Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be greeted by our driver and transferred to hotel.
Note: Check in time is 02.00PM. Early check in is not included
This tour begins at 08:30AM. Start with a visit to the iconic Saigon Central Post Office built between 1886 and 1891. Based on the design of French architect Foulhoux, it is the creation of a unique vaulted ceiling with wrought iron beams and columns reminiscent of industrial architeture, which is now considered a symbol of Saigon and one of its most famous landmarks. Stop for a chat with Mr. Duong (if he is available), who enjoys local notoriety for his professional love-letter skills.
Walk along Dong Khoi street, formerly la rue Catinat and pay a visit to Gialong Palace – Ho Chi Minh City Museum for its beautiful architecture and listen to its history through times. Continue to ‘Le Loi Street’ to meet a local artisan who specialises in traditional engravings.
Next, stroll through the old central market (your vehicle will be available) before arriving at the city’s oldest colonial-era apartment, built in 1886, and see what the young creative Vietnamese are up to from their funky boutiques and coffee shops. Sit down at one of the stylish coffee shops and interact with a local resident who moved here in 1975.
Leave the compound and have a look at the building on the other side, which used to be ‘Banque de l’Indochine’ (Indochina Bank) during the 1920s. It’s a stunning example of the ‘Indochinois’ east/west fusion style of architecture that this area is known for. After this last stop, head back to the hotel.
NOTES
Tour duration: 3.5 hours
Closed on Mondays
Morning transfer to the Tan Cang Jetty in Binh Thanh District and depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels. Begin your private speedboat excursion and witness glittering skyscrapers and busy commercial centres giving way to green fields and stilt houses along the Saigon River. Arrive at the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Touring the underground compounds will provide a better understanding of the history of the tunnels, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. Return by private speedboat to Saigon with a stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant.
NOTES:
Tour duration: 04 hours
The speedboat journey takes approximately 1.5hrs each way, and slightly longer between March and May due to the water hyacinth season.
– Transfer from Ho Chi Minh city to Can Tho city where your ship awaits you. Cruise along scenic waterways through this postcard-pretty region known as Vietnam’s “Rice Bowl” for its seemingly endless fields of rice.
Cruise will not operate from 2 June – 14 July 2020 & 2 June – 14 July 2021
Depart Saigon via coach and drive towards Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop at the rustic, riverside town of Cai Be where lunch is served at the elegant Le Longanier Restaurant set amidst lush fruit trees by the river. Continue to Can Tho, arriving mid-afternoon and board the Victoria Mekong Cruise Ship. As the ship cruises towards Long Xuyen, watch the sunset over the Hau River, sundowner in hand. As day turns into night, enjoy a traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performance known as don ca tai tu, followed by a Vietnamese dinner buffet to officially welcome you aboard your Victoria Mekong Cruise. Overnight near Long Xuyen.
After breakfast tender ashore to visit the authentic Long Xuyen Floating Market and the An Giang Traditions Museum, with fascinating exhibits on Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer and Cham cultures in the region. During lunch the ship sails on before anchoring near Tiger Island. Head ashore by sampan and explore Tiger Island by “xe loi”, visiting a wood carver and cottage industries such as net weaving and incense makers. Visit a pagoda locally known as “Mr. Tiger’s Temple”, hear the story that won the island its name. Delta. Return on board in time for dinner and the evening’s entertainment as the ship continues cruising to Tan Chau where we overnight.
Afternoon offshore excursions: Visit Tiger Island (net weavers workshops, incense making, Wood Carver). Travel by sampans or by “xe loi”
Enjoy breakfast before heading by sampan to the shore where you will then board a local rickshaw to a silk village to witness all the labor-intensive steps to producing this fine textile, including the use of natural dyes made from tree bark, leaves and fruit. After lunch on board, visit more Mekong Delta attractions, including floating fish farms and a Taoist Temple where you can get your fortune told. There is also an option to travel by speedboat to Chau Doc to see the submerged forest of Tra Su, known for its abundant bird life and picturesque mangroves. Return to the ship in time for a traditional Vietnamese lion dance, followed by dinner and the evening’s entertainment. Overnight near Tan Chau.
