Avalon China River Cruise 13 Night Fascinating Vietnam Cambodia & The Mekong River Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok
Ship:
Avalon - China River Cruises Cruise Line:
Avalon Waterways
Departures: Duration:
13 Nights
Ports: Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Bangkok
Airport gateway (Arrival) : Ho Chi Minh City Airport gateway (Departure) : Bangkok
Day 1: ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. Hotel rooms are available for mid afternoon check in.
Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY This morning, enjoy a walking tour of the city's famous and historic landmarks as you stroll through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Muncipal Theatre, the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, visit the Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace) and the War Remnants Museum. For lunch, participate in a hands on Vietnamese Cooking Class. The lesson starts with a walking tour of Ben Thanh Market with a local chef, where you will learn how different fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood are used in Vietnamese cuisine. Afterward, head into the classroom to prepare different dishes and learn how to recreate them once you return home. Last but not least, sample your delicious creations! The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this lively city. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner hosted by your Cruise Director. (B, L, D)
Day 3: HO CHI MINH CITY. CU CHI TUNNELS EXCURSION This morning, leave the city and drive through vast expanses of rice paddies to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. Here you will be joined by a Viet Cong veteran and an expert Local Guide to learn about how the tunnels were constructed and for a chance to walk through a section to experience what life would have been like underground. Make a quick stop at a Rubber Plantation to learn more about this industry before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure. Maybe stop at the famous Rex Hotel for a drink and sweeping views of the city. (B, L)
Day 4: HO CHI MINH CITY (EMBARKATION) This morning, transfer to the port on the Saigon River and board your river cruise vessel to start your cruise up the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 5: CRUISING: CAI BE-SA DEC This morning, board a sampan for a scenic cruise through Cai Be Harbour, passing the city's beautiful French Gothic cathedral. Once on land, tour An Kiet House and its surrounding gardens, which feature several types of fruit and indigenous to the area. Next, stop at a local establishment to see how rice paper, rice wine and traditional candy are made. Visit the beautiful Cathedral on the waterfront before returning to the ship for lunch. After lunch, reboard sampans and enjoy scenes of daily life along the river en route to Sa Dec. Stop at a brick factory to see workers forming the clay bricks that fill the local landscape. Stop at the adjacent rice factory for insight into the various types of rice produced in the region and to learn about the importance of the rice husk in fueling the brick kilns. Next, ride through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat and produce. Your final stop today is the ancient house of Mr Hyunh Thy Le, the lover of French novelist Marguerite Duras and inspiration for the film L'Amant - The Lover, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. (B, L, D)
Day 6: CRUISING: CHAU DOC, VIETNAM-CAMBODIAN BORDER CROSSING Cruise down the backwaters of the Mekong in a sampan to Chau Doc. Along the way you will see traditional Vietnamese floating markets and villages. Upon arrival, learn about some of the different species of fish living in the Mekong at a local fish farm. Then, enjoy a walking tour of the bustling outdoor market. Last stop is at the religious sites at the base of Sam Mountain. Return to the ship for lunch and head for the Cambodian border. (B, L, D)
Day 7: CRUISING: PHNOM PENH The capital city of Phnom Penh retains its French charm to this day. Sightseeing this morning provides a glimpse of the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime. Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school that housed over 17,000 prisoners. Of this number, it is believed that less than 15 survived the torture and avoided being sent to the Killing Fields. You will also visit one of the Killing Fields, where over 200,000 people were killed by the Khmer Rouge. After lunch on the ship, enjoy a sightseeing tour 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. This evening you may want to enjoy some of Phnom Penh's lively nightlife. (B, L, D)
Day 8: CRUISING: PREK BANG KONG-ANGKOR BAN Today, start with a visit to the village of Prek Bang Kong, where silk weaving is a well preserved tradition. Spend time exploring the many houses in the village to see the weaving and to learn more about how silk is produced. After lunch, enjoy a walking tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here you will visit traditional Khmer houses, a local school and a buddhist monastery, where you will meet with the local monks. (B, L, D)
DAY 9: CRUISING: KAMPONG CHAM-WAT HANCHEY This morning, travel by motorcoach to see the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (man and woman hill), where you will see the beautiful stupa as well as two huge Buddha statues, both measuring over 30 feet long or tall. You will also stop at Nokorbachey, an Angkorian temple complex featuring several original statues of Buddha. After lunch, visit Wat Hanchey, a temple dating back to the 8th century and the Chenla Empire. Located on a hilltop, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by the local monks. (B, L, D) NOTE: The climb to Wat Hanchey features a steep incline. If you feel you are unable to make the climb you will be driven to the top by car.
