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16 DAY VIETNAM & CAMBODIA WITH MEKONG LUXURY CRUISE
Mekong Cruise
Flexible Cancellation
Fully escorted by English-speaking local tour guide
Airfares
Day by Day Itinerary
Hanoi (2 nights), Halong Bay (1 night), Danang (2 nights), Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights), Mekong Cruise (3 nights), Phnom Penh (2 nights), Siem Reap (2 nights)
Highlights
- Travel into an underground world of guerilla warfare, Cu Chi Tunnels
- Stand astounded by the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Temples
- Brace yourself for an excursion around Tan Chau, a slow-paced town near the Cambodian border.
- Visit Phnom Penh’s famous tourist attractions including Killing Fields, the centrally located prison “S21”, Royal Palace and National Museum.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Australia 
Hanoi Capital (Vietnam)
Today you will depart from your home for the flight to Hanoi Capital of Vietnam. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Meal: In-flight.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
After breakfast, you will have a bustling day to visit a city tour of Hanoi and will explore attractions such as the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda) and Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. Following that, you will go to AVG Food & Beverage, one of Asia Vacation Group’s stores. You will learn about the various types of beef imported from Australia and how to be sold to Vietnamese customers here. Enjoy a free soft drink/beer or wine tasting when you visit. Lunch is included in this day.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Optional tour: Half-Day Guided Tour Australian Beef with Wine Tasting & Rickshaw in Hanoi
At one of Hanoi’s authentic restaurants, you will be able to taste the difference of Australian beef prepared and wine tasting by the talented hands of local chefs.
When you join this program, you will enjoy dishes prepared in a special Vietnamese style, as well as spices that you can hardly find at home, which is unlike anything you have ever experienced or done before. As a result, it will be ideal if you pair it with the best local red wine or bottles of wine directly imported from Australia.
We believe that when you return home, you will realize that while Australian beef products appear ordinary, they are produced and used in a very unique way in another country.
Timing: 3, 5 – 4 hour
Day 3
Day 3: Hanoi 
Halong Bay
Today you will travel by coach through the rich farm land of the Red River Delta to arrive at Halong Bay. Designated a World Heritage site in 1994, Halong Bay’s spectacular scatter of islands, dotted with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes, is a vision of ethereal beauty. Upon arrival, you will board you ship to visit the thousands of limestone islands filled with caves of all shapes and sizes. The sails of junks and sampans gliding along the clear and emerald waters of the bay form a magnificent scene that blends into the sky. You will also have the opportunity to visit some of the hidden grottoes beneath the towering cliffs.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight Cruise
Day 4
Day 4: Halong Bay Hanoi Danang
Awake early and join a Tai Chi session on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea before exploring nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk and admire the amazing rock formations of Halong Bay from the sundeck. Your driver will meet you at the Halong jetty then we drive to Noi Bai Airport and get ready for a short flight to Da Nang. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Danang to check in your hotel.
Meal: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Danang
Day 5
Day 5: Danang – Optional tour to Golden Bridge Tour
Today you can enjoy a day of leisure to explore Danang or join our optional tours.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Danang
Optional tour: Golden Bridge Tour
On arrival at the foot of Ba Na Mountain, we’ll travel by cable car up to the Marseille station. Then it’s a short walk to the Golden Bridge which appears to be lifted by two “hands of the Gods”. When you’re on the bridge, you’ll feel like you’re walking on the clouds.
Time for taking photos of the breathtaking view. Afterwards, it’s on to a romantic flower garden – Le Jardin D’Amour. The 9 gardens are 9 stories in 9 unique architectural styles.
Next, it’s time to visit Linh Ung Pagoda to admire its sophisticated architecture and the 27m high Shakyamuni statue.
Finally, we’ll catch the cable car down the hill for the transfer back to Hoi An.
Day 6
Day 6: Danang - Hoi An Walking Tour – Flight to Saigon
After breakfast, you will explore Hoi An’s bustling local market and other attractions with unique architectures such as Old Merchants’ House, a local Chinese Temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Enjoy a stroll along the peaceful Thu Bon River, one of the world’s famous trading port in the past. It will be an ideal day for you to learn about the fascinating stories and history of these ancient architectures.
Late afternoon, get transferred to the airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Danang
Day 7
Day 7: Saigon Cu Chi Tunnels
After breakfast, head to Cu Chi Tunnels, a byzantine maze of underground passages, chambers and booby traps used by both the Viet Minh and the Viet Cong during Vietnam-US war. The tunnel system had become legendary during the 1960s as a strategic military base and underground community life.
In the afternoon, you will visit the bustling city of Saigon such as: Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, War Remnant Museum and dive into the colorful Ben Thanh Market, one of Ho Chi Minh’s liveliest areas
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
Optional tour: Dinner on Saigon River Cruise
Dinner on Saigon River Cruise offers an opportunity to witness another side of Saigon. The city is not only a bustling metropolis but also a romantic land. Hop on a huge wooden barge and sail down the river. Feel the gentle breeze caressing your skin and enjoy a lovely dinner accompanied by the traditional music and dance performances.
Allotment on cruise is the subject to change. Please check availability when requested.
Day 8
Day 8: The Jahan Cruise: Saigon - My Tho - Cai Be
Today, you will meet in the welcome lounge in Saigon, enjoy a drink then travel 70 km to My Tho. On arrival, embark on a luxury cruise for a journey along the mighty Mekong River. The professional crew will warmly welcome you on board then guide you to check in your prepared state-room. A lunch buffet is served in the restaurant on board.
