Avalon Waterways Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Northbound) (WHSN)
19 Day River Cruise Hanoi to Bangkok
On this inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, you’ll be immersed in the cultures and ancient traditions in the most fascinating places along the mighty Mekong River.Experience Vietnamese culture with a tour of the captivating capital of Hanoi. Go on a cyclo ride through the ancient streets of the Old Quarter and enjoy a water puppet performance. In Ha Long Bay, you’ll cruise through its breathtaking limestone islands. See the famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City 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. Embark on your river cruise along the Mekong River 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 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. In Siem Reap, you’ll see the phenomenal Temples of Angkor with an intricacy and architectural grandeur unmatched in the world.Your Southeast Asia adventure concludes in enchanting Bangkok, Thailand, where you’ll visit its most renowned temples, including the Temple of the Reclining Buddha—the oldest and largest of its kind. You’ll also have plenty of leisure time to explore the “Venice of the East”—a perfect ending to this remarkable journey! Ships: Saigon
 Avalon Waterways Promotions & Special Offers- Single supplement waived on select 2023 Avalon Mekong or Ganges river cruise departures*
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 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–Ho Chi Minh City: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City Day 5 Ho Chi Minh City: Walking tour; visit the famous Rex Hotel for a drink, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class Day 6 Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels excursion Day 7 Ho Chi Minh City (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception Day 8 Vinh Long–Cu Lao Gieng: Visit a local workshop to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made in Vinh Long; interact with sampan-making and conical hat making families in Cu Lao Gieng Day 9 Chau Doc–Long Khanh A–Cambodian Border Crossing: Visit a local market and the religious sites at Sam Mountain in Chau Doc; walking tour of Long Khanh A with cotton-weaving demonstration Day 10 Phnom Penh: Sightseeing by private cyclo, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum; afternoon at leisure; show by children from a local orphanage Day 11 Phnom Penh: Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and visit one of the Cambodian Killing Fields, or visit the lively central market Day 12 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 13 Konpong Louang–Kampong Tralach: Visit the silversmith village of Konpong Louang; ox cart ride through the countryside, and visit a local farmer’s home in Kampong Tralach Day 14 Phnom Penh (Disembarkation)–Siem Reap: Fly to Siem Reap; visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple Day 15 Siem Reap: Visit Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, and a noodle-making village; Apsara dance performance Day 16 Siem Reap–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
Related Avalon Tours WHSI - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia, & the Mekong River (Northbound) WHSH - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay (Northbound) WHSB - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Bangkok (Northbound) WHSN - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Northbound) WSHI - Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Southbound) WHS - Mekong Discovery (Northbound) WISI - The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam (Northbound)
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–HO CHI MINH CITY | | | This morning, drive to Hanoi and board your flight for Ho Chi Minh City. (B) | | Day 5 | HO CHI MINH CITY | | | 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!Explore the city further during free time this afternoon. This evening join your traveling companions for a special welcome dinner at a local restaurant.(B,L,D) | | Day 6 | HO CHI MINH CITY. EXCURSION TO CU CHI TUNNELS | | | Secret Passageways and Underground HideoutsCLASSIC 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.Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. Consider stopping for a drink at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel.(B) | | Day 7 | HO CHI MINH CITY (EMBARKATION) | | | Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding Transfer to the port on the Saigon River for embarkation. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG (B,L,D) | | Day 8 | VINH LONG–CU LAO GIENG | | | Sweets, Sampans, and Sun HatsDISCOVERY 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.DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts at a local workshop, where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats. 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, stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches.AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO CHAU DOC(B,L,D) | | Day 9 | CHAU DOC–LONG KHANH A–BORDER CROSSING, CAMBODIA | | | Colorful markets, Charming Locals, and Cotton WeaversDISCOVERY In Chau Doc take a Guided Walk through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then embark on a River 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.DISCOVERY After lunch, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of a well-preserved artisan’s tradition.Return to the ship to set sail for the Cambodian border.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH(B,L,D) | | Day 10 | PHNOM PENH | | | The Royal TreatmentCLASSIC Take a City Tour by private cyclo to visit 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 the city 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.(B,L,D) | | Day 11 | PHNOM PENH | | | A Dark History or Market DynamicsCLASSIC This morning, a Guided Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields offers a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR:DISCOVERY Visit the lively Central Market by tuk-tuk to see its unique Art Deco design.After lunch, depart Phnom Penh and enjoy some time at leisure on the ship. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY(B,L,D) | | Day 12 | 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 KONPONG LOUANG(B,L,D) | | Day 13 | KONPONG LOUANG–KAMPONG TRALACH | | | Calm in the Cambodian CountrysideDISCOVERY Start your Guided Sightseeing at the silversmith village in Konpong Louang. Here, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. In Kampong Tralach board an ox cart for a ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life.This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Tonle River. EVENING CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH(B,L,D) | | Day 14 | PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION)–SIEM REAP | | | A Pilgrimage of Inspirational BeautyFly to Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! CLASSIC After lunch, begin your Sightseeing Tour by tuk-tuk to explore the temples. 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, 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.The evening is yours to explore charming Siem Reap, stay to witness the sunset at Angkor Wat, or consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Cambodian circus. (B,L) | | Day 15 | SIEM REAP | | | Roots Carved in Stone and Celebrated in DanceCLASSIC Continue your Guided Sightseeing 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 local village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand.Spend the afternoon at your leisure. You may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to further explore Siem Reap or the temple complex by tuk-tuk. DISCOVERY This evening, a private Apsara Dance Performance brings ancient Khmer culture to life through music, song, and dance.(B,D) | | Day 16 | SIEM REAP–BANGKOK, THAILAND | | | This morning, fly to Bangkok. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.(B) | | Day 17 | BANGKOK | | | This morning, your Guided Sightseeing begins with a boat ride on the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals. Stop at the stunning Grand Palace featuring the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Also, Visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, including the 49-foot-high and 151-foot-long massive Reclining Buddha. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.(B,L) | | Day 18 | BANGKOK | | | Enjoy a full day at your leisure.(B) | | Day 19 | BANGKOK | | | 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).
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