Natural Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia

23 days, 50 meals. A trip bursting with cultural sites and natural beauty. For two nights, cruise the World Heritage-listed waters of Ha Long Bay on Bhaya Classic and explore the vibrant streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi on a traditional rickshaw. Encounter the friendly local hill tribes in Sapa’s villages. Observe life on the Mekong River from your private balcony and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from monks in Oudong.

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Departures year round

Sale Ends

Apr 30, 2026

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$10,895
23 days, 50 meals. A trip bursting with cultural sites and natural beauty. For two nights, cruise the World Heritage-listed waters of Ha Long Bay on Bhaya Classic and explore the vibrant streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi on a traditional rickshaw. Encounter the friendly local hill tribes in Sapa’s villages. Observe life on the Mekong River from your private balcony and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from monks in Oudong.

Itinerary


Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Upon your arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel close to the Old Quarter. Later, get to know your local guide during an informal briefing at your hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi, Sapa

Rise early for the drive to Sapa, a mountain town located among green hills and valleys. Once a former French hill station is home to local hill peoples. Witness spectacular mountain views and valleys dotted with terraced paddy fields along the way. Step out on a guided walk around town. Stroll through the local market and learn about several of the ethnic minority groups, including Hmong and Dao, who make their way in from nearby villages to sell their produce. Savour dinner tonight at your mountain resort perched atop one of Sapa’s highest hills.

Day 3: Sapa

Head out on a leisurely hike through breathtaking landscapes to explore the small village of Ma Tra, home to the H’mong and Red Dao peoples. Here you will see the famous terraced rice fields and witness the simple lifestyle that this area is renowned for. Take time to explore the ruins of a church dating to the French occupation and stop to chat with the local people. After the village visit, enjoy an included lunch before having the remainder of your afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take the opportunity to go exploring, shopping or relax at your accommodation.

Day 4: Sapa, Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi and enjoy time at leisure. This evening, sit down to a multi-course Vietnamese dinner in the hotel.

Day 5: Hanoi

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Hanoi, taking in the most famous historical and cultural sites. Visit Ba Dinh Square, and drive by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, a beautiful example of Vietnamese architecture and the first university in Vietnam. Afterwards, enjoy an Insider Experience. The afternoon and evening are at leisure or choose from one of our select experiences.

Day 6: Hanoi, Tuan Chau, Embark Ship, Ha Long Bay

Set off early to Tuan Chau Harbour before boarding Bhaya Classic, your home for two nights. Meet your crew and set sail among thousands of limestone islets. Feast on a Vietnamese multicourse lunch as you soak in the breathtaking views of the magical bay. Then it's time to kayak around the Tung Sau area. Surrounded by cascading mountains that extend out from the jewel-coloured waters of the bay, this place is an isolated region of water in Ha Long Bay used for pearl farming. Catch the sunset on board as you cruise towards anchor for the night. Enjoy dinner before doing some squid fishing, sipping cocktails or relaxing in your cabin.

Day 7: Ha Long Bay

Board rowing boats to visit the Luon Cave area, listen to the ancient folklore and enjoy close views of the magnificent limestone karsts. Visit Cua Van Floating Village in the heart of Ha Long Bay, by kayak or traditional rowing boat. Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Trinh Nu. Spend time relaxing at the private beach or visit one of the finest sunlight caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Later, gather for a flavourful dinner.

Day 8: Ha Long Bay, Disembark Ship, Tuan Chau, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An

Explore Sung Sot Cave this morning before bidding your crew farewell and transferring to Hanoi airport where you will board a flight to Da Nang. Continue by road to your hotel in the charming World Heritage-listed Hoi An where you will enjoy dinner.

Day 9: Hoi An

Make the most of your day today in Hoi An with your Insider Experience at the Morning Glory Cooking School. Enjoy a free evening or choose from one of our select experience dining options.

Day 10: Hoi An

Spend the day at leisure, explore this charming World Heritage-listed town at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience options.

Day 11: Hoi An, Hue

Travel over the breathtaking Hai Van Pass, offering spectacular views of Lang Co Beach, before arriving in Hue, the former Imperial capital of Vietnam, nestled along the picturesque Perfume River. Explore the grand Imperial Citadel, stroll among its monuments, and listen to stories of former royal inhabitants. Step inside the historical Tien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery. This evening, savour regional cuisine from Hue.

