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Vietnam/Cambodia

The People of the Mekong: Vietnam, Cambodia and Angkor Wat

Program No. 18681RJ
Dive deep into the ancient cultures of the Mekong, learning about daily village life, grand temples, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and traditional artistry from the people who live here.
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Small Group
Length
17 days
Rating (4.9)
Activity Level
Starts at
3,999
Flights start at
1,175
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
35 meals ( 14B, 1BR, 10L, 10D )
10 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
1 flight during the program
2 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
14 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Afternoon:
Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m. Check into the hotel, relax and freshen up before our orientation and dinner. Orientation: Your Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. In addition to the program theme and logistics, we will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Please be aware that indicated times are approximate and that program activities and schedules could change due to local circumstances such as weather, traffic conditions, etc. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. During free time, the Group Leader will often be available for informal excursions, activities, or meals not included in the program. You are welcome to join if you wish, with any associated costs at your own expense.
Dinner:
Welcome Dinner at the hotel with a complimentary glass of wine, beer, seltzer, or soft drink.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; minimal driving time. Walking up to 2 miles total throughout the day; paved walkway at Ba Dinh Square. Wearing shorts, tank tops and hats are not permitted at Ba Dinh Square.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we will be joined at the hotel by a local expert for a presentation on the History of Vietnam. After the lecture, we board our motorcoach to visit Ba Dinh Square. This is where Ho Chi Minh read out the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Across the street, we find the One Pillar Pagoda, constructed to celebrate the heiress Emperor Ly Thai Tong who dreamt about receiving a son from the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion. Our exploration continues at the Temple of Literature, only a few years younger than Hanoi itself. This, the country’s oldest monument to education, is one of the world’s earliest universities. Dedicated to Confucius in 1070, it initially accepted only children of the nobility, but by 1442 it embraced gifted students from throughout the country. The preserved and reconstructed buildings are a rare example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Its lovely courtyards, trees, gardens and paths provide a tranquil glimpse into the past.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Our next stop will be the Museum of Ethnology for an expert-led visit. Here we learn about the life and culture of the 54 recognized ethnic groups that live in Vietnam. The museums' mission is to preserve cultural heritage and promote cultural diversity within the country. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own.
Dinner:
At own arrangements. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions nearby the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Motorcoach transfer to the cooking class (driving approximately 2 miles/3.2 kilometres). Electric car ride around the Old Quarter in the afternoon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we take a hands-on cooking class at Madam Tuyet's. Madame Tuyet became famous both locally and internationally when her Anh Tuyet restaurant was visited in 2002 by American chef Anthony Bourdain. During our class we visit the local market and learn about Vietnamese ingredients. We then proceed to prepare and cook our own northern Vietnamese cuisine.
Lunch:
At Madam Tuyet’s, we will savor our Vietnamese creations.
Afternoon:
Next, we explore Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter while riding an electric car near Hoam Kiem Lake and the surrounding area. Remnant of a bygone era, the Old Quarter has the original street layout and architecture of old Hanoi. At the beginning of the 20th century the city consisted of only about 36 streets, most of which are now part of the Old Quarter. Each street then had merchants and households specializing in a particular trade, such as silk traders, jewelry, etc. The street names still reflect those specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original area of commerce. Before dinner, we delight in a Mua Roi Nuoc performance. Also known as Water Puppet Theatre, Mua Roi Nuoc tells the story of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam. Water puppetry is performed in a pool, depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. This uniquely northern Vietnamese art form is a centuries old variation on ancient Asian puppet traditions. Puppets would be put out to watch over crops, and when fields flooded, villagers would entertain themselves with the puppets.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Driving approximately 113 miles (181 kilometers) / 3.5 hours, with a stop along the way. Getting on/off a Vietnamese junk. We will anchor and spend the night aboard the boat. Land excursions require getting in/out of rowboats, which comfortably sit 4 people plus the rower. Walking approximately 1 mile total throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of our hotel, we drive to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we board a traditional Vietnamese Junk for one night. "Ha Long", which means "Bay of Descending Dragons", is a stunning site famous for its scenic ocean karst topography and peaceful horizon. En route, our Group Leader will provide an introduction to life in northern Vietnam.
Lunch:
On board the junk.
Afternoon:
We board rowboats to explore Luon Cave. We paddle under a large limestone arch, which acts as a tunnel to the sea, to an enclosed turquoise lake. View a diverse ecosystem of orchids, ferns, monkeys, and shell fossils millions of years old. We next visit Titop Island with its famous crescent moon-shaped beach and tranquil beautiful blue waters. We return to our vessel and in the early evening have a presentation on the ecology and environmental issues of Halong Bay.
Dinner:
On board the junk.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy the sunset in Halong Bay. Prepare for an early morning excursion and check out by mid-morning.
