Spend 2 nights Hanoi, overnight in Ha Long Bay, then travel to Siem Reap for 3 nights before embarking on your Mekong river cruise, ending your journey with a 2-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
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Day 1
HO CHI MINH CITY - EMBARKATION. Welcome aboard your luxurious vessel, moored at My Tho Port. Check-in at 12:00 noon, followed by port and immigration formalities. After settling in, enjoy a refreshing drink in the Saigon Lounge, followed by the Captain’s Welcome cocktail party and dinner in the Mekong Restaurant. (B,L,D)
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Day 2
CAI BE - VINH LONG. After breakfast, take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to visit it’s famous floating market. Return to your ship, which will cruise towards Vinh Long, Vietnam’s second-largest city on the Mekong River. In the afternoon, you will visit a bustling local market in Vinh Long. The ship moors midstream overnight. (B,L,D)
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Day 3
SA DEC - TAN CHAU. Noteworthy as the town where the French writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood, Sa Dec is a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta. Visit the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which is now a small museum. Also visit a local market. In the afternoon, your ship continues cruising to Tan Chau, a small town on the Mekong River. (B,L,D)
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Day 4
TAN CHAU - BORDER CROSSING. After breakfast, transfer to small boats to visit a floating fish farm in Tan Chau. On shore, visit a rattan mat-making workshop and a slipper-making workshop. Return to the ship via a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride. After lunch, you will continue cruising to the Cambodian border, stopping for border formalities. In the evening, cruise up the broad Mekong River, mooring mid-stream just outside of Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
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Day 5
PHNOM PENH. Early morning, the ship cruises into spectacular Phnom Penh and docks at the passenger port terminal. A morning tour explores the highlights of Cambodia’s capital city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafes, vibrant nightlife and renovated river “corniche.” Visit the Royal Palace and the magnificent Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. After lunch on board, another excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) situated in the suburbs. The ship’s late departure this evening provides an opportunity to dine in one of many nearby restaurants or experience Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife. (B,L,D)
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Day 6
CHONG KOH - OUDONG - KAMPONG TRALACH. This morning you arrive in Chong Koh silk weaving village, where your guide will lead you on a leisurely morning stroll. Afterwards, you will cruise to Oudong, former capital of Cambodia. Visit the Buddhist Monastery, followed by a motor coach ride to Kampong Tralach. There you will visit Wat Kampong Tralach Pleu, followed by an ox-cart ride back to the ship. Your cruise then continues to Kampong Chhnang. (B,L,D)
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Day 9
KAMPONG CHHNANG - TONLE SAP LAKE. This morning you will enjoy a motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle River. The scenery in this area is a trip highlight. Temples abound along the river banks at Kampong Chhnang, a busy rural port town with bustling markets. On the motor boat excursion, catch glimpses of the local lifestyle, including floating villages, a stunning variety of bird life, and numerous great fish traps, some over a half-mile long. (B,L,D)
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Day 10
SIEM REAP/TONLE SAP LAKE - DISEMBARKATION - SIEM REAP. Your cruise comes to an end as you disembark at Tonle Sap Lake - the great lake that dominates Cambodia and is known for its profuse bird life and tranquil fishing villages. The lake virtually disappears during dry season, draining into the Mekong River. After disembarkation, transfer by motor coach to Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire. (B, D)
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Day 11
SIEM REAP - ANGKOR. After breakfast, begin a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most renowned archeological destinations in all of South East Asia. Highlights include Angkor Thom, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King and the Bayon. This afternoon, visit the most iconic of all Angkorian temples – Angkor Wat. (B,D)
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Day 12
SIEM REAP - HANOI, VIETNAM. This morning, travel through rural countryside to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. Then visit Ta Prohm, the temple famous for its intertwined trees (showcased in the film “Tomb Raider”). This afternoon, transfer to the Siem Reap Airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Vietnam’s vibrant capital city is known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, verdant parks and ancient temples. (B)
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Day 13
HANOI. A morning sightseeing tour will take you to Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda and The Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional water puppet show. (B)
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Day 14
HANOI - HA LONG BAY OVERNIGHT JUNK. After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a scenic motor coach ride to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden Junk that combines classic beauty with modern conveniences, plus luxurious overnight accommodations. Set sail to discover the Bay’s magnificent scenery set amidst stunning limestone cliffs. That evening, you’ll enjoy dinner on board and overnight on the Junk. (B,L,D)
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Day 15
HA LONG BAY - HANOI. This morning, your Ha Long Bay Junk continues its scenic cruising while a delightful breakfast is served in the dining lounge. Late morning, disembark for a motor coach transfer to Hanoi. After checking in to your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore the city on your own. (B,L)
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Day 16
DEPART HANOI, VIETNAM. Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)
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2 nights hotel accommodation in Hanoi at the Sofitel Legend Metropole (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
Overnight stay on board a luxurious Traditional Wooden Junk in Ha Long Bay
3 nights hotel accommodation in Siem Reap at the Sofitel Royal Angkor (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom - most staterooms with balconies (Twin Balconies featured on board MS AmaLotus)
Life enriching tours and excursions
Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
Free-flowing wine with every lunch and dinner on board
Complimentary house-brand spirits, beer and soft drinks during cruise
Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
Welcome Dinner and Farewell Cocktail Party & Dinner
2 nights hotel accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) at the Sheraton Saigon (or similar), including buffet breakfast
Onboard special highlights including folklore dances and music performances, culture discussion forums, theme dinners and piano entertainment
Non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
All transfers with the purchase of cruise & air package
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