Experience the highlights of Cambodia and Vietnam on this nine-day journey from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. Sail along the Mekong River on a seven-night cruise from Cambodia to Vietnam, aboard the luxurious Mekong Serenity, witnessing local village life unfold along the way. Highlights include an exploration of Cambodia's vibrant capital city Phnom Penh, plus a special Buddhist monk blessing in Oudong.
Be treated to a private visit to Theam's Gallery and discover this talented Cambodian artist, known for his unique sculptures, paintings, and intricate crafts. Indulge in a five-course Khmer dinner, while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians.
Journey by local tuk tuk around a riverside village and gain an insight of village life. Travel along the shaded lanes, past stilted houses and see a varying range of crops growing.
Take part in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony for good luck, health and safe journey, with resident monks at a monastery in Oudong.
Arrive in Siem Reap, where we'll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your luxurious hotel located in the heart of town. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers during a Signature Experience.
Signature Experience – Gallery Visit with Khmer Dinner and Apsara Performance
Visit Theam's Gallery for a special evening. Set amid a stunning garden, the gallery showcases the work of this talented Cambodian artist, known for his unique sculptures, paintings, and intricate crafts. Indulge in a tantalising five-course Khmer dinner while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians.
Image credit: Theams
Travel through remote Cambodian villages to Kampong Cham, where you'll board the Mekong Serenity, your home for the next seven nights. Following lunch on board, discover the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture during your Signature Experience. Tonight, a welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region.
Signature Experience – Tuk Tuk Tour of Koh Pen
Journey by local tuk tuk around a riverside village and gain an insight into village life. Travel along the shaded lanes past stilted houses and see a varying range of crops growing.
Join a walking discovery of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Later, your ship glides between the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, which is renowned for its silk weaving traditions. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms.
Today, wake to the sounds of Phnom Penh and enjoy breakfast on board before setting out on your chosen Freedom of Choice sightseeing experiences. This evening, enjoy a captivating cultural dance performance by local schoolchildren before gathering for another memorable dinner on board.
This morning, choose between:
Freedom of Choice – Killing Fields and Genocide Museum
On this sombre excursion, learn about a confronting part of Cambodian history during a sobering visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
Freedom of Choice – Visit the National Museum
Accompanied by your private museum guide, discover the most important pieces within the National Museum of Cambodia. The collection includes the world’s finest display of Khmer sculptures, art and relics.
This afternoon, choose between:
Freedom of Choice – Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Discover Cambodia’s Royal Palace, the official residence of the King. Completed in 1870, the palace is a fine example of Khmer architecture with elements of French influence. The palace also houses the Silver Pagoda.
Freedom of Choice – Cyclo Ride
Explore Phnom Penh by what was the most popular form of transportation throughout Southeast Asia in the 1960s, the cyclo. Weave past some of the city’s most iconic sites.
Enrich your Experience (additional cost) - High Tea at Raffles
Indulge in a High Tea experience at the historic Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Journey to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital, where you will enjoy a Signature Experience. While here, enjoy a Signature Experience. On the way back to your ship, take a leisurely stroll through the village of Koh Chen and visit some home workshops that make copperware. The afternoon is yours to explore Phnom Penh as you wish.
Signature Experience – Buddhist Blessing Ceremony
Take part in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony for good luck, health and safe journey, with resident monks at a monastery in Oudong.
Spend the day cruising towards the Vietnamese border. While border formalities are carried out, enjoy the onboard activities, which could include a lively presentation from your local guides, a fruit-carving demonstration, or even a cooking workshop where you will learn the art of creating Vietnamese spring rolls. Alternatively, relax your body with a rejuvenating treatment from the Spa and Wellness Centre. Cross into Vietnam and cruise to the riverside town of Tan Chau, the first stop after the border.
Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. Disembark for a rickshaw tour and visit a local rattan weaving workshop. Continue to a traditional Cao Dai temple and watch visitors and pilgrims come and go while appreciating the beauty of the colourful building. Then, explore Evergreen Island to see authentic rural Mekong life. The remainder of today is left free for you to relax and take a moment to watch local life gently glide by as you cruise towards Sa Dec.
Journey by small tender boat past floating fish farms to Sa Dec, where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Duras' best-selling novel, ‘The Lover’. Return to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch while you cruise towards Cai Be.
Step ashore to visit French gothic Cai Be Church, built in the Roman architectural style, as well as the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. The church’s bell tower, with its set of four bells cast in France in 1931, is the tallest bell tower in the Tien Giang Province. Afterwards, you’ll visit rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers and learn how these Vietnamese staples are made.
Bid farewell to the crew and disembark your ship at My Tho. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, then to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.
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APT Luxury Travel offers all-inclusive, all taken care of and all-inspiring luxury cruises, tours and rail journeys. As Australia’s largest family-owned tour and cruise company, we are committed to delivering unforgettable travel experiences to our valued guests. What began as just a vision, over 90 years ago, has now grown into a proud global business, demonstrating the power of dreaming fully.