In the afternoon, you can leisurely enjoy tea at your private balcony or at the open air bar while the cruise steadily glides upstream to reach Cai Be, a charming town well-known for its spiritual Catholic French Church and manufacturer of traditional crafts and food products. We drop anchor near Cai Be. Enjoy dinner on board and watch the selected classic movies.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight in Jahan Cruise
Day 9
Day 9: The Jahan Cruise: Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau
Awake early and join a Tai Chi session on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise. This morning, you will take a Cai Be tour. Go on-shore to visit a workshop where you can learn how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies are manufactured. Continue to cruise through the lush and green canal network and observe farmers working on fields. Lunch is served on board.
In the afternoon, upon arrival in Sa Dec, you will embark on a local boat and head towards Binh Thanh island to explore the native life and witness the manual process of mat making. Also, you will meet an elderly local couple who will share their exciting stories on life on this island.
Back on board and take a dip in a pool on the sun deck and listen to a presentation of the expert guide on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” while the ship continues to Tan Chau, the border town to Cambodia. We will moor near Tan Chau.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight in Jahan Cruise
Day 10
Day 10: The Jahan Cruise: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh.
After breakfast at the dining hall, you will go on-shore and take an excursion around Tan Chau by “xe loi”, a local vehicle used as a taxi in this region. Slowly cross the streets to see all the local houses and workshops before stopping at the colorful market for shopping. Afterwards, hop on a local boat to visit the floating fish farm and see how fish farming works. Back on board and cruise towards Phnom Penh. Spend your rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Dinner is served before arriving in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight in Jahan Cruise
Day 11
Day 11: Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh, described as the “Pearl of the Orient”. You will go on-shore and get transferred to check in your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 12
Day 12: Phnom Penh City Tour
This morning, you will take a Phnom Penh city tour to The Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Wat Ounalom and Central Market. Then discover the place where journalists camped on the eve of the Khmer Rouge takeover, followed by a visit to the ghostly building. Later on, continue to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime before heading to Choeung Ek Killing Field to learn about the atrocities that took place here. To end your journey today, you will have a chance to taste some Khmer snacks while learning about the sombre Cambodian history.
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 13
Day 13: Phnom Penh Siem Reap
Today you will board a domestic flight to Siem Reap where you’ll stay for two nights. On arrival, check in your hotel and relax.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 14
Day 14: Siem Reap Angkor Temples Complex
Spend a full-day visiting the breathtaking Angkor Temples including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (home to Elephant Terrace, Bayon Temple, Terrace of Leper King and Ta Prohm).
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 15
Day 15: Siem Reap Australia
You will get some free time before getting transferred to the airport for a flight back home.
Meal: Breakfast, In-flight meals
Accommodation: On flight
Optional tour: Tonle Sap Lake Tour
Hop on a boat to Tonle Sap Lake. All the houses here are on stilts. The tour offers breathtaking views of floodplains, rice fields and water vistas as far as the eye can see. You have a chance to take a look at crocodiles raised by a family and see how Vietnamese people live on a large lake. Then we return to the hotel for relaxing.
Day 16
Day 16: Home Arrival
You will arrive home today.
Meal: N/A.
Accommodation: N/A.
Included
- International flights from/to Australia to Vietnam, Cambodia
- Daily (group) shore-excursions & entrance fees
- Luxury Accommodation and breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability)
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- Entertainment/activities during the cruise as mentioned in the program
- All local boat rentals as mentioned in the program
- Internet on the ship (subject to cellular network signal)
- Water bottles during tours
- Air-conditioned transportation
- All entrance and sightseeing fees as mentioned in the program
- Local English speaking guides in Vietnam Cambodia
Excluded
- Meals and drinks are not mentioned in the program
- Visa fees in Vietnam, Cambodia
- Tipping for driver and tour guide (suggestion: 10AUD/pp/day)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (we strongly recommend you hold a valid travel insurance policy for all domestic and overseas travel)
- Trip delay or interruption by airline schedule change
- Extra cost or missing tour caused by flight delay or cancel
- Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
Fine Print
Flight Information
FLIGHTS, UPGRADES & EXTENSIONS
Airfare Information
- Airline: Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways or similar (23kg for checked baggage per passenger and 7kg hand luggage per passenger)
- Some flights will require a minimum of 1 transit (maximum 2).
- Despite the airlines baggage allowance, we recommend travelling with 23 kilos per person due to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Also, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters is not included. If travelling over this amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable direct.
- Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable. Any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees.
- Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required.
- Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control.
Any airline ‘extras’ such as pre-allocated seating is at your own arrangement (additional charges apply)
Important Information
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with CHI Travel Insurance to offer you competitive rates for your travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return and must have more than 4 blank pages.
Australian passport holder is required to have a visa for travel to Vietnam. The visa is easiest to complete with Asia Vacation group and just need to pay AUD160 for Vietnam visa single entry.
Once approved, please ensure that you travel with the following documentation as they are required to present to customs upon arrival into the country.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
For Cambodia, you will obtain your visa when crossing the border from Vietnam to Cambodia. The cost of the Cambodian Visa is around USD$37 per person.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Please be advised that tipping for tour guides, drivers and bellmen are required and will be collected by your travel consultant 7 days before you depart. A gratuity of 10AUD per person/day can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry as they have done an impeccable job to serve you through your holiday.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults. Children below 5 years are not allowed on board.
How to Extend Your Stay
Arriving early/Extending your trip: From $200 per person is applied for trip extension or early arrivals (subject to availability and applicable fare difference). If you wish to extend your trip, please note in your Booking Form then we will provide quotations for you. The fee above is just administrative only, no service included.
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