Turquoise Waters
Cruise amidst towering limestone cliffs in Ha Long Bay
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Destinations
By Destination
Special DealsBy Mode of Travel
Land and River Cruise
Best of Vietnam and Cambodia
Hanoi → Siem Reap
Trip Code: VEMR21
Your Vacation Includes
- Experiences in 16 destinations
- Freedom of Choice inclusions in four locations
- Luxury dining – a total of 51 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages on your Mekong cruise
- Seven-night cruise aboard APT's new luxury river ship the Mekong Serenity
- Discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay during a three-day luxury cruise
- Exclusive – Dinner at Vietnam House in Ho Chi Minh City
- Experience the sun rising above Cambodia’s Angkor Wat
- Be welcomed into a traditional Buddhist Blessing Ceremony
Map & Itinerary
Hanoi → Siem Reap
Signature Experiences
Designed Exclusively for APT guests
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Give your holiday a personal touch with a choice of included sightseeing or dining options
Day
1
Arrive Hanoi
Today you’ll arrive in Hanoi and be met and transferred to your luxurious hotel then enjoy the rest of the day to explore this fascinating city at your leisure. Hanoi is both bustling and beautiful with many peaceful lakes that contrast with the busy city to make this part of Vietnam truly unique. Take your time to explore this exciting city before enjoying a welcome dinner this evening at your hotel.
Stay: Two Nights, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Daily :
Day
2
Hanoi
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Perhaps tour the 500-year-old village of Bat Trang, world famous for its pottery. Or, relax and enjoy a foot massage back at your hotel. Embark on a walking tour to observe Hanoi’s French colonial architecture, and explore the interior of the Hanoi Opera House, or take in a water puppet show.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Tonight, you’re invited to choose from a vast range of equally superb restaurants that have been carefully selected for you.
A guided tour of Hanoi takes you to the city’s most famous historical and cultural sites. Highlights include Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. You’ll also enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old French Quarter. Then, explore more of this vibrant city on your selected Freedom of Choice experience. Tonight, choose your dining experience.
Daily :
Day
3
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Embark on your three-day cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.
Travel by coach to Ha Long and set sail among thousands of limestone islets. Savour an assortment of Vietnamese dishes during lunch as the The Au Co slowly glides towards the southeast of Ha Long Bay, passing Trong Mai Islet, Ngon Tay Islet, Con Coc Islet, and Cua Van Floating Cultural Centre. Later, arrive at pristine Ba Ham Lake and take some time to enjoy a swim or kayak in its emerald waters. Tonight, perhaps take in a fun Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board your ship. The evening is yours to spend how you wish. You might like to watch a film in the onboard open cinema or order a cocktail to enjoy on the sundeck.
Stay: Two Nights, Ha Long Bay, The Au Co
Daily :
Day
4
Ha Long Bay
As the sun rises, perhaps rejuvenate your body and soul with a Tai Chi class. Later this morning, gain a first glimpse of Cat Ba Island before disembarking to discover Cat Ba National Park and enjoy lunch at Viet Hai Village. Following lunch, a secluded swim or chance to sunbathe is on the cards with a stop at Ba Trai Dao Beach. A barbeque dinner aboard The Au Co caps off an exciting day.
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Day
5
Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An
Visit the Cua Van Floating Culture Centre, considered the most idyllic spot on the bay. Take part in a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony on board as your ship makes its way back to port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Da Nang, from where you’ll travel to historic Hoi An.
Stay: Three Nights, Hotel Royal Hoi An
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Day
6
Hoi An
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Discover Hoi An’s colourful market and find local ingredients that you will use during an exclusive cooking class with the Red Bridge Cooking School. A boat cruise along the Thu Bon River takes you to the school, before visiting the herb garden and preparing Vietnamese dishes. Afterwards, sit down to dinner and enjoy your creations.
Set out on a guided discovery of Hoi An this morning, taking in sights such as the Japanese Covered Bridge and the 19th-century Chinese Temple. Visit a handicraft workshop to see local artisans making silk lanterns and other traditional crafts. You will also stop off at a local cafe to try a Vietnamese specialty, coconut coffee. This afternoon, a special Signature Experience awaits.
Daily :
Day
7
Hoi An
Today, catch a glimpse of rural Vietnamese life as you set out on an agricultural eco-tour. Visit a local garden and meet the farmers who work there while taking part in a number of different farming activities. See how soil is prepared and how vegetables are watered and transplanted. You’ll then set out on an exploration of the water coconut palm jungle by basket boat. The afternoon has been left free for you to explore more of this quaint town at your leisure. This evening, take in a performance at Hoi An Lune Centre, the first and only bamboo theatre in Vietnam. Experience Vietnamese culture at its most unique as you hear stories of daily life from different regions in Vietnam, brought to life by the Vietnamese Bamboo Circus.
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Day
8
Hoi An, Hue
Travel past the Marble Mountains and cross Hai Van Pass on your way to Hue. Lunch is in a garden restaurant before visiting Hue’s Imperial Citadel and the historic Thien Mu Pagoda.
Stay: Hue, Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel & Spa
Daily :
Day
9
Hue, Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure before dinner.
Stay: Two Night Stay, Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon
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Day
10
Ho Chi Minh City, Long Tan or Cu Chi Tunnels
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Journey to Ba Ria and learn about the Battle of Long Tan, followed by a memorial service at Long Tan Cross, a memorial marking the site of this battle. Erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, it is located in a rubber plantation. Or visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. This remarkable tunnel network concealed the Viet Cong and served as supply and communication routes, as well as hospitals and weapon caches.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Experience dinner at Vietnam House, founded by Australia-Vietnamese celebrity chef Luke Nguyen.
Spend the day in Ho Chi Minh City, once the bustling French colonial city known as Saigon. Your first day here offers you the chance to choose from a number of Signature Experiences, during which you’ll learn about Vietnam’s recent past and savour a special dining experience.
Daily :
Day
11
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Today you can choose to enjoy a leisurely walking discovery of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office. Or you might like to jump on the back of a motorbike for an exciting city ride. Alternatively, you may like to try Tai Chi early morning at Tao Dan Park or take a shopping spree.
Choose your sightseeing this morning, then be transferred to your river ship. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region.
Stay: Seven Nights, Mekong River, Mekong Serenity
Daily :
Day
12
Cai Be, Sa Dec
In Cai Be, visit the French Gothic cathedral and port area. Then, it’s off to visit a rice paper manufacturer. Continue to Sa Dec where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Marguerite Duras’ best-selling novel, The Lover. After, visit a Cao Dai temple.
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Day
13
Tan Chau, Evergreen Island, Border Crossing
Transfer to a small boat for a cruise around Tan Chau and past a fishing farm. Disembark for a rickshaw tour and visit a local silk and rattan weaving workshop. Then explore an evergreen island to see authentic rural Mekong life.
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Day
14
Phnom Penh
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Experience some of Cambodia’s sobering history with a moving excursion to the infamous Killing Fields. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, located on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Otherwise, discover Phnom Penh on a tuk tuk ride past the railway station and the city’s namesake, Wat Phnom. You will also stop to haggle for a bargain at the Central Market. History buffs can embark on a visit to the National Museum. Alternatively, perhaps explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, partake in some retail therapy on a shopping expedition.
Today presents a wealth of included sightseeing choices. After lunch back on board, more choices are presented. The evening is yours to relax back on board.
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Day
15
Oudong, Koh Chen, Oknha Tey
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
In Oudong, be treated to a Buddhist Blessing Ceremony with local monks at a monastery.
Explore Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital. Return via Koh Chen village and perhaps visit local copperware workshops. Back on board, cruise to Oknha Tey, known for its silk weaving traditions.
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Day
16
Angkor Ban
Enjoy a walking discovery of ancient Angkor Ban today, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive.
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Day
17
Kampong Cham, Koh Pen
If you are feeling active this morning, walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey, for views over the Mekong. Lunch is back on board before taking a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. On your ship this evening, enjoy a final farewell dinner.
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Day
18
Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.
Disembark at Kampong Cham and transfer to your hotel. Then, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Angkor Thom and the 12th-century temple, Bayon. Choose where to dine in Siem Reap this evening.
Stay: Three Nights, Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor
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Day
19
Siem Reap
SIGNATURE EXPEREINCE
At Angkor Archaeological Park, enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat.
Return to Angkor Archaeological Park for sunrise over Angkor Wat. Take a guided tour before breakfast at your hotel. Later, explore Ta Prohm Temple and visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art’ (ODA).
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Day
20
Siem Reap
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Perhaps visit the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath for a Buddhist blessing or enjoy a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshop. If you’re feeling energetic, join a quad bike adventure or take a leisurely bicycle tour through the Cambodian countryside. Other options include a horse and cart ride, a shopping adventure, or why not indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.
Embark on your selected activity today. Tonight, take in an Apsara dance performance, before a memorable farewell dinner.
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Day
21
Depart Siem Reap
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Daily :As a family-owned company with origins that date back to 1927, we know how to make a great holiday extraordinary
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