VIETNAM & CAMBODIA PURE INDULGENCE - 21 DAYS

Arrive Hanoi

Arrival day in Hanoi and start by meeting your local guide who will assist in transporting you to your hotel.

Hanoi City Tour

Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. After that, visit One Pillar Pagoda which is a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It is regarded alongside the Perfume Temple, as one of Vietnam's two most iconic temples. Followed by lunch where you will try Bun Cha – a Hanoi specialty and a dish that President Obama famously shared with the late Anthony Bourdain.
Wind your way afterward to the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview of Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. We’ll take you through the Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life, visiting Ngoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy a water puppet show at Thang Long Theater before capping the day by a witness to the flag-lowering ceremony at Ba Dinh Square.

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay with Heritage Cruises

After breakfast, leave Hanoi for Tuan Chau Marina in Halong City and be greeted at the lounge by cruise team before boarding. Enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions and check-in to your suite. Set sail for Da Chong islet, where you can see a heritage lighthouse built by the French more than 100 years ago as you enjoy a delicious lunch served at L’Indochine Restaurant. We continue to cruise to Gia Luan Lagoon where limestone karst formations rise out of the sea. This quiet bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise ships visit.
In the afternoon we reach Ba Trai Dao beaches (or Tra Bau) in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between two provinces, Halong Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago. This is a secret hideaway with its pristine beaches, caves and coves, plus the natural beauty of about 400 limestone islands. Here you can enjoy a kayak go for a swim or just enjoy the beach. In the early evening we head back to the cruise ship and grab a cocktail to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy a tea ceremony, massage, or a Vietnamese traditional cooking demonstration before sitting down for a memorable dining experience at Le Tonkin restaurant features local delicacies in an intimate setting.
End the day relaxing at the top-deck bar, try your hand at squid fishing or simply retire to your suite for the evening.

Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay

For the early birds start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries. Following breakfast, we transferred to a speedboat to visit Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle ride ỏ electric car through a rainforest tunnel that leads to a rice-field vista. Visit a traditional house in a village deep in a national park where you can observe the lifestyle of the local people and enjoy lunch in the village. Back to the speedboat to visit Bai Tu Long Bay. We reach Bai Tu Long Bay where you can go bamboo boating or kayaking at Ba Ham Lake, enclosed by vertical cliffs (if the weather permits), or just relax back to Bra Trai Dao beaches. We return to the ship to enjoy cocktails, beer, and fine wine as the sky changes color. The chef will lead a Vietnamese cookery class followed by fine dining experience in the main restaurant. Finish the evening with the last cocktails at the bar on the top deck or enjoy an early night in.

Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Nho Que River

Another session of Vovinam is available on the sundeck for the early rises and a light breakfast will be served after. We then head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave before heading back to the ship for check-out. Enjoy brunch while cruising back to harbor and we return to Tuan Chau Marina and relax at our lounge while your transportation arrives. Arrival in Hanoi, and drop-off at your hotel at approximately 2pm

Hanoi to Hue

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ha Noi Airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, meet with your guide for a transfer to the Azerai La Residence Hue. In the afternoon, you will visit Hue Garden House & Thien Mu Pagoda
Garden houses are an important heritage of the lives of former aristocrats in Hue as most garden houses have a connection with the Imperial Court. Some are the descendants of royalty or mandarins; others received patronage from the royal family. Visit An Hien garden house, situated 30 minutes out of town and originally the residence of Emperor Duc Duc’s 18th daughter. The house is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Massive pillars support a large tiled roof, with the family altar in the middle. A large rectangular lily pond separates a screen, designed to keep out evil spirits, and the house. Another classic example of a garden house is the former home of Princess Ngoc Son, a classic structure with three bays and two wings. The highlight is a small artificial rock garden. The present owner also has a fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire. From there, the vehicle will take you to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Standing on the riverbank with its seven-story tower, the pagoda is a sight to behold and is considered Hue’s symbol.

Hue City Tour

Start from your hotel with a 10-minute cyclo-ride from your hotel to the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO-listed site. Enter through the towering main gate and you will appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections still intact and others that are being lovingly restored. After that, drive out 30 minutes to the picturesque Tu Duc Royal Tomb. Its architecture and atmosphere showcase elements of Eastern art in harmony with nature and the surrounding landscapes.
On the way back visiting Tu Hieu Pagoda – where the Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh spent his final years, and also the cemetery of the eunuchs who served in the courts of the Nguyen Dynasty throughout the times. A drive to the nearby incense-making village offers great opportunities for photoshoots. A further drive to Thanh Toan Bridge, a beautiful yet elegant bridge that has drawn many visitors to admire its unique structure and surroundings. Stop by the Museum of Farming Tools to learn a bit more about the agriculture of the Hue people. Return to your hotel.

Hue to Hoi An – Hai Van Pass

Transfer to Hoi An with a stopover on the Hai Van Pass, then a visit to Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang. A short city tour including a lovely walk on the bank of Han River and the interesting Cham Museum. Continue to the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is well-preserved where some streets are off-limits to motorbikes and building alterations are well enforced. Check-in at your hotel.

