Best of Vietnam and Cambodia 18 Days 17 Nights

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in the city center. Rest after your journey and enjoy your first evening in the capital of Vietnam, known for its historic architecture and rich blend of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French cultural influences.

Today is dedicated to uncovering Hanoi’s most iconic heritage sites. Begin with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university dedicated to Confucius. Proceed to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the stilt house where he once lived, surrounded by peaceful gardens. Continue to Hoa Lo Prison Museum, famously known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” which once held American POWs, including John McCain. After lunch, explore the Vietnam People’s Army Museum with its extensive military exhibits. Then dive into Hanoi’s vibrant daily life at Long Bien Fruit and Vegetable Market and Dong Xuan Market, where you’ll learn about traditional Vietnamese ingredients and sample seasonal fruits and snacks. The day ends with an optional visit to a tailor shop for custom-made clothes.

Begin your morning by joining locals around Hoan Kiem Lake for tai chi and aerobic exercises. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, followed by a tasting of Vietnamese iced coffee and the famous egg coffee. Enjoy a street-side banh mi sandwich before exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter, starting with St. Joseph Cathedral and the Hanoi Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with links to the Vietnam War. Visit a local bun cha restaurant for lunch, then explore the unique train street and its close-up urban railway. Enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter and finish the day sipping fresh local beer at a Bia Hoi establishment, blending into the city’s evening ambiance.

Travel south to Ninh Binh to discover the ancient capital Hoa Lu, where you’ll explore the temples of the Dinh and Le Kings and remnants of the Old Palace. Continue along scenic village roads to Tam Coc. After lunch, embark on a serene sampan ride through Tam Coc’s rice paddies and limestone caves. Later, visit Bich Dong Pagoda, built into a mountainside and surrounded by lush landscape. This area is often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land” for its breathtaking natural beauty.

Depart Ninh Binh for Ha Long Bay and board the Grand Pioneers Cruise. After a welcome briefing and lunch, begin exploring iconic sites like the Kissing Rocks and Dragon Rock. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave and enjoy kayaking or relaxing on the beach. Anchor at Cap La area in the evening for a stunning sunset party on the sundeck before dining and enjoying entertainment onboard.

Rise early to enjoy sunrise over the bay, followed by breakfast. Choose between visiting Sung Sot Cave or Titop Island. After brunch, disembark and transfer to Hanoi for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you’ll be driven to your hotel to settle in and relax.

Explore the city’s Chinese district, starting at a vibrant flower market, then visit the Lady Thien Hau Pagoda and the historic Binh Tay Market. Continue to the Reunification Palace, and finish with Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. In the evening, hop on a vintage Vespa for a street food adventure. Visit Café Zoom, enjoy seafood in District 4, try Banh Xeo in District 1, and experience live music in District 3. End the night at a lively local bar before returning to your hotel.

This morning, depart the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City and journey southwards by private car to My Tho, a bustling gateway to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival at the pier, you’ll embark on the luxurious Jahan Cruise, your floating home for the next few days. After settling into your well-appointed cabin, the journey along one of Asia’s great waterways begins.

As the vessel glides gently upstream, enjoy a buffet lunch in the dining room while taking in the ever-changing views of the lush Delta scenery. Late in the afternoon, meet your fellow travelers for an elegant welcome gathering featuring prosecco and canapés. The boat anchors near Tan Phong Island, offering a first glimpse into the life and landscapes of the Mekong region. After dinner onboard, you’re invited to unwind in the onboard cinema, where a selection of classic films and documentaries awaits.

Begin your day early with a Tai Chi session on the deck, followed by a hearty breakfast. Board a local boat to visit Cai Be’s riverside workshops, where you’ll observe traditional production of rice paper, coconut candies, rice wine, and more. Continue to Tan Phong Island to visit a family-run fruit orchard, sampling an array of tropical fruits. A buggy ride takes you through peaceful village paths, stopping at a local house specializing in hand-weaving crafts from water hyacinth.

Your journey continues to Binh Thanh Island, a community renowned for cultivating water hyacinths and weaving traditional mats. You’ll meet villagers and visit an elderly couple eager to share stories of their life on the island. Explore further by bicycle, riding along scenic paths lined with rice paddies and stopping in Long Ta village, famous for scarf weaving. Return to the ship for a relaxing evening and a presentation in the lounge as the boat sails toward Tan Chau.

Start the morning with Tai Chi and breakfast before disembarking in Tan Chau, known for aquaculture. Hop into a traditional xeloi (cycle rickshaw) and weave through the town’s narrow streets. Visit a vibrant local market and the colorful Cao Dai Temple, where you’ll meet a priest who explains the unique tenets of this syncretic religion. End the excursion at a fish farm run by a local family, offering a glimpse into a vital part of the region’s economy.

Later, board a tender to explore a small island near Tan Chau by bicycle. The ride takes you past mango orchards, frog farms, and traditional mat-weaving workshops. After lunch on board, the Jahan Cruise continues upriver, crossing into Cambodia and heading toward Phnom Penh. Enjoy leisure time on the sundeck, a relaxing spa treatment, or a cooking class with the ship’s chefs. The ship arrives in Phnom Penh by evening, either midstream or docked at the pier.

