Classic Vietnam & Mekong River Adventure image
Operated by G Adventures

Classic Vietnam & Mekong River Adventure

From
Price on request
Duration
17 days
Countries
Vietnam, Cambodia
Activity
easy

The adventure

If you’re travelling Vietnam solely by land, you’re missing out on half the adventure. This tour doesn't leave anything out. Cruise Halong Bay by junk boat; explore Hue’s historic monuments; check out the My Son ruins; witness daily life along the Mekong as you drift into Cambodia; and so much more. The ultimate Southeast Asia experience awaits. Get on board.

At a glance

Duration
17 days
Route
Hanoi → Siem Reap
Countries
Vietnam, Cambodia
Activity level
easy
Style
Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Cycling, Food & Drink, Rail Journeys, Sailing & Marine
Group size
Ask
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome

Where you'll go

Classic Vietnam & Mekong River Adventure image

Day by day

Side view of anonymous male fisher in oriental boat fishing in rippled lake against old construction and mountain
Your journey through

Vietnam & Cambodia

Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are no planned activities today until an evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt for dinner out with the group.
There are no planned activities today until an evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt for dinner out with the group.
Day 2Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise…Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves. In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves. In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
Day 3Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing…Hanoi
Street vendor with a bicycle in the urban market of Hanoi, Vietnam.Hanoi
Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue.
Map showing Hanoi
Day 4Pull into Hue early in the morning…Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery. While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer. Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery. While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer. Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 5Drive the Hai Van passCross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon. With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon. With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
Day 6Explore all Hoi An has to offer
Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.
Day 7Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer
Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.
Day 8Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh…Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.
Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.
Day 9Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi…With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.
With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.
Day 10Transfer to the pier for the start…
Transfer to the pier for the start of the riverboat journey. Embark, settle in, and get to know the crew as the adventure begins. Sail towards My Tho.
Day 11Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda with a short tour…
Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda with a short tour of My Tho town en route. Take local boats to Thoi Son Island to see a coconut product manufacturer, taste some local fruit and honey and meet traditional musicians. Continue on to Cai Be and enjoy a visit to the floating market. Opt to wander the small paths through local communities on the island and visit a Rice Popping cottage industry. Continue by local boat to Vinh Long to meet the vessel. Embark for the evening sail to Sa Dec.
Day 12Visit the Kien An Cung Pagoda in Sa…
Visit the Kien An Cung Pagoda in Sa Dec and stroll through the market along the river. View the old colonial houses by the delta. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board as you cruise the Mekong. Arrive at Chau Doc and visit Sam Mountain for sunset. Gaze out over the rice paddies or relax in a hammock. Visit some temples and pagodas along the way. Opt for dinner in town.
Day 13Cross the border into Cambodia and continue…
Cross the border into Cambodia and continue on to Phnom Penh. Enjoy an evening in the capital city starting with a cyclo tour to see the city from a new perspective. Opt to finish up at the Foreign Correspondents Club for Happy Hour overlooking the river or dinner in town.
Day 14Visit the sobering S21 Museum and the Killing…
Visit the sobering S21 Museum and the Killing Fields with a local guide. After lunch, use free time to visit sights like the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, or the Russian Market.
Day 15Continue to Kampong Tralach and visit the local…
Continue to Kampong Tralach and visit the local vihara (Buddhist monastery) and Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. Opt to cycle, or ride in a tuk tuk or buffalo cart, through the village and past rice paddies to reach the monastery.
Day 16Sail on to Kampong Chhnang
Sail on to Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap RIver. Learn more about the fish farming, pottery and sugar palm production in the area. Wander through the local market then opt to cycle to visit the local industries. Enjoy lunch back on the ship en route to Koh Chen, an island in the river. Visit silver and copper workshops and meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to tell his story. Enjoy an evening cocktail and the Captain's farewell dinner.
Day 17This morningSiem Reap
Scenic view of ancient Angkor Wat temple ruins amidst lush greenery under a bright sky.Siem Reap
This morning, say goodbye to the crew of the Toum Tiou II Riverboat. Hop into a private vehicle for an included transfer to Siem Reap. Tour ends upon arrival. Please book onward travel after 4pm.
Map showing Siem Reap

Discover Vietnam

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Serene landscape in Ninh Bình, Vietnam featuring grazing buffalo in lush rice fields.
Stunning aerial shot of lush green terraced rice fields with mountains in the background.
Breathtaking landscape view of a city nestled between lush mountains and the coastline, captured in daylight.
Aerial view of karst mountains with villages and river in a rural landscape.
Picturesque scenery of green hills with wooden houses placed among rice plantations located in countryside in daytime
Operated by G Adventures

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