Luxury Mekong River Cruise & Vietnam Beach Holiday

Upon your arrival at Siem Reap Airport, you would be welcomed by your private guide, and escort you to your hotel for check-in and relax. Room is at your disposal from 14:00 onwards. The rest of the day is free at leisure to rest, relax and acclimate to the new time zone, then discover Old Market and Siem Reap's streets at your own pace.
In the evening, your private guide will escort you to a local authentic restaurant with the welcome dinner; enjoy the traditional Apsara dance show during the meal. Drive back to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will start joyful journey to Hariharalaya for exploring Rolous Group. This place is famous for three temples built in the late 9th century and early 10th century which are Lo Lei, Preah Koh and Bakhong). Rolous Group represents Angkor Architecture with elaborate towers made from bricks or sandstone.
After having lunch with local family, we will drive abut 35 kilometer to visit Banteay Srey temple. Built in 10th century and dedicated to Shiva, Banteay Srey is the representative for Khmer classical style in the first period. Also known as “Citadel of Women”, this temple owns various amazingly delicate and elaborate carved motifs and statues, among which women dancing Apsara carved on pillar or wall will surprise and fascinate tourists most. At the end of the day, tourists will relax at hotel in Siem Reap. Overnight at the hotel.

In the early morning, we will visit Ta Prohm – a Angkor temple with spectacular sight: tree growing from ruined structures. Departure from Ta Prohm, tourists will continue exploring Angkor Wat – the most famous attraction in Cambodia. Built in 12th century, Angkor Wat is a majestic architectural complex with hundred-meter-long hall and high towers all elaborately carved. At about 9 a.m, we will turn back to the hotel for breakfast. Tourists will have relaxing time until 3p.m before going on discovering Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom together with Bayon Temple represent Angkorian architecture in which Bayon Temple put strong impression on tourists by huge four-faced statues carved on stone. Besides, tourists will have a glimpse at Baphoun, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place. In the late afternoon, we will turn back to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, you are free on your own till the car transfer to the meeting point of the shuttle bus of Mekong River Cruise in the city centre.
Siem Reap – Tonle Sap – Kampong Chhnang
The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to this nation. The Tonle Sap has more fish than any other lakes in the world and is a home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare – and endangered – feathered life.
At noon, we gather at the meeting point followed by a transfer to the boutique Ship. The ever-smiling crew welcomes us with unbridled warmth. A refreshing welcome drink awaits us followed by a buffet lunch on the Ship.
Then, it is a relaxing afternoon as the Ship glides along the water. Dinner is served at Dining Hall. Enjoy a spectacular experience on the Sundeck as we bathe in the glow of the moon and the radiance of the stars.
Lunch and dinner are included. The Ship will anchor midstream on the Tonle Sap river. Overnight on cruise.

“Cambodia’s province and the Wetlands”
Everyday, our journey will start with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson at the Sundeck just as the sun begins its slow rise. Coffee and tea awaits the early bird. Before dawn, the Ship sets sail across the Tonle River, we see spectacular marshlands floating along the river banks of the Kampong Chhnang province.
The afternoon cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle Sap River. Here, the river is so narrow that we can be greeted by kids waving enthusiastically at us from the banks.
Follow a short bus trip to the see the Khmer-styled pottery. We then embark to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region before reaching Kampong Cham in the evening. Further down the river we take part in an ox cart rally in the afternoon before being introduced to the Heritage Line pro bono “literacy project”.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Kampong Cham. Overnight on cruise.

“Monks and Hilltops”
We will wake up in the early morning after an overnight cruising, truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers can either take a motor-taxi or climb 303 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, the temple offers one of the most breath-taking views in Cambodia. Built in the 8th century, this ancient structure, together with a bigger and newer addition underscores the superb architecture of the Chenla Empire which predates the mighty Angkor temple complex. We even get to engage in light banter with some of the monks in the area. We will return to the Ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks.
We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a Wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple which holds a timeless story.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight midstream near Phnom Penh. Overnight on cruise.

Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. Sightseeing in the morning will include the Killing Field. Be prepared to be heart wrenched by this stark reminder of the genocide that transpired during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime, then visit S21 Genocide Museum.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witnessing exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum.
We go back to the Ship by “cyclo” – traditional vehicles after our museum visit. Take a rest on your cabin balcony or the lounge and get prepared for an exciting evening event. The evening starts with a variety of cocktails served on the sun deck, BBQ dinner is serving right after that. Take a seat and enjoy the following Apsara dance performance. Experience the brilliance and richness of this culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a barbeque on the Sundeck. It is indeed a truly marvelous experience, dining in the open air.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Phnom Penh. Overnight on cruise.

