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Cruise along the peaceful Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary—stopping at some of Central Europe’s most splendid capitals and charming towns along the way. Enjoy great sightseeing, superb scenery, art, and architecture from legendary royalty.
On this unique and inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, you’ll be immersed in the cultures and ancient traditions as you sightsee and spend time with locals in the most interesting places along the mighty Mekong River. Via sampan, cruise into Vinh Long and experience Vietnamese culture with a visit to a workshop to learn how rice wine and traditional candies are made. See firsthand how handcrafted sampans are built at the home of a family in Cu Lao Gieng. Walk through a colorful market as the locals are busy with their daily routine of buying and selling produce. In the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, tour the National Museum and Royal Palace with its striking Silver Pagoda. Enjoy a song and dance performance by children from a local orphanage. On a hilltop at the site of the 8th-century temple of Wat Hanchey, take in the stunning views before walking through the rural village of Angkor Ban to visit with welcoming schoolchildren. Continue this diverse river cruise and stop in a Silversmith Village to see craftsmen making silver artwork using ancient techniques. Go on an ox cart ride amongst rice paddy fields in the enchanting Cambodian countryside and witness the daily lives of farmers. This once-in-a-lifetime Southeast Asia river cruise vacation is sure to create lasting memories!
The Avalon Experience
Rooms with a view
The window of opportunity to see and experience the world just got a whole lot wider. Beyond the widest views on the water is an open invitation to experience your destination in more ways, in exceptional ways, in your way.
Relaxed Luxury
Delight in the difference and comfort. Leaving the rules behind, but not the luxury. Avalon's job is to bring you the world. Your job is to love it your way.
Unpack Once
An extraordinary place to call your own. A space to get into it, or away from it - to be with friends or retreat to where you can invite the view (but no one else) in.
Taste the World
Great food feeds your soul, fuels your passion, and shapes your memories. Taste decadent local delicacies, fresh regional wine and produce - Unrivalled foodie moments.
Avalon Saigon
Since first taking her maiden voyage on the Mekong River, the Avalon Saigon has been praised for delivering an intimate cruise experience as part of Avalon's award-winning fleet of Suite Ships®. Named "Best New River Cruise Ship" by TravelAge West, the Saigon sails with a maximum of just 36 guests, delivering all the modern features you expect from Avalon Waterways, while incorporating the unique character and charm of Southeast Asia. The Avalon Saigon is designed to venture easily into areas where other cruise ships cannot, while measuring as wide and long as ships carrying twice the number of our just 36 guests. Cruising uninterrupted from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh (or vice versa), the Saigon eliminates hours of motorcoach travel time associated with other river cruise ship itineraries. The Avalon Saigon Suite Ship incorporates the classic colonial charm befitting the Vietnam and Cambodia experience with the modern features you expect from Avalon. Each Panorama Suite features 245 square feet of living space with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows to create river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony. With luxurious beds that face the window, you'll never miss a fascinating view on the Mekong. You'll also find ample room to roam on board, while never feeling crowded. From the air-conditioned Panorama Lounge to the open-air observation lounge, you'll find plenty of seating and inviting spots to relax. With lounges located at the front of the ship, you'll always have a great forward-focused view no matter where you sit. Our crew embodies Avalon's "you first" spirit from start to finish. From the reception staff and bartender to wait staff and room attendant, you'll experience exquisite service with a relaxed luxury that's come to encompass the Avalon difference.
*Advertised pricing is based on per solo traveller on 21 August 2025 departure, correct as of 19 March 2025.
Inclusions
Inclusions
7 nights cruising from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
Wine, beer & soft drinks during lunch, dinner
Choice of Active, Discovery or Classic Excursions
Live entertainment onboard
Itinerary
Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City (Embarkation)
Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding
Transfer to the port in the heart of Ho Chi Minh on the Saigon River for embarkation. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening.
Afternoon/Evening Cruise to Vinh Long
Meals: dinner
Day 2 | Vinh Long–Cu Lao Gieng
Sweets, Sampans, and Sun Hats
Discovery Excursion
Board a sampan this morning to visit a local workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made.
Discovery Excursion
This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts at a local workshop, where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain, but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches.
Afternoon/Evening Cruise to Chau Doc
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 | Chau Doc–Long Khanh A–Border Crossing, Cambodia
Colorful markets, Charming Locals, and Cotton Weavers
Discovery Excursion
In Chau Doc take a Guided Walk through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then embark on a River Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more.
Discovery Excursion
After lunch, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of a well-preserved artisan’s tradition.
Return to the ship to set sail for the Cambodian border.
Evening/Overnight Cruise to Phnom Penh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 | Phnom Penh
The Royal Treatment
Classic Excursion
Take a City Tour by private cyclo to visit the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the city at your leisure.
Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show featuring local song and dance.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 | Phnom Penh
A Dark History or Bright Markets
Classic Excursion
This morning, a Guided Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields offers a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Visit the lively Central Market by tuk-tuk to see its unique Art Deco design.
After lunch, depart Phnom Penh and enjoy some time at leisure on the ship.
Afternoon/Evening Cruise to Wat Hanchey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6| Wat Hanchey–Angkor Ban
Water Blessings and Back To School Adventures
Discovery Excursion
Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks.
Discovery Excursion
After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KONPONG LOUANG
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 | Konpong Louang–Kampong Tralach
Calm in the Cambodian Countryside
Discovery Excursion
Start your Guided Sightseeing at the silversmith village in Konpong Louang. Here, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. In Kampong Tralach board an ox cart for a ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life.
This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Tonle River.
Evening Cruise to Phnom Penh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 | Phnom Penh (Disembarkation)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
