Natural Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia
Deal Details
Travel Dates
Departures year roundSale Ends
Apr 30, 2026Priced From
$10,695Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Upon your arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your five-star 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 tribe’s people. 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 at a local restaurant before returning to your mountain resort perched atop one of Sapa’s highest hills.
Day 3: Sapa
Head out on an easy hike through breathtaking landscapes to explore the small village of Ma Tra, home to the H’mong and Red Dao tribes. 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 occupations 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 your Insider Experience awaits before sitting down to a multicourse 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, 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, an Insider Experience awaits.
Afterwards, an Insider Experience awaits. 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 before boarding Bhaya Classic, your home for two nights. Meet your crew and set sail among thousands of limestone islets. Feast on a Vietnamese lunch as you soak in the views of Ha Long Bay. Then it’s time to kayak around the Tung Sau area. 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 sumptuous dinner.
Day 8: Ha Long Bay, Disembark Ship, Tuan Chau, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An
Explore Sung Sot Cave this morning before docking back at Tuan Chau. Travel to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Da Nang, then transfer to your resort in Hoi An.
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
Journey over the Hai Van Pass, with spectacular views across Lang Co Beach, before reaching Hue, the former Imperial capital of Vietnam situated on the banks of the picturesque Perfume River. Venture to the grand Imperial Citadel, stroll through the monuments and hear stories of former royal inhabitants. Step inside the historical Tien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery before enjoying your Insider Experience. Dine tonight on regional cuisine from Hue.
Day 12: Hue, Ho Chi Minh City
Rise early for your Insider Experience before a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon.
Tonight, indulge in a multicourse 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 with your Insider Experience then return to the hotel for breakfast. Transfer to My Tho to board your river ship, the RV Apsara, your home for the next seven nights. Exuding a true Asian ambience, the ship offers twin balconies with every suite to ensure a unique and scenic perspective on your Mekong River cruise. Set sail towards Cai Be where you anchor overnight. Tonight, enjoy your special Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 15: Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau
Explore Cai Be and its surrounds by tender boat as you view local life on the river and along its banks. Go ashore to see the French Gothic cathedral, the tallest church in the Mekong Delta with its impressive bell tower and visit manufacturers of rice paper and coconut candy to learn how they’re made.
Head back to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch whilst cruising to Sa Dec. Afterwards, take a boat ride to the charming town of Sa Dec for a guided tour. Stroll through the colourful markets and continue by foot to the home of Huynh Thuy Le, once the lover of French writer Marguerite Duras, who penned her best-selling novel, The Lover, about their affair.
Back on board unwind or relax your body with a rejuvenating treatment from the spa. As the sun sets the RV Apsara sets sail for Tan Chau. Enjoy dinner and later head up to the Saigon Lounge for evening entertainment or a cocktail.
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.
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 amongst the still 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 and enroute to the hotel enjoy your Insider Experiences.
Day 22: Siem Reap
Explore Angkor Archaeological Park and visit the temple Bayon Temple with its carved stone smiling faces. Later this afternoon, continue to explore Siem Reap at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience options. Cap off your visit to Siem Reap and celebrate your unforgettable journey with Insider Experiences.
Day 23: Depart Siem Reap
Your journey ends today after breakfast with a transfer to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.