Angkor Pandaw
Shared, small group cruise based on DBL occupancy
11 DAYS
2 ITINERARIES
32 Guests
16 Cabins
Overview
Highlights
- The pioneer and only operator on the Red River
- Replica of a colonial-era river steamer
- 26 years of experience
- Floor to ceiling sliding French doors
- 1 to 2 crew passenger ratio
- No single supplements on selected dates
- Plastic free
- Free mountain bikes
The 138-ft Angkor Pandaw is a handsome replica of a colonial-era river steamer dating from 1865. Her teak decks and brass adornments create a wonderfully authentic atmosphere as you cruise through some of Northern Vietnam’s most stunning landscapes. With only 16 cabins over two decks, the Angkor Pandaw experience is all about exploring remote and often hard-to-navigate river sites in a specially-designed luxury small ship. The character features are combined with modern facilities and superb service to ensure that your journey will be a comfortable one.
Your Accommodation
The teak-lined cabins accommodate up to 32 passengers. Each is 168 square feet in size, offering ample living space with the same furnishings and amenities, including air-conditioning, a desk and chair, an en-suite bathroom, and French windows, as well as a private balcony for optimal views along the river.
Double or twin cabins are available. The Upper Deck with its walk-around promenade has six cabins while the Main Deck is similar with 10 cabins. You can look forward to fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of a mini-DVD-player on request and selection of DVDs from the library.
Life On Board
You will want to spend much of your leisure time on the partially-shaded Upper Deck. Here, you can relax on a teak lounger and take in the sights of Vietnam going by; local families in their traditional floating homes will often stop what they are doing to wave as you drift past, giving you a glimpse into their water-based way of life. The Upper Deck also has a library, a fair-trade shop and a small covered deck.
Be sure to take advantage of the open-bridge policy; this is the Captain’s Deck where the weather and charts are studied, where plans for the journey are decided and where the magic happens. Meals are served in the air-conditioned restaurant affording panoramic views. Produce is fresh, regional and seasonal.
The Angkor Pandaw Cruise has two guides who give daily briefings at cocktail hour, and accompany all excursions, which are daily and free. Some local entertainment is offered, such as folk dancing performances and puppet shows, and the ship also has quality mountain bikes for your independent exploration.
Life On The Red River
The ‘Song Hong’ or Red River in Northern Vietnam is an ancient trade route. Hanoi, the busy and ancient capital of Vietnam, straddles the river, while close to its mouth lies the island-studded Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Gulf of Tonkin. The Angkor Pandaw is the only cruise ship to ply this river and its network of tributaries.
The journey through the many towns and villages will give you a glimpse of both rural life and industrial muscle, with low-key excursions emphasizing the traditions that remain vital to Vietnamese life, from visits to a village whose residents specialize in making conical hats to one that grows bonsai trees. Scheduled itineraries vary in accordance with the season but the highlight of every voyage is a night or two at anchor amid the beautiful towering and jagged karst formations of Halong Bay.
Itinerary & Prices
AVAILABILITY
Embarkation
AM: Transfer to Hoa Binh, embark your ship at around 15.00 and set sail downstream for sunset and a night on the Da River.
* We can pick you up at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport – Seat in coach, upon your request. Last departure is no later than 12.00 noon. Our representative will be waiting for you with a Angkor Pandaw Sign at column No12. On the right hand sided of the international arrival exit. Arrival in Hoa Binh jetty at 15.00.
Please note: Guides and drivers are not allowed inside the terminal building. We will be waiting for you outside with a Pandaw sign. Hanoi Airport has two exits; if you don’t see us, please try the other exit on the same level (30 meters).
Hoa Binh Dam
AM: Hoa Binh was the site of a major battle with the French in 1951 & 1952 and is home to the Muong ethnic group. The Hoa Binh Dam at the Black River is the largest hydroelectric dam in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
PM: Take an afternoon boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh power station. A traditional performance by local hill tribe people is given in the evening.
Ba Vi National Park
AM: In the morning, visit a museum and local village where villagers still wear traditional dress.
PM: A day sailing downstream admiring the unspoilt beauty of the Da River, passing through the Ba Vi National Park with its rich and diverse tropical and sub-tropical flora and fauna before arriving at Trung Ha.
Our chef will share his skills in fruit carving and demonstrate how to create Vietnamese spring rolls.
Duong Lam Village, Viet Tri
AM: After breakfast by coach through beautiful scenic countryside to the UNESCO praised village of Duong Lam then continue cruising downstream to Viet Tri.
PM: Take in the sights and sounds of the bustling river with all kinds of craft and activity. Meet your guide in the dining room for a lecture on Vietnam, its history, geography and the boat people.
Hung Lo Temple, Gia Thanh Village
AM: Take in the sights and sounds of the bustling river with all kinds of craft and activity. In the morning cruise to Tien Du ferry station to visit the Hung Lo Temple.
