Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River

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enquire now 13 Days From NZD $7,039 pp twinshare
 Cruise
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On this unique and inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, you’ll be immersed in the cultures and ancient traditions as you sightsee and spend time with locals in the most fascinating places along the mighty Mekong River.

Spend time in the bustling Ho Chi Minh City which combines historic architecture with modern skyscrapers. See the famous landmarks and try your hand in the kitchen—Vietnamese-style, with a cooking class. Go back in time with an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels where you’ll have an opportunity to walk through a section of the immense underground tunnel system used extensively during the Vietnam War. Embark on your river cruise along the Mekong River and immerse yourself in the local cultures with a visit to a colourful market, the home of a local family making handcrafted sampans, and a workshop to learn how rice wine and traditional candies are made.

In the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, tour the National Museum and Royal Palace with its striking Silver Pagoda. On a hilltop at the site of the 8th-century temple of Wat Hanchey, take in the stunning views before walking through the rural village of Angkor Ban to visit with welcoming school children.

The grand finale of this memorable Southeast Asia river cruise holiday is a stay in Siem Reap, home to the phenomenal Temples of Angkor with an intricacy and architectural grandeur unmatched in the world. See the splendour of the Bayon temple featuring some 200 mysterious faces carved in its many towers. Then enjoy an inspiring Aspara dance performance—a perfect ending to this remarkable and cultural journey!

Traveller Notes
Please note that the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh is temporarily closed due to Covid. Until the government decides to reopen the Palace, we will offer a slightly adjusted itinerary. Guests will take their private cyclo to the Royal Palace for a photo-stop before visiting the National Museum. After the museum visit, take the cyclo to Wat Phnom to visit the ancient 14th Century Buddhist Temple that symbolises the name of Phnom Penh.

ITINERARY 

  • DAY 1:   HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
    Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
  • DAY 2:   HO CHI MINH CITY
    Motorbikes, Monuments, and Mouthwatering Cuisine CLASSIC – Take a Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks, including a stop at the Rex Hotel for a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar where the U.S. Military held the infamous “Five O’Clock Follies” during the war. Then visit the War Remnants Museum and bustling Ben Thanh Market. DISCOVERY – For lunch, participate in a hands-on Vietnamese Cooking Class. Learn to prepare several local dishes and how to recreate them at home. Last, but not least, sample your delicious creations! Explore the city further during free time this afternoon. This evening join your travelling companions for a special welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
  • DAY 3:   HO CHI MINH CITY. EXCURSION TO CU CHI TUNNELS
    Secret Passageways and Underground Hideouts CLASSIC – Drive out of the city for a Guided Visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels-an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length- used as a hideout and secret village by the Viet Cong. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. Consider stopping for a drink at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel. (B)
  • DAY 4:   HO CHI MINH CITY (EMBARKATION)
    Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding Transfer to the port on the Saigon River for embarkation. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 5:   VINH LONG-CU LAO GIENG
    Sweets, Sampans, and Sun Hats DISCOVERY – Board a sampan this morning to Visit a local workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made. DISCOVERY – This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts at a local workshop, where a skilled family handcrafts sampan boats. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO CHAU DOC (B,L,D)
  • DAY 6:   CHAU DOC-LONG KHANH A-BORDER CROSSING, CAMBODIA
    Colourful markets, Charming Locals, and Cotton Weavers DISCOVERY – In Chau Doc take a Guided Walk through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then embark on a River Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more. DISCOVERY – After lunch, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of a well-preserved artisan’s tradition. Return to the ship to set sail for the Cambodian border. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH (B,L,D)
  • DAY 7:   PHNOM PENH
    The Royal Treatment CLASSIC – Take a City Tour by private cyclo to visit the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the city at your leisure. Consider a Guided Optional Tour of a local brewery with free-flowing local beer! Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show featuring local song and dance. (B,L,D)
  • DAY 8:   PHNOM PENH
    A Dark History or Market Dynamics CLASSIC – This morning, a Guided Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields offers a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR: DISCOVERY – Visit the lively Central Market by tuk-tuk to see its unique Art Deco design. After lunch, depart Phnom Penh and enjoy some time at leisure on the ship. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY (B,L,D)
  • DAY 9:   WAT HANCHEY-ANGKOR BAN
    Water Blessings and Back-To-School Adventures DISCOVERY – Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks. DISCOVERY – After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KONPONG LOUANG (B,L,D)
  • DAY 10:   KONPONG LOUANG-KAMPONG TRALACH
    Calm in the Cambodian Countryside DISCOVERY – Start your Guided Sightseeing at the silversmith village in Konpong Louang. Here, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. In Kampong Tralach, board an ox cart for a ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Tonle River. EVENING CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH (B,L,D)
  • DAY 11:   PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION)-SIEM REAP
    A Pilgrimage of Inspirational Beauty Fly to Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! CLASSIC – After lunch, begin your Sightseeing Tour by tuk-tuk to explore the temples. Start at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, visit Angkor Thom, where you will explore Bayon Temple with its 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-relief sculptures, OR: ACTIVE – Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple by bike. The evening is yours to explore charming Siem Reap, stay to witness the sunset at Angkor Wat, or consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Cambodian circus. (B,L)
  • DAY 12:   SIEM REAP
    Roots Carved in Stone and Celebrated in Dance CLASSIC – Continue your Guided Sightseeing of the Angkor Temples at Ta Prohm. Tree roots cover the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as early explorers. Then visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. En route, stop at a local village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to further explore Siem Reap or the temple complex by tuk-tuk. DISCOVERY – This evening, a private Apsara Dance Performance brings ancient Khmer culture to life through music, song, and dance. (B,D)
  • DAY 13:   SIEM REAP
    Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

INCLUSIONS 

Meals
Breakfast: 12 Lunch: 10 Dinner: 9
Transport
State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities
Accommodation
Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
HighLights
  • Ho Chi Minh City
  • Phnom Penh
  • Temples of Angkor

Images courtesy of Avalon Waterways and the Globus Family of Brands 

AVW – WHSI

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