FASCINATING VIETNAM, CAMBODIA and THE MEKONG RIVER FROM HO CHI MINH CITY TO BANGKOK (WHS2012)
A 14-Day Avalon Waterways tour starting from $3,844
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| Starting Price: | $3,844 |  |
| Tour Length: | 14 Days | |
| Countries Visited: | Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam | |
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Cities Visited: NOTE: Intra-country airfare is required for this tour and is includied in the prices below along with applicable air taxes. Please contact a travel agent for more information. Title Vacation Overview |
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Hotels
HO CHI MINH CITY
InterContinental Asiana Saigon (D),
SIEM REAP
Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa (D),
BANGKOK
InterContinental Bangkok (D)
Meals
American breakfast daily (B), 10 lunches (L), 9 dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Ho Chi Minh City and a farewell dinner in Siem Reap
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 Municipal 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, meat, 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 though Cai Be Harbor, 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 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 THUY 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 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 Reap (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 grandeur 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, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu. 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 the 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)
Touring Date |
Land Only |
Land + Air |
Single (Land Only) |
Single (Land + Air) |
9/13/2012 - 9/27/2012 |
$3,844 |
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9/27/2012 - 10/11/2012 |
$4,124 |
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10/11/2012 - 10/25/2012 |
$4,124 |
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10/25/2012 - 11/8/2012 |
$4,124 |
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11/8/2012 - 11/22/2012 |
$4,124 |
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12/6/2012 - 12/20/2012 |
$4,124 |
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12/20/2012 - 1/3/2013 |
$4,124 |
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| Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator. | ||||
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Airfare Disclaimer Documents |
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City Highlights
CRUISE:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
HO CHI MINH CITY:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; walking tour of the city’s landmarks; visit the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class; welcome dinner; Cu Chi Tunnels excursion; visit a rubber plantation; begin your cruise on the Mekong
CAI BE:
Visit An Kiet House and a cathedral; see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made
SA DEC:
Visit a brick factory, rice factory, local market, and the ancient house of Mr. Hyunh Thuy Le
CHAU DOC:
Visit a local fish farm and the religious sites at Sam Mountain; walking tour of a local market
PHNOM PENH:
Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields; sightseeing by private cyclo including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum
PREK BANG KONG
: Walking tour through the village to see silk weaving
ANGKOR BAN:
Walking tour through the village
KAMPONG CHAM:
Visit Phnom Pros, Phnom Srey, Nokorbachey, and Wat Hanchey; partake in traditional water blessing by local monks
UDONG:
Visit a monastery; lecture on Buddhism
KAMPONG TRALACH:
Ride on a traditional ox cart through the countryside
SIEM REAP:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei; Les Artisans d’Angkor, Apsara dance performance
Price Details US
Port charges: $65Intra-Vacation Price:$200Single Room Supplement: $2929Triple rooms are not availablePrices shown above include cruise in Category B in a deluxe outside stateroom on Mekong Deck. To upgrade to Category A on the Tonle Deck add $300 per person sharing a twin stateroom or $600 for a single stateroom.Extra nights per person in Ho Chi Minh City:in single room $236; in twin room $124 Extra nights per person in Bangkok: in single room $228; in twin room $120
Related Tours
WHSQ|Add Luang Prabang to Your VacationWHSE|Add Hanoi & Ha Long Bay to Your VacationWHSY|Add Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Luang Prabang to Your VacationWSH|Cruise from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
SAVE $1,000 Per Couple On Select 2013 Avalon Europe River Cruises
SAVE $1,000 Per Couple On Select 2013 Avalon Europe River Cruises
With Avalon Waterway's Book Now Sailings, you can easily and affordably take a cruise that includes everything. Our cruises give you sweeping views of awe-inspiring landscapes every moment of the day and bring you to the heart of small towns and big cities to experience unique destinations like a local. We want to welcome you to the world of Avalon river cruising. Where no matter how long you're aboard, you'll be spoiled with a cruise unlike any other. Book Now Sailings are offered for a limited time only and sell out quickly. Offer also valid for the cruise-only itineraries and full offer details below.
