Our Mekong Explorer itinerary has been intricately designed for those who wish to see iconic sites and magnificent treasures. You'll travel with the assurance that all your arrangements are taken care of, with international flights, accommodation and all the touring listed below. You will be accompanied by our industry-leading National Escorts whose unparalleled knowledge and talent will turn your tour into an unforgettable experience.

DAY 1: HANOI
Fly to Hanoi where you will be met at the airport in the arrival hall by your Local Guide or National Escort. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer 45 minutes to your hotel and check into your room or store any luggage if your room is not ready yet. There is no sightseeing today.

DAY 2: HANOI
Discover the sights of Hanoi today. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, followed by the Humble House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. Next drive to the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. Later experience an exhilarating cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Each cyclo takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Stop for the opportunity to taste some traditional egg coffee, before proceeding to a late lunch. Tonight, attend The Quintessence of Tonkin show, an artistic open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.

DAY 3: HANOI - HALONG BAY
Drive around 2 and a half hours from Hanoi to Halong, where you will take an overnight cruise to the far-most corners of the bay by boat. Boarding your boat could involve navigating your way over and through other boats, moored between it and the dock, sometimes without handrails, ladders or assistance from staff. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities. Activities are subject to change due to cruise selection and weather conditions. Sightseeing usually includes visiting underground caves on the islands which involves climbing up and down lots of steps. End the day on deck with a drink in hand to watch the sunset over the bay followed by a freshly prepared dinner, before retiring to your cabin for the night. You will need to pack a smaller overnight bag for your trip to Halong Bay. Main luggage will be left in safe storage at the hotel in Hanoi and picked up your return.

DAY 4: HALONG BAY - HUE
Spend the morning sailing through Halong Bay. After brunch return to Hanoi for your 1 hour flight to Hue.

DAY 5: HUE
This morning, visit the Imperial Citadel containing the Forbidden Purple City which is still being restored many years after the destruction caused by street fighting and bombing during the American War in Vietnam. Visit the Royal Tomb of Minh Mang to explore the opulent and exotic resting place laid out in formal Chinese style. Continue with a cruise along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's oldest and most beautiful pagoda, built on a hillock overlooking the river. Boarding your cruise could involve navigating your way over and through other boats, moored between it and the dock, sometimes without handrails, ladders or assistance from staff. Finally, visit Tha Om Garden House and its owner, Mr Vinh. Explore the traditional 19th century Hue residence and listen to Mr Vinh’s stories of his royal heritage before returning to your hotel.

DAY 6: HUE - HOI AN
After breakfast, drive approximately 4 hours to Hoi An, this journey will take you over the scenic Hai Van Pass. Stop enroute at Ba Na Hills for lunch, visiting the Golden Bridge, a beautiful bridge held by gigantic stone hands with panoramic views.

DAY 7: HOI AN
Visit a local community farming project just outside of Hoi An – Tra Que village, where the community has come together to create a large vegetable farm. After lunch at the local restaurant, learn the traditional methods the farmers use to plant, fertilise and harvest the crop, then try your hand at raking the ground and sowing seeds. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through the streets of Hoi An, arriving first at Chua Ong Pagoda. Next, pass by the 200-year old Tan Ky House and take a short break at the Japanese Covered Bridge - one of Hoi An’s most iconic structures. Visit the Reaching Out Tea House, an establishment that aids locals with disabilities, for a rejuvenating cup of tea.

DAY 8: HOI AN - SAIGON
Spend some time at leisure before flying to Saigon. After checkin, the rest of your day is at leisure.

DAY 9: SAIGON
Explore modern day Saigon with its heady mix of local culture and colonial influences. Start with the chilling War Remnants Museum and learn of the turmoil that once gripped the country. Explore further with an exhilarating cyclo ride through modern Vietnam. Each cyclo takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and end your ride at the Reunification Palace.

DAY 10: SAIGON
Confront the reality of guerrilla warfare at the Cu Chi Tunnels. The cramped tunnels were central to a few of the war’s strategic operations, including the famous 1968 Tet Offensive, and they did not escape damage. American B52 bombers dropped hundreds of missiles leaving huge tell-tale craters behind. The Cu Chi experience can be emotional for some visitors, but it offers a fascinating window into the hardship and traumas of war. Sightseeing here involves two hours on foot on uneven mud paths through the bush and, if you choose, crawling through some of the tunnels. After an afternoon at leisure, enjoy dinner in the dark at Noir.

