Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Bangkok - Northbound

14 days
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River Cruise
Immerse yourself in fascinating cultures and ancient traditions as you embark on an inspiring journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Along the way, learn more about the history of each country, marvel at spectacular scenery, and interact with the friendly locals. This is a journey that will create memories you won’t soon forget! Begin in bustling Ho Chi Minh ...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Deluxe 7-night cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap in a Panorama SuiteSMwith Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection BedsSM. Enjoy an intimate river cruise experience with a maximum of 36 guests on board
    • Welcome to Vietnam
    • Walking tour of the city’s landmarks; visit the famous Rex Hotel for a drink, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class
    • Cu Chi Tunnels excursion
    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Visit a local workshop and see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made in Vinh Long; visit a sampan-making family and interact with a Catholic priest in Cu Lao Gieng
    • Visit a local market and the religious sites at Sam Mountain
    • Sightseeing by private cyclo including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum; afternoon at leisure; show by children from a local orphanage
    • Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh; walking tour through Prek Bang Kong village with silk-weaving demonstration
    • Visit Wat Hanchey and partake in a traditional water blessing by local monks; walking tour through Angkor Ban village with school visit

What's this trip about?

    Immerse yourself in fascinating cultures and ancient traditions as you embark on an inspiring journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Along the way, learn more about the history of each country, marvel at spectacular scenery, and interact with the friendly locals. This is a journey that will create memories you won’t soon forget! Begin in bustling Ho Chi Minh City, with sightseeing including the Cu Chi Tunnels—a vast network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong. You will also partake in a walking tour of the city’s landmarks and a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class. Then, start your cruise on the Mekong River, the thread that connects the people of Southeast Asia. Visit a colorful local market, a sampan builder, and a local establishment to see how rice wine and traditional candy are made. In Phnom Penh, take a tour of the city by private cyclo, with visits to the National Museum and the Royal Palace with the stunning Silver Pagoda. Walking tours through the rural villages of Prek Bang Kong and Angkor Ban and an ox cart ride through the countryside at Kampong Tralach will grant you a memorable inside look at life along the river and interactions with the local people. In Siem Reap, visit the spectacular Angkor temple complex, whose architectural grandeur is arguably unmatched among the world’s ancient ruins. See several of the temples, including spectacular Angkor Wat and the mesmerizing faces of Bayon. Here you will also enjoy a private Apsara dance performance and will visit a development project teaching young adults traditional handicraft techniques. Finally, overnight in Bangkok before you fly home. All of this and more await you on this fabulous journey.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityArrive in Ho Chi Minh City
End CityBangkok

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Cambodia
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

Attractions

  • Cai Be
  • Siem Reap

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

Arrive in 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. This morning, enjoy a WALKING TOUR of the city’s famous and historic landmarks as you stroll through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, the Central Post Office, and Notr...

Day 3

Ho Chi Minh City. Excursion To Cu Chi Tunnels. This morning, leave the city and drive through vast expanses of rice paddies to visit the CU CHI TUNNELS, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and s...

Day 4

Ho Chi Minh City (Embarkation). This morning, transfer to the port on the Saigon River and board your river cruise vessel to start your CRUISE up the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 5

Cruising: Vinh Long–Cu Lao Gieng. This morning, board a sampan for a scenic cruise to Vinh Long. Upon arrival, visit a LOCAL WORKSHOP to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made. Other surprises await for those who are brave! After lunch on the ...

Day 6

Cruising: Chau Doc–Cambodian Border Crossing. After breakfast, walk through the LOCAL MARKET and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then join a sampan excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong to the religious sites ...

Day 7

Cruising: Phnom Penh. The capital city of Phnom Penh retains its French charm to this day. This morning, your sightseeing tour by private cyclo includes visits to the ROYAL PALACE with the spectacular SILVER PAGODA and the NATIONAL MUSEUM, featuring an outstanding dis...

Day 8

Cruising: Phnom Penh–Prek Bang Kong. Sightseeing this morning provides a glimpse of the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime. Visit the TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM, a former high school that housed over 17,000 prisoners. Of this number...

Day 9

Cruising: Wat Hanchey–Angkor Ban. This morning, visit WAT HANCHEY, a temple dating back to the 8th century and the Chenla Empire. Located on a hilltop, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a TRADITIONAL WATER BLESSING given by local monks. After...