Evening: Lion Dance performance on the ship
As the ship begins cruising towards the Vietnam-Cambodia border, start the day with an early yoga session on the Sky Deck or by the Infinity Pool, followed by a leisurely breakfast in the restaurant. After, select from the many on-board activities including a ship’s tour, cocktail competition, a food carving demonstration, a mini-golf tournament, or simply enjoy the scenery as we sail on towards Phnom Penh and cross the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. We arrive late afternoon in the charming capital of Phnom Penh, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient” for its French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic riverwalk. Before the farewell dinner, take in a lively performance of Khmer Apsara dancing with the opportunity to meet the performers afterward. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking at Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh’s downtown riverside promenade.
Our driver will meet you at the cruise pior and transfer to hotel. Free at leisure and overnight in Phnom Penh
08.30 pick up at your hotel.
Breakfast at hotel: today we visit Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Then we continue to explore the Toul Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek-both grim reminders of Cambodia’s bloody past under Pol Pot. It is almost inconceivable to confront the nature of true evil here in this gentle land, but the Buddhist memorial at Choeung Ek, commemorates the 1.7 million victims of the 1975-79 Pol Pot regime. This excursion may prove distressing for some. It is, however, an important piece of this country’s historical and cultural puzzle. We will also visit Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset. Overnight in Phnom Penh
09.00AM you will transfer to Siemreap by private car. Overnight in Siemreap
Great Capital Angkor Thom
Today a wake-up call at 6.00am is followed by breakfast and departure near to 6.30am. The first destination, Ta Nei, is a temple rarely visited. Although it lacks the grandeur and intensity of better known monuments, it provides a sense of discovery as access is via a sandy track through thick forest. It contains some beautiful lintels and pediments carved with Buddhist scenes. From here a walk directly to Ta Keo which is described as being the epitome of the temple-mountain. Its unfinished condition is due to either a lightning strike (considered an evil omen), the death of the reigning king, or, a struggle for succession. After a quick stop at a small hospital chapel (King Jayavarman VII), exploration of his great capital, Angkor Thom commences. Stopping at the Victory Gate a short climb onto the large enclosing wall leads to the fifth and little visited, east gate. Angkor Thom, one of the largest of all Khmer cities, remained the capital until the early 15th century. A nearby Budhha seated on a Naga that was excavated from a well near the central tower of Bayon, pays respect to the ancestors and is considered a holy place for monks of the adjacent wats. For the final stop, away from the crowds, is the Preah Pithu group of five monuments, four Brahmanic and one Buddhist, all built at different times post-12th century. Departing Angkor Thom by the victory gate, arrival back at your hotel is at approximately 10.30am.
