Essential Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam

Your Day in Detail

Get to know Singapore on a half-day city tour that brings together its colonial heritage, cultural landmarks, and green spaces. Begin with a drive through the Civic District, passing the Padang, Singapore Cricket Club, and historic Parliament House. You will also see the National Gallery Singapore, housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings.

Continue to Merlion Park for views across Marina Bay and a photo stop with Singapore's famous half-lion, half-fish Merlion. Then visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of the city's oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples, before driving through the lively streets of Chinatown.

The tour concludes at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a walk through the National Orchid Garden, home to an impressive collection of around 60,000 orchid plants, and enjoy a quieter side of the city.

After exploring Singapore, your journey continues to Cambodia via airplane. When the flight lands in Siem Reap, be met by your private guide, who will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Your Day in Detail

After breakfast, head to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the former royal capital of the Khmer Empire. Explore Bayon Temple, known for its iconic stone faces, and visit the Elephant Terrace, once used for royal ceremonies and public events.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Angkor Wat, the magnificent temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, enjoy the sunset from Bakheng Hill, or visit Pre Rup Temple for a quieter spot to take in the evening light.

Your Day in Detail

For an early start, you may choose to visit Angkor Wat and watch the sunrise. Breakfast can be enjoyed at your hotel or arranged as a takeaway for the morning. Afterward, travel through the countryside, passing local villages on your way to Banteay Srei. Often called the "Citadel of Women," this smaller temple is admired for its delicate pink sandstone carvings and intricate details.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Ta Prohm, where massive tree roots have grown over the ancient stone structures. The temple is also known for its appearance in the film Tomb Raider. Continue to Ta Keo, an imposing sandstone temple with a distinctive tiered structure. The rest of the late afternoon is free for you to relax or enjoy at your own pace.

Your Day in Detail

Spend the morning visiting a traditional Khmer village. See the rice fields and palm trees surrounding the village and learn about everyday life in the Cambodian countryside. Then board a boat and head out onto Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia's largest freshwater lake.

After lunch, head to the airport for your afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam's largest city is known for its French colonial landmarks, bustling motorbike-filled streets, and lively café culture. After landing, transfer to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free to settle in or head out for a first look at the city.

Your Day in Detail

Head out of Ho Chi Minh City this morning to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used by Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam War. Learn about the tunnels' role in the war and how they were built to support life and military operations underground.

Return to the city for visits to Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum, and the Reunification Palace, once the Presidential Palace. If you have time afterward, the Old Saigon Post Office and Dong Khoi Street are also worth exploring on a leisurely walk, with colonial-era architecture and historic city streets along the way.

Your Day in Detail

After breakfast, meet your guide and drive about two hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre, a province in the Mekong Delta. Begin at a local market to see residents shopping for fresh produce and everyday essentials.

Then board a boat and travel along the Ham Luong River, passing coconut groves and small riverside communities. Continue through quieter canals by rowing boat, followed by a visit to a local village. Along the way, you may stop at family homes to learn about traditional crafts, including coconut candy and handmade brooms. You will also visit a local family for a homemade lunch. Afterward, return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Enjoy some leisure time in Ho Chi Minh City and then fly to Hue. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and the remaining time can be spent exploring this ancient city on your own.

Your Day in Detail

Begin the day at the Royal Tomb of King Minh Mang, known for its traditional architecture and beautiful setting. Then board a Dragon Boat and cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the city's well-known seven-storey pagoda by the water.

Next, visit the Imperial Citadel and walk through the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the emperor and his royal family. Later, stop at Dong Ba Market, where you can browse stalls selling local food, fresh produce, and everyday goods, and see one of Hue's busiest spots in action.

Your Day in Detail

After breakfast, leave Hue for Hoi An, with several stops along the way. Travel over Hai Van Pass, a scenic mountain road known for its sweeping views of the coastline. In Da Nang, visit the Cham Museum to see its collection of Cham sculptures, then explore the caves and pagodas of the Marble Mountains. A round-trip elevator ride is included for your convenience. You will also stop at Non Nuoc Beach before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the town at your own pace.

Your Day in Detail

This morning, travel to a nearby fishing village for a Fisherman Eco Tour. Take a boat ride along the Cua Dai River and learn how to cast a fishing net with local fishermen. Then hop into a traditional Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and try paddling it yourself. Return to the main boat for refreshments and lunch.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Hoi An's Old Town. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese temple, and former Vietnamese merchant houses. Your guide will share the stories behind these historic landmarks as you explore the town.

Your Day in Detail

After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang Airport for your morning flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and begin exploring the capital's landmarks. See the French colonial-style Presidential Palace from the outside, followed by a visit to Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, where he once lived and worked.

Next, enjoy a traditional cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarter, passing its busy streets and shopfronts. Round off the tour at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, where you can view a collection of Vietnamese artworks and learn more about the country's artistic heritage.

Your Day in Detail

Set off from Hanoi in the morning for a 3-hour drive to Halong Bay. Upon arrival, board your overnight cruise and enjoy lunch as the boat sails through the bay's emerald waters, surrounded by thousands of limestone islands and rock formations.

In the afternoon, visit some of the bay's scenic spots, which may include caves, islands, or beaches, depending on your cruise itinerary. You may have time for swimming or other water activities along the way. Back on board, relax and enjoy the sunset, followed by dinner and evening entertainment or activities. Spend the night on the cruise, surrounded by the peaceful scenery of Halong Bay.

Your Day in Detail

Wake up to the beautiful scenery of Halong Bay and start the morning with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by breakfast on board. Later, take a smaller boat to explore more of the bay, with opportunities to visit a local floating village, discover scenic caves, or kayak through quieter waters, depending on your cruise itinerary.

After lunch, return to the main cruise and enjoy some free time on board. Relax on the sundeck or treat yourself to a spa session. As evening approaches, enjoy sunset drinks and a Vietnamese cooking demonstration before dinner. The rest of the evening is free for onboard activities or simply relaxing.

Your Day in Detail

Start the morning with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the cruise makes its way through Halong Bay. After a light breakfast, take a small boat to explore one of the bay's scenic caves, with the option of kayaking or taking a traditional bamboo boat rowed by a local boatman.

Return to the cruise to collect your belongings and enjoy a leisurely brunch while sailing back to the harbor. After disembarking, take a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi city. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy some final moments in Vietnam before your private guide and driver pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your homebound flight. As your journey comes to an end, take with you the memories of Vietnam.