2025 : Riches of the Mekong : 7- Night Cruise With 6 Nights Pre-Cruise And 2 Nights Post-Cruise : Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City : ms AmaDara

Overview

CRUISE FROM : Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City

Cruise along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam as you are transported back in time to another era, where the rhythms of the countryside move at a slower pace and allow for a fascinating glimpse into a traditional way of life. Visit rural villages, colorful markets and a monastery, where you will receive a special Buddhist blessing by monks. Delve into the peaks and valleys of Cambodia's history in the Royal Palace and National Museums of its beautiful capital, Phnom Penh. Witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies, and be treated to authentic experiences, including rides via oxcart, tut tut and trishaw. On this transformative journey, the Mekong truly reveals a vibrant world along its shores.

COUNTRIES: Cambodia, Vietnam

RIVERS: Mekong

Riches of the Mekong

At A Glance

On these itineraries, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. We include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Included Features

SPACIOUS STATEROOMS

  • 7 nights luxury accommodation in a twin-balcony stateroom
  • Flat-panel screen that features in-house movies
  • Mini-fridge, desk and sitting area
  • Bottled water replenished daily

    AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES

    Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs

  • Sun deck with pool
  • Fitness room and three spas
  • Saigon Lounge with panoramic views and bar
  • Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
  • Daily entertainment including cultural performances

    AWARD-WINNING DINING

  • All onboard dining in a variety of venues
  • Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
  • The Chef's Table specialty restaurant
  • Welcome Cocktail and Dinner
  • Unlimited wine with lunch and dinner
  • Complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during cruise
  • Snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge

    A WORLD OF EXPLORATION

  • Immersive tours in every destination
  • Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Personal headset for easy exploration
  • Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways

    Land Program

  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Hanoi at the Sofitel Legend Metropole (or similar), including city tour, rickshaw ride, water puppet show and daily buffet breakfast
  • Overnight stay on board an elegantly appointed ship in Ha Long Bay
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation in Siem Reap at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza (or similar), including buffet breakfast

    Detailed Itinerary

    Day 1 : ARRIVE IN HANOI, VIETNAM
    Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city boasts a rich cultural heritage that blends in harmony with its vibrant present. From ancient temples to French Colonial architecture and modern-day skyscrapers, along with beautiful parks and lakes, Hanoi is an eclectic and lively city.

    Day 2 : HANOI
    Discover some of Hanoi's most famous historic and cultural sites on your guided tour that includes: Ba Dinh Square and The Temple of Literature. You'll also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the 'Hanoi Hilton' during the Vietnam War. Take an authentic rickshaw ride, known as 'cyclo,' in Hanoi's bustling Old Quarter, and then enjoy a traditional water puppet show. (B)

    Day 3 : HANOI - HA LONG BAY
    Ethereal Ha Long Bay is considered by many to be the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World. 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. (B,L,D)

    Day 4 : HA LONG BAY - HANOI - SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
    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 to Hanoi Airport for a short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. (B,L)

    Day 5 : SIEM REAP - ANGKOR
    Begin your morning exploration of the Angkor temple complex at 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. You'll then visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the 'Kingdom of Trees,' for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation over the centuries. Afternoon excursions take you to the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, meaning 'Citadel of Women,' as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. Cap this memorable day off with a special 'Apsara Dance Show' at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,D)

    Day 6 : SIEM REAP - ANGKOR
    Discover the heart and soul of Cambodia and the most iconic of all Angkorian Temples, Angkor Wat. This is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed and a true masterpiece of Khmer architecture built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. (B,D)

    Day 7 : SIEM REAP - KAMPONG CHAM, CAMBODIA - EMBARKATION
    Transfer via motorcoach to the AmaDara in Kampong Cham for your seven-night cruise. Board a 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. Later, join fellow guests for an evening Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D)

    Day 8 : ANGKOR BAN - OKNHATEY
    During the morning, go on a walking tour to 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 sails to Oknhatey or 'Silk Island,' located on the lush banks of the Mekong River. This island is known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you'll visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving that have been preserved for centuries. Your ship moors in Oknhatey village. (B,L,D)

    *Based on seasonality, the port of Angkor Ban may be inaccessible from August - September. During this time, Wat Hanchey will replace Angkor Ban as the port of call.

