A memorable
Journey
to CAMBODIA & VIETNAM
Highlights
- A week cruising the Tonlé Sap and the Mekong on the Toum Tiou, from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
- Floating villages and the pottery port of Kampong Chhnang
- Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh
- Chau Doc, Sa Dec and the Cai Be floating market in the Mekong Delta
- Cu Chi Tunnels and the landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City
- Hoi An old town and My Son Sanctuary
- Overnight cruise among the islands of Halong Bay
Introduction
Seventeen days that begin on the water. Board the Toum Tiou in Siem Reap and cruise for a week across the Tonlé Sap and down the Mekong, past floating villages, Phnom Penh and the market towns of the delta, before stepping ashore in Ho Chi Minh City.
Then continue through Vietnam: the Cu Chi Tunnels and the city’s landmarks, lantern-lit Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, the temples and lakes of Hanoi, and a night among the limestone islands of Halong Bay.
Unique Tours
Mekong River
Cruise
A Trip of a lifeTime
17
Day tour
Mekong Cruise
Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Mekong Delta,
Hoi An, Hanoi & Halong Bay
Seven nights on the Mekong
Destination
ITINERARY
Day 1. Siem Reap → Tonlé Sap (embarkation)
Meet in Siem Reap in the afternoon and transfer to Phnom Krom pier to board the Toum Tiou. Cross the Tonlé Sap, the great lake at the heart of Cambodia, and visit Chnok Tru, a floating village where school, workshops, shops and pagoda all sit on the water. Welcome drink, crew introduction and welcome dinner on board.
Depending on water levels, Chnok Tru is visited this afternoon or the following morning.
- Overnight on board the Toum Tiou.
- D
Day 2. Tonlé Sap → Kampong Chhnang
Breakfast as you sail south. Go ashore at Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap, known for pottery made in a style unchanged for centuries and for the sugar palm that gives the region its caramel-coloured sugar and palm wine.
Back on board for lunch while the boat continues downstream, dropping anchor for the night a few miles on.
- Overnight on board the Toum Tiou.
- B,L,D
Day 3. Kampong Chhnang → Phnom Penh
Sail at first light to Kampong Tralach and walk out through emerald rice paddies to the Vihara of Wat Kampong Tralach Leu, an early twentieth-century pagoda standing alone in the fields, home to rare mural paintings and almost no visitors.
Lunch on board on the way to Koh Chen, a village of silversmiths. Arrive in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon, where a local troupe performs a traditional Apsara dance on board before dinner ashore.
- Overnight on board the Toum Tiou.
- B,L,D
Day 4. Phnom Penh
After breakfast, go ashore for the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, named for the five thousand silver tiles of its floor, then the Russian Market for silk, silver and street food. Return to the boat for lunch.
The afternoon is yours. Most guests choose to visit Tuol Sleng, the former school used as a detention and execution centre by the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979, and the place that explains more than any other what those years meant for Cambodia. Your cruise manager can suggest alternatives. Back on board in the evening, the Toum Tiou leaves Phnom Penh.
- Overnight on board the Toum Tiou.
- B,L,D
Day 5. Phnom Penh → Chau Doc
Sail south to Kaam Samnaar for border formalities, then cross into Vietnam with lunch on board.
Arrive at Chau Doc, where the Mekong widens towards the delta and floating fish farms line both banks. Panoramic tour of the town, with time in the market at its busiest and most colourful hour.
- Overnight on board the Toum Tiou.
- B,L,D
Day 6. Chau Doc → Sa Dec → Vinh Long
Leave Chau Doc early and spend the morning sailing deeper into the delta, breakfast and lunch on board.
Afternoon in Sa Dec: Trung Vuong primary school, Kien An Cung pagoda and the riverside market of a town of 30,000 that tourism has left largely untouched, along with the colonial house made famous by Marguerite Duras in The Lover. Sail on towards Vinh Long and anchor for the night.
- Overnight on board the Toum Tiou.
- B,L,D
Day 7. Vinh Long → Cai Be → My Tho
Local boats take you ashore at Vinh Long, the “majestic dragon” set between two arms of the Mekong, for a brick and pottery works, the fruit-tree nursery of Binh Hoa Phuoc islet and a traditional house with its old farming tools. Continue across the river to Cai Be floating market.
