Charms of the Mekong

Immersing yourself in the culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas & bustling markets when travel through the Mekong of Vietnam & Cambodia.

Valued at $6,845
  • Package DetailsDetails
  • Itinerary
  • Terms and ConditionsT & Cs

SHORE EXCURSIONS INCLUDED IN EVERY PORT!

Lively Ho Chi Minh City, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” offers a vibrant mix of old and new and provides the perfect start to your incredible journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Cruise along the mighty Mekong, discovering a glimpse into another era; one where people still happily honor the timeless traditions passed down through the centuries from their ancestors. Throughout your trip, immerse yourself into the culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas and colorful markets. Be treated to a special blessing by monks in Buddhist monastery, and witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies. Experience all this and more on this life-enriching cruise along the Mekong.

** 08 Sep 2025 departure also available **

Package Inclusions:

Your Fly, Cruise & Stay Package Includes:

~ Return economy class flights with Singapore Airlines* from Australia* to Ho Chi Minh City, returning from Siem Reap
~ Private transfer from Ho Chi Minh airport to hotel
~ 10-11 Aug 2025 - 1 night 4-star accommodation in Ho Chi Minh (Sofitel Saigon or similar)
~  Group transfer from Ho Chi Minh hotel to My Tho port
~ 7 night Mekong River cruise onboard AmaDara, Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap, 
~ Cruise inclusions:
  - 7 nights luxury accommodation in a twin-balcony stateroom
  - Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
  - Daily entertainment including cultural performances
  - Immersive tours in every destination
  - Award-winning onboard dining in a variety of venues
  - Welcome Cocktail and Dinner
  - Unlimited wine with lunch and dinner
  - Complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during cruise
~ Group transfer from Kampong Cham port to Siem Reap hotel
~ 18-19 Aug 2025 - 1 night 4-star accommodation in Siem Reap (Sofitel Angkor or similar)

Travel date: 10 August -19 August 2025

Cruise Highlights
  - Take a local boat to Cai Be
  - Visit the colourful market in Sa Dec
  - Tour through Vietnam's Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary
  - See  Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and Genocide Museum
  - Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery in Oudong
  - Experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride
  - Visit a Silk Island village in Oknhatey

 

Itinerary

10 August 2025 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh and transfer to your pre-cruise hotel

11 August 2025 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - My Tho, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known by its previous name, Saigon, is the largest and most populous city in Vietnam. According to the 2019 census, Ho Chi Minh City has a population of over 8.9 million within the city proper and over 21 million within its metropolitan.  My Tho is a city in the Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam. It has a population of approximately 169,000 in 2006 and 220,000 in 2012. It is the regional center of economics, education and technology.

EMBARKATION

Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your 7-night river cruise and then meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be.  (L,D)

12 August 2025 - Cai Be - Sa Dec, Vietnam
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an 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 colorful 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. (B,L,D)

13 August 2025 - Tan Chau, Vietnam
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 an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative, explore the stunning Mekong Delta on an intimate tour through Vietnam's Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary. Board a traditional sampan boat and glide through this diverse ecosystem that includes more than 70 species of birds, including the painted stork and oriental darter, and lush greenery encompassing majestic cajuput trees, lotuses, water lilies and a carpet of bright green moss in the rainy season that appears to glow as you gently drift through it. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D) 

* Please Note: Tra Su Forest visit is capacity controlled.

14 August 2025 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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 treasures at the bustling, yellow colored Central Market after you visit to 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. (B,L,D)

15 August 2025 - Oudong, Cambodia
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. 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. (B,L,D)

16 August 2025 - Oknhatey Village, Cambodia
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. (B,L,D)

17 August 2025 - Angkor Ban, Cambodia
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. Alternatively, visit the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (the male and female mountains). Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

18 August 2025 - Kampong Cham - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap. (B)

Kampong Cham is a city on the Mekong River in southeastern Cambodia. It's known for its French colonial buildings. To the south, Koh Pen Island is reached via a long bamboo bridge. Just beyond town is Wat Nokor Bachey, where a modern pagoda is built on the site of an Angkorian temple. The hills of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei have temples at the top. Farther north, Prasat Hanchey has pagodas and Mekong River views.

19 August 2025 - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flights home.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions apply: All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, based on per person double occupancy unless stated otherwise, and inclusive of all taxes and discounts. All prices & itineraries are current as of 04 April 2025 & subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to change due to availability, currency fluctuations, fuel price, and tax increases. Oceanview and Balcony cabins may have obstructed views, please check with your consultant. Price includes any stated bonus nights, upgrades & package savings, if applicable. All passports, visas, travel permits, and vaccinations are the responsibility of the travelling passenger to secure prior to travel. Airfares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice, based in economy class from Sydney and are subject to the carriers' flight schedules and conditions. Seasonal and flight routing surcharges may apply. Airfares are based on the lowest available fare, which comes with strict conditions i.e., non-refundable, or non-changeable. Please ask your consultant for pricing on flexible fare options that allow cancellations and/or amendments at a fee.  Please call us for prices from other airports. Flights are based on Singapore Airlines for the specified dates, subject to availability at the time of booking. If unavailable or if you prefer another airline, please ask your consultant for the best alternatives. Travel packages advertised may include multiple products provided by several suppliers to provide a travel itinerary. Each component of the package will be treated independent of each other, and the specific terms & conditions of each product supplier will apply. Hotels may charge resort fees, or a security bond not included or mentioned in this package, payable direct upon check-in. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty.

Charms of the Mekong

Includes:
  • Cruise Included
  • Beverages Included
  • Excursions Included
  • Flight Included
  • Accommodation Included
  • Meals Included
  • Transfers Included
Date
--- OR ---

Subscribe for the best packaged offers from Discover Holidays

Subscribe Now