Continue by bus to Gia Thanh village, makers of the conical hats (known as ‘non la’). The ‘non la’ are handmade with palm leaves and bamboo. There is no machinery available to create this work of art. Their origin dates approximately 3,000 years back.
PM: Afternoon excursion to a carpenter village famous for exquisite carvings and wood work techniques.
Tay Phuong Pagoda, Bat Trang
Hanoi
AM: Drop anchor in the capital and bustling city of Hanoi to visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis. Must-sees include the notorious Vietnam War prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
PM: Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi’s old quarter, including a visit to a coffee shop to learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee-making industry.
Luoc, Thai Binh
AM: Go ashore to visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by limestone rock formations. Of particular interest are the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas.
PM: Enroute to Hanoi, stop at Bat Trang in the afternoon, a ceramic village (literally: ‘bat’ means ‘bowl’ and ‘trang’ means ‘workshop’). Bat Trang is a seven century-old pottery village, located in an area rich in clay.
On the way back to the ship watch a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty. This dance originated in China and spread over Southeast Asia.
Dark and Bright Cave, Rang Dua
Viet Hai Village, Lan Ha Bay
Disembarkation
AVAILABILITY
Embarkation
PM: Transfer from Hanoi International Airport or meeting point to Halong Bay to embark your Pandaw ship with a stop for lunch en route. Cast off late afternoon with a welcome cocktail for an evening sail, dropping anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.
*If you want us to pick you up at airport: The coach will leave the airport no later than 10:30 (Unless there are any delays with your flight). Our representative will be waiting for you with a Pandaw Sign at column No12. On the right hand sided of the international arrival exit. Arrival in Halong Bay at 14.00.
Please note: Guides and drivers are not allowed inside the terminal building. We will be waiting for you outside with a Pandaw sign. Hanoi Airport has two exits; if you don’t see us, please try the other exit on the same level (30 meters).
Viet Hai Village, Lan Ha Bay
AM: Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years.
Stop at Viet Hai Village and explore on mountain bike or electric buggy, visiting the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breath-taking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks.
PM: In the afternoon continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house.
Weather dependent, end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay – bring your swimwear!
Dark and Bright Cave
Bat Trang Village
AM: The day is spent cruising towards Hanoi.
PM: Enroute, stop at Bat Trang in the afternoon, a ceramic village. On the way back to the ship watch a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty. This dance originated in China and spread over Southeast Asia.
Hanoi
AM: Drop anchor in the capital and bustling city of Hanoi to visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis. Must-sees include the notorious Vietnam War prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
PM: Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi’s old quarter, including a visit to a coffee shop to learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee-making industry.
Tay Phuong Pagoda, Viet Tri
AM: Morning sail through the day from Hanoi up the Red River to Viet Tri – not the most picturesque of towns, but an excellent base for going deeper into Highland Vietnam.
Go ashore to visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by limestone rock formations. Of particular interest are the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas.
PM: Afternoon excursion to a carpenter village famous for exquisite carvings and wood work techniques. Evening arrival in Viet Tri.
Gia Thanh, Hung Lo Temple
Ba Vi National Park, Hoa Binh
Binh Hoa
AM: Hoa Binh was the site of a major battle with the French in 1951 & 1952 and is home to the Muong ethnic group. The Hoa Binh Dam at the Black River is the largest hydroelectric dam in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Take a morning boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh power station and visit a local village.
PM: A traditional performance by local hill tribe people is given in the evening.
Viet Hai Village, Lan Ha Bay
Disembarkation
Accommodations
CRUISES & LODGES
10 CABINS
Main Deck Stateroom
| GUESTS | SIZE | BEDS |
| 2 | 16 m² / 172 ft² | Double / Twin |
These ample-sized rooms feature various amenities to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. On request, guests can get a mini DVD player and enjoy some entertainment in their rooms. The room also comes with spa-branded amenities and a hairdryer to ensure guests stay refreshed.
6 CABINS
Upper Deck Stateroom
| GUESTS | SIZE | BEDS |
| 2 | 16 m² / 172 ft² | Double / Twin |
Guests looking to entertain themselves from the comfort of their rooms can get a mini DVD player on request. The rooms also feature unlimited mineral water for guests to stay dehydrated at all times, kimonos, slippers, a hairdryer, and spa-branded amenities.
Technical Information
- Air conditioning
- Lecture room
- WIFI available
- Kosher Meals
- Medical staff
- Souvenir shop
- Hot showers
- All inclusive
- Charging areas for electronic equipment
** Use of certain equipment at additional cost, ask for details
- Kayaks / Canoes
- Bicycles
- Yoga mats
- Flash lights
- Water canteen/bottle
- Insect repellent
