River Cruise Itinerary

This inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise vacation begins in vibrant Bangkok, Thailand. A boat ride on the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals, is the perfect way to start your sightseeing. Continue at the Grand Palace featuring the Temple of the Emerald Buddha followed by the Temple of the Reclining Buddha—the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in the city. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and enjoy a walking tour of the famous landmarks of the city and try your hand in the kitchen with a Vietnamese cooking class. Go on an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the unbelievable network of tunnels used extensively during the war. Next, board your ship and begin your cruise along the mighty Mekong River. As you cruise through Vietnam, you’ll stop in the villages for interactions with locals, such as a visit to the home of a skilled family who make handcrafted sampans for a living. In Cambodia, visit the capital city of Phnom Penh, with the magnificent Royal Palace featuring its striking Silver Pagoda and the National Museum. Take in the stunning views at the 8th-century temple of Wat Hanchey before walking through the rural village of Angkor Ban to visit with welcoming schoolchildren. Continue your river cruise adventure to Siem Reap, where you’ll see the magnificent Temples of Angkor. The famous temples here, such as Angkor Wat and the Bayon temple, featuring some 200 mysterious faces carved in its many towers, are a display of intricacy and architectural grandeur unmatched in the world. Disembark your cruise ship and fly to Hanoi, where you’ll explore the famous Old Quarter with peddlers trading goods among its 36 ancient streets. From here, travel to Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, where you’ll be amazed at the more than 3,000 limestone islands of varying shapes. Enjoy a 2-night cruise along the bay with visits to the Cua Van Floating Village, fascinating caves, and a chance to swim at Ti Top Island. The beautiful scenery, ornate temples, and interactions with locals make this Southeast Asia river cruise vacation one you won’t soon forget!

1. Day 1
   BANGKOK, THAILAND

   Fri, Jul 02, 2021

   Welcome to Thailand!
2. Day 2
   BANGKOK

   Sat, Jul 03, 2021

   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)
3. Day 3
   BANGKOK

   Sun, Jul 04, 2021

   Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (B)
4. Day 4
   BANGKOK–HO CHI MINH CITY

   Mon, Jul 05, 2021

   Today, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)
5. Day 5
   HO CHI MINH CITY

   Tue, Jul 06, 2021

   Motorbikes, Monuments, and Mouthwatering CuisineCLASSIC 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)
6. Day 6
   HO CHI MINH CITY. EXCURSION TO CU CHI TUNNELS

   Wed, Jul 07, 2021

   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)
7. Day 7
   HO CHI MINH CITY (EMBARKATION)

   Thu, Jul 08, 2021

   Your Suite Ship® is Ready for BoardingTransfer 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)
8. Day 8
   VINH LONG–CU LAO GIENG

   Fri, Jul 09, 2021

   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 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)
9. Day 9
   CHAU DOC–LONG KHANH A–BORDER CROSSING, CAMBODIA

   Sat, Jul 10, 2021

   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, take a Sampan Ride to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration in this well-preserved artisan tradition.Return to the ship and head for the Cambodian border.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH(B,L,D)
10. Day 10
    PHNOM PENH

    Sun, Jul 11, 2021

    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)
11. Day 11
    PHNOM PENH

    Mon, Jul 12, 2021

    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)
12. Day 12
    WAT HANCHEY–ANGKOR BAN

    Tue, Jul 13, 2021

    Water Blessings and Back-to-School AdventuresDISCOVERY 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)
13. Day 13
    KONPONG LOUANG–KAMPONG TRALACH

    Wed, Jul 14, 2021

    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)
14. Day 14
    PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION)–SIEM REAP

    Thu, Jul 15, 2021

    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)
15. Day 15
    SIEM REAP

    Fri, Jul 16, 2021

    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 visit 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)
16. Day 16
    SIEM REAP–HANOI

    Sat, Jul 17, 2021

    Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (B)
17. Day 17
    HANOI

    Sun, Jul 18, 2021

    Historic Hanoi and Water PuppetsCLASSIC 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 infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Lastly, visit the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university.Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program that teaches local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities. CLASSIC After lunch, enjoy an Electric-Cart Ride through the fascinating Old Quarter—with its 36 ancient streets where merchants trade as they have for centuries. DISCOVERY An early dinner this evening is followed by a fascinating Live Performance of Hanoi’s renowned water puppets, a traditional 11th-century art form.(B,L,D)
18. Day 18
    HANOI–HA LONG BAY

    Mon, Jul 19, 2021

    Island Shapes and a Floating VillageTravel 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 Elegance for a 2-Night Cruise on the bay.DISCOVERY Visit the Cua Van Floating Village, home to more than 700 people—by bamboo raft, OR:ACTIVE Take a Kayak Ride to visit Cua Van Village.Enjoy scenic sailing for the remainder of the day before anchoring for the night. (B,L,D)
19. Day 19
    HA LONG BAY

    Tue, Jul 20, 2021

    Caves, Kayaks, and Scenic ClimbsDISCOVERY Visit Ti Top Island for a Guided Excursion to take a swim, or climb 400 steps to the top for stunning views. You can also visit Luon Cave by boat, and explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo raft, OR:ACTIVE Explore Luon Cave and Dark & Bright Cave by Kayak Ride.After a day of exploring, consider a spa treatment or simply relax for happy hour prior to dinner!(B,L,D)
20. Day 20
    HA LONG BAY–HANOI

    Wed, Jul 21, 2021

    Surprising and Amazing BeautyThis 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)
21. Day 21
    HANOI

    Thu, Jul 22, 2021

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

Inclusions

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.

Health and Safety Protocols for Avalon Waterways

Ship Information

Cabins

Life on Board

Questions & Answers