mekong

The mighty Mekong

Journey Through Vietnam and Cambodia

Walk the path less traveled. Discover the magic and beauty of a distant land. Delve deeply into local cultures and meet extraordinary people who have a remarkable resilience. At AmaWaterways, our love for travel inspired us to bring our river cruise expertise to the more exotic parts of the world, including Vietnam and Cambodia along the Mekong River.

Vietnam

Vietnam offers a variety of unique experiences. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city, is a sensory overload, with fast-paced urban life and culture set against a backdrop of modernization and pockets of French Colonial architecture. You’ll also visit the Old Quarter of Hanoi, which boasts a 36-street commercial district, a colorful, bustling marketplace where you can browse for silk, bowls, bamboo products, sandals, lanterns and other handicrafts.

Ha Long Bay

Ethereal Ha Long Bay is dotted with more than 2,000 small islands that rise from emerald green waters like a dragon’s back. AmaWaterways’ guests spend the night aboard an elegantly appointed ship designed with all the modern conveniences to ensure smooth sailing for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in what is considered to be the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World.

Cambodia

Rural villages unspoiled by tourism give you the rare opportunity to glimpse everyday life in this incredible country. Be welcomed inside a Buddhist monastery for a special blessing ceremony; aboard a traditional oxcart; and into artisans’ home workshops, where they’ll reveal family trades that have been passed down for generations. Plus, see the glittering “Pearl of Asia” known as Phnom Penh.

Angkor Archaeological Park

Don’t miss Siem Reap, gateway to the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for discerning travelers. Here you’ll find the Bayon Temple, known for its immense smiling stone faces, as well as the ancient Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.

Venture Deeper

AmaWaterways offers two distinctive Mekong River cruise itineraries that give you the opportunity to make the most of your time in Vietnam and Cambodia and experience an all-encompassing bucket-list adventure by land and river.

MEKONG
Charms of the Mekong

Lively Ho Chi Minh City, once known as the “Peal 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.

2 nights Ho Chi Minh City, 7-night Ho Chi Minh City to Prek Kdam cruise, 2 nights Siem Reap, 3 nights Hanoi and 1 night Ha Long Bay
Dates & Prices
MEKONG
Riches of the Mekong

Cruise along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam as you are transported back in time to another era, where the rhythms of the countryside move at a slower pace and allow for a fascinating glimpse into a traditional way of life. Visit rural villages, colorful markets and a monastery, where you will receive a special Buddhist blessing by monks. Delve into the peaks and valleys of Cambodia’s history in the Royal Palace and National Museums of its beautiful capital, Phnom Penh. Witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies, and be treated to authentic experiences, including rides via oxcart, tuk tuk and trishaw. On this transformative journey, the Mekong truly reveals a vibrant world along its shores.

2 nights Hanoi, 1 night Ha Long Bay, 3 nights Siem Reap, 7-night Prek Kdam to Ho Chi Minh City cruise and 2 nights Ho Chi Minh City
Dates & Prices

Ask about other cruise and land combinations.

What's Included

SPACIOUS STATEROOMS
  • 7 nights luxury accommodation in a twin-balcony stateroom
  • Flat-panel screen that features in-house movies
  • Desk and sitting area
  • Fresh water replenished daily
AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land packages
  • Sun Deck with pool
  • Fitness room and three spas
  • Saigon Lounge with panoramic views and bar
  • Daily entertainment including cultural performances
AWARD-WINNING DINING
  • All onboard dining in a variety of venues
  • Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
  • The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
  • Welcome Cocktail and Dinner
  • Unlimited wine with lunch and dinner
  • Complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during cruise
  • Snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
A WORLD OF EXPLORATION
  • Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
  • Immersive tours in every destination
  • Special Interest Tours
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Personal headset for easy exploration
  • Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options

Join Us, Stay Awhile

Enhance your Mekong River journey and maximize your international airfare by adding our unforgettable pre- and post-cruise land packages in Vietnam and Cambodia. Each land package includes stays at luxury hotels (or an elegantly appointed ship with modern conveniences in Ha Long Bay), as well as daily breakfast, guided excursions, convenient transfers and luggage services between your hotel and river cruise ship, and the services of a trusted Cruise Manager* throughout your river cruise and land journey.

*Bangkok extension is locally hosted.

For a limited time, enjoy 2-for-1 land package pricing on select 2023 and 2024 Mekong River cruises and land packages! Terms apply.