Day 10

Cruising: Konpong Louang–Kampong Tralach. Today, start your sightseeing at the SILVERMITH VILLAGE of Konpong Louang. Here you will see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. Continue on to Kampong Tralach for an OX CART RIDE p...

Day 11

Cruising: Siem Reap (Disembarkation). This morning, arrive in Siem Reap and start your sightseeing of the TEMPLES OF ANGKOR, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples were bu...

Day 12

Siem Reap. Today, continue your sightseeing of the Angkor temples by tuk-tuk. Start at ANGKOR THOM where you will explore BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas reliefs. Next ...

Day 13

Siem Reap–Bangkok, Thailand. Enjoy the morning at leisure in Siem Reap before flying to Bangkok. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 14

Bangkok. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,569
Price per day$326
Last Updated: 7/16/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

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Stephanie Mantell

Jul 2024

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A lot to recommend BUT .........

A beautiful boat, excellent food, although it would have been nice to experienced some international flavours eg: Japanese, Indian etc, however I could not fault the...

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Patti Evans

Jul 2024

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Fantastic service and experience

Well, speak as you find. I see many poor reviews of Avalon Waterways, but I have to say we have just returned from an Avalon river cruise on the Romantic Rhine from...

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Ian S.

Jun 2024

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Fantastic River Cruise With Avalon Waterways

My wife and I have just returned from our first River Cruise (Danube Dreams Westbound) operated by Avalon Waterways. This took us from Budapest in Hungary to Vilshof...

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Avalon Waterways

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CRUISING ELEVATED.
Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and
away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’. 

Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

IT DOESN’T GET ANY SUITER.
Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease – where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. There’s a reason our ships are the critics’ darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.

PACK YOUR PASSIONS.
As you set sail down the world’s most legendary waters, we’ve curated a collection of the most intriguing experiences to immerse yourself in – both on board and off.

SEE MORE THAN THE SEA/
On a typical cruise, you see waves, water and more water. On an Avalon cruise, legendary landmarks and postcard-perfect landscapes are always in view. Dock to discovery takes mere minutes. 

LET’S DISH.
While we naturally present the signature delicacies of the regions you visit, we enrich the gastronomic journey by offering multiple dining venues, bringing unexpected culinary experiences to the table.

What they’re known for
River cruises to classic and exotic destinations with a luxury flair and personalization options.

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Logistics

Accommodation

InterContinental Asiana Saigon InterContinental Asiana Saigon is located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel features spacious rooms with separate bath and shower, a full service spa, outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Other amenties include three restaurants, a lounge, and a bar. Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Corner Ha Ba Trung St and Le Duan Blvd Park Hyatt Siem Reap The Park Hyatt, Siem Reap is the city¿s most prestigious address and perfect base to explore the Temples of Angkor. Located in the heart of the city, this award winning hotel blends an elegant and contemporary design to create an enlivening resort and residential feel. From the second you arrive you will be welcomed by true Cambodian hospitality and superb service. The stylish guestrooms offer a refined home away from home with all the amenities one would expect from a deluxe hotel. The luxurious collection of accommodation is matched by stylish dining venues that offer fresh, flavorful, well-presented dishes of French and Indochine inspirations. Lighter fare is also offered at The Glass House, the onsite deli-patisserie. Discerning travelers will appreciate the other amenities on offer. Relax by one of the two pools or in the inviting Living Room lounge and bar, get in a work out in the fitness center, or visit The Spa for holistic therapies and treatments using only locally harvested floral and aromatic ingredients. Siem Reap Cambodia Sivutha Blvd InterContinental Bangkok The InterContinental Bangkok located within the core of the city's business and commercial districts. Within walking distance there is a wide range of shopping and other facilities are within easy walking distance. Access to the rest of the city is easy with the adjacent BTS skytrain station. Throughout, you will appreciate impeccable service and the warm, attentive hospitality that is authentically Thai. Bangkok Thailand 973 Ploenchit Road,

Transportation & Flights

Participation in this tour requires a purchase of additional local flights. ,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
WHSB|Add 2 Additional Nights in Bangkok WHSL|Add Luang Prabang WHSU|Add Luang Prabang & 2 Additional Nights in Bangkok WHSK|Add Hanoi, Ha Long Bay to Your Vacation WHSN|Add Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & 2 Additional Nights in Bangkok WHSA|Add Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Luang Prabang WHSP|Add Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Luang Prabang & 2 Additional Nights in Bangkok WHS|Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River – Northbound
Additional Information
Trip ID
AVALON-WHSG

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