Mekong Discovery

5.0/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Our Price From 4,494 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 2,849 Per Person
 Trip Length
8 Days
 Trip Starts
Ho Chi Minh City
 Trip Finishes
Phnom Penh
8 Day Mekong Discovery Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Vietnam, Cambodia
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
36
Crew
24
Launched
2018
Cruise Code
WHS

Overview

Read 2 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Avalon's 8 Day Mekong Discovery. 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...read more in Cu Lao Gieng. Walk through a vibrant 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 holiday is sure to create lasting memories!

Itinerary

Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Transfer to the port 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 (L/D)

Sweets, Sampans, and Sun Hats

  • Discovery: 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: 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 handcrafts 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 (B/L/D)

Colourful markets, Charming Locals, and Cotton Weavers

  • Discovery: 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: 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 (B/L/D)

The Royal Treatment

  • Classic: 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. Consider a Guided Optional Tour of a local brewery with free-flowing local beer! Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show featuring local song and dance. (B/L/D)

A Dark History or Market Dynamics

  • Classic: 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: 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 (B/L/D)

Water Blessings and Back-To-School Adventures

  • Discovery: 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: 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 (B/L/D)

Calm in the Cambodian Countryside

  • Discovery: 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 (B/L/D)

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Life Onboard

Avalon Saigon
Avalon Saigon

Float along Asia's most famous waterway in relaxed luxury aboard Avalon's Mekong Suite Ship - Avalon Saigon. Read more

Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Exclusive Meets Inclusive

Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious rivercruise experience. Read more

Our Vision. Your View.
Our Vision. Your View.

Avalon have mastered the art of blending luxury with comfort, and now - blurring the line between outside and in. Read more

Feel At Home
Feel At Home

Avalon's attentive staff aboard each vessel will make you feel right at home. You'll be taken care of every step of the way. Read more

Avalon Choice
Avalon Choice

Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more

From View to Table
From View to Table

Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more

Trip Reviews (2) Most Recent 'Mekong Discovery' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
2 Reviews
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Amazing river cruise of Vietnam and Cambodia   0 , New Zealand, Mar 2019
This tour by Avalon was absolutely amazing. There were only twelve people in our group so a boat that has 18 cabins was only partially filled. How luxurious is that.

Our Cruise Director, Quang, is a credit to Avalon’s staffing, his infectious personality was a hit with all on the trip. Our Vietnam guide, Chang, was also an extremely cheerful and ...read more knowledgeable man. Our guide for Cambodia, Chantha, was an amazing guy who regaled us with his history knowledge and had us in fits of laughter every day especially when on the bus microphone. We cannot speak highly enough of these 3 guys.
All of the boat staff were extremely accommodating in every way, nothing was too much trouble, they were faultless.

We were very impressed that there were daily excursions, on many days more than one. The variety on offer meant you were never left wondering what to do each day. Meals on board were outstanding with numerous course choices every mealtime, given there were only 12 of us.

This was our second Avalon river cruise and would highly recommend them.
Leisurely cruise on the Mekong   0 , WA, Australia, Feb 2019
Fantastic trip starting in Ho Chi Minh staying in the opulent The Reverie Saigon which stepped straight onto the boulevard. New Year lights and interesting history, although maybe too war orientated.

Cruise on the Avalon Saigon was better than expected. Great cabin, exceptional food and terrific crew made the journey very relaxing. Our tour director, ...read more Khan, was very efficient and personable and his story reflected Vietnam’s struggles and cemented what we had been learning on the many day tours. Both Tiem and Pharott were very instructional guides in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Great seeing the river and all its agricultural and aquaculture produce. Tour culminated in Siem Reap and the best was left to last because the temples of Angkor are absolutely amazing. The variety and the intricacy of these ruins are better than any photo depicts.

Highly recommend this trip to anybody. All costs are included so there are no hidden surprises. People make any holiday memorable and the 20 people on board plus the crew and tour directors made this one supremely enjoyable. Thanks to a Hannah from Global Journeys for once again making this holiday seamless and stress free and also obtaining a late discount on initial price.
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Deck Plans

 
Category A
Panorama Suite
Tonle Deck (Level 2)
 
Category B
Panorama Suite
Mekong Deck (Level 1)
Ship Profile

Cabins

Panorama Suite (Category A & B)

  • All Deluxe Suites on both decks (245 sq ft)
  • 14' Wall-to-Wall Panoramic window measuring that opens to create a large Open-Air Balcony®
  • Comfort Collection Beds & nightly turn-down service
  • In-room safe, Alarm clock, In-house telephone
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Choice of bed configuration
  • Bedside tables with reading lamps
  • Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer, and premium bath amenities
  • Spacious closets with shelves for ample storage & easy under-bed luggage storage
  • Writing desk/vanity with mirror & comfortable chair
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Individual climate control

Brochure

River Cruises

Avalon River Cruises (2023-24)

Embark with Avalon on your choice of over 70 cruises on 10 rivers through 24 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and Egypt. Discover the European continent on its legendary rivers from the North Sea to the Black Sea. From the English Channel to the Mediterranean Sea, discover timeless tradition and beauty on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône, and...more Saône—to name a few.

Availability

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Note
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.

Cabin Upgrades Optional cabin upgrades. Upgrades priced per person

Category B  (Prices Shown) $ 0
Category A $ 580 - $ 660
Note
Upgrade prices shown are per person. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will confirm and include the upgrade price in your quote.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Avalon. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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