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Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1514812
Tailor Made Vietnam & Cambodia: The Mekong & Angkor Wat
Travel with your private party on this Luxury Tailor Made Journey, departing when you choose and with expert local guides leading the way; you can even customize the itinerary to your interests.
Set out on an enriching independent journey to explore the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise the iconic Mekong River aboard 'Aqua Mekong,' visiting remote villages en route; Ride Like a Local by tuk-tuk around Phnom Penh's Royal Palace; discover Ho Chi Minh City's lively Chinatown; and take in the wonder of Angkor Wat.
9 nights | Call for pricing
Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor Made Vietnam & Cambodia: The Mekong & Angkor Wat
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your luxurious hotel.
Begin your day with a visit with local artisans. Afterward, explore Chinatown by cyclo (rickshaw), stopping at a traditional Chinese medicine shop and herbal market. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Reunification Hall. Continue to the Museum of Vietnamese History or view photographs from Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, at the War Remnants Museum. Finish by getting in touch with southern Vietnam’s spiritual side at Cao Dai Temple.
After a morning at leisure, transfer to My Tho and board luxurious ‘Aqua Mekong’ to set sail on the fabled Mekong. The twelfth-largest river in the world,the Mekong spans 2,700 miles and flows through six countries, from the Tibetan Plateau through China's Yunnan province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand,Cambodia and Vietnam. Serving as a major trade route between Western China and Southeast Asia, this “mother of water” — also called the River Khong— flows through mountains and dense forests and past floating markets, affording a scenic passage through areas of rich biodiversity.
Begin the day at Binh Thanh village to observe mat-weaving. Alternately, visit the port city of Sa Dec, seeing its vibrant market and the house of French authorMarguerite Duras’ lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Here, she set much of her autobiographical novel, The Lover. After lunch on board, visit the quaint village of MyAn Hung. Traverse its lush plantations and sample local fruit alongside residents while listening to traditional folk music. You may also set out on anoptional bike ride.
Travel by skiff to Chau Doc floating market. Then, pay a visit to Long Son Pagoda atop Sam Mountain, where you visit with monks. You may also choose tocycle on Long Khanh Island or take a rickshaw ride to Tan Chau Market alongside your vessel’s chef. After lunch, relax by the pool or learn to cook Mekong inspired dishes as your vessel crosses into Cambodia.
On your final day on the legendary river, learn about the art of dyeing and weaving traditional kromas (scarves), gaining insight from locals. You mayalso explore the riverbank by bike. Enjoy lunch, and then board a skiff to visit the remote village of Preah Prosop to experience the pace and practices of daily life.
Disembark in Phnom Penh. See the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum by tuk-tuk. You maythen opt to make a poignant visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide, which serves as a memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge. Alternatively, shop for handicrafts at the busy Russian Market. Afterward, transfer to airport and fly to Siem Reap, where you enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Begin your day with a visit to lesser known Banteay Srei, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Stop at the Cambodia Clean Water Project, an Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy-sponsored initiative that builds pumping wells in rural communities throughout the country, before stopping for lunch. This afternoon, visit Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. See the richly adorned Bayon Temple with its 172 large-scale faces. Then, view the Terrace of Elephants, its time-worn stone walls displaying pachyderms in bas-relief and the Terrace of the Leper King, believed to have been used as a royal cremation site.
Rise early this morning to experience the incomparable serenity and inspiration of watching the sun rise over mystical Angkor Wat before exploring the vast temple complex with your expert local guide. Later in the morning, discover the mysterious tree-root entangled ruins of Ta Phrom. The remainder of your day is at leisure, free to further explore Siem Reap on your own, indulge in your hotel’s amenities or simply relax. Tonight, dine at a local restaurant and reflect on your journey.
After a morning at leisure, transfer to the airport to board your departing flight.
Chau Doc is located along the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The main market in the center of town and the floating markets along the river are worth exploring. The other main attraction of the city is hiking up Sam Mountain where visitors will find traditional Vietnamese Pagoda's and temples.
Phnom Penh Sightseeing Tour – 9 hours - Phnom Penh
Highlights:
Cu Chi Tunnels & Sai Gon Highlights Tour – 10 hours - Saigon
Highlights:
Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City Tour – 10 hours - Saigon
Highlights:
Mekong Delta Tour – 10 hours - Saigon
Highlights:
Meet with guide at the ship docking and transfer to town. Car and guide is at disposal.
Limited area: Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: Within 4 hours OR within 8 hours
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Inclusive of: | Non-inclusive of: |
· Private transfers and transportation with Local English speaking guide · Cold towels and water on car · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities |
· Vietnam visa · Accommodation with daily breakfast · Entrance fees · All meals · All flights · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column |
Full Day Saigon City Tour (8 hours)
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city centre for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. Appreciate the restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the elegant City Hall (the former Hotel de Ville), two of Saigon’s most stunning colonial monuments. If time permits, we will visit the iconic Ben Thanh Market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and popular wholesale market for local handicrafts, textiles, souvenirs and street food.
Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge Jr., who supported the overthrowing of the South Vietnamese Government. Enjoy a cold drink while watching a 10min documentary film about Saigon during that time.
After lunch on your own, we then drive to Saigon’s Chinatown to visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils according to local custom. Continue your visit to FITO, the first museum of traditional medicine in Vietnam, offering insight into the history and application of traditional medicine in everyday life before taking the scenic route through the city back to the ship.
NOTES:
· There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
· Outside visit only due the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until further notice
· Tour duration: 08 hours
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Inclusive of: | Non-inclusive of: |
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities |
· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column |
Half-Day Saigon: History of Architecture with History Researcher (4 hours)
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong Port), drive 20mins to the city center for a tour of some of Saigon’s historic landmarks reflecting its French and Chinese influences. Meet with a local cultural and history researcher at your hotel lobby and take a short trip to local coffee shop for an overview of the impressive history of the city once known as “The Pearl of the Orient”. Then take a step back in time to visit several of the very best examples of “storytelling” architecture. Start at Jade pagoda established in the early 1900s to get a glimpse of ancient history when a group of Chinese fled the new regime to Saigon around the end of 17th century under the reign of Lord Nguyen.
Then wind your way to Archbishop's Palace – with a prayer house more than two hundred-years old (outside visit) as the home for the first French Catholic missionary. Gain an overview about the first approach of the French during the Cochinchina period in the early 18th century. Stroll around the University of Social Sciences & Humanities which used to be the 11th infantry regiment colonial military barracks for an insight into French campaigns against Viet Minh at the time. Your stop will be at the former residence of the US Ambassador, Henry C. Lodge in the 1960s for a drink and watch 10-min movie about Saigon back in the day.
NOTES:
· There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
· Total duration: 04 hours
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Inclusive of: | Non-inclusive of: |
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities |
· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column |
Half-Day Saigon: Retracing the Past (5 hours)
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Commence with a visit of the shrine outside of the US Consulate then continue to the former CIA building (outside visit only), where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975. Head to the rooftop café of the Rex hotel, a familiar landmark for Americans during the Vietnam War. Sit down for a drink, enjoy the view and this piece of history which your guide will help to explain. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a guided tour of the former headquarters of the South Vietnamese Government and residence of the presidents. Drive to the former residence of the US Ambassador of South Vietnam in the early 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge, who conducted a mission to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government. Watch a 10 minutes documentary film about Saigon during that time while enjoying a cold drink. Then drive to a secret weapon chamber which VC used as a place to hide and store weapons during Vietnam War. Then weave through tiny back alleys and meet and chat with the locals who are living in tiny houses. Head to a historic venue for a late lunch of “pho” (noodle soup). The house number 07 on Ly Chinh Thang Street (former Yen Do street) is now known as Pho Binh restaurant which used to be the headquarters of Viet Cong Commanders where they gathered to plan for the 1968 Tet Offensive. Take a walk upstairs to learn more about the history through the family’s photo collection. Then drive back to the port to embark the ship.
NOTES:
· There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
· Total duration: 05 hours
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Inclusive of: | Non-inclusive of: |
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities |
· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column |
Half-Day Saigon: Culinary Experience at Former Ambassador's Residence (4 hours)
On arrival to Saigon (Nha Rong port), disembark the ship and meet your guide. Drive 20 minutes to Ben Thanh market to buy all the fresh ingredients before continuing an historic Ambassador's home for a private hands-on cooking demonstration. The American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, carried a mission of overthrowing the southern government at that time. When Lodge arrived in Saigon, an old villa in District 3 was converted into the Ambassador’s residence. Mr. Lodge lived in this home between1960-1965 and the architecture is a mix of Vietnamese, French and American. Today it remains a private residence owned by Trails of Indochina and it has been fully restored to its former glory. The guide will provide an orientation tour of the house while the chef prepares the ingredients. Learn typical Southern style dishes throughout the morning. The chef will show you how to serve each dish before the meal, and you will need to master the chopsticks before you can savor your own culinary creations in the old world ambiance of the villa.
After lunch, transfer back to your ship.
Note: There is an extra charge for the transfer at the other ports.
Meal: Lunch
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Inclusive of: | Non-inclusive of: |
· Private transfers and transportation on tour · Sightseeing with Local English speaking guides · Lunch · Entrance fees and boat rides if any · Cold towels and water on sightseeing days · Welcome pack · Dock permit · Tips & gratuities |
· Vietnam visa · Accommodation on board · All meals where not mentioned in the program · Drinks/water at included lunches and dinners · All flights & airport taxes · Hotel early check in/ Late check out · Overweight luggage · Personal expenses · Travel insurance · Other services not listed in inclusive column |
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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