Charms of the Mekong

Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital.

Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub. to know Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon. It iis Vietnam’s former capital.

Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub.

Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, east and west.  I

n the morning, explore some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post office, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon visit Cu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam war.

In the morning, visit Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City.

Board your AmaWaterways Mekong river cruise on the AmaDara at My Tho Port.

Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be.

Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops and the historic Kiet Old House.

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 local market, Cao Dai Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which her prize-winning novel, “The Lover,” is said to be based on.

Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism.

You will have the opportunity to take a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops, followed by a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to “Evergreen Island.” Alternatively, simply take the boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop.

Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh.

This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum).

Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling yellow-colored Central Market . After lunch on board, you will explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts.

After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.

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 also take a walking tour of Oudong. In Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly authentic excursion – an oxcart ride through a local village along the river bank. 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.

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.

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 of handicrafts.

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 via motorcoach to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals.

Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board your AmaWaterways Mekong river cruise.

Your AmaWaterways Mekong river cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and Motorcoach transfer to Sofitel Siem Reap.

Begin your morning exploration of the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the most iconic of all Angkorian Temples, built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honour the Hindu God, Vishnu.

An afternoon excursion takes you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian Art, Banteay Srei, which means citadel of Women, as its has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man.

Later in the day, visit the English language school, sponsored by AmaWaterways in the village of Ta Toum.

During the evening, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.

After breakfast, you will have a guided tour of Angkor Thom, meaning “Great City”. This is home to the Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Later in the day, bid farewell to Siem Reap as you prepare for your return flight home.

After breakfast, you will have a guided sightseeing tour of Angkor Thom meaning “the great city.” This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Later in the day, take a short flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam

From ancient temples to French Colonial architecture and modern-day skyscrapers, along with beautiful parks and lakes, Hanoi is an eclectic and lively city.

A morning sightseeing tour will showcase some of Hanoi’s most famous historic and cultural sites, including Ba Dinh Square and The Temple of Literature. You will also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War.

In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as a “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional Water Puppet Show.

Take a scenic drive from Hanoi to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Board an elegantly appointed ship designed with all the modern conveniences to ensure smooth sailing for an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The backdrop of the bay’s magnificent scenery and dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations provide you with the perfect setting for a memorable sojourn.

Spend the morning sailing across the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay with more than 2,000 small islands rising from the water like a dragon’s back.

Later in the morning, disembark the ship and transfer back to Hanoi where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure

Bid farewell to Vietnam and prepare for your homeward flight.

Arrive in Bangkok and check into your hotel.

Discover the spectacular and centuries-old Grand Palace with its glittering Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The infamous Buddha was chiseled from one block of emerald and is believed to have supernatural powers.

Stop at Wat Pho, known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It houses a school of Thai medicine and is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Enjoy rest of day at your leisure to discover more of Bangkok’s incredible sights

This morning, cruise along the small canals (“khlongs”) of Thonburi, gaining a better understanding of why Bangkok is known as “the Venice of the East.” Conclude your morning sightseeing tour with a visit to the imposing Temple of the Dawn, which stands beside the Chao Phraya River and dazzles with a structure composed of millions of fragments of Chinese porcelain.

Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring more Bangkok, from its fascinating three-dimensional art museum, Art in Paradise, to its world-famous shopping centers and colorful markets, such as the Night Train, an eye-catching local gathering of tents illuminated by electric lights as the sun sets.

Check out of your hotel and bid farewell to Bangkok as you prepare for your flight that brings you to your next destination.

Arrive in Bangkok and check into your hotel.

Discover the spectacular and centuries-old Grand Palace with its glittering Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The infamous Buddha was chiseled from one block of emerald and is believed to have supernatural powers.

Stop at Wat Pho, known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It houses a school of Thai medicine and is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Enjoy rest of day at your leisure to discover more of Bangkok’s incredible sights

This morning, cruise along the small canals (“khlongs”) of Thonburi, gaining a better understanding of why Bangkok is known as “the Venice of the East.” Conclude your morning sightseeing tour with a visit to the imposing Temple of the Dawn, which stands beside the Chao Phraya River and dazzles with a structure composed of millions of fragments of Chinese porcelain.

Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring more Bangkok, from its fascinating three-dimensional art museum, Art in Paradise, to its world-famous shopping centers and colorful markets, such as the Night Train, an eye-catching local gathering of tents illuminated by electric lights as the sun sets.

Check out of your hotel and bid farewell to Bangkok as you prepare for your flight that brings you to your next destination .