Day 1-21

Day 1: London – Siem Reap, Cambodia

From London Heathrow we take an overnight flight to Bangkok and connecting flight to Siem Reap, the capital of Cambodia.

Day 2: Siem Reap

On arrival at Siem Reap airport we’ll meet our local guide before transferring to the 4* Lotus Blanc Resort Hotel for an overnight stay. Early check-in has been arranged so you can freshen-up, relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. Should you wish to explore, the hotel is just minutes from both the famous Angkor Archaeological Park, and Siem Reap’s Cultural Village, War Museum and vibrant downtown.

Day 3: Siem Reap & embark RV Indochine

After breakfast, enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Cambodia’s charming capital before transferring to the port where we embark the RV Indochine. A welcome cocktail is a chance to meet your fellow travellers and the ship’s crew before dinner is served in the restaurant.

Day 4: Tonle Sap Lake – Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Tralach

Today we cruise across the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Tonle Sap Lake, which dominates the map of Cambodia, is famous for its fascinating local communities and their floating villages. We’ll visit the river port town of Kampong Chhnang where many of the locals work in fisheries and on rice plantations. The region is also known for its traditional pottery, which today combines ancient knowledge with modern techniques. We’ll enjoy a tasting of local products before re-joining the ship and cruising to Kampong Tralach.

Day 5: Kampong Tralach – Koh Chen – Phnom Penh

This morning we take an ox cart ride through the region’s rural landscapes to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu. Standing isolated in the midst of magnificent rice fields, this ancient pagoda has an authentic charm and we can admire its beautiful paintings and scenic frescoes. Our cruise on Tonle Sap Lake continues to the peaceful island of Koh Chen. Its small village is famous for handicrafts and we’ll see locals in their small home workshops working with silver, bronze and clay using techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. This afternoon we cruise towards Phnom Penh. On arrival we enjoy an orientation tour by tuk-tuk before returning to the ship for a colourful performance of classical Khmer dancing and music.

Day 6: Phnom Penh – Cruise towards Vietnam

Today’s tour gives an intriguing insight into Cambodia’s past and present as we visit the Royal Palace, renowned Silver Pagoda and the National Museum with artefacts dating back to the Angkorian period. After lunch in town we pay a sobering visit to a former high school transformed into a political prisoner camp during the horrific regime of the Khmer Rouge. There will be time at leisure to explore the market before returning to the ship and cruising through the night towards Vietnam.

Day 7: Chau Doc – Sa Dec

Close to the border of Cambodia and Vietnam, Chau Doc is a colourful, culturally diverse, little town home to many Khmer, Cham and Chinese. From here we visit the temple of the protector goddess Ba Chua Xu and the Buddhist Tay An Pagoda that stand at the foot of the 230-metre high Sam Mountain. Back on board we continue cruising the Mekong towards the charming colonial town of Sa Dec.

Day 8: Sa Dec - Vinh Long – Cai Be

This morning we explore the sleepy little town that was the original setting of the ‘The Lover’ by Marguerite Duras, where we’ll see the former home of the protagonist in this autobiographical novel. There’s time to visit the busy local market before cruising towards Vinh Long where the mighty Mekong divides itself into numerous small canals. Here we take to small boats for a glimpse into local life including the fruit tree nursery in Binh Hoa Phuoc, the brick factories that look like huge beehives, and charming Cai Be with its colourful fruit and vegetable gardens and traditional floating market.

Day 9: My Tho – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Founded in the 17th century My Tho is the gateway to the Mekong Delta and the region’s capital for trade with Cambodia. Here we visit a beekeeping farm to taste the honey and delicious exotic fruits. Back on board we cruise the narrow Chao Gao canal and head towards bustling Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh

Today we explore the cosmopolitan metropolis formerly known as Saigon. See Ho Chi Minh’s French colonial landmarks including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the city’s Central Post Office before visiting the Museum of Vietnamese History. Ho Chi Minh played a pivotal role in the Vietnam War and this afternoon we visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels for a look at the underground life of Vietnamese soldiers back in 1948. Enjoy a farewell cocktail and dinner during our final evening on board.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Hoi An

After bidding farewell to our Captain and crew we visit colourful Cholon. The roots of Vietnam’s largest Chinatown date back to 1778 and amidst the classical Chinese architecture we visit the frenetic Binh Tay market to experience the authentic Chinese atmosphere that’s existed here for hundreds of years. This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to Da Nang and onward journey to Hoi An for a two night stay.