DAY 11: SAIGON - VICTORIA MEKONG CRUISE
After breakfast, transfer to the meeting hotel in Saigon where you will say goodbye to your National Escort and be picked up for your cruise by your local guide from Victoria Mekong. Drive to Can Tho, stopping en route for a delicious local lunch. Board the Victoria Mekong which, after a welcome briefing, will cast off into the waters of the Mekong Delta. Relax with a sundowner on deck and sit down to a sumptuous gala dinner whilst enjoying a performance of Đờn ca tài tử - traditional music of the Mekong. Drop anchor at Tiger Island.

DAY 12: VICTORIA MEKONG CRUISE
Enjoy an excursion on Tiger Island. Choose to explore by sampan or electric bike, visiting local industries such as net weaving, incense making and banh in (rice cakes) making. Continue upstream to Long Xuyen and disembark once more to visit the bustling floating market and a local museum. Sit down to dinner and evening entertainment before retiring to your cabin. Drop anchor at Vam Nao.

DAY 13: VICTORIA MEKONG CRUISE
Cast off early to arrive in Tan Chau. On arrival, head to shore to visit a colourful Cao Dai temple and a silk village, where you’ll learn all about the traditional silk making process, by xe loi (local rickshaw) or you can explore the town by electric bike. Eat lunch back on the ship before more shore excursions around Tan Chau, with the option to take an exhilarating speedboat ride to Tra Su Forest. This evening features a thrilling lion dance performance!

DAY 14: VICTORIA MEKONG CRUISE
Today, the Victoria Mekong will pass over the border into Cambodia and sail towards Phnom Penh. Spend a relaxed day enjoying the passing scenery and a wealth of onboard activities, such as lectures and cocktail making. In the late afternoon, dock at Phnom Penh’s Sisowath Quay where, this evening, you will be entertained with a traditional Cambodian apsara performance by local children. Sip a farewell cocktail before a final gala dinner. Cast off early to arrive in Tan Chau.  

DAY 15: VICTORIA MEKONG CRUISE - PHNOM PENH
Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant before disembarking and bidding farewell to the Victoria Mekong. Board a cyclo and head from the pier into the heart of the city to visit the magnificent Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda before perusing the treasures of the National Museum. After a final stop at Wat Phnom, enjoy a cold glass of local beer with beautiful views over the riverfront.

DAY 16: PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP
Reflect on the history of the city with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields. The visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum involves 1 hour on foot. This museum commemorates the atrocities that occurred during the regime of Pol Pot. The transfer south-west to the Killing Fields will take 30 minutes. You will spend about 1 hour here on foot for a harrowing insight into Cambodia’s tumultuous past. Most people find it quite confronting and emotional so you will be given time to explore on your own. Later on, transfer to the airport for your 45-minute flight to Siem Reap.

DAY 17: SIEM REAP
Spanning from the 9th to 15th century, the Angkor complex with over 1,000 temples was the seat of the thriving Khmer Empire. UNESCO manages the complex and, to enter, your group will drive approximately 6km out of town to the main entrance gate to get your entrance passes, which you must carry with you. If you choose to climb at any site, you must be able to climb and descend without assistance. Begin at the city of Angkor Thom and the enigmatic Bayon, the
Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King before continuing to the temple of Ta Prohm, enveloped in a labyrinth of jungle. This afternoon is devoted to the fascinating and awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. In the evening, relax on-board a boat and view the sunset on Angkor’s moat.

DAY 18: SIEM REAP
In the high-water season, drive to Kampong Phluk is a cluster of three villages of stilts houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap lake. In the lower water season, you will visit Chong Kneas floating village. Get a glimpse into local life at the home of a Khmer family. Return to Siem Reap to enjoy a performance by the PHARE Cambodian Circus, an NGO which teaches street children to become internationally renowned circus artists.

DAY 19: SIEM REAP
Today, travel by tuk tuk to a shared cooking lesson, where you will learn to prepare traditional Khmer dishes. The chef will teach you all about what goes into the local cuisine, as you create a delicious meal! Spend your afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner.

DAYS 20-21: DEPART SIEM REAP
Today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departing flight. Any time before your departure today is free at your leisure. Fly home to Australia, arriving the same or the following day.