Avalon Waterways Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay (Southbound) (WSHH)
16 Day River Cruise Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh
On this 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.The best way to experience Vietnamese culture is with a tour of its fascinating capital of Hanoi. Go on a cyclo ride through the ancient streets of the Old Quarter and enjoy a water puppet performance. Travel through the peaceful countryside to Ha Long Bay, where you’ll cruise by its breathtaking limestone islands. Next, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, see the phenomenal Temples of Angkor with an intricacy and architectural grandeur unmatched in the world. Enjoy an inspiring Aspara dance performance before embarking on your river cruise. Go on an ox cart ride amongst rice paddy fields and witness the daily lives of farmers. 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 schoolchildren. Continue your cruise into Vietnam and visit a colorful market, the home of a local family making handcrafted sampans, and a workshop to learn how rice wine and traditional candies are made. This memorable Southeast Asia river cruise vacation ends in Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll see the famous landmarks and try your hand in the kitchen—Vietnamese-style, with a cooking class. On an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, walk through a section of the immense underground tunnel system used during the Vietnam War. Ships: Saigon
 Avalon Waterways Promotions & Special Offers- Single supplement waived on select 2023 Avalon Mekong or Ganges river cruise departures*
Promotion Depatures (Land): 10/06/23, 10/20/23, 11/03/23, 11/17/23, 12/01/23
Restrictions May ApplyAvalon Highlights & Sightseeing Day 1 Arrive Hanoi: Welcome to Vietnam Day 2 Hanoi: Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Temple of Literature; lunch at Koto; take an electric-cart ride through the Old Quarter; water puppets performance Day 3 Hanoi–Ha Long Bay: Cruise on Ha Long Bay Day 4 Ha Long Bay–Siem Reap: Fly to Siem Reap Day 5 Siem Reap: Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance Day 6 Siem Reap: Visit Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, and a noodle-making village Day 7 Siem Reap–Phnom Penh (Embarkation): Fly to Phnom Penh; onboard welcome reception Day 8 Wat Hanchey–Angkor Ban: Visit Wat Hanchey and partake in a traditional water blessing by local monks; walking tour in Angkor Ban with school visit Day 9 Kampong Tralach–Konpong Louang–Phnom Penh: Ox cart ride through the countryside and visit a local farmer’s home in Kampong Tralach; visit the silversmith village of Konpong Louang; visit the Tuol Sleng Museum and one of the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, or visit the lively central market Day 10 Phnom Penh: Sightseeing by private cyclo, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum; show by children from local orphanage Day 11 Border Crossing–Chau Doc: Visit a local market and the religious sites at Sam Mountain in Chau Doc Day 12 Long Khanh A–Cu Lao Gieng: Walking tour of Long Khanh A with cotton-weaving demonstration; interact with sampan-making and conical hat making families in Cu Lao Gieng Day 13 Vinh Long: Visit a local garden and a local workshop to see how rice wine and traditional candy are made Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City (Disembarkation): Walking tour; visit the famous Rex Hotel for a drink, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class Day 15 Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels excursion Day 16 Ho Chi Minh City: End of vacation
Related Avalon Tours WSHI - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Southbound) WSHH - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay (Southbound) WSHB - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Bangkok (Southbound) WSHN - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Southbound) WHSI - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Northbound) WSH - Mekong Discovery (Southbound) WSII - The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam (Southbound)
Itinerary (2024)| Day 1 | HANOI, VIETNAM | | | Welcome to Vietnam! | | Day 2 | HANOI | | | This morning, your Guided Sightseeing takes a look at the life of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. First, visit the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next on the agenda: One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Also visit the ancient Temple of Literature, over 900 years old and Hanoi’s first university. Lunch is at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program that teaches local street children restaurant skills for more stable employment opportunities. After lunch, enjoy an electric-cart ride through the fascinating Old Quarter, with 36 ancient streets where merchants trade as they have for centuries. An early dinner this evening is followed by a fascinating performance of Hanoi’s renowned water puppets, a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century.