Asia Brochure 2023

Vietnam Cruising

F lying into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and travelling by land and air until you reach the other is the most common way to tour Vietnam, and it’s fantastic for enjoying the highlights and contrasts of this amazing country. Yet, when you visit a destination with one of the world’s most beautiful bays and one of Asia’s greatest rivers, it makes sense to take your sightseeing to the water and set sail on an unforgettable Vietnam cruise. Just a few hours from Hanoi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay has been a bucket list staple since the very first list was written. Limestone pillars wrapped in ferns rise majestically from the bay’s emerald and white waves to create an otherworldly and mesmerising scene. Traditional junks float on the calm sea below, granting spectacular views to every occupant. Whether you join a day tour or stay overnight to enjoy the post-crowd serenity, no time in Northern Vietnam is complete without a visit to Ha Long Bay.

In the south, a Vietnam voyage means setting sail on the flowing waters of the Mekong. Board a luxury riverboat like the RV Apsara or the RV La Marguerite and make your way gracefully upriver from My Tho, located at the delta’s edge just south of Ho Chi Minh City, all the way to Tan Chau, the gateway to Cambodia. Pass through floating markets at Cai Be, see the ancient houses and temples of Sa Dec, and disembark for a rickshaw tour in the village of Tan Chau. All this whilst in the comfort of a floating hotel serving delicious daily meals created by an onboard chef. There’s no better way to experience the Vietnamese countryside’s leisurely pace and easy tranquillity than from the river. Of course, the Mekong doesn’t stop at the border, so adding Cambodia to your Vietnam cruising itinerary is easy and well worth it. A river cruise is a fantastic standalone experience or an idyllic end to a full north-to-south tour of Vietnam.

Slow down and soak up the beauty of rural Vietnam on a scenic Mekong River voyage, or immerse yourself in starlit stillness on a Ha Long Bay overnight junk cruise.

HA LONG BAY

The Essentials

BEST TIME TO GO Visit the Mekong between December and April and Ha Long Bay in spring or autumn. FUN FACT Ha Long Bay contains over 2000 islands, mostly uninhabited, and four floating fishing villages. TOP TIP Choose a complete Vietnam and Cambodia river cruise and experience two incredible countries.