Phu My

Located on the banks of the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant city full of contrasts. Visit the National History Museum filled with ancient ceramics, traditional costumes and relics crafted in stone and bronze. Afterwards, watch a short performance of the uniquely Vietnamese spectacle – water puppetry.

Stop for photos at the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, whose twin spires are a distinctive city landmark. See the Reunification Hall, once the Presidential Palace and where Liberation forces, on 30th April 1975, marked the end of the Vietnam War.

After a buffet lunch including typical Vietnamese dishes and a performance of traditional music and dance, continue to Cho Lon, the city’s Chinatown. Enjoy an orientation drive through the colourful streets full of stalls, hidden temples, shrines and pagodas.

Visit the Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the Sea Goddess - Protector of Sailors, before returning to the 3rd district to visit a lacquer factory, where you’ll see talented Vietnamese craftsmen at work.

Enjoy an orientation drive of Ho Chi Minh City passing by the City Hall, Rex Hotel and the French Colonial Post Office.

You’ll continue to Ben Thanh Central Market, where thousands of products such as clothes, shoes, watches, bags, food and vegetables are available for sale. This is a favourite market for the locals. Afterwards, you’ll visit a lacquer factory to see the local craftsmen at work. You may wish to take the opportunity to purchase some of the finished products.

Back in downtown Ho Chi Minh, you’ll stop at Dong Khoi Street, one of the busiest streets, full of fashionable boutiques, cafés and souvenir shops. Try some bargaining with the locals for porcelain figures, cinnamon boxes and other souvenirs. (Most vendors accept US Dollars in small denominations)

An English-speaking escort will accompany your transfer to Ho Chi Minh City and will assist with your plans, providing information on shopping opportunities and attractions.

Ho Chi Minh is home to some 8 million people and is the economic heart of Vietnam. Drive through scenic countryside, dotted with rice fields on your way to this bustling city. On arrival, you will be immersed into a city full of life, colourful sights and sounds and a steady stream of bicycles and motorbikes!

En route to your drop-off point at the Tax Trade Centre, opposite the Rex Hotel, you’ll pass the former US Embassy, Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and several other points of interest.

Enjoy the day exploring on your own. Try some of the local delicacies, visit one of the markets; walk through the Botanical Gardens; or simply watch the world go by from a pavement café.

Please listen carefully to the Escort’s instructions regarding your return departure arrangements from Ho Chi Minh City.

Become acquainted with the resort town of Vung Tau with its attractive villas clinging to the hillsides and a peninsula with miles of sandy beaches.

Visit the Whale Temple, dedicated to a whale-genie spirit and featuring a collection of whale skeletons, some of them in glass cases. You’ll also have some time to browse through Vung Tau’s central market, where the locals barter, sell and buy.

Buddhism is popular in Vietnam and you’ll visit the typical Nirvana Buddhist Temple. Situated on top of Nui Nho Mountain, the 100-foot-high statue of Jesus Christ overlooks the southern point of the peninsula and faces the South China Sea. This is the largest sculpture in the south of Vietnam.

Built by the French, the beautiful Villa Blanche Museum, or ‘White Mansion’, is one of Vung Tau's major landmarks. This Mansion has served as a summer retreat for Emperor Bao Dai, as well as a vacation home for Vietnamese heads of state. There will be a short stop here, before you return to the ship.

The busy road to Cu Chi passes by rice paddies, where villagers use the hot roadside as a platform for drying all manner of produce. At the Cu Chi Tunnels, you’ll have an introduction on their history, construction and design, while a guide explains the underground network and some of the tools and weapons used.

The Tunnels were up to 39 feet below ground. Most were only 2 foot wide, and 5 feet high, with thick roofs capable of withstanding the weight of tanks or the impact of bombs. Much of the tunnel complex has been opened and ventilated, so that you can more easily experience the underground rooms, kitchens, hospital and sleeping areas.

A local Vietnamese lunch will be served at a restaurant located on the banks of the Saigon River and includes a soft drink or local beer.

The Mekong River originates from Tibet and flows through 5 countries before reaching Vietnam. Until the 16th century, the Mekong Delta was an area of marshland and forest. Gradually it was reclaimed and a canal network was built.

Board a motorised boat at My Tho for a trip along the River, then transfer into sampan-style boats to access the maze of narrow waterways. Stop off at the island of Thoi Son to enjoy a walking tour. During a visit to a local house you’ll be invited to taste some local fruits and traditional green tea.

At a coconut candy-making house, you’ll learn the process of how candy is made from ingredients such as sugar, rice paper and nuts. Enjoy a stroll through the fruit gardens and listen to some traditional folk music of the Mekong Delta. There will be a chance to buy local souvenirs at the various stops before savouring local Vietnamese lunch on Thoi Son island.

