On arrival in Noi Bai 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.

Today, enjoy an introduction to Vietnamese history at the Ethnology Museum, a fascinating window into Vietnam’s indigenous groups. See tribal antiques and full-scale replicas of ancient longhouses and stilt houses. Continue to the Confucian Temple of Literature before lunch. This afternoon, take a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter’s historic streets before exploring the colonial architecture of the French Quarter on foot.

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. Stop to see the wreckage of an American B-52 bomber plane, still visible in the lake where it was shot down in 1972. Later, immerse yourself in a bygone era with a visit to a 1980s apartment-turned-teahouse, where you’ll hear about life in the difficult post-war subsidy period.

Drive for two hours through the scenic Vietnamese countryside to reach Ninh Binh, famously known as ‘Halong Bay on land’ thanks to its dramatic limestone karst mountains, jutting up from flat green plains and paddy fields. Stop to visit the ruined citadel of Hoa Lu, the tenth century capital of the north Vietnam kingdom of Dai Viet. This afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat trip through the scenic riverscapes, stopping to explore prehistoric caves before checking in at your hotel.

Begin the day at Four Paws Bear Sanctuary. Learn the stories of these bears, rescued from the illegal pet and bile industries, and hear how they have been given a second chance in life. Enjoy a fresh lunch at the sanctuary, made from ingredients grown on site. This afternoon, head into Cuc Phuong National Park and hear all about the local wildlife on a short stroll in the rainforest. Return to the hotel.

Drive to Halong Bay and embark on a two-night scenic cruise through this famous UNESCO-listed bay’ known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands. Enjoy lunch on board 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 may include kayaking in a hidden bay or 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. Please note: Weather conditions may delay the departure time of your cruise, or in rare cases, your cruise may be cancelled. Notifications of any delays or cancellations may not be known until your group’s arrival in Halong Bay.

See the bay through a local’s eyes! The local fishermen will row you through their floating village, where many families have lived for generations. Later, head to one of the bay’s beaches for a chance to sunbathe on the sands.

Rise early for Tai Chi on deck as the sun rises over Halong Bay. Visit one of the bay’s largest caves before cruising back to port after brunch. Disembark and fly to Hue, a charming city and once the seat of emperors.

Discover Hue’s imperial history, beginning at the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, the symbol of the city. After lunch, visit the Royal Tomb of Minh Mang before a leisurely cruise along the Perfume River.

The 64-mile railway journey from Hue to Danang is considered one of the best in the world. Three hours of scenic coastline await, with beautiful tropical beaches on one side and dramatic mountain scenery on the other. On arrival in Danang, transfer to the wonderfully traditional town of Hoi An. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the Old Town’s charming shops and boutiques before dinner. With its charming yellow buildings and vivid silk lanterns, a stroll through this traditional town feels like stepping back in time.

Head out on a walking tour of Hoi An’s Old Town, with visits including Chua Ong Pagoda, a 200-year-old merchant house, and the spectacular Japanese Covered Bridge. Afterwards, continue 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!

Fly to Saigon, perhaps Vietnam’s most evocative city. Here, French colonial architecture rubs shoulders with gleaming skyscrapers. Though it has officially been renamed Ho Chi Minh City, many locals still refer to it as Saigon. Embark on a city tour to 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.

Today includes a poignant visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, followed by a special meeting with a Vietnamese war veteran. Drive out of the city to the Cu Chi site. 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. Afterwards, your guide will introduce you to a Vietnamese war veteran, who will tell you about his personal experiences as a Communist soldier during the war, offering an authentic insight into the experience and hardships of war. You will be able to ask some questions; we ask guests to be respectful of the individual regardless of your political views. Afterwards, visit a local organic farm for a freshly-made lunch. On your return to Saigon, any time before dinner is at leisure to explore the city. Please note: Depending on the individual veteran available on the day of your visit, it is likely that your guide will need to act as a translator. Due to the age and health of the veterans, a specific individual cannot be guaranteed.

Drive from Saigon to Can Tho, a town in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Here, embarks the Victoria Mekong for your seven-night cruise. Enjoy a welcome cocktail on deck as the ship sets sail. As day turns into night, enjoy a welcome dinner to officially welcome you to the Victoria Mekong, your home for the next seven nights. All 35 cabins on the Victoria Mekong are outward facing, with French balconies. During your week-long cruise, complimentary beer and soft drinks are available from the bar and at mealtimes, while house wine is included at dinner.

Hop in a tender boat and visit Long Xuyen’s fascinating floating market. Farmers from all over the Delta come here to sell their fruit and vegetables. Afterwards, head ashore to visit a local museum with exhibits on ancient local cultures. Return to the ship for lunch in the ship’s panoramic Claypot Restaurant, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the delta. This afternoon, tender to Tiger Island, where you’ll visit a temple and a colourful local market. Observe local industries, such as incense-making, in action.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Phu Tan, the capital of An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta. Tender ashore in Phu Tan and visit a craft village famous for hand-making Ca Rang clay stoves. Used for hundreds of years by the Southern Vietnamese, these stoves have a unique design which allows them to block the wind, retain heaT, and keep ash from dispersing. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise towards Tan Chau, where a rickshaw will take you to explore a colourful temple and local market. This evening, experience a thrilling Vietnamese lion dance on the sky deck before dinner!

Enjoy onboard activities such as a ship’s tour or minigolf tournament as the ship crosses the border into Cambodia. Relax in the lounge bar or infinity pool as you admire the passing scenery. Arrive into Phnom Penh late this afternoon. If you like, head ashore independently and enjoy a wander in this fascinating capital city.

Hop on a cyclo and head to the elaborate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Later, drive into the countryside to pay respects at the Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge executed over 1 million victims in the 1970s. Today, it is a memorial site for peaceful reflection. Return to the city and end the afternoon in style with a signature cocktail at Raffles Hotel Le Royal before returning to the ship for a lively Apsara dance performance.

Enjoy a walking tour of Koh Chen village, where you’ll meet a local copper and silversmith, before continuing to the country’s former capital, Oudong. Visit Buddhist monks at a local meditation centre before taking a tuk-tuk to Silk Island to learn about the process of silk weaving from worm to loom.

Explore the laid-back village of Angkor Ban with its wooden stilt houses. Sail to Wat Hanchey and head up the hill to see its 7th-century temple with panoramic views over the Mekong.

Disembark and take a half-day drive through lush Cambodian countryside to reach Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor. Enjoy lunch before an afternoon at leisure.

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.

Join a morning cooking class at an organic farm. Pick up supplies at the local market, then head to the farm to pick some organic ingredients. Your chef will guide you in creating a traditional Khmer lunch before an afternoon at leisure. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore Siem Reap independently. Tuk-tuks are readily available for visitors to Siem Reap. This evening, rejoin your group for your 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 Siem Reap or Phnom Penh International airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and private extensions after your tour can be arranged.