Start new day with Tai Chi at the Sundeck with fresh tea and coffee, be ready to serve.
After breakfast, we will be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history.
The cruise liner then sets sail for a lazy day of cruising along the main Mekong Channel. As this is an international shipping route, you will witness large commercial ships plying this route. Later, in the afternoon, we set off to the Vietnamese border for the requisite cross border paperwork. As the process tends to take some time, we bask in the glow of the afternoon sun on the Sundeck, pamper ourselves silly at the Spa, or sharpen our culinary skills with the Heritage Line’s Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine cooking class.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The Ship anchors midstream overnight in Tan Chau.

“Circus of fish”
Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. We begin our day with a hearty breakfast at the Dining Hall or at your private balcony. We will brace ourselves for a short excursion in Tan Chau, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities. We will start the trip by a traditional vehicle called “ xeloi” to local market and get to a local boat to visit fish farm and back to the Ship (or opposite). Here you will see the daily life of Vietnamese people in Mekong. Lunch on board.
In the afternoon, we will set off for My An Hung Village. Passengers walk to the family house through the vegetable garden. We will cross a monkey bridge and see seasonal vegetable fields. Then gather at the family’s house to taste tea with honey with local delicacies and fruits before back to the Ship to set off for Sa Dec in the late afternoon.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included. Overnight in Sa Dec. overnight on cruise.

“Vietnamese inventiveness”
In the morning, we embark a traditional sampan (a flat bottomed traditional Vietnamese wooden boat) to tour Binh Thanh Island and its man-made canals. Here, every villager is involved in the process of growing and processing water hyacinths into natural fiber floor mats and rattan baskets.
After lunch on board, the Ship arrives in Cai Be. The tour starts with a visit to Cai Be’s boisterous and colorful floating market where traders gather in a cacophonous congregation. During the languid ride, we discover breathtaking landscapes along the river and quaff the rustic life on the Mekong Delta. The evergreen islands along the Mekong River remain unknown to many people. The cruise will halt intermittently to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. We then board the Ship for a tranquil evening cruise towards My Tho. A wonderful farewell party awaits us on the terrace deck.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in My Tho. Overnight on cruise.

“Good morning Saigon”
Our magnificent cruiser winds its way to My Tho, approximately 70km south of Saigon on the upper Mekong River in Vietnam. We bid farewell to the cruise as our journey comes to an end. But the memories and the friendships made on board linger on for a lot longer.
We disembark at around 08:30am and we join the transfer to the busy crowd of Saigon. Drop off will be at the meeting point in Saigon.
Breakfast is included.
Note: ***Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed proposal, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. It may be necessary to make some changes as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules or other operational factors.
Meet your local guide at the drop-off venue, transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for check-in. The rest of the day is totally free on your own to explore this bustling city. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, a one and half hour drive takes you to Cu Chi Tunnels which were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Saigon. These tunnels were first used during the French/Vietnamese War (1946-1954) and later used by the Viet Cong as a base of operations during the 1968 Tet offensive. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. The entire structure was dug out of the rock by hand tools without the use of cement. On this tour, you’ll learn about the tunnels and other aspects of the war. Opportunity for a brief view of life underground as you enter areas that have been enlarged to create easier access for visitors. The majority of the tour will be above the tunnels. Drive back to the city centre for lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, and the French architecture of the Central Post Office, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market - where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping street in the center of the city. Back to your hotel and free on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, free at leisure until the transfer to the airport for a short flight to Phu Quoc Island.
Upon arrival in Phu Quoc, transfer by car to your hotel/ resort in Phu Quoc Island. The rest of the day is totally free at your leisure to relax at your hotel/ resort or on the white sand beach. Enjoy delicous cuisine and seafood flexible to your taste. Overnight at the hotel.

Today is a free day at leisure in Phu Quoc Island for relaxing. Take part in seasport activities, cool off in a pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views. Overnight at the hotel.

Today is another day free at leisure in Phu Quoc Island for relaxing. Enjoy your last night beach stay there. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, free at leisure until the car transfer to the airport for a flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you would wait for check in your onward international departure flight. Say goodbye to Vietnam and Indochina. Thank you so much for travelling with South East Asia Travel!