• 15 Days
  • From $8,899
  • Airfare Included

Cultural Treasures of Vietnam & Cambodia

Activity Level:
Active
26 Meals:
11 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 9 Dinners

Discover the unique culture, ancient history, and most famous regions of Vietnam and Cambodia on an extraordinary adventure filled with authentic experiences! Begin with a guided tour in Hanoi including the bustling Old Quarter, followed by a mesmerizing traditional water puppet show. Next, set sail on one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World – Ha Long Bay – with a luxurious overnight cruise surrounded by emerald waters, limestone islands, and remarkable sea caves. Revel in a shore excursion to explore the hidden wonders of Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island! Dive into royal history in Hue, from the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel to the Tomb of Tu Doc, before enjoying a sunset dinner cruise on the Perfume River. Master Vietnamese flavors in Hoi Ann with a private cooking lesson, then accompany a VC veteran into the storied Cu Chi Tunnels in Saigon. Travel off the beaten path in the Mekong Delta region with a day full of village visits, exclusive boat rides, and delicious tastings. Cross into Cambodia to marvel at some of the world’s greatest religious sites in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, reached by a tuk-tuk ride. Our incredible Southeast Asia journey concludes with a private monk blessing at Wat Damnak, visiting artsy shops in Siem Reap, and an elegant Farewell Dinner at The Embassy.

Trip overview may vary by departure.

  • Day 1: Fly to Asia
    Our journey begins with an overnight flight to Vietnam.
  • Day 2: International Date Line
    We cross the International Date Line and lose a calendar day.
  • Day 3: Hanoi
    Upon arriving in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi, we meet our English-speaking local guide and settle into our comfortable accommodations for the evening.
  • Day 4: City Tour & Water Puppet Show
    Today, we embark on a guided city tour of Hanoi, the “Paris of the East.” Stand in awe of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and visit One Pillar Pagoda, then discover 3,000 years of history at the Temple of Literature. This afternoon, we admire artifacts at the Museum of Ethnology and ride an electric car into the bustling Old Quarter. Marvel at the “36 streets of 36 wares” – coined from the original artisan guilds dating back to the 13th century – and see Hoan Kiem Lake’s green waters. Next, we attend a traditional water puppet show, where performers stand in water and depict scenes based on Vietnamese folklore. Tonight, savor a delicious Welcome Dinner.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 5: Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
    We depart this morning for Ha Long Bay, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A speed boat transports us to our beautiful ship, the Orchid Classic for a high-class overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy balcony suites, opulent amenities, and excellent service as we dine with views of iconic islands like Stone Dog. This afternoon, we arrive at stunning caves formed over 10,000 years ago: Dark and Bright Caves. Revel in the opportunity to explore their breathtaking beauty by kayak or boat! Later, enjoy a fusion dinner, a cooking demonstration, squid fishing, and other onboard activities.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 6: Trung Trang Cave
    Rise with the sun and start your day with a tai chi lesson, then grab breakfast before our stop at Cat Ba Island. We drive to Trung Trang Cave, the largest cave in Vietnam, surrounded by Kim Giao Forest. Ascend a series of stone stairs to take in sights of its unique limestone shapes while learning about its important history as a hospital and radio base during the Vietnam War. Next, we return to our ship and enjoy a delicious brunch before bidding farewell to our floating hotel. Our journey continues with a flight to Hue, home to emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas, and royal charm.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 7: Hue Imperial Citadel & Sunset Cruise
    Our day begins with a personal three-wheeled bicycle (cyclo) ride to the Imperial Citadel, featuring well-preserved palaces, shrines, and gardens. We then make a brief stop at the Royal Antique Museum before visiting Thien Mu Pagoda, a seven-story historic temple and spiritual center. Afterwards, discover Nguyen Dynasty artifacts and enjoy a family-prepared meal at Princess Ngoc Son’s former residence. Our exploration of royal history continues at Tomb of Tu Duc, spanning over 30 acres with five distinct sections. Tonight, we soak up the city’s romantic ambiance on a sunset dinner cruise along the Perfume River with fine dining, traditional Hue music, and unbeatable views.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 8: Red Bridge Cooking School
    This morning, we drive to the ancient town of Hoi An, once a prosperous trading port. Our afternoon is spent attending a private lesson at Red Bridge Cooking School! We have a welcome drink at a café with our expert chef before heading to the Central Market and learning about Vietnamese produce. A short boat ride then takes us to the school, where we visit the herb garden and enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson. Tantalize your taste buds with the freshly made meal while overlooking the scenic river. Later, we check in to our hotel.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 9: Hoi An City Tour
    Today, we see Hoi An’s best sights on a walking tour with our local guide who shares stories about its illustrious past. Marvel at the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, the intricate wood carvings on the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation, and old merchant houses with diverse architecture. Later, we fly from Da Nang Airport to Saigon and settle into our hotel before enjoying dinner together.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels & Saigon City Tour
    We go underground for an enriching tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels this morning, where a VC veteran shares firsthand experiences of survival in its harsh conditions. Originally dug in 1948, this vast network was used by Viet Cong for shelter and supply transport. After an included lunch, our afternoon is spent discovering Saigon with a local guide. Step back in time with views of historic landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, and the War Remnants Museum, featuring vivid photographs we browse inside.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

