2026 : Charms of the Mekong : 7- Night Cruise With 2 Nights Pre-Cruise : Ho Chi Minh City to Kampong Cham : ms AmaDara
Overview
CRUISE FROM : Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
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.
COUNTRIES: Cambodia, Vietnam
RIVERS: Mekong
Charms 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
AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES
AWARD-WINNING DINING
A WORLD OF EXPLORATION
Land Package
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
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.
Day 2 : HO CHI MINH CITY
Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, and east and west. In the morning, explore some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon, visit Chu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. (B,L)
Day 3 : HO CHI MINH CITY - MY THO - EMBARKATION
In the morning, visit Ben Thanh Market...one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your river cruise and meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (B,L,D)
Day 4 : CAI BE - SA DEC
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)
Day 5 : TAN CHAU - BORDER CROSSING
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.
Day 6 : 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)
Day 7 : OUDONG - KAMPONG TRALACH - PHNOM PENH
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. In Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly authentic excursion - an oxcart ride through a local village. 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)
Day 8 : OKNHATEY - ANGKOR BAN
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)
Day 9 : ANGKOR BAN - KAMPONG CHAM
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, delighting guests with colorful depictions of the Buddha's life. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
Day 10 : DISEMBARKATION - KAMPONG CHAM - SIEM REAP
Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap. (B)
*Guests booking cruise only will be transferred from the ship to Sofitel Angkor hotel in Siem Reap. We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 4:00pm today to avoid potential missed connections.
Call 614-898-9505 for more information or to book today! Mention code 19123813
- Cruise Line
- AmaWaterways
- Offer
- Offer valid through 6/30/2025
- Duration
- 10 Days
- Cruise Ship
- ms AmaDara
Click for more information on this ship.
Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | ||
Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City | ||
Day 3 | My Tho | ||
Day 4 | SA DEC | ||
Day 5 | Border Crossing | ||
Day 6 | Phnom Penh | ||
Day 7 | Phnom Penh | ||
Day 8 | Angkor Ban | ||
Day 9 | Kampong Cham | ||
Day 10 | Siem Reap |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
Notes:
ImportantDates, prices & itineraries are subject to change.
Port Charges (included in cruise price)$250 per person
Included Intra-Asia Air (Siem Reap - Hanoi)$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.
Phnom PenhNo bare shoulders or shorts for ladies during the Royal Palace visit.
Cruise only starting in Ho Chi Minh CityWe recommend that you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City before 10 a.m. on embarkation day, or book an extra night prior to your cruise embarkation date to avoid potential missed connections to your cruise. We also recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 7:00pm to avoid potential missed connections on your cruise disembarkation date.
10-night program starting in Ho Chi Minh CityWe recommend that you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City before 10 a.m. on embarkation day, or book an extra night prior to your cruise embarkation date to avoid potential missed connections to your cruise.