Lunch on board while sailing to My Tho, a quiet town of orchards, coconut palms and rice fields, and cross by local boat to Dragon Island. Farewell cocktail with the captain and the cruise manager, then the captain’s dinner as the boat threads the Cho Gao canal.
- Overnight on board the Toum Tiou.
- B,L,D
Day 8. My Tho → Ho Chi Minh (disembarkation)
Breakfast and time at leisure on deck as the Toum Tiou makes its way up to Ho Chi Minh, arriving late morning for customs formalities and disembarkation.
Transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Rest of the day at leisure.
- Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
- B
Day 9. Ho Chi Minh (city tour & Cu Chi Tunnels)
Morning, we explore the Re-Unification Palace, which was the home and workplace of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and played a pivotal role in the war's end. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunning example of French colonial architecture, and learn about its unique history. Continue your tour at the War Remnants Museum, which provides a thought-provoking look into the harsh realities of the Vietnam War.
Afternoon, we leave the city and drive 60km to Cu Chi, where you can delve into the intricate system of tunnels and explore the Cu Chi Tunnel, an impressive feat of engineering that played a significant role in the Vietnam War. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla's food during the war). Once the tour is complete, we will make our way back to the city.
- Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
- B,L
Day 10. Ho Chi Minh → Hoi An
Breakfast at hotel and a free morning in Ho Chi Minh City, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. On arrival, drive about 45 minutes along the coast to Hoi An and check in.
- Overnight in Hoi An.
- B,L
Day 11. Hoi An (My Son & old town)
Morning breakfast at hotel. Today, we start the tour by visiting My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Afternoon, visit Hoi An town on foot: Hoi An’s Colorful Local Market, Old House of Tan Ky, Fu Jian Assembly Hall, and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.
- Overnight in Hoi An.
- B,L
Day 12. Hoi An (leisure)
Breakfast at hotel.
Your leisure time for walking around the Old Town for shopping and relax in Hoi An.
- Overnight in Hoi An.
- B
Day 13. Hoi An → Hanoi
Breakfast at hotel and a last morning in Hoi An. In the afternoon, transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Hanoi, then on to your hotel.
- Overnight in Hanoi.
- B,L
Day 14. Hanoi (city tour)
Explore the Temple of Literature, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover the rich history of Vietnam's first university. Walk around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, and visit the Ngoc Son Temple, perched on an island in the lake. Continue your exploration at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the diverse ethnic groups of Vietnam through fascinating exhibits and artifacts.
- Overnight in Hanoi.
- B,L
Day 15. Hanoi → Halong Bay
Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel and depart for Halong Bay at approximately 8:00am.
Upon arrival in Halong Bay, we will board the vessel and partake in a delectable lunch. During the meal, we will cruise through thousands of stunning islands and islets. Following lunch, you may freshen up in your room before embarking on a visit to the Surprising Cave, kayaking, swimming, and other activities. Later, return to the vessel, get a drink and enjoy the picturesque sunset scenery in the bay. Halong photo.
- Overnight on boat in Halong bay
- B,L,D
Day 16. Halong Bay → Hanoi
In the morning, breakfast will be served on board. We will then proceed to cruise to a Pearl Farm village and continue exploring the enchanting Halong Bay, navigating through numerous captivating islands and islets.
During lunch on board, we will make our way back to the pier before transferring back to Hanoi.
- Overnight in Hanoi.
- B,L
Day 17. Hanoi (departure)
Breakfast at hotel. Free time in Hanoi until we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
- Flight home.
- B
End of the journey!
Price
From$4,620 $4,368
This price is based on 3 star hotels and small group tour. The tour is upgradable.
| Hotel upgrade | Cost |
| 4 star | $510 |
| 5 star | $1,105 |
| 5 star+ | $1,768 |
| Tour upgrade | Cost |
| Private Tour You only | Group of 2 $340 Group of 8+ $272 |
| Private+ Top class | $544 |
INCLUSION
All flights in the tour.
Hotel & accommodation
Meals (B,L,D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Transfer vehicle.
English speaking guide.
Entrance and sightseeing tickets.
EXCLUSION
Drinks.
Tips.
Personal expenses.
International flights.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
May be applied with solo traveler.
