Today, you'll arrive in Hanoi. Enjoy the day to explore this fascinating city at your leisure. Hanoi is both bustling and beautiful with many peaceful lakes that contrast with the busy city to make this part of Vietnam truly unique. Take your time to explore this exciting city before enjoying a welcome dinner this evening at Spice Garden, the hotel's highly awarded and acclaimed Vietnamese restaurant. Signature Experience - VIP Fast Track Service Start your holiday as soon as possible when you receive Fast Track Service for a seamless arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam. Be whisked through immigration and customs, before meeting your APT representative, who will transfer you to your accommodation.

A guided tour of Hanoi takes you to the city's most famous historical and cultural sites. Highlights include Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature, a beautiful example of Vietnamese architecture and the first university in Vietnam. Nearby is the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam's most significant attractions, marking a notable development of Buddhism in the country. Constructed on a single pillar of stone in the middle of a lotus pond, this pagoda is a religious stop for local pilgrims. You'll also enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Explore the maze-like streets of this charming area where each street conveys the name of the type of business that once operated there, such as Bamboo Street, Sugar Street and Silver Street. Then, explore more of this vibrant city on your selected Freedom of Choice experience. Tonight, choose your dining experience. Freedom of Choice - Bat Trang Pottery Village Journey to Bat Trang, a village where porcelain and pottery of the highest quality have been made for over 700 years. Step out with your guide on an insightful walk and hear stories about the rich clay. Freedom of Choice - Head, Hand or Foot Massage Indulge in a relaxing massage and soak up the atmosphere of Le Spa du Metropole overlooking the charming garden courtyard and pool of the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole. Freedom of Choice - Walking Tour of Hanoi Explore Hanoi on foot. Step inside the neo-gothic St. Joseph's Cathedral, admire the Hanoi Opera House and view exhibits at Hoa Lo Prison. Learn about Vietnam's struggle for independence from France. Freedom of Choice - Water Puppet Performance Set off by foot to one of Hanoi's most renowned water puppet theatres. Learn about the art of water puppetry and its place in Vietnamese culture, including its beginnings in the villages. Freedom of Choice - Vietnam's Coffee Culture Discover the importance of coffee in Vietnam, one of the country's largest exports. Learn about the history and cultivation of coffee and try your hand at making some unique drinks. Freedom of Choice - La Terrasse Savour the atmosphere of a Parisian cafe at La Terrasse at the Sofitel Legend Metropole. With its classic Parisian-inspired furniture, this is the perfect place to relax. Freedom of Choice - La Table Hanoia Located in the heart of the French Quarter, and previously known as the Press Club, La Table Hanoia takes you on a journey of discovery. Enjoy a fine selection of gourmet food accompanied by seamless service. Freedom of Choice - KOTO Van Mieu Dine on soulful Vietnamese cuisine at KOTO Van Mieu, a training restaurant for disadvantaged and at-risk youth in Vietnam. This not-for-profit social enterprise empowers the youth through hospitality t

This morning, take a private tour of your hotel's bomb shelter during an insightful Signature Experience. Afterwards, travel to Tuan Chau for another incredible Signature Experience. Here, board the Lyra Grandeur for your three-day Ha Long Bay cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink on board before setting off towards Frog Lagoon. Spend time swimming, enjoy a putt on the onboard mini golf course, or unwind in your ship's infinity pool or jacuzzi. This evening, venture to the lounge and Ocean Sky Sundeck and toast to the sunset with your favourite drink before rolling up your sleeves at a chef-led cooking demonstration. Dinner is on board tonight, where you can savour fresh, locally sourced produce expertly prepared by onboard chefs. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Perhaps catch a film in the lounge, enjoy karaoke in the Sea Melody theatre, play board games in the Cigar and Poker Room, or learn how to catch squid with the crew. Signature Experience - Exclusive Access to a Bomb Shelter Join a local historian for a private tour of the hotel's bomb shelter. Hear stories of its chance discovery and learn about the famous guests who sought shelter during air raids. Signature Experience - Ha Long Bay Cruise See Ha Long Bay on a two-night cruise aboard the luxurious Lyra Grandeur. Made up of over 1,600 limestone pillars, World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay is an ideal playground for exciting activities and relaxation.

As the sun rises over the acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, rejuvenate the body and mind with a refreshing Tai Chi lesson. Delight in a hearty breakfast before your ship makes it way to Viet Hai in Lan Ha Bay, where you disembark and travel via bicycle or electric car to the small fishing village framed by highlands and thick jungle. The village offers a window into local life that has been shaped by the surrounding landscape. On arrival, visit an ancient home, meet the villagers, and learn how to make rice wine. Afterwards, visit Ba Trai Dao beach, a crescent-shaped coastline renowned for its clear water, white sands and mountainous scenery. Return to your ship for lunch and spend the rest of the day enjoying your onboard amenities.

Begin the day with a delicious breakfast. Afterwards, board traditional rowing boats and venture to the Dark and Bright Cave. Here, discover a delightful contrast between the murky Dark Cave tunnels that swallow up the light, and the sunlight-filled Bright Cave. Return to your ship for brunch. Later, disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll be met by your Tour Director and enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.