After breakfast, begin a full-day exploration of Cambodia’s capital, once dubbed the “Paris of the East.” Ride a cyclo through the city to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, two iconic symbols of Cambodian heritage. Continue to the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 Prison), a former school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge regime, offering a haunting glimpse into the country’s tragic past.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Sosoro Museum to learn more about Cambodian history, economy, and culture. Finish with a walk through the elegant French Quarter and a visit to Wat Phnom. In the evening, enjoy a lecture from a local expert, followed by an open-air barbecue dinner accompanied by a traditional Apsara dance performance. After dinner, you may wish to take a stroll along the riverside promenade or experience the city’s nightlife.

Early morning, the Jahan sets sail into the tranquil Tonle River. Today’s excursion takes you into rural Cambodia, beginning with a traditional ox-cart ride through the scenic countryside of Kampong Tralach. You’ll pass rice paddies and small villages en route to an NGO-supported school and library project. Alternatively, visit a centuries-old temple and Buddha shrine nearby.

Later, join a cycling tour through the Tonle Region. Ride past remnants of the former royal capital of Lungvek and visit the 16th-century Jade Buddha Temple. Along the way, enjoy scenes of fishermen casting nets along the riverbanks. Back onboard, lunch is served as the vessel continues to Kampong Laeang. Upon arrival, explore by tuk-tuk to discover pottery villages, a pre-Angkorian temple, and panoramic views of the floodplains.

An optional bike ride leads you through more villages and cottage industries like palm sugar production and pottery making. Return to the ship for sunset cocktails and an evening of music, dinner, and cinema as the ship begins sailing downstream.

This morning, disembark for a guided walk through Kampong Luang, also known as the “Silver Smith Village.” Witness skilled artisans crafting intricate silver, copper, and bronze items. Visit Wat Prang, a royal Buddhist temple, where the bones of Cambodia’s former king are enshrined.

Continue to Prek Bangkong, a small riverside village once home to the royal family. Here, observe the entire process of silk weaving from raw thread to finished product. End the visit at the residence of H.E. Sam-El, a renowned architect of the royal court. Afterward, cycle to the former royal palace of Lavea Em, passing pagodas, silk workshops, and bustling markets. Stop for tea at the historic Sam-El residence.

Spend the remainder of the day cruising upriver. In the evening, unwind with a cocktail on the pool deck, enjoy music, dinner, and a feature film under the stars.

Begin the day with a Tai Chi session before exploring Angkor Ban. Visit a monastery and nearby village where you can interact with monks and locals. Experience the authenticity of rural Cambodia, capturing moments of daily life and community spirit.

Cycle through lush vegetable fields and past traditional houses. Watch local blacksmiths at work and enjoy a refreshing sugarcane juice or cold beer along the way. Return to the ship and cruise toward Kampong Cham.

Here, you’ll visit Wat Prah Ang Chan, a 12th-century cave temple perched on a hill, offering sweeping river views. In Stueng Trang, known for its fruit farms, meet a local grower and taste “Kralan,” sticky rice grilled in bamboo. Conclude with a final cycling adventure on Koh Pen Island, passing vegetable fields and bee farms before returning to the ship for a farewell celebration.

After your final breakfast on board, disembark at Stueng Trang. A comfortable bus transfer will take you to Siem Reap, a scenic 4-hour drive through the Cambodian countryside. Along the way, your guide will share insights into local life, history, and landmarks.

Arriving in Siem Reap in the early afternoon, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure to relax and refresh. Enjoy the comforts of your accommodation and prepare for the next chapter of your journey—exploring the temples of Angkor.

Start early to witness the mystical sunrise over Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most iconic religious monuments. Then, explore the vast Angkor complex with your guide, beginning with Angkor Thom. Pass through the South Gate and visit the enigmatic Bayon Temple with its many smiling stone faces, the Baphuon Temple, and the Terrace of the Elephants.

Later, explore Angkor Wat itself, a masterpiece of Khmer architecture and spiritual devotion. Learn about its symbolism and engineering marvels as you explore its corridors, courtyards, and towers. Conclude the day with a hike up Phnom Bakheng for a panoramic sunset view over Angkor and the surrounding countryside.

Today’s excursion takes you on a soft adventure to the hidden temples of Koh Ker and Beng Mealea. Begin with Koh Ker, once the capital of the Khmer Empire, where the towering Prasat Thom temple rises 30 meters above the jungle. Climb to the top for panoramic views and admire ancient Garuda carvings.

After a picnic-style lunch, continue to Beng Mealea, an atmospheric temple complex built in the style of Angkor Wat. Overgrown with trees and vines, this sprawling site evokes a true “Indiana Jones” experience. Wander its moss-covered halls and towering walls before returning to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

Enjoy your final moments in Siem Reap at your leisure before your private car transfers you to the airport in good time for your international departure flight. Your unforgettable journey through Vietnam and Cambodia comes to a close—leaving you with a treasure trove of memories.