Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery
Land and River Cruise
with APT Luxury Travel
- 7 night Mekong river cruise
- Locally inspired dining and a wide range of onboard beverages
- Experiences in 14 destinations
- Save up to $5200 per couple^
Unearth richer experiences and hidden treasures. Be stimulated by rare sights, tastes, and sounds. Discover Vietnam and Cambodia in a whole new way with APT.
Connecting the two countries, the mighty Mekong River peacefully meanders past villages as it flows through the stunning countryside — a region perfectly suited to river cruising.
- Highlights & Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Dates & Prices
- You are invited - RAC Travel Talk Event
- *Terms & Conditions
Highlights
- Discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay during a three-day luxury cruise
- Be welcomed into a traditional Buddhist Blessing at a local monastery
- Witness the sun rising above Cambodia’s Angkor Wat
- At Vietnam House in Ho Chi Minh City, sit down to authentic cuisine with a dash of modern Australian flair
Inclusions
- Experiences in 14 destinations
- Locally inspired dining – a total of 43 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages
- Freedom of Choice inclusions in four locations
- Seven-night cruise aboard APT's new luxury river ship, the Mekong Serenity
Please note, this itinerary operates in Hanoi to Siem Reap and vice versa direction. Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for departure dates, direction of cruise and current availability as well as pricing.
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
On arrival in Hanoi, receive Fast Track Service you’ll be met whisked through immigration and customs before meeting your APT representative who will transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. Later this evening, you’ll get to know your fellow travellers during a welcome dinner at Spice Garden, the hotel’s highly awarded and acclaimed Vietnamese restaurant.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Receive Fast Track Service for a seamless arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Stay: 2 Nights, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Hanoi
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, the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, a beautiful example of Vietnamese architecture and the first university in Vietnam. You’ll also enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Explore the maze-like streets of this charming area where each street conveys the name of the type of business that once operated there, such as Bamboo Street, Sugar Street and Silver Street. Then, explore more of this vibrant city on your selected Freedom of Choice experience. Tonight, choose your dining experience.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Perhaps tour the 500-year-old village of Bat Trang, world famous for its pottery. Or relax and enjoy a hand, head or foot massage back at your hotel. Embark on a walking tour to observe Hanoi’s French colonial architecture, discover the importance of Vietnamese coffee during a private hands-on workshop or take in a water puppet show.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Tonight, you’re invited to choose from a vast range of superb restaurants that have been carefully selected for you.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 3: Hanoi, Tuan Chau, Embark Ship, Ha Long Bay
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Join a local historian for a private tour of a bomb shelter. Hear stories of its chance discovery and learn about the famous guests that sought shelter during air raids.
After your first Signature Experience of the day, set off by coach to Ha Long and set sail among thousands of limestone islets. Savour an assortment of Vietnamese dishes during lunch as the Au Co slowly glides towards the southeast of Ha Long Bay, passing Trong Mai Islet. Visit Trinh Nu area and explore one of the finest sunlight-filled caves in Ha Long Bay before spending some time swimming or kayaking in its emerald waters.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Embark on your three-day cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.
Stay: 2 Nights, Ha Long Bay, Au Co
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4: Ha Long Bay
Awake 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 Viet Hai Village. Following a village-style lunch, a secluded swim or chance to sunbathe is on the cards. Return to the ship and cruise towards the heart of Ha Long Bay. Sightsee around Cua Van Floating Village by kayak or traditional rowing boat. The area is considered one of the most beautiful destinations in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. A barbeque dinner aboard the Au Co caps off an exciting day
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Ha Long Bay, Tuan Chau, Disembark Ship, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
Set off for an early visit to Sung Sot Cave, the largest cave of the bay with 10,000 square meters of space holding thousands of stalactites and stalagmites in fascinating shapes and sizes. Enjoy brunch on board as your ship makes its way back to port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll be met by your Tour Director.
Stay: 2 Nights, Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City
Leave the city behind and relish in your Signature Experiences today. Learn about the remarkable tunnel network concealed the Viet Cong and served as supply and communication routes, as well as hospitals and weapon cache. Tonight, your dinner is another Signature Experience.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Journey by speedboat to the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Meet a Master Distiller at Lady Trieu Gin Distillery and enjoy a private tasting.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Dine on a specially selected multicourse fusion meal at the highly acclaimed Vietnam House, and enjoy a special cocktail designed specifically for APT guests.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship, Cai Be
Day 8: Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau
Board your traditional sampan for your first excursion on the banks of the Mekong. Step ashore to visit Cai Be Catholic Church and the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. Built in the Roman architectural style, the bell tower, with its set of four bells cast in France in 1931, is the tallest of all the churches in the Mekong Delta. Afterwards, you’ll visit rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers and learn how these Vietnamese staples are made.
Head back to the ship to refresh before sitting down to savour a delicious lunch whilst continuing to cruise to the quaint town of Sa Dec. Upon arrival, explore Sa Dec by foot and meet some of the sellers at the colourful market. Continue to where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Duras’ best-selling novel, The Lover. After, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple. Watch visitors and pilgrims come and go and appreciate the beauty of the colourful building. Dinner is served as you cruise towards Tan Chau.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9: Tan Chau, Evergreen Island, Border Crossing, Phnom Penh
Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. Pass a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a fun rickshaw tour and a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop. Later, step back in time as you experience authentic rural Mekong life on a nearby Evergreen Island. The remainder of today is yours to relax on board and soak up views of the Mekong. Upon entering Cambodia, you’ll cruise towards its enthralling capital, Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10: Phnom Penh
Enjoy your Freedom of Choice activity then spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to head ashore and explore more of Phnom Penh independently or simply relax on board.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Experience some of Cambodia’s sobering history with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Otherwise, discover Phnom Penh on a cyclo ride to uncover some well-known sights. History buffs can admire the exhibits at the National Museum, or perhaps explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Or you may wish to set off on a journey to sample some locally brewed beers at two of the city’s craft breweries.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Oknha Tey
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
In Oudong, pay a visit to a monastery for a Buddhist blessing experience with local monks.
Today, journey to historic Oudong, which was Cambodia’s fascinating royal capital from 1618 until 1866. During your time here, you’ll enjoy a Signature Experience. On the way back to Phnom Penh, take a leisurely stroll through the village of Koh Chen and visit some home workshops that manufacture copperware. Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, which is renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Stroll among the stilt 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 to relax before enjoying delicious onboard dining tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12: Oknha Tey, Angkor Ban, Wat Hanchey
Sail to Angkor Ban, where you'll disembark and enjoy a captivating walking discovery of this historic village. Remarkably, Angkor Ban stands as one of the rare Cambodian villages that remained unscathed during the tumultuous Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive. This afternoon, your ship continues sailing upstream to Wat Hanchey.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 13: Wat Hanchey, Kampong Cham, Koh Pen
If you are feeling active this morning, set out on a walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey. From here, enjoy views over the Mekong, making it well worth the climb. You’ll find many temples, pagodas and stupas, some dating back to the 8th century. Lunch is back on board, before taking your Signature Experience. On your ship this evening, toast the end of your cruise during a final farewell dinner.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Journey by local tuk tuk around a riverside village and gain an insight of village life.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 14: Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap
Bid farewell to the crew and disembark the Mekong Serenity early at Kampong Cham. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages where you can observe rural life. On arrival at your hotel, enjoy a light lunch and some relaxation time before your Signature Experiences.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Be welcomed backstage at Phare Circus and watch a mesmerising performance from your VIP seats. Combining captivating acrobatics, theatre and storytelling, this performance showcases the country’s rich culture and talent.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Visit ODA, Opportunities of Development through Art, a OneTomorrow partner.
Stay: 3 Nights, Siem Reap, Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Day 15: Siem Reap
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
At Angkor Archaeological Park, enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat.
Rise early this morning to witness the spectacular sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. As the sun rises, soak up the atmosphere as you marvel at this ancient wonder. After the sun has risen delve into the history and significance of this sacred site with a guided tour inside the vast temple complex and the sprawling grounds before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast.
Continue your exploration of the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital. Built during the heyday of the Khmer Empire in the 12th century, this is an extraordinary complex of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Head to the intriguing Bayon Temple, with its carved stone smiling faces of gods, goddesses and other mythology beings. Visit the Terrace of Elephants, which used to be the base for the king’s grand audience hall, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which housed the royal crematory.
Journey to Ta Prohm, known for the thick jungle of fig trees and vines that have enveloped the structure, creating a feeling akin to stepping into a lost world. Commonly referred to as the 'Tomb Raider temple' due to it being used as a location in the blockbuster 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider which starred Angelina Jolie, Ta Prohm is a captivating glimpse into the past and testament to a bygone era. Enjoy your Freedom of Choice dinner this evening.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 16: Siem Reap
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Treat yourself to a private visit to Theam’s Gallery and discover this talented Cambodian artist known for his unique sculptures, paintings, and intricate crafts. Indulge in a tantalising five-course Khmer dinner while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Perhaps 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 traditional Khmer cooking class, and a shopping adventure, or why not indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.
Explore Siem Reap your way today. Tonight, your Signature Experience awaits. Set amid a stunning garden this promises to be an enchanting and memorable evening.
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 17: Depart Siem Reap
Farewell Siem Reap after breakfast this morning, as you transfer to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Departures: Available July 2024 - March 2025 (seasonal surcharges apply)
| Cabin category | Standard price Per person, twin share* |
|---|---|
| Category E - Deluxe Twin Balcony Suite | From $8795 |
*Prices are per person, twin share. Advertised price of $8795 is based on 23 July 2024 departure in Hanoi to Siem Reap direction and includes saving of $2600 pp. Prices and availability are subject to change. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for available departure dates and current pricing.
Travel Talk with APT & Travelmarvel
Join us at West Perth location for an afternoon tea with an expert from APT and Travelmarvel and learn about a range of touring options in Europe or Canda & Alaska.
Travel Talk with APT & Travelmarvel
Date: 25 June 2024
Join us for an afternoon tea to explore all things Europe!
Hear from the APT & Travelmarvel expert about a range of touring options by river, land and sea, while enjoying a cup of tea and some delicious treats.
Travel Talk with APT & Travelmarvel
Date: 26 June 2024
Join us for an afternoon tea to explore all things Canada & Alaska!
Hear from the APT & Travelmarvel expert about a range of touring options by land, rail and sea, while enjoying a cup of tea and some delicious treats.
Explore more of our upcoming Travel Talk events. It's a relaxed way to gain first-hand knowledge and inspiration from our trusted travel partners and start planning your next holiday.
*Terms & Conditions apply. Prices are per person (pp), AUD, twin share and subject to change. Advertised price is based on 23 July 2024 departure, includes savings where applicable and is based on Cat. E cabin. Information correct as at 02 April 2024 but may fluctuate due to changes in surcharges, taxes or currency.
^Save up to $5200 per couple: Valid until 31 May 2024 or until sold out. Save up to $5200 per couple ($2600 per person) when you book the VEM17 or VEMR17 - Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery on selected departures from July 2024 to December 2024. Offers are combinable with and Payment Discount and Travel with Friends Discount where applicable. The offer will be applied by our Customer Service team prior to invoice being issued. The advertised offer is valid for new bookings only and a $1000 per person non-refundable deposit must be paid within 7 days of booking. Final Payment due within 100 days prior to departure.
General Information and Conditions: Offers are available for travellers departing from Australia. All pricing and save amounts are in Australian Dollars. Information correct as at 02 April 2024 but may fluctuate due to changes in surcharges, taxes or currency. A strictly limited number of offers are available on selected itineraries and departure dates in selected cabin categories. Offers are subject to availability, available on new bookings only and may be withdrawn at any time.
General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.
