Lively Ho Chi Minh City, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” offers a vibrant mix of old and new and provides the perfect start to your incredible journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise along the mighty Mekong, discovering a glimpse into another era; one where people still happily honor the timeless traditions passed down through the centuries from their ancestors. Throughout your trip, immerse yourself into the culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas and colorful markets. Be treated to a special blessing by monks in Buddhist monastery, and witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies. Experience all this and more on this life-enriching cruise along the Mekong.
Two lively cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, provide the perfect start and end to your incredible journey. 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.
Lively Ho Chi Minh City, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” offers a vibrant mix of old and new and provides the perfect start to your incredible journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise along the mighty Mekong, discovering a glimpse into another era; one where people still happily honor the timeless traditions passed down through the centuries from their ancestors. Throughout your trip, immerse yourself into the culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas and colorful markets. Be treated to a special blessing by monks in Buddhist monastery, and witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies. Experience all this and more on this life-enriching cruise along the Mekong.
Cruise along the mighty Mekong, discovering a glimpse into another era; one where people still happily honor the timeless traditions passed down through the centuries from their ancestors. Throughout your trip, immerse yourself into the culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas and colorful markets. Be treated to a special blessing by monks in Buddhist monastery, and witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies. Experience all this and more on this life-enriching cruise along the Mekong. Conclude your Mekong journey and indulge your inner adventurer in Siem Reap, exploring the grand temples of Angkor Archeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lively Ho Chi Minh City, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” offers a vibrant mix of old and new
and provides the perfect start to your incredible journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise along the
mighty Mekong, discovering a glimpse into another era; one where people still happily honor the timeless
traditions passed down through the centuries from their ancestors. Throughout your trip, immerse yourself
into the culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas and colorful markets. Be treated
to a special blessing by monks in Buddhist monastery, and witness skilled artisans who create exquisite
handicrafts and delicacies. Experience all this and more on this life-enriching cruise along the Mekong.
Conclude your Mekong journey and indulge your inner adventurer in Siem Reap, exploring the grand
temples of Angkor Archeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Charms of the Mekong
At A Glance
On these itineraries, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. We include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
| Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Transfer to My Tho |
|
Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your 7-night river cruise and then meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (L,D)
* All cruise only guests should meet us at Sofitel Saigon Plaza at 11:30am in Ho Chi Minh City on Embarkation day to join the transfer to the ship in My Tho Port. We recommend that you fly into Ho Chi Minh at least one day prior to embarkation; please inquire about important arrival arrangements prior to your cruise.
| Day 2 | Cai Be | Local boat ride |
|
| | Or local workshops and active walking tour to historic Kiet House |
|
| Sa Dec | Local boat ride to Sa Dec |
|
| | Visit to local market and temple |
|
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or you may also choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the colorful market, Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam. It is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Tan Chau | Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops |
|
| | OR Trishaw ride to craftmen’s workshops and active walking tour to Evergreen Island |
|
| | OR Tram Chim National Park |
|
| Border Crossing | Border Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia |
|
| | *You will need this information for your visa applications:
Exit Point from Vietnam: Son Tien Landport
Entry point to Cambodia: Koh Rokar |
|
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative, visit Tram Chim National Park, which protects the Plain of Reeds, a seasonal wetland area, in the Mekong Delta. Explore this area by tender boat, gliding along the inland waterway that forms this unique ecosystem. This biodiversity conservation site is home to several rare species of birds, including the highly vulnerable sarus crane. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Phnom Penh | Killing Fields and Genocide Museum |
|
| | Royal Palace and National Museum |
|
| | OR Royal Palace and Central Market |
|
This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, you 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)
| Day 5 | Oudong | Buddhist Blessing Ceremony |
|
| Kampong-Tralach | Oxcart ride |
|
Visit 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 tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Oknhatey Village | Visit a Silk Village and local school |
|
In the morning, 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, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Ankgor Ban | Walking tour |
|
| Kampong Cham | Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei “Twin Mountain” visit |
|
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 on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Kampong Cham | DISEMBARKATION |
|
| Siem Reap | Transfer to Siem Reap |
|
Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and Motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap. (B)
*Guests booking cruise only will be transferred from the ship to Sofitel Angkor hotel in Siem Reap. We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 5:30pm today to avoid potential missed connections.
| Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Hotel check-in |
|
Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub.
| Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City | Morning city tour and Cu Chi Tunnels |
|
Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, and east and west. In the morning, 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, visit Cu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. (B,L)
| Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh City | Morning visit Ben Thanh Market |
|
In the morning, visit Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your river cruise and meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Cai Be | Local boat ride |
|
| | Or local workshops and active walking tour to historic Kiet House |
|
| Sa Dec | Local boat ride to Sa Dec |
|
| | Visit to local market and temple |
|
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or you may also choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the colorful market, Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam. It is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Tan Chau | Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops |
|
| | OR Trishaw ride to craftmen’s workshops and active walking tour to Evergreen Island |
|
| | OR Tram Chim National Park |
|
| Border Crossing | Border Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia |
|
| | *You will need this information for your visa applications:
Exit Point from Vietnam: Son Tien Landport
Entry point to Cambodia: Koh Rokar |
|
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative, visit Tram Chim National Park, which protects the Plain of Reeds, a seasonal wetland area, in the Mekong Delta. Explore this area by tender boat, gliding along the inland waterway that forms this unique ecosystem. This biodiversity conservation site is home to several rare species of birds, including the highly vulnerable sarus crane. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Phnom Penh | Killing Fields and Genocide Museum |
|
| | Royal Palace and National Museum |
|
| | OR Royal Palace and Central Market |
|
This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, you 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)
| Day 7 | Oudong | Buddhist Blessing Ceremony |
|
| Kampong-Tralach | Oxcart ride |
|
Visit 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 tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Oknhatey Village | Visit a Silk Village and local school |
|
In the morning, 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, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B,L,D)
| Day 9 | Ankgor Ban | Walking tour |
|
| Kampong Cham | Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei “Twin Mountain” visit |
|
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 on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
| Day 10 | Kampong Cham | DISEMBARKATION |
|
| Siem Reap | Motor coach transfer to Siem Reap |
|
Disembark in Kampong Cham and transfer by motorcoach to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. You’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)
| Day 11 | Siem Reap | Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei |
|
Begin your 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 you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, 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, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,D)
| Day 12 | Siem Reap | Angkor Thom |
|
After breakfast, you will 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, as well as 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)
| Day 13 | Hanoi | City tour and rickshaw ride |
|
From ancient temples to French Colonial architecture and modern-day 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 historic and cultural sites, including Ba Dinh Square and The Temple of Literature. You will also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as a “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional Water Puppet Show. (B)
| Day 14 | Hanoi | Motor coach transfer to Ha Long Bay |
|
Take a scenic drive from Hanoi to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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)
| Day 15 | Ha Long Bay | Transfer to Hanoi |
|
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. (B,L)
| Day 16 | Hanoi | Return flight home |
|
Bid farewell to Vietnam and prepare for your homeward flight (B)
| Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Hotel check-in |
|
Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub.
to know Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to
by locals as Saigon. It iis Vietnam’s former capital. Once
known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial,
cultural and educational hub.
| Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City | City tour and Chu Chi Tunnels |
|
Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, and east and west. In the morning, 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, visit Chu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. (B,L)
| Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh City | Morning visit Ben Thanh Market |
|
In the morning, visit Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your river cruise and meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Cai Be | Local boat ride |
|
| | Or local workshops and active walking tour to historic Kiet House |
|
| Sa Dec | Local boat ride to Sa Dec |
|
| | Visit to local market and temple |
|
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or you may also choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the colorful market, Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam. It is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Tan Chau | Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops |
|
| | OR Trishaw ride to craftmen’s workshops and active walking tour to Evergreen Island |
|
| | OR Tram Chim National Park |
|
| Border Crossing | Border Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia |
|
| | *You will need this information for your visa applications:
Exit Point from Vietnam: Son Tien Landport
Entry point to Cambodia: Koh Rokar |
|
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative, visit Tram Chim National Park, which protects the Plain of Reeds, a seasonal wetland area, in the Mekong Delta. Explore this area by tender boat, gliding along the inland waterway that forms this unique ecosystem. This biodiversity conservation site is home to several rare species of birds, including the highly vulnerable sarus crane. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Phnom Penh | Killing Fields and Genocide Museum |
|
| | Royal Palace and National Museum |
|
| | OR Royal Palace and Central Market |
|
This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, you 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)
| Day 7 | Oudong | Buddhist Blessing Ceremony |
|
| Kampong-Tralach | Oxcart ride |
|
Visit 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 tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Oknhatey Village | Visit a Silk Village and local school |
|
In the morning, 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, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B,L,D)
| Day 9 | Ankgor Ban | Walking tour |
|
| Kampong Cham | Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei “Twin Mountain” visit |
|
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 on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
| Day 10 | Kampong Cham | DISEMBARKATION |
|
| Siem Reap | Transfer to Siem Reap |
|
Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and Motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap. (B)
*Guests booking cruise only will be transferred from the ship to Sofitel Angkor hotel in Siem Reap. We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 5:30pm today to avoid potential missed connections.
| Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Transfer to My Tho |
|
Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your 7-night river cruise and then meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (L,D)
* All cruise only guests should meet us at Sofitel Saigon Plaza at 11:30am in Ho Chi Minh City on Embarkation day to join the transfer to the ship in My Tho Port. We recommend that you fly into Ho Chi Minh at least one day prior to embarkation; please inquire about important arrival arrangements prior to your cruise.