(B,L,D) | | Day 3 | HANOI–HA LONG BAY | | | Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Hon Gai, gateway to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, the bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands carved into fanciful shapes by the action of the water. Tunnels, caves, and weirdly shaped outcroppings with imaginative names can be found on many of the small islets sprinkled across the bay. Board a Cruise Excursion to explore the caves, and admire the beauty and scale before stopping at one of the many secluded bays. (B,L,D) | | Day 4 | HA LONG BAY–HANOI–SIEM REAP | | | This morning, drive to Hanoi and board your flight for Siem Reap. (B) | | Day 5 | SIEM REAP | | | The Tranquil Temples of Angkor and Joyful DancesCLASSIC Explore the temples by tuk-tuk. 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, continue your Guided Excursion to 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.Enjoy some time at your leisure this afternoon to explore Siem Reap’s shops for local artisan crafts.DISCOVERY This evening, a private Apsara Dance Performance brings ancient Khmer culture to life through music, song, and dance.(B,L,D) | | Day 6 | SIEM REAP | | | Root-Covered Ruins and Native NoodlesCLASSIC Continue your Sightseeing Tour 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 village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand.Spend the afternoon at your leisure. (B) | | Day 7 | PHNOM PENH (EMBARKATION) | | | Your Intimate Suite Ship® Awaits! Fly to Phnom Penh and transfer to port where your ship’s crew will be waiting to welcome you on board. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY(B,L,D) | | Day 8 | 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 KAMPONG TRALACH (B,L,D) | | Day 9 | KAMPONG TRALACH–KONPONG LOUANG | | | Calm in the Cambodian CountrysideDISCOVERY Your Guided Sightseeing starts in Kampong Tralach with an Ox-Cart Ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. At the silversmith village in Konpong Louang, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art.Sail to the capital city of Phnom Penh this afternoon. PHNOM PENHA Dark History or Market DynamicsCLASSIC After lunch, a Visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields for a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR: DISCOVERY Visit the lively Central Market with its unique Art Deco design by tuk-tuk.This evening, spend some free time exploring the city on your own. Perhaps follow the riverfront promenade to the historic Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC).(B,L,D) | | Day 10 | PHNOM PENH | | | The Royal Treatment CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the city by private cyclo with visits to 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 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.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIETNAM/CAMBODIA BORDER(B,L,D) | | Day 11 | BORDER CROSSING–CHAU DOC, VIETNAM | | | Good Morning, Vietnam! DISCOVERY Take a Village Walk through the Chau Doc market, and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. After lunch, embark on a Guided 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.EVENING CRUISE TO LONG KHANH A(B,L,D) | | Day 12 | LONG KHANH A–CU LAO GIENG | | | Cotton Weaving, Conical Hats, and Handcrafted SampansDISCOVERY This morning, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A, for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of this well-preserved tradition.DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts with a stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches. 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, visit a local workshop where a skilled family handcrafts sampan boats.EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG(B,L,D) | | Day 13 | VINH LONG | | | Sweets and Rice Treats 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.This afternoon, enjoy time on board the ship as we sail to exciting Ho Chi Minh City.AFTERNOON CRUISE TO HO CHI MINH CITY(B,L,D) | | Day 14 | HO CHI MINH CITY (DISEMBARKATION) | | | 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!Enjoy time at your leisure this afternoon and evening for independent exploration. Maybe stop for a drink at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel. (B,L) | | Day 15 | 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.Explore the city further during free time this afternoon. This evening, join your traveling companions for a special dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D) | | Day 16 | HO CHI MINH CITY | | | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B) |
Avalon Pricing Details Gratuities for Local Guides & drivers are included (excludes extensions which are to be paid locally). Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).
|
Click Quote for an Avalon Waterways Tour Date for our low price tour quote
Avalon Tour Dates
We Sell the Same Escorted Tours. What makes us different is we sell to you for LESS!
|