  • Day 11: Mekong Delta Cuisine & Culture
    Today’s adventure takes us off the beaten path in the Mekong Delta region for exclusive interactions with locals! We start at An Hoa Bridge with a unique demonstration on traditional coconut peeling. Then, a boat takes us to a factory producing activated charcoal from coconut shells before visiting the island of Tam Hiep and a relaxing rowboat ride through scenic canals to meet a family for locally made goods. We travel lush village paths by bike or foot and visit a farm crafting herbal jelly. After working up an appetite, we continue to the home of Ut Trinh for regional specialties and return to our boat for a ride to Long Thanh Communal House. This evening, we dine in elegance at Salon Saigon, the former residence of late Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge. Enjoy traditional dance performances, live music, and a fusion of Vietnamese and western cuisine!

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 12: Fly to Cambodia
    Take advantage of a restful morning before we transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s gateway to some of the greatest archaeological sites in all of Southeast Asia. After clearing customs, we check in to our hotel for the rest of the tour and gather for dinner.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 13: Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom
    Today, we’re off to discover one of the world’s largest religious sites: Angkor Wat. We arrive at the west gate to admire the stunning sunrise before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, an expert guide leads us through ancient wonders like Srah Srang and Ta Prohm, one of Angkor’s crown jewels. Following lunch, we take a tuk-tuk to Angkor Thom, the former capital of the Khmer Empire. Passing through the South Gate, our explorations include Bayon Temple’s iconic stone faces, the Terrace of the Elephants, the grand Baphuon, and more. Tonight, we enjoy Cambodian cuisine and a mesmerizing Apsara dance performance at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 14: Monk Blessing & Siem Reap
    Our final morning begins at Wat Damnak, a serene pagoda where we receive a private blessing from local monks, complete with a holy water sprinkle and a sacred thread for good luck. Our day continues with art and fine dining in Siem Reap. We admire masterpieces at Theam’s House, watch street artists, browse Eric Raisina’s boutique, and explore traditional stonework at Satcha Cambodian Handicrafts Incubation Center. We also visit One Eleven Art Gallery, stroll Pub Street, and shop at Old Market. This evening, we enjoy a traditional Khmer Farewell Dinner at The Embassy Restaurant.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

  • Day 15: Fly Home
    We board our flight home, returning with treasured memories of our extraordinary experiences in Southeast Asia.

What's Included

All Accommodations

  • 2 nights at Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel in Hanoi
  • 1 night aboard the Orchid Classic with balcony suites
  • 2 nights at Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa in Hue
  • 1 night at Hotel Royal Hoi An – Gallery
  • 3 nights at Sofitel Saigon Plaza
  • 3 nights at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort in Siem Reap

Attractions & Highlights

  • Hanoi guided city tour feat. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda & Old Quarter
  • Hanoi traditional water puppet show
  • Dark & Bright Caves feat. kayaking excursion or boat ride
  • Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay cruise feat. cooking demonstration, squid fishing & tai chi lessons
  • Cat Ba Island excursion feat. Trung Trang Cave
  • Hue guided city tour feat. Thien Mu Pagoda & Tomb of Tu Duc
  • Personal cyclo ride to Hue Imperial Citadel
  • Royal Antique Museum
  • Red Bridge Cooking School private lesson feat. Hoi Ann Central Market
  • Hoi An guided walking tour
  • Cu Chi Tunnels tour with a VC veteran
  • Saigon guided city tour feat. War Remnants Museum
  • Mekong Delta Region feat. private boat rides & exclusive village visits
  • Angkor Wat feat. Ta Prohm
  • Tuk-tuk ride to Angkor Thom feat. Bayon Temple & Baphuon
  • Private monk blessing at Wat Damnak
  • Siem Reap feat. Theam’s House, Satcha Cambodian Handicrafts Incubation Center & Old Market

27 Excellent Meals

  • Welcome Dinner in Hanoi
  • All meals included aboard the Orchid Classic
  • Lunch at Princess Ngoc Son's Garden House
  • Perfume River sunset dinner cruise with traditional Hue music
  • Dinner at Red Bridge Cooking School
  • Dinner at the former residence of the late Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge feat. traditional dancing & music
  • Dinner show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre
  • Farewell Dinner at The Embassy Restaurant feat. traditional Khmer cuisine

Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.