Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights

• Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.

Begin your exploration of the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire. Built during the heyday of the Empire in the 12th century, this is an extraordinary complex of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Head to the intriguing Bayon Temple, with its carved stone smiling faces of gods, goddesses, and other mythological beings. Visit the Terrace of Elephants, which used to be the base for the king's grand audience hall and the Terrace of the Leper King, which housed the royal crematory.

Journey to Ta Prohm, known for the thick jungle of fig trees and vines that have enveloped the structure, giving it a lost world feel. Commonly referred to as the 'Tomb Raider temple' due to it being used as a location in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider which starred Angelina Jolie, Ta Prohm is a captivating glimpse into the past and testament to a bygone era. En route to the hotel, enjoy your Signature Experiences. (B)

Signature Experiences:

• Be welcomed backstage at Phare Circus to meet some of the performers and witness a mesmerising performance from your VIP seats. Combining captivating acrobatics, theatre and storytelling, this unforgettable spectacle showcases the country's rich culture and talent.
• Visit ODA, Opportunities of Development through Art, a OneTomorrow partner.

• Perhaps enjoy an exciting tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d'Angkor workshop, where you can shop for local handmade crafts. Should you wish to get active, take off on a thrilling quad bike adventure, or enjoy a leisurely bicycle tour across the Cambodian countryside. If you want to take things a little easier, a horse and cart ride is ideal, or learn the tasty secrets to Khmer cuisine during a cooking class. For those craving a little retail therapy, a shopping adventure awaits. Or if you desire the ultimate indulgence, surrender to a soothing spa treatment.

• Visit Angkor Archaeological Park to witness a spectacular sunrise at the magnificent Angkor Wat. Observe the iconic temple complex shimmer in the reflective ponds in front of this World Heritage-listed monument, while brilliant shades of orange and pink light up the sky.
• Treat yourself to a private visit to Theam's Gallery and discover this talented Cambodian artist known for his unique sculptures, paintings, and intricate crafts. Indulge in a tantalising five-course Khmer dinner, while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians.

Bid farewell to Siem Reap and journey through remote Cambodian villages to Kampong Cham. Here, embark the Mekong Serenity, your home for the next seven nights. Following lunch on board, discover the island of Koh Pen with its stilted houses and local farming culture during your Signature Experience. You can see a varying range of crops growing depending on the season, including tobacco, betel nuts, watermelons, coconuts and many more tropical fruits.

Tonight, as you sail towards Angkor Ban, a welcome dinner showcasing the diverse flavours of the region awaits. Stay Seven Nights: Mekong River, Mekong Serenity (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Journey by local tuk tuk around a riverside village and gain an insight of village life. Travel along the shaded lanes, past stilted houses and see a varying range of crops growing.

Take a walking discovery tour of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here, people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive.

Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, renowned for its silk weaving traditions. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms.

In the afternoon continue to sail along the Mekong and enjoy some time at leisure. Have a dip in the pool or relax on the Sun Deck. (B/L/D)

• Experience some of Cambodia's sobering history with a moving excursion to the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Otherwise, discover Phnom Penh on a cyclo ride to uncover some well-known sights. History buffs can admire the exhibits at the National Museum, or perhaps explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Or you may wish to set off on a journey to sample some locally brewed beers at two of the city's craft breweries.

• In Oudong, be treated to a Buddhist Blessing by monks at a local monastery.

Enjoy the day cruising towards the Vietnamese border. While border formalities are carried out, enjoy the onboard activities, which could include a lively presentation from your local guides, a fruit-carving demonstration, or even a cooking workshop where you will learn the art of creating Vietnamese spring rolls. Alternatively, relax your body with a rejuvenating treatment from the Spa and Wellness Centre. Cross into Vietnam and cruise to the riverside town of Tan Chau, the first stop after the border. (B/L/D)

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around the riverside town of Tan Chau. Cruise past a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a rickshaw tour of Tan Chau. On board your rickshaw, you'll glide past small shops, and meet locals who are always eager to say hello. Stop to pay a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop.

Later, step back in time during a visit to Evergreen Island, where you'll experience authentic rural Mekong life. The remainder of today is left free for you to relax and take a moment to watch local life gently glide by as you cruise towards Sa Dec. (B/L/D)

Journey towards Sa Dec by small tender boat where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Marguerite Duras' best-selling novel, The Lover.

Later, pay a visit to a traditional Cao Dai temple. Watch visitors and pilgrims come and go and appreciate the beauty of the building. Return to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch while you cruise towards Cai Be. Board your tender boat and step ashore to visit the French Gothic cathedral and the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens.

Afterwards, you'll visit a rice paper manufacturer and learn about how this Vietnamese staple is made.

Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner on board as you cruise towards your final stop My Tho. (B/L/D)

• Today you can choose to enjoy a leisurely walking discovery of Ho Chi Minh City, or you might like to jump on the back of a motorbike for an exciting city ride or join a local instructor for a gentle Tai Chi class. Alternatively, you may like to try out your culinary skills with a fun cooking class or embark on a shopping spree.

• Journey by speedboat to the Cu Chi Tunnels which were built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war.
• Meet a Master Distiller at Lady Trieu Gin Distillery and enjoy a private tasting.
• Savour dinner at the highly acclaimed restaurant Vietnam House, and enjoy a special cocktail designed specifically for APT.

Enjoy breakfast before you will be transferred to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight. (B)