Activity Note
Land excursions require getting in/out of rowboats. Walking approximately 1 mile total throughout the day, including through the cave on rocky and uneven terrain, with steps. The cave entrance requires climbing 50 steep stone steps, then descend 10 steps to reach the caves entrance. Walking within the cave on flat, paved walkway. The drive from Halong Bay to Hanoi International Airport is approximately 113 miles (181 kilometres) / 3.5 hours, with a stop along the way.
Breakfast:
Early morning watch the sun rising over the bay. Those who wish may participate in a tai chi session. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the restaurant. This morning we transfer from the junk to smaller boats to visit Sung Sot Cave, the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay, known for its impressive size and many stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling. We return to our junk and prepare for check-out.
Brunch:
Mid-morning, we will have a buffet brunch in the boat's dining room. After brunch we will disembark the boat and transfer to Hanoi airport via motorcoach for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). As we travel, our Group Leader will speak about Vietnam after the introduction of the 'open door policy' in the mid-1980s.
Afternoon:
We arrive at the airport and check into our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). We will have a light snack at the airport. Upon our arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we transfer to the hotel via motorcoach and check in. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Dinner:
At own arrangements. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions nearby the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking approximately 3 miles/5 kilometres total throughout the day; indoors and outdoors, sidewalks and city streets, some stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We begin our day by visiting a local university for a private lecture on Economic Development in the Mekong Delta. Following the presentation, we have a chance to engage with the university professor and some students to ask questions and learn about higher education in Vietnam.
Lunch:
We experience the traditional Vietnamese dish of pho.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will transfer by motorcoach to Reunification Hall (the former Presidential Palace) which was built as a modern administrative center. Led by our Group Leader, we will explore this unchanged relic of the 1970s and see the impressive interiors as well as the tanks, bunker, and helicopter on the grounds surrounding it. We return to our hotel and then continue on our walking discovery of Saigon and learn more about Vietnamese history. We stop by the Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office before walking along Ly Tu Long Street to the Pittman Apartment Building. It was from here that the USA evacuees were flown out in 1975. We then walk to Dong Khoi Street to see the City Hall and Opera House. We continue to walk by the Continental, Caravel and Saigon Dong Du Hotels and learn about their place in history. At the conclusion of our field trip, we return to the hotel to relax before transferring to dinner.
Dinner:
At a restaurant located in a historic villa.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
The Cu Chi Tunnels are located outside the city, approximately 3 hours round trip by coach (depending on traffic). Walking about 3 miles/5 kilometres total throughout the day; indoors and outdoors, sidewalks and city streets, some stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we experience the Cu Chi Tunnels - an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped achieve ultimate military success.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Saigon. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities for ideas. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At own arrangements.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of, standing and sitting in small boats; about 1 hour travel on the boats. Driving approximately 88 miles (142 kilometres) / 4 hours, with stops. Walking up to 1 mile total throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We depart for the Mekong Delta and begin our journey along the Mekong River. Along the way the Group Leader will talk about the development in southern Vietnam and the changing culture in the Mekong Delta. We stop in Cai Be, where we board small boats to explore the arms of the Mekong River.
Lunch:
At a historic home situated along a river, we will have a plated meal.
Afternoon:
We re-board our motorcoach and continue our drive to Chau Doc. Along the way our Group Leader will talk about the relationship of Vietnam and Cambodia and the ethnic diversity of the Mekong Delta. Chau Doc sits at the junction of a tributary linking the Bassac and Mekong Rivers on the border between Vietnam and southeastern Cambodia. An incredibly friendly and bustling little city, it has a color scheme to match its ambiance with bright pastel hues of green, blue and purple adorning many of the newer shopfronts. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Short drive up to the top of Sam Mountain via motorcoach. Walking up to 1/2 mile (1 hour) at approximately 600 feet in elevation; dirt path to the viewing platform.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we take a field trip to Sam Mountain, the highest elevation on the Mekong. The mountain provides a spectacular view of the region's rice paddies, canal system and the Cambodian border. We stop briefly at one of the temples located at the bottom of Sam Mountain.
Lunch:
At own arrangements.
Afternoon:
Free time. Enjoy the afternoon by relaxing or continue exploring independently.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out, transfer and border crossing in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off vessel; the ride is approximately 69 miles (111 kilometers) / 4 - 5 hours. Be sure to have your passport accessible for the border crossing; border formalities can take up to 1 hour depending on how busy the border station is. Walking up to 1 mile/3.2 kilometres total throughout the day, mostly indoors at field trip sites.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we will board a speedboat on the Mekong and continue our journey to Cambodia. At the Vietnam/Cambodia border, we will go through immigration formalities before proceeding to Phnom Penh.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Phnom Penh.
