APT TOURS VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA GRAND TOUR

DAY 1 - Arrive Hanoi

Land in Vietnam’s buzzing capital city. Be transferred to your hotel, then tonight, enjoy an informal gathering.

Stay: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi  

DAY 2 - Hanoi, Sapa

Rise early and transfer to the ancient mountain town of Sapa. Here, local hill tribes buy and sell household wares and handicrafts in bustling markets, and life has remained largely unchanged for centuries. You’ll also take in sweeping views as you ride the funicular train to Mount Fansipan.

Stay: Two Nights, Sapa, Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa

Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 - Sapa

Explore the traditions of the Black H'mong people in Sau Chua village.

Today, set off on a soft trekking tour. In Ta Phin village, find the home of the Red Dao people. Tonight, return to your hotel for dinner.

Daily :  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 - Sapa, Hanoi

Travel by coach back to Hanoi this morning for an afternoon of leisure.

Stay: Three Nights, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Daily : Breakfast

DAY 5 - Hanoi

Today, further explore Hanoi at your own pace. Tonight, meet more of your fellow travellers over a welcome briefing and dinner.

Daily : Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 - Hanoi

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.

Tonight, you’re invited to choose from a vast range of 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 : Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 - Hanoi, Ha Long Bay

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 : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 - 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.

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 - 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

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 - Hoi An

Discover Hoi An’s colourful market and find local ingredients you’ll 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 : Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11 - 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.

Daily : Breakfast

DAY 12 - 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 : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13 - 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 Nights, Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon

Daily : Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14 - Ho Chi Minh City, Long Tan or Cu Chi Tunnels

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.

Experience dinner at Vietnam House, founded by Australian-Vietnamese celebrity chef Luke Nguyen.

Choose from one of two Signature Experiences today. Tonight, another Signature Experience awaits.

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15 - Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship

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 : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16 - Cai Be, Sa Dec

In Cai Be, visit the French Gothic cathedral and port area. Then, at a rice paper manufacturer, learn how this Vietnamese staple is made. 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 traditional Cao Dai temple.

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 17 - Tan Chau, Evergreen Island, Border Crossing

Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. 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.

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 18 - Phnom Penh

Experience some of Cambodia’s sobering history with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields. Afterwards, see the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, 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. 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.

Enjoy your Freedom of Choice activity then relax back on board this evening.

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 19 - Oudong, Koh Chen, Oknha Tey

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.

DAY 20 - 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.

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 21 -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.

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 22 -Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap

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

Daily : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 23 -Siem Reap

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).

Daily : Breakfast

DAY 24 -Siem Reap

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.

Daily : Breakfast, Dinner