Classic MekongEscorted tour, Vietnam & Cambodia

Embark on a glorious adventure, starting amongst the magnificence of the temples of Angkor before boarding a three-night deluxe river cruise down the Mekong. With shore excursions designed to give you an authentic glimpse of local life, cross into Vietnam to discover its many treasures. Explore vibrant Saigon, charming Hoi An and historic Hanoi and sail the waters of Halong Bay.

Fully Inclusive

Touring with Guides and entrance fees

Included Meals

Breakfasts: 15, Lunches: 14, Dinners: 15

Flights

International flights and current taxes

Accommodation

15 nights in 3+/4 star accommodation

Cruise

Victoria Mekong Cruise

Group Tour

Max Group Size: 18

Physical Rating 1

Walking, some steps and time on your feet

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore fascinating Saigon

Discover the Cu Chi Tunnels

Drift on the Mekong Delta

Be inspired by charming Hoian

Marvel at Hue’s Imperial Citadel

Wake to a Halong Bay sunrise

ITINERARY

Days 1-2: Siem Reap

You will be met at Siem Reap in the arrival’s hall by your Local Guide or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, travel to your hotel for check in.

Dinner

Day 3: Siem Reap

Spanning from the 9th to 15th century, the Angkor complex was the capital of the thriving Khmer Empire, and home to over 1,000 temples. Begin at the city of Angkor Thom, built by Jayavarman VII. Here, sights include the enigmatic Bayon, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. One of the most evocative ruins here is to the temple of Ta Prohm, enveloped in a labyrinth of jungle. This afternoon is devoted to the fascinating and awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and nationally considered to be Cambodia’s spiritual heart. Later, relax on board a boat and view the sunset on Angkor Thom’s moat. Please note: Your group will drive to the main entrance gate to get your entrance passes, which you must carry with you. The ability to do this will be determined upon the groups’ schedule. If you choose to climb at any site, you must be able to climb and descend without assistance.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Siem Reap & Tonle Sap

In the high-water season, visit Chansar Village, and enjoy a treated to a glimpse into local life at the home of a Khmer family. After lunch, board a boat and cruise on the Tonle Sap lake for an insight into how local communities create floating homes on the water.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

Depart Siem Reap and fly 1 hour to Phnom Penh, a city of attractive boulevards. Visit the Cambodian Royal Palace, the opulent Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom before heading to a local craft brewery. Here, sample Phnom Penh’s favourite locally-made beers and learn all about the brewing process.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Phnom Penh – Victoria Mekong Cruise

Transfer to Cheung Ek, also known as the Killing Fields, where many civilians became victims of the brutal Khmer Rouge. Many people find it confronting and emotional; you will be given time to explore and reflect on your own.

Later, transfer to Phnom Penh pier, where you will say goodbye to your National Escort and be picked up by a local guide from the Victoria Mekong. After a welcome briefing, you will cast off into the waters of the Mekong Delta. Relax with a sundowner on deck and sit down to a sumptuous gala dinner whilst enjoying an Apsara performance on board.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Victoria Mekong Cruise

Sail towards the border, passing into Vietnam in the early afternoon. Spend a relaxed morning appreciating the passing scenery, or choose from the onboard activities, such as cocktail making or a cultural lecture. This evening, before dinner, experience a thrilling lion dance performance!

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Victoria Mekong Cruise

Continue downstream to Long Xuyen and disembark to visit the bustling floating market and a local museum. After lunch back onboard, arrive at Tan Loc Island, where you will visit a historic house and a lush garden for tea and fruit - a taste of Mekong hospitality. Alternatively, visit a ‘rose apple’ distillery, where they distill a liqueur known locally as plum wine, which you can taste. Sail on to Can Tho, a Mekong Delta city where the ship will dock. Hear a performance of ??n ca tài t?, traditional music of the Mekong, as you sip a farewell cocktail before dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Victoria Mekong Cruise – Saigon

Bid farewell to the Victoria Mekong, boarding the ship’s shuttle bus from Can Tho to Saigon and stopping en route in Cai Be for a delicious local lunch. In Saigon, you will be met by your Vietnamese guide. This evening, dinner will be at Noir, a restaurant that supports Saigon’s visually impaired, for a sensory ‘dining in the dark ‘experience.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Saigon

Confront the reality of guerrilla warfare at the Cu Chi Tunnels. The cramped tunnels were central to a few of the war’s strategic operations, including the famous 1968 Tet Offensive, and they did not escape damage. American B52 bombers dropped hundreds of missiles leaving huge craters behind. The Cu Chi experience can be emotional for some visitors, but it offers a fascinating window into the hardship and traumas of war. Sightseeing here involves two hours on foot, with the opportunity to crouch and walk through an example of the tunnel network.

