Travel like a Local
Explore on foot, by ox cart, three wheeled cyclo, motorbike sidecar, tuk tuk, fishing boat and bamboo coracle.
This holiday through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand combines immersive and joyful encounters with local characters, with introductions to gastronomic delicacies and the chance to explore celebrated sites away from the crowds.
Journey from the temples, markets and paddy fields of Hanoi and Hoi An in Vietnam to the shores of the Mekong and the incredible temple complex of Angkor in Cambodia. Finally experience the unique buzz of Bangkok. Throughout, meeting local communities with a strong sense of identity and an open and engaging nature – experiencing their country from their perspective is a privilege and one of the joys of travelling in this part of the world.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Custodians of Culture
Slow down and spend time with locals who are passionate about their country, their history and their traditions.
A Sense of Place
Cruise the Mekong aboard the contemporary Aqua and stay in properties from the Raffles to an eclectic boutique hideaway.
Forgotten Flavours
Sample incredible ingredients and dishes, from street food to traditional home cooked recipes.
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Day 1
Arrive Hanoi
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Day 2
Hanoi
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Day 3
Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An
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Day 4
Hoi An
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Day 5
Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh
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Day 6
Ho Chi Minh
Board your Mekong Cruise
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Day 7
Mekong River – Binh Thanh/ Sa Dec – My An Hung
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Day 8
Mekong River – Chau Doc – Vinh Xuong – Ka’Om Samnor Border
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Day 9
Mekong River – Koh Okhna Tey – Preah Prosop
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Day 10
Phnom Penh
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Day 11
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
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Day 12
Siem Reap
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Day 13
Siem Reap
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Day 14
Siem Reap - Bangkok
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Day 15
Bangkok
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Day 16
Depart Bangkok
Day 1
Arrive Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi and take a bespoke tour of the city. Attend a water puppet show in the private theatre of a local artisan before sampling street food in the Old Quarter.
Day 2
Hanoi
Visit Nom Village, spending time with villagers hearing their stories and exploring local markets and food stalls away from other tourists. Explore Hanoi at night by e-scooter.
Day 3
Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An
Fly to Danang and travel overland to Hoi An.
Day 4
Hoi An
Learn how to fish, farm and live as a Hoi An local, meeting with artisans and crafting communities. Explore Hoi An on foot, sampling Vietnamese snacks and visiting ancestral family homes and hidden pagodas.
Day 5
Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh
Fly to Ho Chi Minh and spend the afternoon in the company of a celebrated Vietnamese artist, hosted in his Hue inspired artist garden. Spend the evening sitting street-side chatting over Vietnamese grown coffee or locally brewed beer.
Day 6
Ho Chi Minh
Explore by three wheeled cyclo and sidecar with your guide and driver team for a different perspective of the city. Learn firsthand about the coffee making process in Vietnam, from berry to roasting to blending. This afternoon transfer to the marina to board the Aqua Mekong and begin your Mekong cruise.
Day 7
Mekong River – Binh Thanh/ Sa Dec – My An Hung
Begin today at Binh Thanh mat weaving village or opt to visit the vibrant market at Sa Dec. Afternoon visit to the traditional Mekong Delta village, My An Hung to walk through verdant plantations and join locals in their home.
Day 8
Mekong River – Chau Doc – Vinh Xuong – Ka’Om Samnor Border
Travel by skiff along Bassac Canal to Chau Doc floating market before visiting Long Son Pagoda atop Sam Mountain and spend time with the resident monks. Return via the bustling morning market or take a bike or rickshaw ride with the ships chef. Relax by the pool, while crossing the border into Cambodia.
Day 9
Mekong River – Koh Okhna Tey – Preah Prosop
Witness dexterous Khmer artisans dyeing and weaving kroma, the ubiquitous fabric no Khmer lives without. Explore the riverbank on two wheels and board skiffs to visit the remote village of Preah Prosop.
Day 10
Phnom Penh
Disembark in Phnom Penh and explore the Cambodian capital. Visit the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and meet with one of the few survivors of Toul Sleng. Venture into the surrounding countryside, take a slow-paced cycle tour, learning more about local life before spending the afternoon with celebrated gourmand Chef Nak in her home on the banks of the Mekong.
Day 11
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Travel overland to Siem Reap, a journey of around 5 hours. Spend the evening at the Cambodian Circus, where tightrope walkers, contortionists and acrobats take to the stage for a dynamic, artistic spectacle.
Day 12
Siem Reap
Visit Angkor Wat. Take the road to Srah Srang and then to Ta Prohm and spend time walking through the temple from west to east exploring little known temples in the early morning light. In the afternoon head into the depths of the temples in the company of renowned Cambodian archaeologist Mr Khin Po-Thail.
Day 13
Siem Reap
See the sun rise over the iconic lotus towers of Angkor Wat with a pre-dawn sunrise tour. In the afternoon, discover rural landscapes that are generally inaccessible to visitors. Weave between rice paddies, woodland and back garden, learn about Buddhism and seek a blessing from the monks.
Day 14
Siem Reap - Bangkok
Fly to Bangkok and spend the morning exploring the Grand Palace.
Day 15
Bangkok
Walk through the old neighbourhood on the west bank of Chao Phraya river. Visit a Thai aristocratic family who have lived here for five generations and gain a deep understanding of Thai culture through the personal stories – a unique perspective of Bangkok. Dine at one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking Bangkok’s skyline.
Day 16
Depart Bangkok
Transfer to the airport for onward travel.
More Details
Vietnam
Di Vong Vong*
Vietnam is a bustling country, and cities like Ho Chi Minh are great fun but can be intimidating. Vietnamese people live their lives outdoors, dining and socialising on the streets and the best way to experience this is by joining them, using local transportation. We have included guided experiences on foot, by old fashioned cyclo, and even motorcycle sidecar for an immersion into real day to day life, from the chaotic to quiet back streets, markets and hidden temples, taking time to pause for coffee, art exploration and other food experiences. With first class guides and drivers by your side it is a fun and easy way to explore.
*Spending time out and about with family and friends.
Cambodia
Cooking with Chef Nak
This holiday is all about the people and Chef Nak is one of those special people. Renowned cook and food writer, she is dedicated to saving and celebrating traditional Khmer recipes and ingredients. Venture out of Phnom Penh where she will welcome you into her home on the banks of the Mekong and take you on a culinary journey through Cambodia. After sourcing the fresh ingredients needed from a local market, an adventure in itself, you will join her to prepare and cook a feast of forgotten flavours. After dining, take time to relax around the pool.
Cambodia
In the Company of Experts
An expert guide can be the difference between a great holiday and an amazing one. Mr Po-Thai is just that, a local Cambodian and one of the country’s top archaeologists. Working alongside organisations such as the World Monument Fund and other esteemed archaeologists for over 20 years, he has also featured in documentaries by the BBC and National Geographic as an expert on the temples of Angkor. Spend a day exploring Angkor with him which will surely be a highlight of your holiday.
Bangkok
A Walk of Five Generations
Wander through the old neighbourhood on the west bank of Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and spend a morning with a Thai aristocratic family. Residents here for five generations, they will share stories and personal perspectives, offering insight into the past and present of this city, its communities and their lives. An introduction to Bangkok that can only be found in the memories of the locals.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Vietnam is a major coffee producer and a growing industry. Included in this itinerary is the chance to learn about coffee production from barista experts, the process from berry to roasting, hear how climate change is affecting the industry and how farmers cooperate.
Aqua Expeditions care deeply about setting a standard in responsible travel in the destinations they operate. Your stay onboard will support ongoing projects, the funds from which have so far helped establish a library in Vietnam’s Vinh Dai Primary School and supported Cambodian Girls’ Education Program, Room to Read.
The Siam in Bangkok has eliminated all single use plastic bottles. As part of this initiative they are one of the first hotels in Thailand to sign up to the RefillNotLandfill program which encourages use of refillable water containers.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £11,785 Per person
When to travel
Vietnam in January
Dry and warm weather prevails throughout the majority of the country. The only exception is in the northern alpine regions, where it can be surprisingly chilly. Halong Bay can be quite hazy so you may not get the best views at this time.
Vietnam in February
Dry and warm weather continues across the majority of the country, but the alpine north remains much colder. Experience the Lunar New Year, the biggest festival of the year, with colourful red and yellow in the streets.
Vietnam in March
The busiest month, but for good reason. All regions experience good weather and the ideal time to see Halong Bay with clear skies.
Vietnam in April
Also peak season, as the great weather continues across the country, and the beaches warm up. The chilly mornings are gone in the alpine north but showers become a little more frequent.
Vietnam in May
Countrywide, temperatures are soaring, and the chances of a shower are increasing. A great time to explore the varied central region which remains hot and dry.
Vietnam in June
Central Vietnam is the place to be, as there is plenty of sunshine and warmth. Showers are possible in the south and north, but there will be fewer tourists in general.
Vietnam in July
The fine weather continues in central regions, with plenty of sunshine and little rain. The northern alpine regions are at their warmest, but there is a good chance of a shower.
Vietnam in August
Temperatures peak across the country, with central Vietnam continuing to enjoy the best weather. The most frequent showery month for many other regions.
Vietnam in September
The tables turn, with the central regions becoming wetter, whilst the other regions become drier. A good time to return to the alpine regions of the north, and Halong Bay.
Vietnam in October
A fantastic time to explore the alpine north. Trek in Sapa or get off the tourist trail in Ha Giang. It’s a quieter time in general as the central regions have their wettest months.
Vietnam in November
The start of the high season, with the northern alpine regions remaining good for hiking if a little cooler. The central region is still wet, but the rest of the country will generally be hot and dry.
Vietnam in December
The season gets into full swing, especially as Christmas approaches. Beaches open up as the central region starts to dry out, and the majority of the country is hot and dry.
Holiday Inspiration
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