Afternoon:
Phnom Penh has a fascinating history and was once referred to as the "Paris of the East." Its strategic location at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers made it a vital hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. This afternoon we visit the National Museum. The National Museum is the most significant public repository of Khmer artifacts in the country, displaying many important Angkorian artifacts as well as rare pieces from later periods. We move next to the Cambodian Royal Palace. Here we explore this fascinating compound, including the Silver Pagoda. We then transfer to our hotel and check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Driving approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) / 1 hour one way. Walking approximately 2 miles/3.2 kilometres total throughout the day; some stairs at S-21, narrow dirt paths at Choeung Ek Killing Fields Memorial. These sites require reverence for victims of genocide; appropriate dress required, no shorts or tank tops.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we are joined by a local expert for a presentation on the Current Economic and Political Conditions of Cambodia. We then visit S-21, the interrogation center, and Choeung Ek Killing Fields Memorial. Extremely somber and intensely powerful, these sites will help us to understand some of the horrors and devastation of Pol Pot's regime, and the legacy it left behind. The Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Enjoy the afternoon by relaxing or continue exploring independently. Visit one of the local markets, walk the city streets, or just relax at the hotel.
Dinner:
At own arrangements.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning to Siem Reap.
Activity Note
This will be a full day trip. Driving approximately 200 miles/320 kilometres throughout the day; from Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom is approximately 96 miles (155 kilometres) / 2.5 hours; from Kampong Thom to Siem Reap is approximately 100 miles (160 kilometres) / 2.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we will board our motorcoach and set out for Siem Reap. We stop at a silk farm located en route in Kampong Thom. We will reach the farm in the late morning.
Lunch:
At the silk farm.
Afternoon:
The owner of the farm will provide an overview of the processes involved in creating Cambodian silk. We will learn about the worms, as well as dying and weaving techniques. Following our field trip, we continue on our drive to Siem Reap and check into the hotel upon arrival.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Rest and relax for our early morning visit to Angkor Wat.
Activity Note
Early rise and transfer to Angkor Wat to watch sunrise. Driving about 8 miles/12.9 kilometres for the day, approx. 1/2 hour. Walking approximately 2 miles; periods of standing and sitting at sites; hot and humid weather.
Breakfast:
Setting out with a local expert before dawn, we will immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of Angkor Wat at sunrise. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. The best-preserved temple at the site, Angkor Wat is also the only temple to have remained a significant religious center since its construction. It was built to embody the Hindu tradition – specifically dedicated to the god Vishnu – but gradually shifted to become a primarily Buddhist site as the official religion of the Khmer Empire changed. After our sunrise viewing, we return to our hotel for breakfast.
Morning:
After breakfast we explore Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. Established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, the mesmerizing temple of Bayon sits at the center of the city. We leave the temple and transfer to a local pagoda. Here we take part in a traditional Khmer ritual. Buddhist monks will offer a private blessing ceremony to wish us health, good luck and safe travels. Following our blessing, we are free until the early evening. You may choose to return straight to the hotel or continue exploring on your own.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. Enjoy the afternoon by relaxing or continue exploring independently. We come together in the early evening and transfer via motorcoach to a cultural dance performance.
Dinner:
At the Aspara Dance performance location.
Evening:
In the early evening, we board a motorcoach to an Apsara Dance performance by a group of local artists that are working to preserve the traditional Cambodian classical arts. As evidenced in part by the innumerable apsaras (celestial dancers) that adorn the walls of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian temples, this dance has been a part of Khmer culture for more than a millennium.
Activity Note
This will be a full morning field trip. Getting in/out of motorcoach frequently; short drives. Standing and sitting in the morning sun in hot and humid weather. Walking approximately 2 miles total throughout the day on uneven terrain; sturdy and closed-toe footwear recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we continue to explore the temples of Angkor with the guidance of a local expert. Our first stop will be Ta Prohm. Constructed during the height of the Khmer Empire by Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm served as a Buddhist monastery and a center for learning. The temple features traditional Khmer architecture, consisting of a series of smaller enclosures. The largest enclosure measures approximately 3,281 feet by 2,133 feet (1,000 meters by 650 meters). At the center of Ta Prohm is the impressive elevated stone face of Prajnaparamita, the personification of wisdom, whose features were modeled after those of the king's mother. In recent years, Ta Prohm's popularity has increased significantly, along with the rest of the Angkor complex. The temple also gained fame from its appearance in the movie "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider." We continue on with a visit to Banteay Srei. Also known as the Citadel of Women, or the Pink Temple, Banteay Srei is made of pink sandstone and was built in the latter half of the 10th century by Rajendravarman II and Jayavaraman V.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we take a motorcoach to visit Satcha, a Cambodian organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the country's rich handicraft heritage and artistry. Explore the craftmanship, observe artisans at work, and learn about their efforts to keep age-old traditions alive. Upon returning to the hotel, enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing or continue to explore independently.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we will have our Farewell Dinner that includes a complimentary glass of wine, beer, seltzer , or soft drink. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
Say farewell to new Road Scholar friends and prepare for departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 noon. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
Transfer to Siem Reap airport (for those who have booked their flights through Road Scholar) for flights home. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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