Enigmatic Bayon
Departure from your hotel is around 3.00pm with the destination the south gate of Angkor Thom. Before entering the royal palace, there is a view of the celestial palace of Baphuon, an early Angkorian temple that was recently restored. It was the state temple of King Udayadityavarman and has been described as the world’s largest three-dimensional puzzle. A walk through thick jungle along the outer wall of the royal enclosure brings us to the southern Gopura and entrance to the palace site with the royal baths. This is a wonderful location to rest. It is worth noting the scattered shards of roof tiles and domestic pottery underfoot, remnants of the sovereign’s private dwellings that once filled the royal enclosure. From here a secluded path behind Phimeanakas avoids other travelers. A walk around the elephant terrace with its scenic bas-reliefs and the terrace of the leper king which represents mount Meru, the centre of the Buddhist cosmos brings us to the Bayon where the lower level bas- reliefs carvings are discussed. Gradually circling to the inner walls, there are unfinished carvings completed after the reign of king Jayavarman VII. A narrative is provided on the faces of the king. As sunset approaches, a short climb to the upper level finds the setting sun casting shadows on the array of carved faces. The driver will meet us here and have us return home by approximately 6.15pm
Capturing the atmosphere of the temple first by moon-light and then inside as the sun rises is our preferred way to present this magnificent monument. First destination is the east causeway to Angkor wat. Your guide will escort you through the entrance gate along a forested path and then into Angkor to the 1st level and up to the 2nd level of the temple providing time for personal exploration. All being well, you should witness dawn with very few others. Afterwards, following a brief introduction to temple life and Suryavarman II, you return to the first level which contains the bas-reliefs that feature the stories of the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the ‘churning of the sea of milk’. The extensive relief panels are the main feature of the morning outing. You depart Angkor Wat by way of the cruciform terrace, passing the libraries and the grand entrance pavilion before crossing the west causeway. If you are not after the perfect Angkor sunrise photograph and crowds of other travelers are of no concern to you then things are a little more leisurely. A suggested wake-up call at 5.00am with a departure from your hotel at 5.30am, with your destination the main entrance to Angkor Wat and the west causeway. Your guide will escort you along the cruciform terrace and to the southern library where the sun rises behind Angkor Wat reflecting in the pools adjacent to the great temple. Once the sun has risen, the outing will continue following a very similar format as mentioned above. It should be stressed entering Angkor Wat from the west gate is how the majority of visitors experience this great temple, subsequently much of the atmosphere can be lost due to large crowds. Next stop is Ta Prohm, one of the most popular temples in the park. Once home to 615 exquisite dancers, the one hour spent within Ta Prohm provides the opportunity to ponder, not only in man’s ingenuity, but to witness the forces of nature as the forest has gradually taken a firmer hold over the temple ruins. It is ideal for exploration, photos and contemplative time. Try the local traditional Khmer noodle breakfast at Preak Dak Khmer Village House before returning to your hotel for your second breakfast at the hotel
Free at leisure and overnight in Siemreap.
Free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang.
Upon arrival, pick up and transfer for hotel. Free at leisure and overnight in Luang Prabang.
After breakfast, we drive directly to Ban Xang Hai, which is famous for the traditional rice whiskey distilled.
From there, we enjoy the 30-minute elephant ride exploring the Mekong river at the nearby elephant camp.
Continue driving to Ban Pak Ou, and take the boat crossing the Mekong river to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.
We then take the boat downstream the Mekong river back to Luang Prabang.
Upon arrival, we then visit the old Wat Sene, and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.
If time permits, visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday, and Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos.
Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the Buffalo Dairy Farm, where you will join guided tour through mini-farm.
In your way to the Kuang Si Falls or hen driving back to town, stop at the unique Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm- a sustainable (and delicious) Cheese enterprise.
A trained guide will be ready to show you around the Dairy and answer any questions. Cuddle up to our beautiful buffalos at 450 kilos or feed Ferdinand, the friendly buffalo at just 750 Kilos! They love to eat, not only grass but bananas as well! After eating, our buffalo’s next favourite activity is having a bath.
You will get to wash them and give them a scrub. It is like a “day spa” for buffalo. Next is time to get you to work with a Hands-on milking demonstration! Learn how to milk a buffalo and why buffalo milk is so good for you. And nobody can resist a giggle when bottle feeding our very cute calves!
The Buffalo may be the stars of the show but our playful pigs, cheeky chickens and rollicking rabbits are also plenty of fun for the young and young at heart!
After that, continue further to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh at the waterfalls. If you wish, we also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.
On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also the perfect spot to admire the sunset.
Transfer back to your hotel.
Free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang.
