Classic Vietnam & Mekong River Adventure
17 days
from Hanoi to Siem Reap
From
$ 3649
Duration17 days
If you’re travelling Vietnam solely by land, you’re missing out on half the adventure. This tour doesn't leave anything out. Cruise Halong Bay by junk boat; explore Hue’s historic monuments; check out the My Son ruins; witness daily life along the Mekong as you drift into Cambodia; and so much more. The ultimate Southeast Asia experience awaits. Get on board.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 17 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: HanoiPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: Siem ReapAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi
There are no planned activities today until an evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt for dinner out with the group.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Hanoi/Ha Long
Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.
In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner.
Fresh seafood meal on board.
Fresh seafood meal on board.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Ha Long/Huế
Enjoy breakfast on board before a morning sail back to the port. Drive back to Hanoi for a little more time to enjoy the city before boarding an overnight train.
Cruise back to the port and take a private van to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue.
Breakfast on board a traditional junk boat.
Enjoy an early lunch aboard the junk boat.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Huế
Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery.
While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda.
Day 5: Huế/Hoi An
Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.
With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins.
Meals: B
Day 6: Hoi An
Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.
Enjoy a noodle-making demo and tasty lunch.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Hoi An
Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.
Meals: B
Day 8: Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City
Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.
Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic city.
Meals: B
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City
With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: B
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City/Mỹ Tho
Transfer to the pier for the start of the riverboat journey. Embark, settle in, and get to know the crew as the adventure begins. Sail towards My Tho.
Meet in the lobby of our accommodation at 12:00pm for the transfer to the starting point of the riverboat journey.
Meals: D
Day 11: Mỹ Tho/Sadek
Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda with a short tour of My Tho town en route. Take local boats to Thoi Son Island to see a coconut product manufacturer, taste some local fruit and honey and meet traditional musicians. Continue on to Cai Be and enjoy a visit to the floating market. Opt to wander the small paths through local communities on the island and visit a Rice Popping cottage industry. Continue by local boat to Vinh Long to meet the vessel. Embark for the evening sail to Sa Dec.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Sadek/Xã Vĩnh Xương
Visit the Kien An Cung Pagoda in Sa Dec and stroll through the market along the river. View the old colonial houses by the delta. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board as you cruise the Mekong. Arrive at Chau Doc and visit Sam Mountain for sunset. Gaze out over the rice paddies or relax in a hammock. Visit some temples and pagodas along the way. Opt for dinner in town.
Meals: B, L
Day 13: Xã Vĩnh Xương/Phnom Penh
Cross the border into Cambodia and continue on to Phnom Penh. Enjoy an evening in the capital city starting with a cyclo tour to see the city from a new perspective. Opt to finish up at the Foreign Correspondents Club for Happy Hour overlooking the river or dinner in town.
During the border crossing all passengers must stay on board and the formalities are done on the riverboat. The ship will usually stay at the border for a 2-3 hours whilst all the formalities are completed. Depending on the time spent at the border, the itinerary for the afternoon may vary, although this process is usually quite simple delays can happen.
End place: Phnom Penh
Meals: B, L
Day 14: Phnom Penh
Start place: Phnom Penh
Visit the sobering S21 Museum and the Killing Fields with a local guide. After lunch, use free time to visit sights like the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, or the Russian Market.
Enjoy lunch at a training restaurant.
End place: Phnom Penh
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Phnom Penh/Kâmpóng Trâlach
Start place: Phnom Penh
Wander through the town of Koh Chen on an island in the river. Visit silver and copper workshops and meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to tell his story. Continue to Kampong Tralach and visit the local vihara (Buddhist monastery) and Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. Opt to cycle, or ride in a tuk tuk or buffalo cart, through the village and past rice paddies to reach the monastery.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Kâmpóng Trâlach/Chnok Tru
Sail on to Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap RIver. Learn more about the fish farming, pottery and sugar palm production in the area. Wander through the local market then opt to cycle to visit the local industries. Enjoy lunch back on the ship en route to Chnok Tru. Hop in a local boat to visit one of the largest floating villages on the river. Enjoy an evening cocktail and the Captain's farewell dinner.
When water levels are too low (possible from mid December to mid August) it may not be possible to visit the floating village at Chnok Tru. Alternatively, the group will visit a floating village at Kampong Chhnang and anchor near Koh Chen.
Enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner on board.
End place: Chhnok Tru
Meals: B, L, D
Day 17: Chnok Tru/Siem Reap
Start place: Chhnok Tru
Depart for Siem Reap early morning. Tour ends upon arrival. Please book onward travel after 4pm.
Tour ends upon arrival at approximately 11am. Please book onward travel from 4pm.
If there is inclement weather, or when water levels are too low (possible from mid December to mid August) it may not be possible to sail to the port in Siem Reap. Alternatively, the group will transfer from Koh Chen to Siem Reap by bus.
If there is inclement weather, or when water levels are too low (possible from mid December to mid August) it may not be possible to sail to the port in Siem Reap. Alternatively, the group will transfer from Koh Chen to Siem Reap by bus.
End place: Siem Reap
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch, Hoi An Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Hoi An
- Halong Bay caves entrance
- Halong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner
- Imperial Citadel and Tomb entrance (Hue)
- Cu Chi Tunnels entrance and tour
- Vinh Trang Pagoda visit
- Thoi Son Island cottage industries tour
- Kien An Cung Pagoda visit (Sa Dec)
- Sam Mountain sunset visit
- Cyclo tour (Phnom Penh)
- Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) guided tour
- Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) guided tour
- Koh Chen island visit including cottage industries
- Vihara and pagoda visit (Kampong Tralach)
- Kampong Chhnang visit
- Chhnok Tru floating village visit
- Farewell cocktail and Captain's dinner
- 7 nights aboard the Toum Tiou II Riverboat with options to cycle to excursions along the way
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Junk boat, Cyclo, Overnight train (beds), Plane, Toum Tiou II Riverboat -
Accommodation
Hotels (7 nts), Sleeper train (1 nt), Junk boat (1 nt), Aboard the Toum Tiou II Riverboat (7 nts)