On arrival in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh International airport, you will be met by an English-speaking representative and transfer to your hotel. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservations consultant. An informal Welcome Dinner will be held on Day 1. If you miss this due to your arrival time, all information will be provided to you at breakfast the following morning. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged.

The UNESCO-managed Angkor complex boasts over 1,000 temples and was the seat of the colossal Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 14th centuries. We spend the morning at the city of Angkor Thom, built by Jayavarman VII during his restoration of the Angkorian Empire in the late 12th century. 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 monastery temple of Ta Prohm, enveloped in a labyrinth of jungle just outside Angkor Thom. Enjoy lunch before devoting the afternoon to the fascinating and awe-inspiring temple complex of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. It predates the city of Angkor Thom and is considered to be Cambodia’s spiritual heart. Later, return to Angkor Thom to enjoy the sunset from its moat, with a refreshing drink in hand.

This morning, visit a small rural village and enjoy a glimpse into the personal life of a Khmer family, learning about local dynamics and daily routines. After lunch, visit the Tonle Sap Lake for an insight into how local communities create floating homes on the water. Return to Siem Reap for dinner. The exact village visited will depend on water levels at the time of your visit.

Depart Siem Reap and fly 1 hour to Phnom Penh. This fascinating capital city sits on the banks of the Mekong, at the junction with the Bassac River. The architecture here is a pleasant mixture of Khmer, French and modern styles. Board a cyclo and visit Wat Phnom and the ornate Cambodian Royal Palace with the opulent Silver Pagoda before dinner. Check into your hotel for a one-night stay in the city. Please note: Local flight schedules between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh can be irregular. If the local flight departs too late in the day, you will drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, with lunch and stops en route.

Reflect on the history of the city with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum (the former S-21 Prison) and the Killing Fields, where you will learn about the suffering of the Khmer people under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. These visits are educational, but can be emotional; you will be given time to explore alone. After lunch, transfer to the ship's embarkation point in Phnom Penh (usually at Sisowath Quay), where you will say goodbye to your National Escort and board the Victoria Mekong, your river cruise ship and home for the next four nights. Relax with a sundown drink and enjoy a dance performance and welcome briefing on board before dinner in the panoramic restaurant.

The Victoria Mekong departs this morning, with plenty of onboard activities available; alternatively, spend the morning relaxing on the sun deck or by the pool. Cruise into Vietnam around lunchtime, anchoring near Tan Chau. Border crossing formalities will be handled on your behalf during lunch. Tender ashore to visit a Taoist temple and colourful market and see the intriguing stilt houses. Return to the ship in time for an exciting lion dance performance on the Sky Deck as the sun sets.

After breakfast, tender ashore in Phu Tan to visit a craft village famed for its handmade clay stoves. Return to the ship for lunch in the panoramic Claypot Restaurant, watching the scenery drift by as you cruise downstream. This afternoon, anchor at Tiger Island and head ashore to explore, learning about local industries such as ceramics and incense making. Return to the ship in time for a cocktail competition and the evening’s entertainment.

Arrive in Long Xuyen and hop on a tender to visit the bustling floating market. Stop in town to visit An Giang Museum and see its exhibits on ancient local cultures before returning to the Victoria Mekong. Enjoy a refreshing lunch as the ship continues downstream to Dinh Yen, where you’ll see villagers weaving colourful straw mats, and meet a family who specialise in making beancurd (also known as tofu skin, similar to Japanese yuba). This evening, the ship continues to Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta.

Bid farewell to the Victoria Mekong and drive from Can Tho to Saigon, stopping en route in Cai Be for a delicious local lunch. Meet your National Escort, who will guide you through all that Vietnam has to offer. This evening, dinner will be at Noir, a restaurant that supports Saigon’s visually impaired, for a sensory ‘dining in the dark 'experience.

This morning, visit the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels to learn the history of the Viet Cong and their guerilla tactics during the Vietnam War. Sightseeing here involves two hours on foot on wide but uneven paths through the forest, seeing examples of reconstructed bamboo traps, Viet Cong kitchens, and tunnel entrances. Should you choose, you will also have the opportunity to spend a few minutes underground, on a short, crouched walk through an example section of the tunnel network, which has been slightly enlarged for visitors’ safety. Stop for lunch at an organic farm en route back to Saigon. Explore the city’s heady mix of local culture and colonial influences. See the Notre-Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace and the poignant War Remnants Museum. The latter is an emotional visit; you will be given time to explore independently.

Take a 1h20min flight from Saigon to Danang and transfer 45 minutes through the countryside to the enchanting town of Hoi An. Head out on a walking tour of the Old Town, with visits including Chua Ong Chinese Pagoda, a 200-year-old merchant house, and the spectacular Japanese Covered Bridge. With its charming yellow buildings and vivid silk lanterns, a stroll through this traditional town feels like stepping back in time.

Head out into Hoi An’s peaceful countryside to visit an organic farming community. Here you can enjoy the lush green landscapes and stroll through the gardens to see the farmers at work. You’ll even have an opportunity to try the techniques for yourself! The afternoon is at leisure to head to the beach or explore the Old Town’s charming shops and boutiques.

After breakfast, transfer to Danang and fly 1 hour and 20 minutes to the charming city of Hanoi. This afternoon, visit the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university, before taking a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Each cyclo （rickshaw） takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Wrap up your ride with an opportunity to taste some ‘egg coffee’–a local speciality! Please note that as you have multiple days in Hanoi, your National Escort may change the order of touring based on local flights and schedules. No touring will be missed.

Discover the sights of Hanoi. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter for an insight into the Vietnam War. Visit the Humble House on Stilts, where Ho Chi Minh lived in the grounds of the Presidential Palace and see his Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square. 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.

Drive 2.5 hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay, where you will take an overnight cruise to the far-most corners of this famously beautiful bay by boat. Enjoy lunch onboard as you cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities such as kayaking, swimming, or relaxing on an island beach (determined by the local weather conditions). Sightseeing may include 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, followed by a freshly prepared dinner, before retiring to your cabin for the night. Please note: 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 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. After a night anchored out on the bay, rise early to enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on deck as the sun rises. Cruise back to port, stopping en route to visit one of the bay’s impressive caves. Return to Hanoi, where your afternoon is at leisure ahead of this evening’s farewell dinner.

Any time before your flight is at leisure and breakfast will be included. You will be transferred from your hotel for approximately 1 hour to Noi Bai International Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged.