The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam with Sapa, Hue & Danang – Southbound

26 days
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Group Tour
This magical Southeast Asia river cruise along the Mekong River will take you through Cambodia and Vietnam, showing you the culture and local traditions of each country and the must-see sites along the way. Your adventure begins in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with the magnificent Temples of Angkor. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, these ancient ruins...

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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Welcome to Cambodia
    • Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance
    • Visit Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, and a noodle-making village
    • Fly to Phnom Penh; onboard welcome reception
    • Visit Wat Hanchey and partake in a traditional water blessing by local monks; walking tour in Angkor Ban with school visit
    • 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
    • Sightseeing by private cyclo, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum; show by children from local orphanage
    • Visit a local market and the religious sites at Sam Mountain in Chau Doc
    • Walking tour of Long Khanh A with cotton-weaving demonstration; visit a Catholic church, a local home to see how Vietnamese conical hats are made, and a sampan-making workshop in Cu Lao Gieng
    • Visit a local garden and a local workshop to see how rice wine and traditional candy are made

What's this trip about?

    This magical Southeast Asia river cruise along the Mekong River will take you through Cambodia and Vietnam, showing you the culture and local traditions of each country and the must-see sites along the way. Your adventure begins in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with the magnificent Temples of Angkor. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, these ancient ruins are a display of architectural complexity and grandeur unlike anything else in the world. Stand in awe at the most famous of these temples, Angkor Wat, which honors the Hindu god, Vishnu; and the Bayon temple, which features some 200 mysterious faces carved in its many towers. Enjoy an inspiring Aspara dance performance and other treasures of the city before embarking on your river cruise. In Kampong Tralach, an ox cart ride will show you the Cambodian countryside and you’ll meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. The temple of Wat Hanchey, perched on a hilltop, will provide the most stunning views, and then take part in a traditional water blessing with local monks. Continue your journey into Vietnam and stroll through a local market—a unique opportunity to see locals buying and selling fresh produce. Via sampan, visit the home of a local family for a cotton-weaving demonstration and a local workshop which makes rice wine and traditional candies. In bustling Ho Chi Minh City, try your hand in the kitchen with a Vietnamese cooking class and go on an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels—the extraordinary network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war. Fly to Hanoi and explore the famous sites, such as the Old Quarter, where peddlers have traded goods for centuries on its 36 ancient streets. Next, a remarkable 2-night cruise along Ha Long Bay will show you its beautiful Limestone Islands. In Sapa, you’ll visit one of the famous Weekly Markets where homemade goods are sold and the ethnic minority groups of the area wear their colorful costumes. Continue to Hue, a historically royal city offering the Imperial City with ornate palaces and shrines. Learn about Vietnam’s dynastic past with a visit to the tombs of the Nguyen Emperors. In Danang, visit the Cham Museum and explore Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been largely preserved. The perfect ending to an unforgettable Southeast Asia river cruise vacation!

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CitySIEM REAP
End CityDANANG Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus

Destinations

Attractions

  • Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Ha Long Bay
  • Hanoi

Activities

  • Culture

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA Welcome to Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

SIEM REAP The Tranquil Temples of Angkor and Joyful Dances CLASSIC 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 Ex...

Day 3

SIEM REAP Root-Covered Ruins and Native Noodles CLASSIC 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...

Day 4

PHNOM PENH (EMBARKATION) Your intimate Suite Ship® Awaits! Fly to Phnom Penh and transfer to the port where your ship’s crew will be waiting to welcome you onboard. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY (B,L,D)

Day 5

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 ...

Day 6

KAMPONG TRALACH–KONPONG LOUANG Calm in the Cambodian Countryside DISCOVERY 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. A...

Day 7

PHNOM PENH Bonjour! French Charm in Cambodia 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 t...

Day 8

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...

Day 9

LONG KHANH A–CU LAO GIENG Cotton Weavers & Sampan Makers DISCOVERY 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 ...

Day 10

BEN TRE Sweets and Sampans DISCOVERY Board a sampan this morning and Visit a Local Workshop in Ben Tre to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made. Continue on to a local garden, where several types of fruit indigenous to the area are grown. ...

Day 11

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 infa...

Day 12

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...

Day 13

HO CHI MINH CITY–HANOI Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (B)

Day 14

HANOI Historic Hanoi and Water Puppets CLASSIC First, join a Guided Visit of the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next, see iconic sites, including One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and the infam...

Day 15

HANOI–HA LONG BAY Island Shapes and a Floating Village Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands carved into fanciful shapes. Board the luxurious Paradise E...

Day 16

HA LONG BAY Caves, Kayaks, and Scenic Climbs DISCOVERY Visit Titop Island, for a Guided Excursion for a swim, or climb 400 steps to the top of the island for stunning views. You can also visit Luon Cave by boat, and explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo raft, OR:...

