Vietnam, The Mekong & Cambodia23rd Mar 2025
From:£9,445
Summary
Journey through the heart of Indochina on this unique and immersive tour
Led by Miranda Bruce-Mitford lecturer at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, this tour offers a splendid combination of travel by land and water, exploring the history, cultural complexities and staggering natural beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia. We uncover Vietnam’s ancient past, partly shrouded in the myths of dragons and kings, and explore Cambodia’s great Khmer kingdom centred at Angkor. We will also investigate sites relating to colonialism, communism, the Viet Cong and the Khmer Rouge in order to understand these nations’ more recent history.
In Ho Chi Minh we board our river boat and embark on an exploration of the Mekong and its waterways. This vast, vibrant life-giving river starts as snowmelt in the Tibetan plateau and ends in the huge delta, renowned for its intricate network of canals and paddy fields before flowing into the South China Sea. Travelling along the narrow Chao Gao Canal, we cruise up the Delta towards Cambodia, relaxing into the rural way of life, stopping at villages, temples and pagodas along the way. Disembarking at Siem Reap, we continue to Angkor where we spend three days visiting the magnificent temple complexes built by the Angkor dynasty between the 9th and 13th centuries.
What to Expect
- Explore the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex, the largest religious monument in the world and an architectural marvel
- Enjoy a relaxed week cruising up the Mekong River, from Ho Chi Minh City along the Chao Bao Canal to Siem Reap, observing rural life in the Delta
- Discover Banteay Srei, an exquisite 10th century temple of pink sandstone with exceptional carvings
- Highlights in northern Vietnam include the stilt house and mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History
- Spend a full day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital where visits include the old Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum of Cambodia
Day by Day Itinerary
London - Hanoi
We depart from London in the morning to take our flights to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Arriving on Day Two, we transfer to our hotel and take the rest of the morning to acclimatise. After lunch, we spend the afternoon exploring some of the city with our Guide Lecturer, taking in Ma May Ancient House, an example of the traditional Hanoi shop-house, restored in 1999, we continue to Bach Ma Temple, thought to be the oldest temple in Hanoi, and Chuong Gate, the only remaining city gate, with its famous watchtower. Before dinner this evening we enjoy a performance by Vietnam’s famous water puppets.
Meals includedBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