Cooking Class & Hoi An Town Walking Tour

We start the day (8.15 am) with a welcome drink at Hai Café.
Visit Hoi An’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds, and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.
We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.

On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat what we have cooked.
Bring your swimsuit and after the cooking tour has finished relax and enjoy free use of our 20-meter swimming pool – towels and showers provided.
Recipes:
• Rice paper (making)
• Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
• Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs, Bean Sprouts & a Peanut Sauce
• Seafood Salad with Tra Que Herbs
• Quang Nam Style Fresh Noodles with Chicken
• Food Decoration – Tomato Rose & Vietnamese Hand Fan
Vegetarians are provided with replacement ingredients.
Lunch includes the above meals as well as:
BBQ lemongrass beef with local herbs, lettuce & mustard leaf wraps (not included in the demonstration).
After lunch, walk around the ancient town center for one of the most enjoyable visits in Vietnam. Taking in the former merchants’ house, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Phung Hung Old House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, museums, and the colorful market with its stalls brimming with local specialties. You can get measured and fitted today and your new garments will be ready for collection in a day or two.

Hoi An – Day at Leisure

Free at leisure.

Hoi An to Quy Nhon – The Vietage Train

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to Danang Train Station. Embark on a luxurious railway adventure through the lush landscape and spectacular coastlines of Central Vietnam to Quy Nhon. The golden shores of Quy Nhon take you off the beaten track to a place of tranquil coves, verdant national parks, and ancient temples. Settle into seaside relaxation or venture out and explore the rich coastal culture of Central Vietnam.
(Duration: 6 hours.)

Arrival to Quy Nhon, pick up and transfer to Anantara Quy Nhon Villas.

Quy Nhon – Day at Leisure

Free time at leisure to enjoy the beach and hotel facilities.

Quy Nhon to Saigon

After breakfast, the resort’s driver will drive you to Phu Cat Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Saigon City Tour

Enjoy a number of visits to Saigon’s landmarks such as The Reunification Palace, The Opera House, Central Post Office, *Notre Dame Cathedral Ngoc Hoang Temple, Thien Hau Temple, and FITO Museum. You will then be dropped back to your hotel.

*Notre Dame Cathedral (under renovation, photo outside only)
You will be met at your hotel for an afternoon HẺM Tour. “Hem”, literally “alleys” is a specialty of Saigon, and a visit to the maze of alleys with numerous stops for the local foods would be a great time for those who are interested in off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Saigon at leisure

Today are free to explore the city at your leisure.

Mekong River – My Tho

Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the morning for some last-minute shopping, and a light meal before the Aqua Mekong team meets you at the Park Hyatt to transfer you to My Tho dock where you will be welcomed aboard your “home” for the next four nights. Settle into your floating retreat, with its window wall unveiling an endlessly captivating panorama. Enjoy these private Mekong moments on your California King bed, terrace, or daybed.

Mekong River – Binh Thanh/Sa Dec – My An Hung

Begin the day at Binh Thanh mat weaving village or opt to visit Sa Dec where we will peruse the vibrant market and see the famous house of Marguerite Duras' legendary lover, Mr. Huynh Thuy Le. In the afternoon, visit a typical Mekong Delta village called My An Hung where we will walk through verdant plantations. We will be invited to a local's home to taste local fruits while hearing traditional folk songs performed by villagers followed by a unique unicorn dance. A 17-kilometer biking option is also available.

Mekong River – Chau Doc – Vinh Xuong – Ka’Om – Samnor Border 

Travel by skiff along Bassac Canal to Chau Doc floating market then head off by van to Long Son Pagoda atop Sam Mountain. Ask the monks about their age-old Buddhist practices. Return via the bustling morning market. Optional 18-kilometer bike ride on Long Khanh Island or take a rickshaw ride to visit Tan Chau Market with our chef. After lunch, relax by the pool, try a traditional Khmer massage or learn to cook Mekong-inspired dishes while we cross the border.

Mekong River – Koh Okhna Tey – Preah Prosop

On this river of time we admire dexterous Khmer artisans dyeing and weaving kroma, the ubiquitous fabric no Khmer lives without. Explore the riverbank on two wheels if you wish, past Buddhist temples and thatch houses perched on spindly wooden stilts while white oxen wade just offshore. After lunch, we board our marine- grade aluminum skiffs and head towards the tamarind trees of Preah Prosop, a remote village little changed over several lifetimes.

Mekong River – Koh Okhna Tey – Preah Prosop – Phnom Penh

We show off the Cambodian capital to our passengers by motorized tuk-tuk, the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. For those who wish, we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide or choose to shop at the Russian Market. The Aqua Mekong team will bid you farewell as you disembark in Phnom Penh and their guides will escort you in a private luxury car to Raffles Le Royale Phnom Penh.

Mekong River – Koh Okhna Tey – Preah Prosop

Enjoy breakfast before you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.