From Halong Bay&the Red River to Mekong River&Angkor wat

Itinerary

Departure: Monday.Thursday,Saturday

DAY 1:HALONG BAY

Transfer from hotel in Hanoi to Halong Bay to embark the cruise. Cast off in the late afternoon for an evening sailing to drop anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the amazing island scenery.

 

DAY2 : HALONG BAY AND ARCHIPELAGO

Morning sail around in Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years. We will visit by local boat a floating fisherman village, a floating school and limestone caves

 

DAY 3 : THE KHIN THAY RIVER

Enter the Kinh Thay River and moor at Yen Duc Village, a beautiful spot set amidst poetic scenery on a charming stretch of rivers with historical mountains coupled with sacred legends and relics related to Ly and Tran dynasty. The village was recognised as a national relic in 1993.

 

DAY4 : THE DUONG RIVER

From Dong Trieu town we continue the expedition towards Hanoi on the Duong River. Here we will explore the Dong Ho village, where we can witness the Dong Ho Vietnamese folk painting, dating back to the 11th century, on paper made from sticky rice & oysters. All colouring is natural as well, from coal for example or burned bamboo leaves. Further down we will visit the Bat Trang ceramic village where traditions of producing ceramic items are passed on from generation to generation.

 

DAY5 : HANOI

Docked in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis, must see’s like the notorious Vietnam war prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, the water puppets show, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

 

DAY6: FURTHER EXPLORATIONS OF HANOI

Further explorations of Hanoi visiting the Van Phuc Silk Village with personal time to explore the Old French Quarter with its café life and many interesting boutiques.

 

 

DAY7 : THE LOWER RED RIVER

Sail through day from Hanoi up the Red River to Viet Tri, not the most picturesque of towns but an excellent base for going deeper into Highland Vietnam. Going a shore we visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations. Of particular interest is the Tay village, hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 8th and 11th century and home to some fine Buddhist statuary carved from jackfruit trees. In the afternoon we a visit to an orphanage in Viet Tri. The kids are encouraged to live together with own responsibilities in manageable family units under a foster parent. The orphanage lies amidst lush gardens.

 

DAY 8 :THE UPPER RED RIVER

The Red River flows down from China’s Yunnan province and has for centuries been a key trade route between nations. Between Viet Tri and Hoa Ha the mountains loom large and the river narrows and flows fast. Hoa Ha is a typical riverine village and a pleasant place for a hike ashore.

 

DAY9 : THE DA RIVER

Enjoy a day sailing downstream admiring the unspoilt beauty of the Da River. We pass the Ba Vi National Park with its rich and diverse tropical and sub tropical flora and fauna before arriving at Hoa Binh.

 

DAY10 : HOA BINH

Hoa Binh was the site of a major battle in 1951 & 1952 with the French and is home to the Muon ethnic group of. We visit a museum and a local village where villagers still wear traditional dresses. The largest power station in South-East Asia was built here buy the Russians between 1979 and 1994 and is still fully operational and subject to security clearance tours can be arranged deep inside the mountain where at one point 1,000 Russian engineers toiled. We will also visit a 400 ton statue of Ho Chi Minh which commands spectacular views over the Hao Binh valley.

 

DAY11 : MAI CHAU

Early morning we will take a coach trip to Mai Chau through staggeringly lovely scenery. The sleepy town of Mai Chai is home to the Black Thai & White Tai, an ethnic minority who still live in Tai bamboo stilt houses. In the afternoon we return downstream towards the town of Viet Tri.

Disembarkation and transfers back to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Saigon (other name Hochiminh)

Pick up and transfer you to hotel in Hochiminh.Overnight in Saigon.

 

DAY12 :SAIGON CITY – CU CHI TUNNEL

AM: Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during Vietnam war.

PM:This afternoon we have a haft day city tour  visit Saigon: Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office and the former Presidential Palace. Continue to visit the War Museum.

Overnight  in Hochiminh.

 

 

DAY13 :SAIGON -CAIBE -VINHLONG -SADEC

Pick up from your hotel in Saigon and depart for Mekong Delta

Arrival Mekong Delta we will board our sampan for an exploration of  lush vegetation of Mekong Delta and the lively Cai Be floating market. Walking  for visit the handicraft village of the local people. Sightseeing the old house and sample various tropical fruits. Return to our boat.

Our  boat sets sail and  cruise through zizag cannales and river heading out  to  Sadec and moor midstream for the night.Diner and overnight on board.

 

 

DAY 14: SADEC-LONGXUYEN

Rising up early for another nice day we  contemplate sunrise while having breakfast on board. Visit the Sadec local market , following the tracks of French novelist Marguerite Duras.Walks/Cycle amongst the ever blossoming Sadec flower village and local industries.Visit bricks and tiles kilns and the manufacture of earthenware pots on a bank of river Back to boat and enjoy welcome back drink while lunch is served.

The Le Cochinchine set sails  through the canals of Lapvo with a magnificent landscape that come along the river banks: rural walks, farming, nursering farm, fishing, boating, smiling school children all in full swing.

Enjoy traditional herbal foot massage on boat.

Diner and while Le Cochinchine cruises towards Longxuyen

 

DAY 15: LONGXUYEN -CHO MOI - HOAHOA

Rising up early for another nice day we  contemplate sunrise while having breakfast on board. Visit Longxuyen floating market by small boats

intermingled through the water as vendors buy and sell their fruit. Visit  a crocodile farm and promenade on OngHo island, see daily life of the local people who live on both sides of the Mekong (Bassac river), and small arroyos on the island. Noon approaching we return to Le Cochinchine boat and  carry on our journey  to HoaHao village. Lunch on board. Disembark and head  to Chaudoc.  Tonight we stay overnight in Chaudoc.

 

DAY 16: CHAUDOC - PHNOMPENH

This morning we will have a boat ride from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh departing at 8am. The boat takes us  along the Mekong River. It continues on to the Vietnamese (Vinh Xuong) - Cambodian (Kaom Samnar) border and then to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Arrival transfer our hotel in  Phnompenh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia. A visit to Phnom Penh is a very interesting experience indeed. It is a city with an interesting pulse and it gives you a very true taste of Asia. We  will visit the Wats Phnom, National museum, silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. Overnight at Sunway  hotel****  in Phnom Penh.

 

DAY 17: PHNOMPENH CRUISE TO SIEMREAP

This morning there will be a transfer to Phompenh airport port for the flight to Siemreap. Arrival Siemriep, transfer to the hotel .Visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm.  One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.

Dinner and overnight at Prince d’Angkor hotel. 

 

DAY 18: ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.

Lunch at local restaurant. Aftenroon visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), until sunset. Dinner local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Tonight we will enjoy diner with traditional Khmer folk performance of Apsara.Overnight at Prince d’Angkor hotel.    in Siemriep

 

 

DAY 19:  DEPARTURE

At leisure  to visit  the market or "Les Artisans d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles" of Siem Reap (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination.