Vietnam & Cambodia

Tour members from across Canada gather for our overnight flights to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Welcome to Vietnam! We are met on arrival by your local guide and transferred to a local restaurant for lunch. Check in to your centrally located hotel this afternoon, then a welcome dinner sets the scene for the days ahead.

Grand Mercure Hanoi Hotel (2 nights)       

Starting our day with strong Vietnamese coffee, we explore the legendary Hoàn Kiếm Lake, and its red-lacquered Thê Húc Bridge before losing ourselves in the Old Quarter's 36 Streets, where each narrow lane has traded the same craft for centuries. Experience the ancient Trấn Quốc Pagoda on the shores of West Lake, then admire the exterior of the Opera House and St. Joseph's Cathedral, two of Hanoi’s French Colonial landmarks. Our evening brings a beautiful performance of Vietnamese Water Puppetry, an art form over 1,000 years old.                                                     

We depart for Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 1,600+ limestone karst islands. We board our luxury cruise and relax in cabins with private balconies and bathtubs as we sail among magnificent scenery. 

Hermes Premium Cruise (1 night)                                

Welcome to Siem Reap, the gateway to the ancient temples of the Khmer Empire. Beyond its beautiful temples dating back to the 9th century, Siem Reap is also rich in culture and nature. 

Borei Angkor Resort and Spa (3 nights)                     

At Angkor Thom we explore the iconic Bayon Temple with its 216 serene stone faces, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the ruins of Phimeanakas, before the atmospheric Ta Prohm, a Mahayana Buddhist monastery built in 1186 where jungle and stonework intertwine. Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, was designed as a replica of Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu mythology. After lunch, we visit Les Artisans d'Angkor to see traditional Cambodian silk weaving, lacquerware, and stone carving, concluding an unforgettable day.            

Beyond the temples and carvings of Angkor, Khmer culture has another story to tell, one best discovered through food. We visit a local market to choose fresh ingredients before heading to a cooking class, where we prepare and savour local Khmer delicacies. In the afternoon we visit Banteay Srei, the "Citadel of Women" a jewel of Khmer architecture built in red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. End the day with a stroll around the remarkable well-preserved 12th century temple, Banteay Samre.                                                                           

We transfer by coach to Steung Trang to embark on our ship and new home for the next week. 

RV Bassac Pandaw (7 nights)                                     

Relax with morning Tai Chi or a coffee on deck as we cruise to Peam Chi Korng, where a tuk tuk ride brings us to watch potters at work. We then step ashore at Pak Russei to see silk weaving and handmade noodle crafting, before a private Bokator performance offers an intimate glimpse into Cambodian village culture.

In the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong, we’ll pause at the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre for a brief meditation. Admire impressive Khmer architecture before we rejoin our ship in Kampong Tralach. Travel by ox-cart around the riverside villages to experience rural life. Locals share their culture with us through a traditional dance performance and cocktails around a village fire pit.       

We arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, famous for its French colonial architecture and scenic riverfront. We explore by private cyclo, a uniquely Southeast Asian mode of transport, visiting the grand Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum with its remarkable Angkorian statuary. We later visit Choeung Ek, one of Cambodia's most significant memorial sites.                                          

Say farewell to Cambodia as we make our way downriver towards the border. We sail towards Chau Doc where we can unwind on an evening stroll before dinner.

A short drive takes us to Sam Mountain, where we climb the many steps to visit the Hang Pagoda with stunning views of the Mekong River. We visit the floating fish farms by sampan before being treated to a private lion dance performance at a local village.                                        

Journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This fertile farming land is home to half of Vietnam’s rice production. Savour lunch onboard as we sail along the Cho Gao Canal toward Saigon. As night falls, we drift into central Saigon, where dinner is served with sweeping views of the skyline. 

Saigon, once the capital of French Cochinchina, pulses with history at every turn. The preserved rooms of the Presidential Palace stay unchanged since 1975, while the History Museum houses 30,000+ artefacts. The French-style Notre Dame Cathedral offers a moment of stillness before the War Remnants Museum delivers a sobering and essential account of the Vietnam War. The Ben Thanh Market will be a nice ending to the day, where we experience the sights, sounds, and aromas of Vietnamese daily life. 

Lotte Hotel Saigon (2 nights)                           

We explore the extraordinary Cu Chi Tunnels, a 200-kilometre underground network used by Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam War. Emerging back into the sunlight, we head into Cholon, Vietnam’s largest Chinatown, visiting the modest Cha Tam Church and the atmospheric Thien Hau Temple, its hanging incense coils and elaborate ceramic roof friezes. Time to reminisce at the farewell dinner.                                                                           

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our journey back to Canada.