| Cruise | Number of Days | Departures | Map | |
| Tulip Time | 8 days from Amsterdam to Amsterdam | April 6 & April 7, 2013 |
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| Taste of the Danube | 4 days from Vienna to Budapest | April 25 & July 26, 2013 |
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| Taste of the Danube | 5 days from Budapest to Vienna | April 21 & August 12, 2013 |
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| Burgundy and Provence | 11 days from Paris to Côte d'Azur | March 30, April 13, July 6, August 17 & October 12, 2013 |
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| Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches | 8 days from Paris to Paris | April 22, July 1, July 15, August 5, August 19 & October 14, 2013 |
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| Blue Danube to the Black Sea | 13 days from Vienna to Bucharest | August 5, 2013 |
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| Blue Danube to the Black Sea | 13 days from Bucharest to Vienna | July 3, 2013 |
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| The Legendary Danube | 11 days from Prague to Budapest | April 9, August 10 & October 30, 2013 |
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| The Blue Danube Discovery | 13 days from Budapest to Prague | July 7, October 24 & Ocober 30, 2013 |
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| Balkin Discovery | 11 days from Budapest to Bucharest | April 17 & July 31, 2013 |
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| Balkin Discovery | 11 days from Bucharest to Budapest | October 25, 2013 |
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| Magnificent Europe | 15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam | April 26, August 1 & October 26, 2013 |
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| Romantic Rhine | 8 days from Zürich to Amsterdam | April 13, April 21, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17, October 26 & November 2, 2013 |
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| Romantic Rhine | 8 days from Amsterdam to Basel | April 6, April 14, August 10 & October 26, 2013 |
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| The Upper Rhine-City of Music | 12 days from Zürich to Vienna | July 17, 2013 |
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| European Splendor | 13 days from Amsterdam to Vienna | July 26, 2013 |
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| European Splendor | 13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam | July 14 & August 18, 2013 |
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| Windmills, Vineyards & Paris | 10 days from Amsterdam to Paris | August 10, 2013 |
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| Windmills, Vineyards & Paris | 13 days from Paris to Amsterdam | October 24, 2013 |
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Terms & Conditions: Book a select 2013 Europe Avalon Waterways vacation to receive $500 off per person on the cruise/land only price. Offer available onselect dates of select cruises. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between February 1 and June 26, 2012 for travel at select times in 2013. Avalon and Royal Suites excluded. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer, other than Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit. Applies to new 2013 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
SAVE $500 Per Couple On 2013 Avalon Europe River Cruises
SAVE $500 Per Couple On 2013 Avalon Europe River Cruises
Have you ever taken a cruise that brought you sweeping views every
moment of every day? Or delivered you right to the heart of the cities,
towns and small quiet villages to experience the sights and sounds, the
people and the cultures there. Have you ever taken a cruise where on
shore excursions, and on-board amenities are all included? Have you ever
had a vacation that satisfied your mind, body and soul? Here in the
sanctuary of our world-class ships, we gracefully deliver the world to
you, and you to it. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy. And be spoiled with a cruise
unlike any other, upon the ships of Avalon.
There's never been a better time for you to take the cruise of a lifetime with an all-inclusive Avalon river cruise. We'll pamper you with large suites, luxurious amenities, exquisite cuisine, and ever changing views every moment of every day. And we'll take you right to the heart of charming cities, and towns where you can spend your days seeing the sights like a local, not like a tourist.
Terms & Conditions: Book a 2013 Europe Avalon Waterways vacation to receive $250 off per person on the cruise/land only price. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between February 1 and September 18, 2012 for travel in 2013. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer, other than Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit. Applies to new 2013 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
SAVE $300 Per Couple On 2013 Avalon Exotic River Cruises
SAVE $300 Per Couple On 2013 Avalon Exotic River Cruises
A once-in-a-lifetime destination, deserves a once-in-a-lifetime way to see it.
Ecuador & the Galápagos
9 days from Quito to Guayaquil
This
exciting vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and
the Galápagos Islands. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Quito, have your
photo taken at the "Center of the World," and spend time at leisure in
Guayaquil. Fly over the Pacific to San Cristobal Island, where you'll
embark on an exciting 4-day cruise among various Galápagos Islands.
Then, spend two nights on Santa Cruz Island at the Finch Bay Hotel,
where an expert Naturalist introduces you to indigenous plant and animal
species found only in the Galápagos.
Highlights of Egypt
9 days from Cairo to Cairo
Sail
through 5-thousand years of history on this incredible Nile river
cruise getaway. In Cairo, marvel at King Tutankhamun's treasures and
masterpieces of ancient art, visit the enigmatic Sphinx, and see the
Great Pyramids of Giza. Drive to the ancient capital of Memphis to see
the 40-foot statue of Ramses II. Fly to Luxor, one of the greatest
cities of ancient Egypt, and embark your 4-night Nile River cruise to
Aswan. Along the way, visit the Luxor Temple, Colossi of Memnon, the
Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, the Temple of Isis, and Aswan Dam.
Magical China & the Yangtze River
11 days from Beijing to Shanghai
Discover
China's ancient history and fascinating culture on this delightful
China river cruise. Sightseeing with a Local Guide shows you the
highlights in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, with inside visits that
include the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Great Wall, Sacred Way of
the Ming Tombs, the Terracotta Warriors, Dayan Pagoda, the Bund, the Yu
Yuan Gardens, and the Children's Palace. Attend an acrobatic show or
visit the Ghost City Temple, and participate in a calligraphy class,
lacquer and cloisonné workshops, and a noodle-making demonstration.
Terms & Conditions: Book a 2013 Asia, Egypt or Galapagos Avalon Waterways vacation to receive $150 off per person on the cruise/land only price. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between February 1 and September 18, 2012 for travel in 2013. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer, other than Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit. Applies to new 2013 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
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All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.