Great Rail Journeys Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong Delta

• Bustling Hanoi
• Overnight cruise in Halong Bay
• Hue and Hoi An
• Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)
• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Cai Rang floating market and the Mekong Delta
• Phnom Penh
• Siem Reap
• Angkor Wat and Thom

Days 1-2: To Hanoi

depart London Heathrow on an overnight flight direct to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling capital, arriving on Day 2. In the afternoon we begin our sightseeing tour of the city, with a traditional cyclo ride to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, past Hoàn Kiém Lake.

Day 3: Cruise on Halong Bay

Continue exploring Hanoi before you transfer to iconic Halong Bay. An extraordinary collection of limestone karst rock formations and islands dotted amongst emerald waters, this area of outstanding natural beauty is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Begin one of the highlights of the tour as you board our luxury junk for an overnight cruise.

Days 4-5: Hue

As the sun rises over the glorious panorama this morning, you could try Tai Chi on deck. After breakfast, visit one of the bay’s typical limestone grottos, before you sail back to shore. From here we transfer back to Hanoi, stopping en-route at Dong Trieu Pottery Village. This evening, we visit a Water Puppet Theatre, where we are treated to a performance of this traditional Vietnamese art form

Days 6: To Hoi An

Today, travel south by train from Hue to Danang, on one of the most beautiful stretches of line in Vietnam. We wend our way through the thick, verdant landscape, emerging onto a dramatic coastline, where the steep mountains tumble down to the pristine beaches fringing the South China Sea

Day 7: Hoi An

The charming riverside town of Hoi An is famed for its beautiful old buildings and its history as a merchant trading post. This morning we discover the old town on a walking tour, during which we see the 400-year old Japanese covered bridge, Tan Ky merchant house, and the vibrant local market.

Day 8: To Nha Trang

Leaving Hoi An, we transfer by coach to Danang for the train to the vibrant coastal resort of Nha Trang, passing rice paddies and mighty oxen working the countryside. We check in to our hotel, located on the beachfront, for a two night stay.

Day 9: At leisure in Nha Trang

Your day is free to spend at leisure in Nha Trang. The city is renowned for its superb beaches and idyllic setting in one of the world’s most beautiful bays.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh

We continue with a daytime journey by rail to Ho Chi Minh City – best known by its former name, Saigon. Chaotic and boisterous, this is a city with a huge zeal for life. On arrival we enjoy a sightseeing tour, taking in the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and Reunification Square.

Day 11: The Cu Chi tunnels

We travel to the Cu Chi tunnels, and visit the vast underground complex utilised by the Viet Cong during the war against the US. At its height, this system stretched for almost 250 km towards the Cambodian border, and contained field hospitals, weapons factories, kitchens, and living quarters.

Day 12: The Mekong Delta

We travel west by coach to the Mekong Delta, a wonder of nature where the enormous Mekong River splits into branches on its way to the South China Sea. We travel by boat to get a glimpse of the communities which make their living here, and stop at the floating market of Cai Be, before crossing a lower branch of the Mekong River.

Days 13-14: Into Cambodia and Phnom Penh

This morning we visit Cai Rang, one of the world’s largest floating markets. After time to explore, we transfer to Cao Lanh for our onwards boat journey through the Mekong Delta, and into Cambodia. We arrive in Phnom Penh, the country’s exciting capital, known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’, situated at the meeting point for three great rivers – the Mekong, the Tonle Sap and the Bassac.

Days 15-16: Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

We journey by road to Siem Reap today, pausing en-route at Sa Dec, a peaceful city made up of rustic colonial houses and tree-lined avenues, where Marguerite Duras set his semi-autobiographical novel, ‘The Lovers.’ On Day 16 we visit the world-famous Angkor Wat temple, a source of true national pride and the world’s largest religious structure.

Days 17-18: Homeward bound

We transfer to the airport for our flight back to London. Travelling via Hanoi, we arrive on Day 18.

VICTORIA CAN THO RESORT, CAN THO

Our accommodation in Can Tho is the exquisite 4-Star Victoria Can Tho Resort, situated on the banks of the Hau River in the Mekong Delta. The exclusive hotel is set in beautiful gardens and features a restaurant, with views overlooking the river.

MELIA HANOI HOTEL, HANOI

The 5-Star Melia Hanoi Hotel is located in the heart of Hanoi, close to Hoàn Kiém Lake. The hotel has two restaurants serving authentic Vietnamese and international dishes, a bar and lounge offering a selection of drinks and light snacks, a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Oasis spa providing a variety of treatments (payable locally).

ROYAL HOI AN MGALLERY, HOI AN

With views across the emerald waters of the Thu Bon River set in a grand old building, the 5-Star Hotel Royal Hoi An Mgallery is an excellent base from which to explore Hoi An and the fascinating old Vietnam that still exists here.

BEST WESTERN PREMIER INDOCHINE PALACE, HUE

The newly-built 5-Star Best Western Premier Indochine Palace in Hue is a destination in itself set in a lush tropical garden. The exclusive hotel boasts a bar and lounge, a café and you can dine in one of the five restaurants serving a variety of specialty cuisines.

NOVOTEL, NHA TRANG

The 4-Star Novotel in Nha Trang is superbly located on the beachfront and close to the city centre. The hotel has a bar offering a selection of drinks and light snacks, a restaurant serving a mix of eastern and western cuisine.

SUNWAY HOTEL, PHNOM PENH

The 4-Star Sunway Hotel enjoys an enviable position in the centre of Phnom Penh, close to the Mekong River, the Central Market and Wat Phnom and surrounded by trees and gardens.

ANGKOR MIRACLE RESORT & SPA, SIEM REAP

Situated close to the world-renowned Angkor Wat is our hotel, the 5-Star Angkor Miracle Resort and Spa.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.