Christmas on the Mekong

Fly overnight to bustling Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to soak up the local culture.

Journey into the old city of Angkor Thom. At its heart is the enigmatic Bayon, an iconic temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Admire the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King before continuing to the atmospheric Ta Prohm. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magnificent and best preserved of all of Angkor's treasures. As the sun sets, float peacefully on the moat that surrounds Angkor Thom, soaking up the atmosphere.

This morning, transfer to Kampong Cham to embark on your next adventure - a seven-night cruise on our premium small ship, the Victoria Mekong. Begin your cruise with a complimentary cocktail on deck, watching the sun set.

Explore the laid-back village of Angkor Ban with its wooden stilt houses. This afternoon, take a tuk-tuk to Silk Island to learn about the process of silk weaving from worm to loom. Return to the ship where you'll enjoy a Christmas feast with a Cambodian twist.

Enjoy a walking tour of Koh Chen village, where you'll meet a local copper and silversmith, before continuing to the country's former capital, Oudong. Arrive in Phnom Penh, and end your Christmas day celebrations in style with a signature cocktail at Raffles Hotel Le Royal before returning to the ship for dinner.

Begin the day exploring Phnom Penh's Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, before visiting the National Museum to admire Khmer treasures. After lunch, learn about Cambodia's tragic past under the Khmer Rouge regime with a visit to the Killing Fields, then return to the ship for a captivating Apsara dance performance.

Enjoy onboard activities such as a ship's tour or a minigolf tournament as the ship crosses the border into Vietnam. Arrive in Tan Chau, where a tender will take you to explore a floating village and see how locals farm freshwater fish beneath their stilt houses. This evening, experience a lion dance on the sky deck!

Head ashore and visit a craft village famous for its handmade clay stoves. Return to the ship for lunch before visiting Tiger Island for a scenic walk through rice fields, meet local artisans, and learn about Mr. Tiger's Temple.

Take a tender boat through a fascinating floating market to reach Long Xuyen. After lunch, visit Dinh Yen village to see traditional straw mat weaving. Return to the ship and enjoy a traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performance as you cruise towards Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta.

After breakfast, disembark and drive to Saigon, Vietnam's most evocative city. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

This morning, visit the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels to learn the history of the Viet Cong and their guerrilla tactics during the Vietnam War. Return to Saigon, a vibrant, modern city with a treasure trove of fascinating heritage. See the colonial Notre Dame Cathedral, visit the Central Post Office, and the fascinating War Remnants Museum. Relax with a coffee break at one of Saigon's popular coffee houses.

Fly from Saigon to Danang and transfer to the enchanting town of Hoi An. Head out on a walking tour, with visits including Chua Ong Pagoda, a historic merchant house, and the spectacular Japanese Covered Bridge. With its charming yellow buildings and vivid silk lanterns, a stroll through this traditional town feels like stepping back in time.

Venture into the countryside to Tra Que. Soak up the lush landscape as you stroll through vibrant vegetable gardens, watch local farmers at work, and try your hand at traditional cultivation techniques. Then, take part in a hands-on cooking demonstration and savour the flavours of authentic local specialities before returning to Hoi An.

Fly to Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi. A fast paced yet graceful city, it is packed full of ancient and modern sights to discover. Begin exploring at the serene Temple of Literature before taking a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter's atmospheric tangle of streets with a stop for local delicacy 'ca phe trung' (egg coffee) en route.

Today, head to the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, where you'll pass 'Uncle Ho's' monumental mausoleum and Stilt House, before seeing the One Pillar Pagoda. Tonight, attend one of Hanoi's famously breathtaking artistic performances.

Travel to Halong City, board a cruise boat and set sail on the tranquil blue-green waters of Halong Bay. With its 1,600 island and islets, the bay was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. As you explore, you'll make excursions to mysterious caves and enjoy delicious seafood onboard. After a night anchored out on the water, rise early to see the sun come up before cruising back to port. Return to Hanoi for an afternoon at leisure ahead of this evening's farewell dinner.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.