Halong Bay and Mekong River Cruising trip – 09 Days

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to rest and recover from the journey.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, depart by car for the majestic Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its dramatic limestone karsts and emerald waters. On arrival at Hon Gai Pier, you’ll board your private La Amour wooden junk and begin a memorable cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, a tranquil area far removed from the tourist crowds. The route has been specially designed to lead you through some of the bay’s most secluded corners.

Throughout the cruise, you’ll have opportunities to swim at quiet sandy beaches (weather permitting), kayak through hidden lagoons, and visit lesser-known caves. The beautifully crafted La Amour junk features just one air-conditioned cabin, providing an intimate and luxurious experience. The cabin is elegantly designed with polished hardwood furnishings, a queen or twin beds, en-suite bathroom, and picture windows overlooking the bay.

All meals are served on board, with menus highlighting the freshest local seafood. Your overnight anchorage is in a peaceful area, allowing for a serene and romantic night on the water.

Overnight on La Amour Junk.

Wake to the fresh air and natural beauty of Ha Long Bay as your cruise continues deeper into the Bai Tu Long region. After breakfast, visit a traditional fishing village where you’ll have the chance to kayak through peaceful waters and discover secluded lagoons tucked between limestone formations.

Following a delicious BBQ lunch served on a remote sandy beach, the afternoon is free for you to relax, swim, or continue kayaking around the bay’s lesser-traveled areas. Your crew will ensure your overnight anchorage is again in a quiet and scenic location, allowing for an immersive and tranquil experience.
Overnight on La Amour Junk.

Today is filled with adventure and local discovery. Begin by joining local fishermen to learn about their traditional fishing techniques before heading to Ba Cua Beach for more swimming and kayaking in the crystal-clear waters. Later in the day, your cruise will anchor near Thien Canh Son Cave, where you’ll enjoy a special dinner experience inside the beautifully lit cavern — a memorable highlight of the journey.

Overnight on La Amour Junk.

Start your final morning in the bay with an early swim or kayaking session, followed by a light breakfast of pastries and tea or coffee. You’ll then visit one of the area’s beautiful caves before enjoying a leisurely brunch on board as the junk makes its way back to the harbor. Upon disembarkation, your driver will transfer you back to Hanoi for your flight to HCMC.

Following the conclusion of your cycling trip, you’ll be met by your guide and driver at the designated drop-off point in Ho Chi Minh City. From there, head south to My Tho, where your next adventure begins aboard the elegant Jahan Cruise.

Upon boarding, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the crew and shown to your stateroom. As the ship sets sail, enjoy a buffet lunch and take in the slow-changing landscapes of the Mekong Delta. Relax on your private balcony or join fellow guests for tea time at the open-air bar.

By evening, the vessel reaches Cai Be, a small riverside town known for its French church and traditional cottage industries. The floating market, though now quieter, still echoes the river’s trading heritage. Anchor mid-stream near Cai Be for a peaceful night.

Overnight on Jahan Cruise.

Begin your day with a Tai Chi session on the sun deck followed by a rich buffet breakfast. Take a local boat to explore Cai Be’s remaining floating market and visit riverside workshops producing rice paper, coconut candies, and other traditional goods. Sail through a lush network of canals, passing rural scenes of farmers tending their fields.

Return for lunch on board before visiting Sa Dec in the afternoon. Embark on a traditional sampan to explore Binh Thanh Island, where you’ll observe the process of hand-weaving mats from water hyacinths and engage with friendly villagers who are eager to share their stories.

Back on board, unwind with a spa treatment or a refreshing dip in the pool. As the ship sails toward the border town of Tan Chau, attend an enriching presentation on life in the Mekong Delta before enjoying a relaxing evening of dinner and cinema.

Overnight on Jahan Cruise.

Enjoy breakfast while the ship approaches Tan Chau, known for its mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Khmer cultures. Disembark and hop on a traditional xeloi to explore the town’s charming streets, colorful markets, and temples. Visit a floating fish farm, an important part of the local economy, to learn about aquaculture practices in the region.

Return to the cruise and begin the border crossing into Cambodia. Spend the afternoon at your leisure — take in river views from your balcony, indulge in a massage, or join an interactive cooking class with the ship’s chef.

High tea is served as the ship glides through the tranquil Cambodian countryside. In the evening, arrive in Phnom Penh and dock at the city’s pier. You’re welcome to take your first evening stroll along the lively riverside promenade.
Overnight on Jahan Cruise.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your cruise companions as the 3-night Pearl of the Orient Cruise comes to an end. Your driver will meet you at the pier and transfer you to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure flight.

Tour ends.

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.