Return to Saigon to explore its heady mix of local culture and colonial influences. See Notre Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum.

Please note: The Notre Dame Cathedral will be under renovation until 2023. During this time, we are unable to enter the Cathedral; however, we can view it from the outside.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Saigon – Hoi An

After breakfast, depart Saigon and fly 1h20 to Da Nang Airport. Drive 45 minutes to your hotel in Hoi An. Enjoy a walking tour through the streets of Hoi An, arriving first at Chua Ong Pagoda. Next, pass by the 200-year-old Tan Ky House and take a short break at the Japanese Covered Bridge - one of Hoi An’s most iconic structures. Visit the Reaching Out Tea House, an establishment that aids locals with disabilities, for a rejuvenating cup of tea.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Hoi An

This morning, visit a local community farming project just outside of Hoi An. Here, the community has come together to create a large vegetable farm. Learn the traditional methods the farmers use to plant, fertilise and harvest the crop, then try your hand at raking the ground and sowing seeds. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure, with free time to head to the beach or explore Hoi An ancient town.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13: Hoi An – Hanoi

After breakfast, transfer to Danang and fly 1 hour and 20 minutes to the charming city of Hanoi where you will check into your hotel. This afternoon, visit the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. Then take a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Each cyclo takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Wrap up your ride with an opportunity to taste some traditional egg coffee and feel like a local on your plastic stool!

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Hanoi

Discover the sights of Hanoi. First stop at the Ho Chi Minh Quarter and an external visit of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, followed by the Humble House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. This evening, sit back and enjoy the Quintessence of Tonkin, a cultural celebration of northern Vietnamese history.

Please note: The performance schedule is subject to change; if the Quintessence of Tonkin is not operating, you will enjoy a similar artistic performance in Saigon or Hoi An.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Drive around 2 and a half hours from Hanoi to Halong, where you will take an overnight cruise to the far-most corners of the bay by boat. There is usually a crowd of boats at the docks; however, the cruise itself will be scenic and relaxing. Boarding your boat could involve navigating your way over and through other boats, moored between it and the dock, sometimes without handrails, ladders or assistance from staff.

Enjoy lunch onboard as you cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities (which are subject to change due to cruise selection and weather conditions). Sightseeing includes visiting underground caves on the islands, which require climbing up and down steps inside and outside of the caves. End the day on deck with a drink in hand to watch the sunset over the bay followed by a freshly prepared dinner, before retiring to your cabin for the night.

You will need to pack a smaller overnight bag for your trip to Halong Bay. Main luggage will be left in safe storage at the hotel in Hanoi and picked up your return.

Please note: Weather conditions such as mist, fog, wind, rain and storms may delay the departure time of your cruise, or in some cases your cruise may be cancelled. Notifications of any delays or cancellations may not be known until your group’s arrival in Halong Bay. If your cruise is cancelled after your arrival in Halong Bay, you will have lunch in Halong City and return to Hanoi. If notification of the cruise cancellation is given prior to your departure for Halong Bay, an alternative day trip will be arranged to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc or ‘Halong Bay on Land’, an area located approximately 2 hours from Hanoi. Our guides will make every effort to inform the group at the earliest possible moment should there be any itinerary changes.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Spend the morning sailing through Halong Bay. After an early lunch (or brunch meal), disembark your cruise and return to Hanoi.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17: Depart Hanoi

You will be transferred 1 hour from the hotel to the airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Any time before your flight is at leisure.

Breakfast

Classic Mekong is located in Escorted tour, Vietnam & Cambodia. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 01/02/2021