Day 17

HA LONG BAY–HANOI Surprising and Amazing Beauty This morning, relax onboard your ship, or visit Sung Sot Cave, considered one of the most beautiful in the area with its magnificent formations. Afterwards, return to Hanoi and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. (B)

Day 18

HANOI–SAPA Today, transfer to the hill-station town of Sapa known for its mountain scenery, rice fields, and colorful ethnic minorities. This afternoon, join a Walking Tour of this small town and visit the local market. (B)

Day 19

SAPA Your Guided Sightseeing starts with a visit to Ta Van and Lao Chai villages, to see the traditional way of life of the Zay and Black Hmong ethnic groups. These ethnic groups live together here under the watch of Fansipan Mountain. The Zay live a sedentary lifesty...

Day 20

SAPA This morning, your Guided Tour includes one of the famous Weekly Markets. Here, the local ethnic minority groups wear their most beautiful costumes as they sell and trade their homemade products. The Flower Hmong group is most recognizable with their colorful dre...

Day 21

SAPA–HANOI–HUE This morning, drive to Hanoi and board your flight for Hue. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. (B)

Day 22

HUE One of Vietnam’s former capitals, Hue is a beautiful, welcoming city that remains a cultural and religious center. Start your Guided Sightseeing with a visit to the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of the city. In the afternoon, your...

Day 23

HUE–DANANG Today, drive south over spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), considered to be one of the most scenic in all of Vietnam. In Danang, stop to Visit the Cham Museum and ascend Monkey Mountain to see the Lady Buddha and for panoramic views. Continue on to your resort for the evening. (B,L)

Day 24

DANANG. EXCURSION TO HOI AN Hoi An is Vietnam’s active trading center and a town that has been largely preserved, with architecture that reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders. Hoi An is also where French missionary Alexan...

Day 25

DANANG A full day at leisure to further explore the area or relax at your beach resort! (B)

Day 26

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

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Dates & Availability

Price From $9,099
Price per day$350
Last Updated: 5/24/2019

Dates and Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this vacation requires requires purchase of the following flights from Avalon Waterways, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only, starting at $525. Required intra-vacation air segments: Siem Reap/Phnom Penh; Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi; Hanoi/Hue. Air prices were effective on February 7, 2018 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher. 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). Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available. All prices are per person based on double room occupancy. Cruise price based on Category B in an Panorama Suite on Mekong Deck. To upgrade to a Category A on Tonle Deck, add $400 per person or $800 in single occupancy. Extra Nights per person in Siem Reap: January to April & September to December: in single room $302; in twin room $157 July to August: in single room $247; in twin room $129 Extra Nights per person in Danang: in single room $438; in twin room $224

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.

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.

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crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

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My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.

The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...

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James Allen

Jan 2025

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Great Staff

The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...

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Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

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Avalon consistency—good!

Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...

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Logistics

Accommodation

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 Avalon Saigon Vietnam The Reverie Saigon Inspired by the desire to ignite and excite the imagination of travelers, The Reverie Saigon is the ultimate example a luxury hotel. Paired with luxurious facilities and amenities, and the warmth of distinctly Vietnamese hospitality it¿s not anything like you¿ve ever experienced before ¿ just like the destination. Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam 22-36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1 InterContinental Westlake Conveniently located just 10 minutes from the central business district and numerous shopping areas. Built entirely over the serene waters of historic West Lake and adjacent to the famous 800-year-old Golden Lotus Pagoda, the hotel features contemporary Vietnamese design and exceptional service for an unforgettable visit to the City of Peace. Hanoi Vietnam 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho Paradise Elegance The newest and most luxurious ship sailing on Ha Long Bay. A mix of contemporary design style and traditional Vietnamese building materials create warm and welcoming spaces throughout the ship. Dine in comfort in the spacious Le Marin Restaurant, take in the panoramic views from the sundeck, or go for relaxing spa treatment. Spacious deluxe cabins feature a balcony, air-conditioning, and a large en-suite bathroom. Ha Long Bay Vietnam Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa Nested amongst the slopes of North Vietnam's mountainous region is Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, built in the style of a traditional chalet in perfect harmony with the natural scenery. This stone & wood construction blends seamlesslly with surrounding environment, overlooking Indochina's highest peak, Mount Fanxipan. Sapa Vietnam Sapa District, Lao Cai Province La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa Built in 1930 as part of the former colonial governor¿s residence overlooking Hue¿s Perfume River, this architectural gem was restored and re-opened as hotel. The Art Deco design aesthetic runs throughout the hotel from the central reception rotunda, flanked by two wings, to Le Gouverneur Bar, Le Parfum restaurant, formal gardens, swimming pool, and all guest rooms. Hue Vietnam 5 Le Loi St Naman Retreat & Residences Naman Retreat seamlessly blends timeless Vietnamese heritage and culture with luxurious modern charm. Impressive traditional bamboo architecture and exquisite interiors, combined with authentic Vietnamese hospitality assures you a wonderful retreat experience. Da Nang Vietnam Truong Sa Road Ngu Hanh Son Dist

Transportation & Flights

Participation in this tour requires a purchase of additional local flights. ,
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
AVALON-WSIA

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