Vietnam Cambodia 21 days with Jahan cruise

Begin your journey by unravelling the Vietnamese culture and history in the Vietnamese capital:

• Start the day at the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square. The visit includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (viewed from the outside), Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda
• Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university
• Explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology,
• Grab a Vietnamese coffee while waiting for the train to pass by at the Train Street.
• Enjoy a one – hour cyclo ride to explore the charming colonial district & fascinating “Old Quarter”, Hoan Kiem lake and its legendary story, along with Ngoc Son Temple.
• Water puppet show, accompanied by a choir and traditional Vietnamese musical instruments.

Lunch Suggestion at the restaurant : We invite you to experience QUAN AN NGON, one of Hanoi’s most famous restaurants where a wide array of local specialties are freshly prepared in front of your eyes.

• Overnight at the hotel with breakfast.

Leave the bustling streets of Hanoi behind and journey south to Ninh Binh

• Board a traditional sampan for a peaceful 2–hour ride along the Ngo Dong River. Glide through the still waters and pass through the mysterious Tam Coc caves
• The specialty of Ninh Binh is goat meat and crispy rice.
• Cycle through the countryside to reach Bich Dong Pagoda. You can climb the stone–carved staircase leading to the pagoda Mua and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view over the entire area.
• Wrap up your journey in Hoa Lu, once the cradle of Vietnamese royalty. Wander through the atmospheric temples of the Dinh and Le Dynasties, surrounded by the echoes of a thousand years of history.
• Overnight in a hotel with breakfast.

Arrive at Halong International Cruise Port, welcome aboard, and safety briefing.

• Check in to your private cabin.
• Enjoy lunch onboard while taking in the stunning views of Bai Tu Long Bay.
• Arrive at Cap La Island, also known as a navy base. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature (if the weather permits).
• Back to junk for refreshing and enjoying your relaxing time on the sundeck.
• Dinner: Savor fresh seafood with an exquisite menu of carefully crafted dishes, beautifully presented, and served by qualified staff.
• After dinner, free evening or experience squid fishing before retiring.
• Overnight on board with breakfast.
• Lunch & dinner included

Enjoy the morning view of the beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

• Visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village by kayak or local rowboat.
• Check out of the cabin and start cruising towards the harbor while a set lunch is served.
• The entire crew will greet you and thank you as you arrive at the port at 11h30.
• Transfer back to Hanoi. Private car transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. You will be met upon arrival at the airport by your guide.
• Overnight at a hotel with breakfast.

The numerous historical treasures of Hue were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.

• Visit the Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty, featuring the citadel, pagodas, and imperial tombs.
• We invite you to attend a performance at the Royal Theatre.
• Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the famous Perfume River, heading to the Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Celestial Lady), dating back to 1601.
• Explore the tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, beautifully designed complexes featuring small ponds, pavilions, temples, and courtyards. Visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, who reigned from 1820 to 1840.
• Tay Ho Village, renowned for its traditional craftsmanship of the nón lá – the iconic Vietnamese conical hat.
• Take a stroll through the bustling Dong Ba Market.
• Overnight at a hotel with breakfast.

The journey to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes you along the scenic Mandarin Route, crossing the famous Cloudy Pass. A detour to Danang will bring you to the Cham Sculpture Museum, founded by the French School of the Far East in 1919.

• Explore the Marble Mountains, also known as the “Five Hills.”
• Climb the 156 steps or take an elevator to reach the summit of Thuy Son Mountain.

The historic and quaint Hoi An is perfect for exploring :

• A delightful stroll through the old town of Hoi An, a former trading port. As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll encounter a wealth of architectural heritage.
• Explore the ancient port of Hoi An with a short walk beneath the last rays of the setting sun.
• Overnight at a hotel with breakfast.

Begins with a bike ride to Cam Kim village, where you’ll discover the secrets behind the famous woven mats used as mattresses. Cam Kim is also the maker of the charming “round basket boat”.

• Visit the water coconut village of Cam Thanh. Accompanied by your skilled rower, you’ll glide for 30 minutes along the river.
• Then, it will be time to “roll up your sleeves” and prepare your lunch with a local family, chosen by us.
• This heartwarming encounter with a local family will conclude with a relaxing foot massage using herbs from Hoi An. You’ll return to your hotel by bike, filled with the joy of an unforgettable day.
• Overnight at a hotel with breakfast.

Transfer by private car to the airport in Da Nang for the flight to HCM City.
Enjoy your free time to explore the city on your own.
Overnight at a hotel.

Transfer by private car to the airport for the flight to HCM City.

• Explore the Dong Khoi Area in the centre of the city, including the Notre Dame Cathedral
• Visit the Saigon Central Post Office
• Step into Vietnam’s recent history at the Reunification Palace
• Visit the War Remnants Museum
• Head into the heart of Cholon, the city’s vibrant Chinatown, and visit Thien Hau Pagoda
• Continue with a walk through Cholon and explore Binh Tay Market
• Experience the energy of Ben Thanh Market
• Visit a lacquerware workshop to produce pieces known for their refinement and creativity. (if time permits)
• Overnight at a hotel with breakfast.

Pick – up from your hotel and transfer by a private car to the Jahan boat’s welcome lounge in HCM City.

Take a shared bus to My Tho (70 kilometers south of HCM City), where you’ll explore the lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta.

• Check in to your private cabin.
• Enjoy lunch onboard while the adventure along the Mekong River begins.
• Enjoy the golden sunset over the Mekong Delta.
• Join a welcome drink with canapés and prosecco.
• During dinner, arrive at Tan Phong Island area near Cai Be, where we’ll anchor midstream.
• Free evening or join some late – night entertainment in the evening cinema, featuring interesting classic movies or thrilling documentaries.
• Overnight on board with breakfast.