Day 10: CRUISING: PREK DAM-UDONG-KAMPONG TRALACH Today, dock at Prek Dam, then transfer by motorcoach to the village of Udong, former capital of Cambodia. Upon arrival, visit a monastery for an in depth lecture on Buddhism. Continue on to Kampong Tralach for an ox cart ride past rice paddy fields and the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to relax on board. (B, L, D)
Day 11: CRUISING: SIEM RIEP (DISEMBARKATION) This morning, enjoy time on board the ship as you cruise through Tonle Sap (Great Lake). After the rainy season, this massive body of water can cover around 10,000 square miles and provides the perfect breeding ground for fish, which play a vital role in providing food for people living on the lake. Just before noon, arrive in Siem Reap, your base during your visit to Angkor and considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! This afternoon, start your sightseeing of the Temples of Angkor. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples were built around the Khmer interpretations of Indian religious and political beliefs that, ultimately, evolved from Hinduism to Buddhism. The complex architectural gradeur of the Angkor temples is arguably unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. First, visit Angkor Thom to see the Bayon Temple. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas reliefs. Next stop is the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat, honouring the Hindu god Vishna. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia. Here you will be joined by an Archaeologist from the APSARA Authority , which was created to protect Angkor, for a special guided tour of the ruins. This evening is at leisure to explore charming Siem Reap - or stay to witness sunset at Angkor Wat! (B, L)
Day 12: SIEM REAP Today, continue your sightseeing of the Angkor temples. Unlike the other temples, Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched. Tree roots grow over and through ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. Then, visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Unlike other temples, it is built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. Then, stop at Les Artisans D'Angkor, a development project teaching young adults traditional handicraft techniques. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a private Apsara Dance Performance, where the ancient Khmer culture is brought to life by talented dancers, singers and musicians. (B, D)
Day 13: SIEM REAP-BANGKOK, THAILAND Enjoy the morning at leisure in Siem Reap before flying to Bangkok. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
Day 14: BANGKOK Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Ho Chi Minh City
Over a quarter of a century has passed since the Vietnam War ended in 1975 with the fall of Saigon. Today, the name of this bustling metropolis on the Mekong River is Ho Chi Minh City. Yet, the essence of the city, a major trading center since the 18th century, remains unchanged. The port city of Vung Tau is a seaside beach resort located about two hours east of Ho Chi Minh City, with shopping, discos and a range of eateries. As the closest beach in the vicinity, Vung Tau is a daytrip from Ho Chi Minh City offering a retreat from the city heat.
Country - Vietnam Distance from port to City - 60 kms Distance from port to Airport - 80kms Currency - Vietnam Dong (VND)
Places of Interest Cu Chi Tunnels, City Hall, Renufication Hall, War Remnants Museum
Cai Be
Cái Bè is a river-land mixed town in Vietnam. It is a district (huyện) of Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Along the river are docks that handle passengers and goods, and also the floating market.
Country: Vietnam Distance from Port to City: 0Kms Distance to Airport: 0Kms
Places of Interest:
Chau Doc
Perched on the banks of the Bassac River, Chau Doc is a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizable Chinese, Cham and Khmer communities. Its cultural diversity – apparent in the mosques, temples, churches and nearby pilgrimage sites – makes it a fascinating place to explore even if you aren’t headed to Cambodia. Taking a boat trip to the Cham communities across the river is another highlight, though its addictive market and peaceful waterfront make fine backdrops to a few days of relaxing before heading out.
Country: Vietnam Distance from Port to City: 0Kms Distance to Airport: 0Kms
Places of Interest:
Kampong Cham
Kampong Cham is the third largest city in Cambodia, but has yet to be heavily touristed like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. It carries with it plenty of colonial French charm, and has a genuine "wild west" feel to it.
Country: Cambodia Distance from Port to City: 0Kms Distance to Airport: 0Kms
Places of Interest:
Siem Reap
Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market. In town, there are Apsara dance performances, craft shops, silk farms, rice-paddy countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap Lake.
Country: Cambodia Distance from Port to City: 0Kms Distance to Airport: 0Kms
Places of Interest: Angkor Wat, Cambodia Landmine Museum, Angkor National Museum
Bangkok
The port of Laem Chabang is the gateway to the many exotic destinations in the Gulf of Siam including its Bangkok. Visit ancient Buddhist temples and palaces, the colourful floating market, great shopping, fabulous cuisine and cultural shows.
Country - Thailand Distance from port to City - 150kms Distance from port to Airport - 150kms Currency - Thai Baht (THB)
Places of Interest Grand Palace, The Golden Buddha, Floating Markets
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Avalon Waterways
Now that you know why river cruising should be your next vacation, you need to decide which cruise company to choose. Thats easy, When you travel with Avalon Waterways, you can relax in the knowledge that you've made the best choice. Newest Ships
Avalon sets a new standard in river cruising Europe's newest ships; you cruise in amazing, one-of-a-kind travel comfort. Sleek and elegant, they are part of a new generation of river cruisers, with state-of-the-art technology. These ships offer larger accommodations with hotel-style beds, private facilities, satellite television, and much more, including email or internet access, and floor to ceiling sliding glass doors in many staterooms. Travellers will enjoy a fitness centre, hair salon and massage services.
The Most Enriching Experiences
Our Enrichment Program is among the best in river cruising. Experienced local guides will take you on sightseeing tours of wonderful towns and cities, plus you can spend the evening on shore, if the schedule permits. In addition to fascinating sightseeing on each itinerary, you can choose from a few optional outings, and there's always time to make your own discoveries as well. Back on board, you'll enjoy interactive presentations with area experts, wine tastings, local entertainment, and more. Look on each cruise itinerary page to see the Included Features and Special Highlights listed for each vacation.
Created for the English Speaking Market
These new ships are built for the English Speaking Market, with non-smoking interiors and English speaking crew. They feature larger staterooms than most other river cruise vessels with comfortable beds and large windows to view the passing scene. Meals are European cuisine tailored to western tastes with coffee and tea available at no extra charge throughout the day. The Enrichment Program is geared towards those that like to travel with lively itineraries, time for individual discovery, and onboard entertainment.
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Whether you savour time-tested recipes or experiment more boldly, with Avalon you'll taste the true flavours of Europe, Egypt and China. Meals enjoyed in the company of your travelling companions are a major part of your vacation experience. On Avalon's ships, you'll enjoy open seat dining with one sitting, wine included with all onboard dinners, and panoramic views from your restaurant.
Quality Hotels
On several itineraries, you'll either begin or end your experience with a stay on land. We understand the importance of hotel quality to your vacation; that's why any hotels included in your itinerary are rated first class (F) or above (SF). Look for the exact ratings on the itinerary pages.
Unbeatable Value
We include all the main features of a destination without extra cost. Our volume buying power saves you money. And we handle all the logistics and details, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your cruise. Plus we provide all meals on board, a rich land excursion program and much more!