Day 12: Hoi An

We start our exploration of this beautiful area with a boat ride to the mouth of the Thu Bon river where local fishermen can be seen throwing their nets and trading their recent catch. In a small fishing village, we take to a traditional coracle exploring a distinctive mangrove forest and trying our hand at fishing for crabs from these small bamboo boats. After a delicious BBQ seafood lunch in a local house we return to Hoi An. Ancient Hoi An Town, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. As we walk through the pedestrian friendly streets, we’ll see typical shops, ornate Buddhist temples and traditional houses along with the famous Japanese bridge.

Day 13: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue

Today we take the train from Da Nang to Hue. At Da Nang station we meet Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, a former captain of guest transportation who has 41 years of experience of working in railway. Enjoy a soft drink, tea or coffee as he explains about the improvement of railways in Vietnam through the years and answers any questions you may have. During the journey from Da Nang to Hue we can sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Through the Hai Van Pass we can admire one of the most beautiful panoramas in Vietnam looking out over the central coastline. On arrival in Hue we check in to our hotel for a two night stay.

Day 14: Hue

On the banks of the beautifully named Perfume River, Hue, one of the most charming towns in Vietnam, was once the home of the Nguyen dynasty. Discover the city’s ancient royal heritage with visits to the Imperial Citadel, and a garden house, which is a typical representation of dynasties past built according to the precise rules of Feng Shui amidst beautifully landscaped gardens. There are many royal tombs in the countryside around Hue and we visit Tu Duc mausoleum built in commemoration of the fourth emperor before experiencing the extraordinary tranquillity of the ancient Tu Hieu pagoda.

Day 15: Hue – overnight train to Hanoi

Enjoy time at leisure to continue your exploration before transferring to Hue station where we take the overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 16: Hanoi

A local guide will meet us in Hanoi and accompany us to our hotel where early check-in has been arranged. After breakfast we enjoy a full day tour taking in the highlights of the Vietnamese capital. See the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the humble, traditional stilt house where the leader lived. Admire the 11th century One Pillar Pagoda said to represent a lotus flower growing up out of the water and the Temple of Literature, which is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture. We also visit the Vietnam Museum of History as well as the former Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the Hanoi Hilton. From the comfort of an open-sided, eco-friendly electric vehicle we then explore the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake.

Day 17: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

Today we enjoy the colourful scenes of the city and surrounding countryside on a short train journey from Long Bien station to Gam Giang. From here we continue by coach to Ha Long harbour where we board a traditional junk for a two night cruise on the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. The scenery is simply spectacular and we’ll cruise amongst the thousands of limestone karsts cloaked in green that rise majestically from the bay’s emerald green waters.

Day 18: Ha Long Bay

Between the unique experiences of sunrise and sunset over the bay we have a full day to relax and enjoy the hospitality on board as we soak up the magnificent scenery. There are activities and tours available on board and you are free to do as much or as little as you like.

Day 19: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

This morning we disembark the junk and return to Hanoi driving past the typical rice fields of the Red River Delta. We’ll stop in Yen Duc village to see a traditional water puppet show. The rice cultivating, buffalo herding, fishing, and singing and dancing to celebrate an abundant harvest, all portray the daily life of rural communities in the delta. There’s time to stroll around the village and observe the authentic lifestyle of the locals whose lives still revolve around rice cultivation and farming. We continue our journey to Ha Noi and check-in to our hotel.

Day 20: Hanoi – London

Today is at leisure until we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight to London.

Day 21: London

Morning arrival into London.