Wake up early to take a morning exercise with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck.

• Enjoy the morning view of the beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air.
• Visit Cai Be town to witness the manual production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine, and coconut candies production.
• Transfer to a local boat to Tan Phong Island, a smaller island in the middle of the vast Mekong.
• Visit a local family and their fruit garden to taste various kinds of tropical fruits.
• Take a buggy ride through the island to observe the local day to day life as it unfolds
• Visit another family’s house specializing in weaving of water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.

In the afternoon:

• Move to Sa Dec region and anchor near one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh.
• Walk through the village to witness the traditional mat – making process.
• Meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island.

Before dinner, join the Mekong Delta life presentation as the boat sails toward our mooring spot for the night near Gieng Island.

• Overnight on board with breakfast.

Wake up early to take a morning exercise with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck.

• Gieng Island, known locally as Mango Island, is a lovely place for a gentle stroll beneath the shade of flourishing mango groves that shape its landscape. We’ll visit a small incense workshop to see the delicate, handcrafted process of making these fragrant sticks.
• Join in a traditional boat – building workshop, where generations of families have crafted sturdy wooden vessels essential to life on the river.
• Savour sweet, freshly picked mangoes and a cup of local tea in the courtyard of a century – old home.

In the afternoon:

• After lunch, we board a traditional sampan bound for Evergreen Island, a fertile gem of the delta known for its small family farms and seasonal crops.
• Upon arrival, we’ll spend time with a local farming family, gaining a warm and personal glimpse into their daily life.
• Roll up your sleeves and join in – whether it’s preparing seedlings, planting new crops, or helping with the harvest, depending on the season.

Continue your journey as the ship ascends the river, crossing into Cambodia and heading towards Phnom Penh.

• Overnight on board with breakfast.

Welcome to Phnom Penh, once known as the “Paris of the East”, where rustic charm and elegance meet modern development. The city is rich in history and culture, visible at every street corner.

• Explore Phnom Penh by bike
• Heading to the resplendent Royal Palace, admiring its striking Khmer architecture.
• Survey the serene Silver Pagoda and its magnificent Emerald Buddha.
• Be educated about the nation’s past at the Museum of Genocidal Crime, which was the S – 21 prison – the scene of the worst examples of brutality and torture under the infamous Pol Pot.

In the afternoon:

• Visit a famous academy of arts and a school dedicated to preserving traditional arts.
• Watch young dancers gracefully train in the intricate movements of the Apsara dance, their silk costumes flowing with each step.
• Take a leisurely walk in the French Quarter, including the iconic and aptly named monument of Wat Phnom.

In the evening:

• Attend an expert lecture in the lounge.
• Enjoy a barbecue and gala dinner with a traditional Apsara dance performance.
• After dinner, explore Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife or take a walk along the river.
• Overnight on board with breakfast.

Wake up early to take a morning exercise with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck.

• Visit Angkor Ban, which houses a monastery and a charming local community.
• Meet monks during their morning class and enjoy friendly conversations with the villagers.
• Walk through the village, immerse yourself in the authentic Cambodian way of life.

In the afternoon:

• Explore Kampong Cham, an important trade hub with small hamlets blending community rhythms and skilled artisans.
• Witness the creation of handmade goods in Cheung Kok, ranging from food to fashion and daily necessities.
• Overnight on board with breakfast.

Wake up early to take a morning exercise with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck.

• Visit Prek Bangkong village, known for its silk
• Learn about the intricate silk production process and visit the heritage house of H.E. Sam – El

Back to the boat. Before lunch, the crew offers a presentation about the geography of the Mekong and the Tonle Rivers.

• Discover another part of rural Cambodian Kampong Tralach countryside.
• Travel by ox – pulled cart where you can learn about the local NGO school and library project or visit the nearby ancient 300 – year – old temple and Buddha shrine.
• Overnight on board.

Arrive at Kampong Laeang, across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang.

• Embark on a tuk–tuk to explore rural Cambodian life, discover the art of pottery making, and visit a charming pre–Angkorian temple.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the floodplains and rice fields (seasonal).
• Overnight on board with breakfast.

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home.

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to millions of people. This rich ecosystem and UNESCO – designated Biosphere Reserve has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare and endangered feathered life.

After disembarking from the junk, take a local boat to the shore, passing a vast floating community.

Transfer to Siem Reap.

Overnight at a hotel.

Arriving in Angkor Thom by tuk–tuk :

• Visit the Victory Gate, an impressive entrance symbolising triumph.
• Visit the Bayon, renowned for its enigmatic smiles carved into towering stone faces, epitomising the grandeur of ancient Khmer architecture.
• Visit the three–tiered Baphuon (a temple in honour of another Hindu deity, Shiva) with its spectacular layered structure.
• Visit the Royal Enclosure and its small temple, Phimeanakas.
• Pass through the Terrace of the Elephants, once a viewing platform for kings
• See the Terrace of the Leper King with its beautiful carvings of gods, nagas (semi–divine serpents), and dancers.
• Discover Ta Prohm temple.
• Visit the majestic Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Attend an outstanding Apsara dance show–dinner.
• Overnight at a hotel with breakfast.

• Cross the Kulen mountain range, a sacred site in Cambodia.
• Take a short forest walk to reach Kbal Spean, also known as “The River of a Thousand Lingas,” deep in the jungle northeast of Angkor.
• Visit Banteay Srei also called “The Citadel of Women,” famous for its intricate Hindu carvings.
• Explore Banteay Samre, a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, noted for naga and lion carvings.
• Overnight at a hotel with breakfast.

Free time until heading to the airport in Siem Reap for your international departure flight.