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Call us: (910) 742-5324
Two lively cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, provide the perfect start and end to your incredible journey with Sisterhood Travels. Cruise along the Mekong, visiting rural villages, historic pagodas, local markets, and a Buddhist monastery where you’ll witness a special blessing by monks.
Indulge your inner adventurer in Siem Reap, exploring the grand temples of the UNESCO-designated Angkor Archeological Park, including Banteay Srei, Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants, the pyramid temple of Bayon, Ta Prohm—the vine-covered “jungle temple”—Angkor Wat and other key sites. Conclude your journey in Hanoi, Vietnam’s current capital, along with an overnight sojourn on board an elegantly appointed ship in the UNESCO-designated Ha Long Bay.
Take advantage of this chance to travel with Sisterhood Travels on this incredible, women-only group tour! Join Sisterhood Travels for a solo women journey that will take your breath away – with spectacular sightseeing, endless laughter, and the unforgettable experience of sisterly bonds. Join us as we create timeless memories while enjoying the true magic of sisterhood!
Join Sisterhood Travels for this incredible women-only journey. We promise you lots of fun, laughs, spectacular sightseeing, and, most of all….the magic of Sisterhood!
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon, and Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural, and educational hub. Please feel free to arrive at any time today as your time is your own. Hotel: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new and east and west. In the morning, we’ll explore some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Cu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. (B, L) Hotel: Sofitel Saigon Plaza
In the morning, we’ll visit Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Then, we’ll transfer by motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to our beautiful ship, the AmaDara, at My Tho Port for our luxury river cruise. We’ll join together for a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (B, L, D) Ship: AmaDara
Today, we can take a local boat to Cai Be. We’ll have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper-making workshops and the historic Kiet Old House. Later in the day, we journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. We will visit the colorful market, Cao Dai Temple, the home to a unique religion, Caodaism, in Southern Vietnam. It is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Confucianism. (B, L, D)
Today we’ll enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xeloi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silkmaking and rattan mat workshops, followed by a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to “Evergreen Island.” Alternatively, you can take a boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop. Later in the day, we’ll cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B, L, D)
This morning’s excursion takes us to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, we will explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling, yellow-colored Central Market after your visit to Royal Place. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. (B, L, D)
Today, we’ll be visiting Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital, from the early 17th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery. You may walk around Oudong’s monastery or take an active walking tour to see panoramic views of the Oudong plain. In Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly authentic excursion – an oxcart ride through a local village. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and treelined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian. (B, L, D)
In the morning, we set sail for Oknhatey Village. Oknhatey is the “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River and known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, we will visit a local elementary school and observe traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Our cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B, L, D)
This morning, you can go on a walking tour of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here, people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural ongoing of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where we will go on an afternoon excursion by motorcoach to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals. We’ll cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B, L, D)
This morning, we’ll disembark in Kampong Cham and transfer by motorcoach to Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer Empire. We’ll visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of the Trees,” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation. (B,D) Hotel: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
We’ll begin our morning exploration of the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the most iconic of all Angkorian temples built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god Vishnu. An afternoon excursion takes us to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, , which means “Citadel of Women,” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. During the evening, we’ll be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at oour hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B, D) Hotel: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
After breakfast, we’ll have a guided sightseeing tour of Angkor Thom, meaning “the great city” and the last capital of the Khmer Empire. This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces and the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day, take a short flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. (B) Hotel: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
From ancient temples to French Colonial architecture and modernday skyscrapers, along with beautiful parks and lakes, Hanoi is an eclectic and lively city. A morning sightseeing tour will showcase some of Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites, including Ba Dinh Square and The Temple of Literature. We will also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, you will experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as a “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional Water Puppet Show. (B) Hotel: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Today, we’ll take a scenic drive from Hanoi to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll then board an elegantly appointed ship designed with all the modern conveniences to ensure smooth sailing for an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. The backdrop of the bay’s magnificent scenery and dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations provide you with the perfect setting for a memorable sojourn. (B, L, D) Overnight on our Ship in Halong Bay
We’ll spend the morning sailing across the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, with more than 2,000 small islands rising from the water like a dragon’s back. Later in the morning, disembark the ship and transfer back to Hanoi, where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure with your Sisters. (B,L) Hotel: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Sadly, today we must bid farewell to Vietnam and our beautiful Sisters as we return to the airport for our homeward flights. (B)
This distinctive ship is in a class of her own! AmaWaterways’ sole cruise ship on the Mekong River, the AmaDara features French Colonial décor and richly carved wood furniture inspired by the history of the region, as well as local artifacts made by native craftsmen. Air-conditioned interior corridors lead to spacious staterooms and suites, most featuring twin balconies that invite the ever-changing scenery of Southeast Asia inside. On board, the AmaDara caters to your every whim, with massage rooms, fitness room, gift shop, hair salon and sun-deck pool. Her stunning Saigon Lounge provides respite by day and unites guests over intriguing local entertainment by night. Savor authentic regional delicacies and Western cuisine in the Main Restaurant or dine at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant; and throughout your cruise, be treated to unlimited complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, as well as house brand spirits, local beer and soft drinks throughout your cruise.
PLEASE NOTE:
The ship has three passenger decks with staterooms for up to 124 passengers.
THERE IS NO ELEVATOR ONBOARD
The difference in staterooms is simple: size and location. There is no bad location on this ship! All staterooms feature both an outside balcony and a French balcony. Categories A (Green), B (Orange), and C (Yellow) are each 251 sq. ft, and the Suites (Blue) are 351 sq. ft.
PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY
This is a moderately paced itinerary that involves some longer days and more activities. Expect some early hotel departures, and limited time for day time rest and rejuvenation as the itineraries are designed to ensure that you see as much as possible in these wonderful destinations. This may include longer coach journeys and guests should be able to join a walking tour lasting 1-2 hours with stops possibly over uneven terrain. Guests should have reasonable health and mobility and be comfortable with standing for longer periods of time with no difficulty.
