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16 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh 2024(WSHH)
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
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River Cruise Description
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, visit famous Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and 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 vibrant 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.Thanks for your interest!
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I'm sorry, but an error has occurred. Try Again| Departure Date | Ship | Priced From (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 2024 | Avalon Saigon | Waitlist | Call Us! |
Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
- Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.
River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 HANOI, VIETNAM
Welcome to Vietnam!Day 2 HANOI
Historic 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 trains local street children in restaurant skills they can use to find a job and build a stable life. After lunch, enjoy an electric cart ride through the fascinating Old Quarter, with 36 ancient streets where peddlers 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
Tunnels, Caves, and Islands
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 of this bay before stopping at one of the many secluded islands.(B,L,D)
Day 4 HA LONG BAY–HANOI–SIEM REAP
Hanoi Bound
This morning, drive to Hanoi and board your flight for Siem Reap. (B)
Day 5 SIEM REAP
Tranquil Temples 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 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.
Discovery
This evening, enjoy dinner and 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 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 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.
(B)
Day 7 SIEM REAP–PHNOM PENH (EMBARKATION)
Your 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 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–PHNOM PENH
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. At the silversmith village in Konpong Louang, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art.
PHNOM PENH
A Dark History or Market Dynamics
Classic
After lunch, a Visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields provides 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.
(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.
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 Sampans
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 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 hand-crafts 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.
AFTERNOON CRUISE TO HO CHI MINH CITY
(B,L,D)
Day 14 HO CHI MINH CITY (DISEMBARKATION)
Motorbikes, Monuments, and Mouth-watering 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!
(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.
(B,D)
Day 16 HO CHI MINH CITY
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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