUK VILLAGE. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" move from place to place following water levels and current. 

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for flight to next destination