Upon arrival, pick up and transfer for hotel. Free at leisure and overnight in Luang Prabang
Depart Hanoi for a 1.5hr drive to Son Tay, a district known for its thousand-year-old villages. Check in at the Moon Garden House, with its lovely central courtyard, rebuilt 100-year-old church, bonsai gardens overlooking a lake and surrounding rice fields. Enjoy a cup of green tea then wander around the compound belonging to an architect specialising in the restoration of old buildings. Participate in a cooking demonstration and learn how to prepare some of Vietnam’s most popular traditional dishes before savouring a delicious lunch. There is also an option to enjoy a traditional herbal hand massage. Around mid-afternoon, take a bicycle ride to discover the nearby village of Ky Son and Duong Lam ancient village to interact with the farmers there, perhaps even helping with ploughing or transplanting or harvesting, depending on the season and visit Mia Pagoda and Mong Phu Communal House. Then bike ride back along the ritual paths of Thang Thac village to discover the Ngo Quyen tomb and temple. Before returning to the Moon Garden for happy hour (you will be offered some kind of local tisane). While waiting for your foot bath in warm water with ginger, salt and mugwort medicinal herbs to be prepared, you can enjoy our local drink and taste some of the local products such as traditional dessert, maize, sweet potato, cassava, peanuts, etc, depending on season. Leaving Ky Son to drive back Hanoi center
NOTES:
Suggested departure time: 08:30
Tour duration: 10 hours
08.30 – 9.00 Cruise shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi and take the new highway to Got Ferry Terminal, Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City (arrive about 11:30). You will travel on the longest bridge in Southeast Asia and be greeted at our lounge before boarding.
12:15 Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions and check in to your suite. Lunch is served at L’Indochine Restaurant.
12:40 Cruise to Da Chong islet, where you can see a heritage lighthouse built by the French more than 100 years ago. After lunch, cruise to Gia Luan Lagoon where limestone karst formations rise out of the sea. This quiet bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise ships visit.
15:00 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao or Three Peach beaches in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swim in the clear waters of the bay.
17:30 Back on Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Activities include afternoon tea and wine tasting, and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cookery class.
19:30 A memorable dining experience will be offered at the restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting.
21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand squid fishing, or watch a movie in the restaurant. The bars are open until late
6:00 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. Then take the bamboo boats to explore the Dark and Bright Cave.
9:30 Return to the ship for checkout.
10:00 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to harbour.
11:35 Return to Got Harbour and Departure to Hanoi.
Then
Notes: Schedules subject to change without prior notice
+ Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions without prior notice.
+ In-advance register is required with name, passport, nationality, gender, and visa for all passengers. A valid passport is required upon check-in. Otherwise, boarding may be denied by port authority.
+ Meals on board are fusion: Vietnamese, seafood & international. Guests should advise of any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements at least one (1) week prior to the cruise date.
+ For safety: First aid kit is available at the Reception desk; Life jackets are in the drawer under your bed; No smoking in restaurant and cabin; Be aware of long jelly fish (seasonal)
The flat, quiet roads around Hoi An are ideal for exploring by bicycle. After breakfast, start cycling along the Thu Bon River with peaceful views of fishing boats and country villages. Continue biking through the Thuan Tinh Ecological village and see areca nut (betel nut) gardens, family shrines and local villagers going about daily life. Keep on cycling along quiet inland trails, passing water coconut palm trees, fishing farms and rice paddies to reach palm-fringed Cua Dai Beach. Explore the local fishing village of Cam Thanh just where the Thu Bon River meets the sea with its scenic ocean views, kumquat gardens and corn fields. On your return to the centre of Hoi An, you may wish to stop by Tra Que Vegetable Village to observe local farmers working the organic fields using traditional methods that date back hundreds of years. The rich soil from this village produces some of the most flavoursome vegetables and herbs in all of Hoi An. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, spend time to help water the plants or fertilise the land (not included and pay directly) before cycling back to your hotel.
NOTES
Suggested departure time: 08:00
Tour duration: 04 hours
Biking distance: 20km/12mi
Free at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.
You will have some free time to relax and enjoy the time in the town before transferring back to Danang airport for the flight back home. End of services!
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