TRAVEL SERVICE & RESERVATION – Andrew and Diane Barr Group

Day 1 – 31 Aug: Ho Chi Minh (Arrival)

Please be ready around 2.5 to 03 hours at the airport before your departure time to check – in your flight. 

Take a flight to Singapore (depart at 06:25 AM – SQ 224) then take connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh (depart at 13:30 PM – SQ 184).

Arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh at 14:40 PM, our driver welcomes and transfers you to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is your leisure time for walking around the city for shopping and relax.

• Overnight at HARMONY SAIGON HOTEL & SPA in Ho Chi Minh.
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Day 2 – 01 Sep: Ho Chi Minh (Cu Chi Tunnels & City tour)

Breakfast will be served at your hotel.

At 07:30 – 07:45 AM, ‭Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. 

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. Have lunch at restaurant in HCM city. 

In the afternoon, visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known Landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars. 

Back to the hotel. End trip.

• Overnight at HARMONY SAIGON HOTEL & SPA in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 3 – 02 Sep: Ho Chi Minh city → Mekong Delta

Breakfast at hotel.

Around 07:30- 07:45 AM – pick you up at your hotel, then transfer to My Tho by bus (1.5 hours). On the way, we will visit Vinh Trang pagoda, the biggest pagoda in the Mekong delta. Upon arrival in My Tho, we will take a boat trip along the Mekong River, where you can see fish cages and floating houses on the river. The boat takes you to a small canal, where you can totally escape from the busy town. The boat cruise takes you to a coconut island in Ben Tre. Stop at a local family home to enjoy tropical fruit, taste the honey tea, honey wine and listen to Vietnamese traditional music, performed by the villagers.

Stop by the village coconut candy shop, learn how to make candy, and see some handicraft made out of coconut trees. Take a walk through the village and admire the fruits, flowers, trees, local houses, children and people. Then, we head to the local restaurant. Lunch is set with special Vietnamese food at here.

After lunch, relax, go for a walk or bicycle around the area. We’ll then travel back to the river ferry and head back to Saigon by bus, arriving at around 17:30 PM.

• Overnight at HARMONY SAIGON HOTEL & SPA in Ho Chi Minh.
• B,L

Day 4 – 03 Sep: Ho Chi Minh → Cai Be – Can Tho – Long Xuyen

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning, 08:30 AM our driver transfer you to ÊMM Hotel Saigon, 157 Pasteur Street, District 3.

Pick up there at 09:00 AM & we depart Ho Chi Minh City via coach and drive towards Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop at the rustic, riverside town of Cai Be where lunch is served at the elegant Le Longanier Restaurant set amidst lush fruit trees by the river. 

Board the Victoria Mekong Cruise at Victoria Can Tho Pier at 04:00 PM. Familiarize yourself with the ship while she sets sail towards Long Xuyen and watch the sunset over the Hau River. Enjoy a traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performance know as “Đờn Ca Tài Tử” with cocktail in hand. As day turns into night, sit down to a welcome dinner to officially welcome you onboard your Victoria Mekong Cruise, accompanied by the entertainment activities onboard ”. 

Overnight near Long Xuyen.

• Overnight on Victoria Mekong Cruise in Mekong river.
• B,L,D

Day 5 – 04 Sep: Long Xuyen- Tiger Island – Vam Nao

After breakfast, tender ashore to visit the authentic Long Xuyen Floating Market and the An Giang Museum, with fascinating exhibits on Kinh, Chinese, Khmer and Cham cultures in the region. During lunch the ship sails on before anchoring near Tiger Island. Head ashore by sampan and explore Tiger Island by 3-wheeled “xe loi”, visiting cottage industries such as plant pot and incense making. Visit a site locally known as “Mr. Tiger’s Temple” and hear the story that won the island its name. Return on board in time for the cocktail competition and the evening’s entertainment as the ship continues cruising to Vam Nao where we anchor and overnight. 

• Overnight on Victoria Mekong Cruise in Mekong river.
• B,L,D

Day 6 – 05 Sep: Vam Nao – Tan Chau 

Wake up to another leisurely breakfast in Phu Tan, the provincial capital of An Giang in the Mekong Delta. Tender ashore to visit a craft village famed for handmaking Ca Rang clay stoves. Used for hundreds of years by the southern Vietnamese, these stoves have a unique design which allows them to block the wind, retain heat, and keep ash from dispersing. 

Enjoy lunch onboard as we cruise towards the village of Tan Chau where we’ll travel by local rickshaw to visit the local market and colorful temple which is the spiritual center for local residents. Return to the ship in time for a traditional Vietnamese lion dance, followed by dinner and the evening’s entertainment. Overnight in Tan Chau. 

• Overnight on Victoria Mekong Cruise in Mekong river.
• B,L,D

Day 7 – 06 Sep: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh 

Enjoy early morning scenery on the Sky deck while the ship begins cruising towards the Vietnam – Cambodia border. After the leisurely breakfast in the Claypot restaurant, select from the many onboard activities including a ship’s tour, mini-golf tournament, or simply enjoy the scenery as we cross the border between Vietnam and Cambodia and sail on towards Phnom Penh. 

