Pre-Christmas cruise in Vietnam & Cambodia

Experienced travellers know that the best time of year to visit south-east Asia, for both weather and prices, is in November and early December when most people are thinking about Christmas (and therefore don’t go on holiday); consequently, the travel industry lowers its prices – before they rise again for Christmas and New Year.

Bamboo Travel has some excellent deals for those who do choose to travel at this time of year including a 12-night trip to Vietnam – Saigon to Angkor, The Lost Civilisation – which includes a 7-night river cruise.

Commencing in the Mekong Delta, the cruise – aboard the luxurious Jayavarman, a boutique cruise boat with just 27 spacious cabins – the journey crosses the border into Cambodia to stop at Phnom Penh and Lake Tonle Sap, to discover hidden temples and villages along the way.

Before the cruise, two days and nights will be spent exploring Saigon with a private city tour, and a visit to the infamous Cu Chi tunnels, dug and used by the Viet Cong during the 20-year long war which ended in 1975.

Other highlights of the itinerary include a visit to Cai Be floating market, a guided tour of Phnom Penh with an evening Apsara show, an exploration of local villages and temples in the Kampong Cham area, a cruise up the Tonle River (with excursions) and a crossing of Lake Tonle Sap to Siem Reap.

There will also be a full-day private tour of Angkor Wat and Bayon, and a half-day tour of Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei, including an elephant ride, before returning to the UK via Bangkok.

Departing 30 November, the holiday costs from £2995 pp, a saving of £500 pp off the same trip departing 14 December (£3495) which includes international flights, 5 nights' luxury hotel accommodation, a 7-night Jayavarman Cruise in a Superior Cabin (full-board), shared excursions on the cruise and a private English-speaking guide in Saigon & Siem Reap.

To book, visit bambootravel.co.uk.