Leave the city behind and enjoy your Signature Experiences today. Tonight, relish a delectable dinner during another Signature Experience. Signature Experience - Cu Chi Tunnels Visit Set off on a thrilling speedboat journey along the Saigon River to the Cu Chi tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. Signature Experience - Private Gin Tasting Meet a Master Distiller at Lady Trieu Gin Distillery and enjoy a guided tour and private tasting of the multi-award-winning gin. Follow up your tour with a light lunch, accompanied by a refreshing Lady Trieu gin and tonic. Signature Experience - Dinner at Vietnam House Savour dinner at the highly acclaimed restaurant Vietnam House, and delight in a special cocktail designed specifically for APT guests.

Choose your sightseeing this morning, then be transferred to your river ship. Set sail from My Tho and soak up the scenery during your cruise towards Cai Be. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region. Freedom of Choice - City Walking Tour Discover the city's iconic landmarks and French colonial architecture on an informative guided walk. Stroll by the Saigon Opera House, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Freedom of Choice - Motorbike Ride Jump on the back of a motorbike like a local for a thrilling sightseeing adventure. Weave through the streets past the Central Post Office and Independence Palace. Visit Chinatown and Thien Hau pagoda. Freedom of Choice - Cooking Class Meet your chef, visit the market and discover Vietnamese ingredients. Continue to a villa and relax in the outdoor garden before you create your dishes. Learn the intricacies of making bánh mì xíu mại. Freedom of Choice - Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Adventure Seek out the city's boutiques and discover high-quality handmade goods on a visit to Mekong Quilts. Saigon Kitsch sells quirky souvenirs, while L'Usine is a trend-setting lifestyle store. Freedom of Choice - History of Saigon Delve deeper into Ho Chi Minh City's turbulent history. Start at the Reunification Palace, visit the War Remnants Museum and see the Burning Monk Memorial.

Board your traditional sampan for your first excursion on the banks of the Mekong. Step ashore to visit French gothic Cai Be Church, built in the Roman architectural style, as well as the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. The church's bell tower, with its set of four bells cast in France in 1931, is the tallest bell tower in the Tien Giang Province. Afterwards, you'll visit rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers and learn how these Vietnamese staples are made. Head back to the ship to refresh before sitting down to savour a delicious lunch whilst continuing to cruise to the quaint town of Sa Dec. Upon arrival, explore Sa Dec by foot and meet some of the sellers at the colourful market. Continue to where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Duras' best-selling novel, 'The Lover'. After, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple. Watch visitors and pilgrims come and go and appreciate the beauty of the colourful building. Sail towards Tan Chau as dinner is served.

Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. Disembark for a rickshaw tour and visit a local rattan weaving workshop. Then, explore Evergreen Island to see authentic rural Mekong life. This afternoon, appreciate some downtime and watch the scenery pass as the Mekong Serenity cruises towards the Cambodian border.

Enjoy your Freedom of Choice activity then spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to head ashore and explore more of Phnom Penh independently or simply relax on board. Freedom of Choice - Killing Fields and Genocide Museum On this sombre excursion, learn about a confronting part of Cambodian history during a sobering visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Freedom of Choice - Cyclo Ride Explore Phnom Penh by what was the most popular form of transportation throughout Southeast Asia in the 1960s, the cyclo. Weave past some of the city's most iconic sites. Freedom of Choice - Visit the National Museum Accompanied by your private museum guide, discover the most important pieces within the National Museum of Cambodia. The collection includes the world's finest display of Khmer sculptures, art and relics. Freedom of Choice - Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda Discover Cambodia's Royal Palace, the official residence of the King. Completed in 1870, the palace is a fine example of Khmer architecture with elements of French influence. The palace also houses the Silver Pagoda.

Journey to Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital, where you will enjoy a Signature Experience. Following the visit, return via Koh Chen village and visit local copperware workshops. Back on board, cruise to Oknha Tey, known for its silk weaving traditions. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. Signature Experience - Buddhist Blessing Ceremony Take part in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony for good luck, health and safe journey, with resident monks at a monastery in Oudong.

Sail to Angkor Ban, where you'll disembark and enjoy a captivating walking discovery of this historic village. Remarkably, Angkor Ban stands as one of the rare Cambodian villages that remained unscathed during the tumultuous Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive. This afternoon, your ship continues sailing upstream to Wat Hanchey.

If you are feeling active this morning, walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey for expansive views over the Mekong. Here, you may find some novice monks along with many temples, pagodas, and stupas, some built this century while others date back to the eighth century. Savour lunch on board before enjoying a Signature Experience. Celebrate with a farewell dinner on board this evening. Signature Experience - Tuk Tuk Tour of Koh Pen Journey by local tuk tuk around a riverside village and gain an insight into village life. Travel along the shaded lanes past stilted houses and see a varying range of crops growing.

Bid farewell to the crew and disembark the Mekong Serenity early at Kampong Cham. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages where you can observe rural life. On arrival at your hotel, enjoy a light lunch and some relaxation time before your Signature Experiences. Signature Experience - Local Charity Visit Visit ODA, Opportunities of Development through Art, a OneTomorrow partner. ODA provides free English education and an introduction to computer skills to children living in Siem Reap's remote villages, with the aim to improve future employment opportunities. Signature Experience - VIP Circus Show Witness a mesmerising performance from your VIP seats. Combining captivating acrobatics, theatre and storytelling, this unforgettable spectacle showcases the country's rich culture and talent.