We arrive late afternoon in the charming capital of Phnom Penh, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient” for its French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic river walk. Before dinner, enjoy an interesting pre-dinner lecture about Cambodia as well as learn some basic Khmer phrases. Overnight in Phnom Penh. 

• Overnight on Victoria Mekong Cruise in Mekong river.
• B,L,D

Day 8 – 07 Sep: Phnom Penh

This morning, hop on a three-wheeled cyclo and be driven to the majestic Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda complex. Admire the elaborately constructed palace buildings, some of the 5,000 silver floor tiles that give the Silver Pagoda its name, as well as spectacular gold and bejeweled Buddha statues that are considered national treasures. Walk to the nearby National Museum, a beautiful sandstone building that showcases the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. 

Set off for lunch afterward before driving to Choeung Ek, one of the mass grave sites of the Killing Fields where the Khmer Rouge executed over a million men, women, and children between 1975 and 1979. Today, Choeung Ek is a memorial with a Buddhist stupa filled with skulls and bones to honor the victims.

Finish off the afternoon in style at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, sipping on a signature cocktail at the famed Elephant Bar. 

Return to the ship and take in a lively performance of Khmer Apsara dancing with the opportunity to meet the performers afterward. 

• Overnight on Victoria Mekong Cruise in Mekong river.
• B,L,D

Day 9 – 08 Sep: Phnom Penh – Koh Chen – Koh Dach – Angkor Ban 

After breakfast, go on a walking tour of the village of Koh Chen where the highlight is meeting a local copper and silversmith. Afterward, travel by coach to Oudong, the ancient capital of Cambodia with a stop at the fascinating Vipassana Dhura Meditation Center. After having lunch on board, travel by three-wheeled tuk tuk to Silk Island where you will learn about the process of silk weaving, from worm to loom, with the chance to observe local families weaving the iconic Cambodian krama. 

• Overnight on Victoria Mekong Cruise in Mekong river.
• B,L,D

Day 10 – 09 Sep: Angkor Ban – Han Chey – Kampong Cham

This morning, explore the village of Angkor Ban with its wooden stilt houses and local vibe. Enjoy lunch on board as the Victoria Mekong sails to Wat Hanchey. Walk up the steps to this 7th-century hilltop temple built under the Chenla Empire, and take in gorgeous panoramic views over the Mekong River. 

• Overnight on Victoria Mekong Cruise in Mekong river.
• B,L,D

Day 11 – 10 Sep: Kampong Cham – Siem Reap 

Disembark from the ship at Kampong Cham and travel through the lush Cambodian countryside. Upon arrival to Siem Reap, gateway to the mystical Angkor Complex, sit down to a final lunch where the cruise program ends. 

Drop off in Lotus Blanc Hotel at 15:30 PM. Our driver will pick you there and transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap. 

• Overnight at HARI Residence & Spa in Siem Reap.
• B,L

Day 12 – 11 Sep: Siem Reap (visit Angkor Thom & Grand Circuit temples)

Breakfast at your hotel.

At 08:30 AM, Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel in Siem Reap then transfer you to visit the sites of Angkor Thom.

On the first leg of the journey, we will have a trip to the Victory Gate. This gate is believed to be where the king met his returning victorious warriors as they entered the capital. 

The Bayon Temple is a temple in the heart of Angkor Thom that was constructed between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. You will have a chance to view its enormous reliefs which will provide you with the most realistic depictions of daily life, from traditional ceremonies to vicious warfare. 

The Baphuon is a magnificent three-tiered temple mountain with appealing Baphuon carvings. When you travel here, you will be covered in the solemn area of the most spectacular temple after Angkor Wat. 

We will marvel at the striking three-tiered pyramid of laterite and sandstone construction of Phimeanakas. After that, we will spend time wandering around the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King to view some stunning bas-relief artwork. 

Afternoon 

We will continue to explore the highlights of the Grand Circuit. First, we stop at Neak Pean, an artificial island containing a Hindu temple to view some sculptures representing mythological creatures. 

After having a look at Preah Khan temple, we will enjoy a dazzling sunset at Pre Rup – a gorgeous Hindu temple. 

After the journey. we will drive back to your hotel in Siem Reap.

• Overnight at HARI Residence & Spa in Siem Reap.
• B,L,D

Day 13 – 12 Sep: Siem Reap (visit Angkor Wat & Banteay Srei) 

Breakfast at your hotel. 

At 08:30 AM, Our guide picks up you visit to Angkor Wat, the most famous of all the temples in Angkor. Angkor Wat is a massive temple complex and is one of the largest religious monuments in the world. 

Resume the journey to unlock the intricately carved, beautiful red-pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei – considered to be a Jewel of Khmer art which features elaborate decorations and its finest details. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a “precious gem”. On the way back, we have a short visit at palm sugar village and other various local handicraft, continue to visit some temples within grand circuit including Banteay Kdei, Ta Keo, Preah Khan (Royal Sword), Neak Pean (Coiled Serpents) etc. Return to your hotel and end of service. 

• Overnight at HARI Residence & Spa in Siem Reap.
• B,L

Day 14 – 13 Sep: Siem Reap → Departure

Monring, your breakfast at hotel.

At 07:00 AM we transfer you to airport for flight to Singapore (depart at 10:30 AM – SQ 163) then take connecting flight to Perth (depart at 18:45 PM – SQ 215).

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End of service!