| Day 2 | Cai Be | Local boat ride |
|
| | Or local workshops and active walking tour to historic Kiet House |
|
| Sa Dec | Local boat ride to Sa Dec |
|
| | Visit to local market and temple |
|
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or you may also choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the colorful market, Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam. It is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. (B,L,D)
| Day 3 | Tan Chau | Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops |
|
| | OR Trishaw ride to craftmen’s workshops and active walking tour to Evergreen Island |
|
| | OR Tram Chim National Park |
|
| Border Crossing | Border Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia |
|
| | *You will need this information for your visa applications:
Exit Point from Vietnam: Son Tien Landport
Entry point to Cambodia: Koh Rokar |
|
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative, visit Tram Chim National Park, which protects the Plain of Reeds, a seasonal wetland area, in the Mekong Delta. Explore this area by tender boat, gliding along the inland waterway that forms this unique ecosystem. This biodiversity conservation site is home to several rare species of birds, including the highly vulnerable sarus crane. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Phnom Penh | Killing Fields and Genocide Museum |
|
| | Royal Palace and National Museum |
|
| | OR Royal Palace and Central Market |
|
This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, you 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)
| Day 5 | Oudong | Buddhist Blessing Ceremony |
|
| Kampong-Tralach | Oxcart ride |
|
Visit 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 tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Oknhatey Village | Visit a Silk Village and local school |
|
In the morning, 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, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B,L,D)
| Day 7 | Ankgor Ban | Walking tour |
|
| Kampong Cham | Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei “Twin Mountain” visit |
|
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 on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Kampong Cham | DISEMBARKATION |
|
| Siem Reap | Motor coach transfer to Siem Reap |
|
Disembark in Kampong Cham and transfer by motorcoach to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. You’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)
| Day 9 | Siem Reap | Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei |
|
Begin your 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 you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, 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, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,D)
| Day 10 | Siem Reap | Angkor Thom in the morning |
|
After breakfast, you will 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, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day, bid farewell to Siem Reap as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)
*We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 3:00pm today to avoid potential missed connections if you wish to join sightseeing tour to visit Angkor Thom in the morning.
| Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Hotel check-in |
|
Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred
to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an
industrial, cultural and educational hub.
| Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City | City tour and Chu Chi Tunnels |
|
Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and
new, and east and west. In the morning, 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, visit Chu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. (B,L)
| Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh City | Morning visit Ben Thanh Market |
|
In the morning, visit Ben Thanh
Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer via motorcoach from
Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your river cruise and meet your fellow travelers at a
Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (B,L,D)
| Day 4 | Cai Be | Local boat ride |
|
| | Or local workshops and active walking tour to historic Kiet House |
|
| Sa Dec | Local boat ride to Sa Dec |
|
| | Visit to local market and temple |
|
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or you may also choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the colorful market, Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam. It is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. (B,L,D)
| Day 5 | Tan Chau | Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops |
|
| | OR Trishaw ride to craftmen’s workshops and active walking tour to Evergreen Island |
|
| | OR Tram Chim National Park |
|
| Border Crossing | Border Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia |
|
| | *You will need this information for your visa applications:
Exit Point from Vietnam: Son Tien Landport
Entry point to Cambodia: Koh Rokar |
|
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative, visit Tram Chim National Park, which protects the Plain of Reeds, a seasonal wetland area, in the Mekong Delta. Explore this area by tender boat, gliding along the inland waterway that forms this unique ecosystem. This biodiversity conservation site is home to several rare species of birds, including the highly vulnerable sarus crane. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
| Day 6 | Phnom Penh | Killing Fields and Genocide Museum |
|
| | Royal Palace and National Museum |
|
| | OR Royal Palace and Central Market |
|
This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, you 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)
| Day 7 | Oudong | Buddhist Blessing Ceremony |
|
| Kampong-Tralach | Oxcart ride |
|
Visit 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 tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. (B,L,D)
| Day 8 | Oknhatey Village | Visit a Silk Village and local school |
|
In the morning, 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, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B,L,D)
| Day 9 | Ankgor Ban | Walking tour |
|
| Kampong Cham | Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei “Twin Mountain” visit |
|
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 on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
| Day 10 | Kampong Cham | DISEMBARKATION |
|
| Siem Reap | Motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap |
|
Disembark in Kampong Cham
and transfer by motorcoach to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. You’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)
| Day 11 | Siem Reap | Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei |
|
Begin your 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. You will have the option to take an “early riser” tour to visit Angkor Wat by
seeing the color changes of the temple with the natural sunlight or a “late riser” tour if you wish to relax
longer in the morning at your beautiful hotel. An afternoon excursion takes you to see the fascinating jewel
in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, 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, be treated to a special “Apsara
Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,D)
| Day 12 | Siem Reap | Angkor Thom in the morning |
|
After breakfast, you will 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, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Later in the day, bid farewell to Siem Reap as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)
*We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 3:00pm today to avoid potential
missed connections if you wish to join sightseeing tour to visit Angkor Thom in the morning.