Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River With Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Southbound)

This inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise takes you to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. 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.

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. 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 Southeast Asia 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. In Ho Chi Minh City, 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.

Your adventure ends in Bangkok, where you’ll visit its most renowned temples, including the Temple of the Reclining Buddha-the oldest and largest of its kind. The perfect way to conclude this unforgettable river cruise vacation!

Included Features:

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 a cyclo 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–Bangkok, Thailand: Fly to Bangkok

Day 17 Bangkok: Boat ride on klongs; visit the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Day 18 Bangkok: Day at leisure

Day 19 Bangkok: End of vacation