Day 12: Hue, Ho Chi Minh City

Board a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon. Tonight, indulge in a multi-course dinner.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an elaborate tunnel network built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. Learn more about the construction of the underground passageways and take the opportunity to crawl through a section to understand first-hand what it was like for the soldiers who lived and fought here. The afternoon and evening have been left free for you to explore at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience touring and dining options.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship, Cai Be

Begin the day with your Insider Experience then return to your hotel for breakfast. Drive to My Tho and board the RV Apsara, your boutique river ship and home for the next seven nights. Exuding a locally inspired ambience, the ship offers twin balconies with every suite to ensure a unique and scenic perspective on your Mekong River cruise.


Set sail from My Tho and soak in the scenery as you cruise towards Cai Be where you anchor overnight. Settle in and familiarise yourself with your suite or relax up on the Sun Deck and watch life along the river. Tonight, enjoy your special Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow travellers.



Day 15: Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise, coffee, and pastries on the Sun Deck. Watch wholesalers at the floating market before boarding a sampan for your first Mekong excursion. Visit a colonial port with historic buildings and gardens, then see the tallest church in the Mekong Delta. Learn how rice paper and coconut candy are made.


Return to the ship for lunch while cruising to Sa Dec. Explore the vibrant market and visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration for Marguerite Duras’ novel, The Lover. Unwind on the ship, enjoy a spa treatment, and dine as you sail to Tan Chau. Finish the evening with entertainment or a cocktail in the lounge.

Day 16: Tan Chau, Cambodia Border Crossing, Phnom Penh

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around Tan Chau. Embark on a rickshaw tour and weave through the tiny laneways of this sleepy town almost untouched by tourism. Home to one of the largest silk-weaving centres in Vietnam, you can observe how silk is woven in the local workshops.



After lunch, take a small boat to discover rural life on Evergreen Island. Observe the traditional Vietnamese farming techniques, where the land is ploughed by water buffalo and where you can see authentic rural Mekong life.



Later appreciate some down time and watch the scenery of the Mekong River pass as the RV Apsara spends the afternoon cruising towards the Cambodian border. While border formalities are carried out sit down and enjoy the onboard activities and presentations. Cross into Cambodia and cruise overnight towards the capital Phnom Penh.

Day 17: Phnom Penh

Today learn of the atrocities inflicted upon Cambodians during Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, where you’ll find the Memorial Stupa, a glass monument erected in memory of the thousands of Cambodians who lost their lives. After lunch on board, visit the spectacular Royal Palace, delighting in its dazzling white and gold architecture. Then head to the glorious Silver Pagoda, set on the southern side of the palace complex. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to head to the local markets for souvenirs or perhaps to taste the local delicacy of fried tarantula. Alternatively, relax on board and enjoy the facilities and service.

Day 18: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh

Travel by coach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, for your memorable Insider Experience. Afterwards, you will visit Koh Chen and explore the open-air copperware workshops. Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh, or perhaps enhance your time by choosing one of Travelmarvel’s select experiences.

Day 19: Phnom Penh, Oknha Tey, Angkor Ban

Rise early as your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Travel by tuk tuk, pass rice fields and get a glimpse into rural life. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. Return to your river ship and enjoy lunch on board as the ship sets sail for Angkor Ban. In the afternoon as you cruise up the Mekong River enjoy time at leisure. Have a dip in the pool or sit and read a book on the Sun Deck while soaking in the scenery.

Day 20: Angkor Ban, Koh Pen, Kampong Cham

Start your morning with a guided walk of Angkor Ban, a village awash with stories of Cambodia's cultural history, and one of the few traditional villages that survived the Khmer Rouge regime. Nicknamed the 'Lucky Village', stroll through town, see traditional stilted houses and a Khmer-style pagoda. After lunch, your cruise docks at its final location Kampong Cham where you can enjoy your Insider Experience. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board with your fellow travellers as you reminisce about your Mekong River cruise adventure.

Day 21: Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap

Bid farewell to the crew and disembark the RV Apsara. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages where you can observe rural life. Take a break before heading to the jungle Ta Prohm Temple, commonly referred to as the Tomb Raider temple. Later, continue on to enjoy an afternoon and evening of exciting Insider Experiences.

Day 22: Siem Reap

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a special Insider Experience. Afterwards, join a guided exploration of this well-preserved temple, then return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, embark on an unforgettable journey to explore the magnificent Angkor Thom and its iconic Bayon temple. Angkor Thom, a stunning ancient city built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, served as the grand capital of the Khmer Empire. As you wander through this vast, historical landscape, you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time, surrounded by majestic temples and awe-inspiring structures. At the heart of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon temple, renowned for its remarkable architecture and the mysterious, serene faces that adorn its towering spires. These intricately carved expressions will leave you in awe as you delve deeper into the rich history and artistry of this extraordinary site. This afternoon, explore Siem Reap at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience options.

Day 23: Depart Siem Reap

Your journey ends today after breakfast with a transfer to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.