Experience two incredibly diverse countries on this fabled waterway, known as “Nine Dragons River” for the nine tributaries that help produce life-giving rice in villages throughout the Mekong Delta. For centuries, the sagas of ancient empires, colonial powers and modern conflicts have unfolded along its banks. Cruising along the Mekong allows you to fully appreciate the sights and sounds of this fascinating waterway bordered by flourishing forests, lush green hills and colorful stilt houses.
Glide peacefully along the Mekong River, visiting rural villages, historic pagodas, local markets and a Buddhist monastery where you'll witness a special blessing ceremony. Bookended by optional extended land packages in historic Ho Chi Minh City as well as Siem Reap – home to the UNESCO-designated Angkor Archaeological Park, fascinating Hanoi and ethereal Ha Long Bay, considered one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this journey through Vietnam and Cambodia is truly unforgettable and we would love to share this amazing experience with you.
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February 1, 2025 - Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
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.
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February 2, 2025 - Ho Chi Minh City
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.
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February 3, 2025 -Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho
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.
February 4, 2025 - Cai Be and Sa Dec
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have the 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 colourful 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.
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February 5, 2025 - Tan Chau - Border Crossing
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 and active walking tour to “Evergreen Island”. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh.
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February 6, 2025- Phnom Penh
This morning, you will visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasure at the bustling, yellow colored Central Market after your visit to the Royal Palace. After lunch on board, the excursion takes you to Cambodia's infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.
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February 7, 2025 - Oudong - Kampong-Tralach - Phnom Penh
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.
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February 8, 2025 - Oknhatey Village
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
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February 9, 2025 - Ankgor Ban - Kampong Cham
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 to Wat Nokor, perhaps the most treasured monument within the ancient complex of Banteay Prey Nokor. Fusing the Old-World with the “new” this centuries-old temple now boasts a contemporary pagoda within its walls inside which you will delight in the colorful depictions of Buddha's life. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.
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February 10, 2025 - Disembarkation - 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.
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February 11, 2025 - Siem Reap
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 take you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, whih means “Citadel of Women” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have ben 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.
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February 12, 2025 - Siem Reap - Hanoi
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.
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February 13, 2025 - Hanoi
From ancient temples to French Colonial architecture and modern-day skyscrapers, along with beautiful parks and lake, Hanoi is an eclectic and lively city. A morning sightseeing tour will showcase some of Hanoi's most famous historic and cultural sites, including The Temple of Literature and Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest temples in Vietnam. 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 rid (known as a “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional Water Puppet Show.
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February 14, 2025 Hanoi - 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 convenience 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.
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February 15, 2025 H Long Bay - 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.
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February 16, 2025 Hanoi
Bid farewell to Vietnam and prepare for your homeward flight.
