Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city boasts a rich cultural heritage that blends in harmony with its vibrant present. From ancient temples to French Colonial architecture and modern-day skyscrapers, along with beautiful parks and lakes, Hanoi is an eclectic and lively city. After your airport greeting, you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city on your own, or perhaps rest up for your big day tomorrow.
(-/-/-) No meals on arrival day.

City Tour & Rickshaw ride, and Water Puppet Show

A morning sightseeing tour will showcase some of Hanoi’s most famous historic and cultural sites, including The Temple of Literature and Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest temples in Vietnam. You will also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as a “cyclo”) around Hoan Kiem lake, followed by a traditional Water Puppet Show.
(B/-/-)

Motor Coach Transfer to Ha Long Bay, overnight cruise

After breakfast, leave Hanoi behind and take a scenic ride to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Board an elegantly appointed ship designed with all the modern-day conveniences to ensure smooth sailing where you will spend the night for an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience and an OLIVIA exclusive. Enjoy an onboard dinner set against the sunset and the bay’s magnificent scenery and dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations.
(B/L/D)

Transfer to airport, flight to Siem Reap, and hotel check in

Spend the morning sailing across the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay with more than 2,000 small islands rising from the water like a dragon’s back. Late morning, disembark and transfer to Hanoi Airport. A short flight* will take you to Siem Reap in Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire and Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most renowned archeological sites in all of Southeast Asia. Enjoy a dinner snack on the plane.
(B/L/-)
*Flight schedule is subject to change.

Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei Temples

After breakfast, you will have a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin your morning exploration of the Angkor temple complex at Angkor Thom, meaning “the great city." This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. You’ll then visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of Trees,” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation over the centuries showcased in the film Tomb Raider). Afternoon excursions take you to the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, meaning “Citadel of Women,” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. Cap this memorable day off with a special “Apsara Dance Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.
(B/-/D) Dinner includes one glass of local beer or soft drink.

Angkor Wat

Discover the heart and soul of Cambodia and the most iconic of all Angkorian Temples, Angkor Wat. This is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed and a true masterpiece of Khmer architecture built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12^th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. You may choose to enjoy the local town, restaurants or seek out $10-foot massages, enjoy the beautiful hotel pool, spa, and facilities, or perhaps go back to Angkor Wat in the late afternoon for a different lighting opportunity for photographs.
(B/-/D) Dinner includes one glass of local beer or soft drink.

Transfer to Kampong Cham, Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei “Twin Mountain” visit

Board a motorcoach from Siem Reap to the AmaDara in Kampong Cham for your seven-night cruise. Your excursion takes you to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals. As the story goes, the women lit a fire at night, which made the men believe the sun was rising. As a result, the men stopped working and the women won the competition. Thus, men still need to ask the women's parents for permission and Phnom Srei is higher than Phnom Pros. Later, join fellow guests for an evening Welcome Dinner.
(B/L/D)

Visit Silk Village and local elementary school by Tuk Tuk OR by an active walking tour

During the morning, go on a walking tour to Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sails to Oknhatey or “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River. This island is known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you’ll visit a local elementary school and observe traditional silk weaving; an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your ship moors in Oknhatey village.
(B/L/D)

Enjoy Buddhist Blessing Ceremony OR take an active walking tour to the hilltop of Oudong
Oxcart ride
Tuk Tuk orientation tour OR Tuk Tuk orientation tour with an active walking tour to Wat Phnom

Your cruise continues to sail to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The morning excursion takes you to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital from the early 17^th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery. You may walk around Oudong’s monastery or take an active walking tour to see panoramic views of the Oudong plain. After visiting Oudong, be treated to a truly authentic excursion, an oxcart ride through a local village Kampong Tralach. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture, or continue your visit to Wat Phnom, the famous landmark site in Phnom Penh. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.
(B/L/D)

Killing Fields and Genocide Museum excursion
Royal Palace and National Museum OR Royal Palace and Central Market

This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, you’ll explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling yellow-colored Central Market after your visit to the Royal Palace.
(B/L/D)

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam.
(B/L/D)

*You will need this information for your visa applications:
Exit point from Cambodia: Koh Rokar
Entry Point to Vietnam: Son Tien Landport

Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops, or
Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops and active walking tour to Evergreen Island, or
Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary**

Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative and capacity controlled, transfer to breathtaking Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary. This region thrives in lush greenery encompassing majestic cajuput trees, lotuses, water lilies and a carpet of bright green moss in the rainy season that appears to glow as you gently drift through it. Glide by sampan through this inland waterway, a diverse ecosystem that includes more than 70 species of birds. Later in the day, cruise to Sa Dec. Your ship will moor midstream in Sa Dec.
(B/L/D)
**Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary visit is capacity controlled and dependent on if it is open.

Local boat ride to Sa Dec, visit local market and Cao Dai Temple
Visit local workshops in Cai Be, or
Visit local workshops and an active walking tour to historic Kiet Old House

Once ashore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market and Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam. It is the fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Confucianism. Your cruise continues sailing to Cai Be, where you will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, and the historic Kiet Old House. In Cai Be, cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.
(B/L/D)

Disembarkation, city tour, and hotel check-in

Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho Port followed by a transfer to nearby Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon. This former capital of Indochina was once known as “Paris of the Orient.” Today, Vietnam’s largest city is an industrial, cultural and educational hub, but still retains vestiges of its colonial past. Explore such famous landmarks as the former Presidential Palace, a photo stop at the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. You will also visit the War Remnants Museum, one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, known for its vast collection of artifacts from the Vietnam War. Finish with a visit to the Ben Thanh Market — one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can search for local handicrafts, colorful textiles, as well as other unique souvenirs and gifts before your journey home. Top the evening off with dinner on your own in a local recommended restaurant. You will overnight at the Sofitel Plaza (or comparable hotel) in Ho Chi Minh City.
(B/L/-)

Return flight home

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or purchase an additional hotel night to extend your vacation. If your flight departs in the evening, this will give you another day to explore the city, shop, or take an optional tour through the hotel concierge.
(B/-/-)