Amalotus Cruise – Vietnam & Cambodia 16 Days/15 Days

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. As the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, Saigon was known as “Paris of the Orient.” Today, Vietnam’s largest city is an industrial, cultural and educational hub, but still retains vestiges of its colonial past. After your airport greeting, transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city on your own.

This morning, you will enjoy a city tour that explores famous landmarks, such as the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. You will also visit Cho Lon (China Town) and its famous Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau pagoda. Your tour will include lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your luxurious hotel. (B,L)

Welcome aboard your luxurious vessel, moored at My Tho Port. Check-in at 12:00 noon, followed by port and immigration formalities. After settling in, enjoy a refreshing drink in the Saigon Lounge, followed by the Captain’s Welcome cocktail party and dinner in the Mekong Restaurant. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to visit it’s famous floating market. Return to your ship, which will cruise towards Vinh Long, Vietnam’s second-largest city on the Mekong River. In the afternoon, you will visit a bustling local market in Vinh Long. The ship moors midstream overnight. (B,L,D)

Noteworthy as the town where the French writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood, Sa Dec is a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta. Visit the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which is now a small museum. Also visit a local market. In the afternoon, your ship continues cruising to Tan Chau, a small town on the Mekong River. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to small boats to visit a floating fish farm in Tan Chau. On shore, visit a rattan mat-making workshop and a slipper-making workshop. Return to the ship via a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride. After lunch, you will continue cruising to the Cambodian border, stopping for border formalities. In the evening, cruise up the broad Mekong River, mooring mid-stream just outside of Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)

Early morning, the ship cruises into spectacular Phnom Penh and docks at the passenger port terminal. A morning tour explores the highlights of Cambodia’s capital city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafes, vibrant nightlife and renovated river “corniche.” Visit the Royal Palace and the magnificent Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. After lunch on board, another excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) situated in the suburbs. The ship’s late departure this evening provides an opportunity to dine in one of many nearby restaurants or experience Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife. (B,L,D)

This morning you arrive in Chong Koh silk weaving village, where your guide will lead you on a leisurely morning stroll. Afterwards, you will cruise to Oudong, former capital of Cambodia. Visit the Buddhist Monastery, followed by a motor coach ride to Kampong Tralach. There you will visit Wat Kampong Tralach Pleu, followed by an ox-cart ride back to the ship. Your cruise then continues to Kampong Chhnang. (B,L,D)

This morning you will enjoy a motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle River. The scenery in this area is a trip highlight. Temples abound along the river banks at Kampong Chhnang, a busy rural port town with bustling markets. On the motor boat excursion, catch glimpses of the local lifestyle, including floating villages, a stunning variety of bird life, and numerous great fish traps, some over a half-mile long. (B,L,D)

Your cruise comes to an end as you disembark at Tonle Sap Lake – the great lake that dominates Cambodia and is known for its profuse bird life and tranquil fishing villages. The lake virtually disappears during dry season, draining into the Mekong River. After disembarkation, transfer by motor coach to Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire. (B, D)

After breakfast, begin a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most renowned archeological destinations in all of South East Asia. Highlights include Angkor Thom, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King and the Bayon. This afternoon, visit the most iconic of all Angkorian temples – Angkor Wat. (B,D)

This morning, travel through rural countryside to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. Then visit Ta Prohm, the temple famous for its intertwined trees (showcased in the film “Tomb Raider”). This afternoon, transfer to the Siem Reap Airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Vietnam’s vibrant capital city is known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, verdant parks and ancient temples. (B)

A morning sightseeing tour will take you to Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda and The Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional water puppet show. (B)

After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a scenic motor coach ride to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden Junk that combines classic beauty with modern conveniences, plus luxurious overnight accommodations. Set sail to discover the Bay’s magnificent scenery set amidst stunning limestone cliffs. That evening, you’ll enjoy dinner on board and overnight on the Junk. (B,L,D)

This morning, your Ha Long Bay Junk continues its scenic cruising while a delightful breakfast is served in the dining lounge. Late morning, disembark for a motor coach transfer to Hanoi. After checking in to your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore the city on your own. (B,L)

Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)