DAY 1 – HO CHI MINH CITY
Your Indochina overland adventure begins in Vietnam with a 1½ hour drive to the country’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the National History Museum, which includes an unusual water puppetry performance. A brief stop will be made at a lacquer factory for you to see the traditional local craftsmanship. Stop for photographs at Notre Dame Cathedral, and visit the Reunification Hall, where Liberation forces marked the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. After a buffet lunch, you will continue on to City Hall and the Dong Khoi district where you will have free time for shopping. After your Ho Chi Minh sightseeing, transfer to the airport for a 1 hour flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Check into the Sohka Angkor Resort Hotel, where you will have a buffet dinner and spend the next 2 nights.

DAY 2 – ANCIENT CITY OF ANGKOR
After breakfast, head for the enchanting Banteay Srei Temple, known as the Citadel of Women. This petite Temple possesses wonderful, intricate carvings. Your next highlight will be Banteay Samre, one of the few fortified Temples to be surrounded by a moat. See Ta Prohm Temple, used during filming of ‘Tomb Raider’, these fascinating ruins are covered with twisted fig tree roots, which add to the atmosphere of this sacred temple. Enjoy lunch at the Tara Hotel. The highlight of your day will no doubt be the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, a stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, Angkor Wat is undoubtedly the most breathtaking of all Angkor monuments. Venture on to the South Gate at Angkor Thom and explore the forested centre of the once great city. You will also see the Bayon Temple, the Terrace of the Leper King, Terrace of the 12 Elephants, the Baphuon and the Royal Palace. Before returning to the Hotel, you’ll have an opportunity to shop at the central market for mementoes of your visit. In the evening, you will be treated to a wonderful Apsara dance show with a buffet dinner at the Hotel.

DAY 3 – PHNOM PENH
Take an early breakfast before heading to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival, you’ll be met by your city guide for a tour of the highlights. See the beautiful Royal Palace, which has been occupied by the Kings of Cambodia since 1860. Its gilded finials, gleaming white and gold walls contrast beautifully with the green of the manicured gardens. Located on the south side of the Palace, you’ll find the Silver Pagoda, which houses many of the nation’s treasures, including the 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha. At the National Museum, you will find more of the countries prized possessions and interesting exhibits on Cambodian culture, history and archeology. Enjoy lunch at Le Royal Hotel before beginning your 4 hour cross-country drive to the port of Sihanoukville to rejoin Aurora.

DAY 1 – HO CHI MINH CITY
Your Indochina overland adventure begins in Vietnam with a 1½ hour drive to the country’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the National History Museum, which includes an unusual water puppetry performance. A brief stop will be made at a lacquer factory for you to see the traditional local craftsmanship. Stop for photographs at Notre Dame Cathedral, and visit the Reunification Hall, where Liberation forces marked the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. After a buffet lunch, you will continue on to City Hall and the Dong Khoi district where you will have free time for shopping. After your Ho Chi Minh sightseeing, transfer to the airport for a 1 hour flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Check into the Sohka Angkor Resort Hotel, where you will have a buffet dinner and spend the next 2 nights.

DAY 2 – ANCIENT CITY OF ANGKOR
After breakfast, head for the enchanting Banteay Srei Temple, known as the Citadel of Women. This petite Temple possesses wonderful, intricate carvings. Your next highlight will be Banteay Samre, one of the few fortified Temples to be surrounded by a moat. See Ta Prohm Temple, used during filming of ‘Tomb Raider’, these fascinating ruins are covered with twisted fig tree roots, which add to the atmosphere of this sacred temple. Enjoy lunch at the Tara Hotel. The highlight of your day will no doubt be the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, a stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, Angkor Wat is undoubtedly the most breathtaking of all Angkor monuments. Venture on to the South Gate at Angkor Thom and explore the forested centre of the once great city. You will also see the Bayon Temple, the Terrace of the Leper King, Terrace of the 12 Elephants, the Baphuon and the Royal Palace. Before returning to the Hotel, you’ll have an opportunity to shop at the central market for mementoes of your visit. In the evening, you will be treated to a wonderful Apsara dance show with a buffet dinner at the Hotel.

DAY 3 – PHNOM PENH
Take an early breakfast before heading to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival, you’ll be met by your city guide for a tour of the highlights. See the beautiful Royal Palace, which has been occupied by the Kings of Cambodia since 1860. Its gilded finials, gleaming white and gold walls contrast beautifully with the green of the manicured gardens. Located on the south side of the Palace, you’ll find the Silver Pagoda, which houses many of the nation’s treasures, including the 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha. At the National Museum, you will find more of the countries prized possessions and interesting exhibits on Cambodian culture, history and archeology. Enjoy lunch at Le Royal Hotel before beginning your 4 hour cross-country drive to the port of Sihanoukville to rejoin Aurora.