    Day 9 : OUDONG - KAMPONG TRALACH - PHNOM PENH
    Your cruise continues to sail to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The morning excursion takes you to 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. After visiting Oudong, be treated to a truly authentic excursion, an oxcart ride through a local village Kampong Tralach. 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. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. (B,L,D)

    Day 10 : 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'll 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. (B,L,D)

    Day 11 : PHNOM PENH - BORDER CROSSING - TAN CHAU, VIETNAM
    Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam. (B,L,D)

    Day 12 : TAN CHAU - SA DEC
    Visit Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. You will have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic experience via 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, take a boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop. Later in the day, cruise to Sa Dec. (B,L,D)

    Day 13 : SA DEC - XEO QUYT - CAI BE
    Once ashore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market and the 19th-century house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras' Chinese paramour, on whom her prize-winning novel 'The Lover' is said to be based. Later, board a motorcoach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a military base during the French war and now an important ecological site. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, and the historic Kiet Old House. In Cai Be, cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

    Day 14 : DISEMBARKATION - MY THO - HO CHI MINH CITY
    Disembark the AmaDara in My Tho Port and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam's former capital of Indochina was once known as 'Paris of the Orient,' and today, it is an industrial, cultural and educational hub. Explore such famous landmarks as the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum before visiting the Ben Thanh Market'one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L) *For those not staying in Ho Chi Minh, we recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Ho Chi Minh after 2:30pm to avoid potential missed connections.

    Day 15 : HO CHI MINH CITY
    Visit Chu Chi Tunnels, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring more of Ho Chi Minh City. (B)

    Day 16 : DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY
    Bid farewell to Vietnam as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

  • Call (718) 835-3620 for more information or to book today! Mention code 16889912

    Cruise Line
    AmaWaterways
    Duration
    16 Days
    Cruise Ship
    ms AmaDara

    Click for more information on this ship.

    DayPortArriveDepart
    Day 1Hanoi  
    Day 2Hanoi  
    Day 3Ha Long Bay  
    Day 4Siem Reap  
    Day 5Angkor  
    Day 6Angkor  
    Day 7Kampong Cham  
    Day 8Oknhatey  
    Day 9Phnom Penh  
    Day 10Phnom Penh  
    Day 11TAN CHAU  
    Day 12SA DEC  
    Day 13Cai Be  
    Day 14Ho Chi Minh City  
    Day 15Ho Chi Minh City  
    Day 16Depart Ho Chi Minh City  
    Dates/Pricing

    Click Quote or call us to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

    DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
    01/07/2025$5,439.00* (USD)Quote
    02/04/2025$5,439.00* (USD)Quote
    02/18/2025$5,439.00* (USD)Quote
    03/04/2025$5,344.00* (USD)Quote
    03/18/2025$5,154.00* (USD)Quote
    04/01/2025$4,964.00* (USD)Quote
    04/15/2025$4,774.00* (USD)Quote
    Disclaimer

    Notes:

    ImportantDates, prices & itineraries are subject to change.

    Port Charges not included in cruise price$210 per person.

    Intra-Asia Air (Hanoi - Siem Reap)Additional $380 per person including taxes and fuel surcharges.

    Single Supplement for CruiseCategory C, B, A and Suite 50% of twin price; Luxury Suite 100% of twin price.

    Single Supplement for LandA single supplement charge will be applied to pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions. Please call for pricing details.

    BeddingPlease call for details.

    VisaA visa is required for travel to Vietnam and Cambodia. Passengers with a cruise and land itinerary must obtain a multiple entry visa for Vietnam (as there are two different points of entry into the country) and a single entry visa for Cambodia. Please consult with your Consulate for more information.

    Siem Reap Embarkation DayTransfer from Siem Reap to the ship via motor coach to Kampong Cham, a small village on the Mekong River.

    Ho Chi Minh City Disembarkation DayDisembark the ship at My Tho Port and transfer via motor coach to Ho Chi Minh City.

    Phnom PenhNo bare shoulders or shorts for ladies during the Royal Palace visit.

    Terms & Conditions:

    All rates are per person for cruise only, based on double occupancy in an entry level category stateroom unless stated otherwise. Offer is valid on select sailings only and applicable to new bookings only. Unless explicitly stated that single supplement is waived, solo travelers in a double occupancy stateroom must pay an additional single supplement amount before receiving any discounts. Ask about Solo Traveler promotions. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, limited to availability, capacity controlled and subject to change or termination without notice. Port charges, land programs and round-trip airfare are not included in cruise price. Other restrictions apply. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

      
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