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Siem Reap

CAMBODIA

3 nights pre-cruise – or – 2 nights post-cruise

Gateway to Awe-Inspiring Angkor

Nothing prepares you for your first visit to one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements, Angkor Archaeological Park, a vast temple and highly sought-after UNESCO World Heritage Site. This massive temple complex was once lost under tangled jungle vines. Wandering amongst its ancient ruins, you will see exquisite statues and bas-relief carvings. Join us at sunrise for an experience you won’t soon forget.
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Hanoi

VIETNAM

2 nights pre-cruise – or – 3 nights post-cruise

The Country’s Charming Capital

Catch a glimpse of Vietnamese lifestyle as you take a rickshaw ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its colonial architecture, ancient temples and colorful market street. Plus, while staying in this teeming city, be treated to the majestic artistry of a traditional water puppet show.

*Must be reserved together with Ha Long Bay

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Ha Long Bay

VIETNAM

1 night pre-cruise – or – 1 night post-cruise

A Mesmerizing Natural Wonder

Breathtaking Ha Long Bay is one of the world’s most stunning natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is considered one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The picturesque bay features more than 2,000 islands that rise from its emerald waters, resembling the spikes on a dragon’s back. Our guests spend the night aboard an elegantly appointed ship with modern conveniences for a once-in-a-lifetime scenic cruising experience.

*Must be reserved together with Hanoi

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Ho Chi Minh City

VIETNAM

2 nights pre-cruise – or – 2 nights post-cruise

History and Healing

Previously known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City holds some of Vietnam’s most famous landmarks: the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum as well as Cu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. While visiting this bustling metropolis, you will also have a chance to visit Ben Thanh Market – one of the oldest and most iconic structures, which welcomes thousands of visitors each day to wander through nearly 1,500 booths selling everything from produce to luxury goods.
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Bangkok

THAILAND

3 nights pre-cruise – or – 3 nights post-cruise

Timeless Temples and Thai Delights

Our 3-night locally hosted Bangkok extension includes a wealth of unforgettable excursions and adds an extra country, Thailand, to your incredible adventure through Asia. This package includes intra-Asia flights, accommodations in a luxury hotel with daily breakfast and guided tours to such famed sites as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho.

*Available to add to your itinerary either before Hanoi or after Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Authentic Experiences

Immerse yourself in the local culture and heritage of Vietnam and Cambodia. Authentic experiences in rural villages unspoiled by tourism offer you a chance to delve deeply into this life and to witness the time-honored methods of skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies.

Vietnam
Skilled Artisans

Experience local commerce firsthand while watching skilled artisans make popular items, such as mats, slippers and silk scarves, right in front of your eyes

Cai Be

Visit a Vietnamese rice paper workshop and try your hand at making paper using the traditional method that has been used for centuries.

Sa Dec Local Market

Discover exotic fruits and regional delicacies at vibrant, kaleidoscopic markets. Meet friendly locals who always seem to have wide sunny smiles on their faces.

Cambodia
Oxcart Ride

Take an age-old mode of transportation for a test drive through a rural Cambodian village, an experience designed for travelers with a spirit of adventure.

Buddhist Blessing

In Cambodia’s former capital of Oudong, you will have an exclusive opportunity to receive a special Buddhist blessing.

Phnom Penh

Discover the Royal Palace with its gleaming Silver Pagoda as well as its spectacular National Museum.

Sought-After Souvenirs

What will you bring home from your Mekong River cruise? Below are two guest – and crew – favorites that support local artisans and villages.

Conical Hats

A traditional symbol of Vietnam, the conical hat is associated with the legend of a goddess who protected local people from torrential rains with a hat that was made of four large leaves stitched together with bamboo. When the goddess later disappeared, the conical hats were made to commemorate the blessings she brought. Today these hats are an indispensable defense against the sun for those who work in rice paddy fields and are cherished by locals and visitors alike.

Silk Products

Cambodia’s tradition of silk weaving dates back more than a thousand years. Nowhere is this practice more vibrant than in Oknhatey, the “Silk Island.” Here, giant looms are set up in home workshops using threads produced by silk worms. These threads are looped and dyed and later woven into beautiful, vividly colored scarves and skirts, some taking up to several weeks to create.

Things To See

Known for ancient ruins, vibrant temples and awe-inspiring architecture, both Vietnam and Cambodia offer the opportunity to experience an all-encompassing adventure by land and river.

angkor-bayon
Angkor Bayon

The Bayon Temple’s most distinctive feature is the smiling stone faces on the towers which jut out from the upper terrace.

my-tho-vinh
Temples of Literature

Originally built as a university dedicated to Confucius, this temple is one of Hanoi’s most attractive and popular places to visit.

Angkor-Thom
Angkor Thom

The last capital city of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom boasts wood structures that have since decayed, but the remaining stones testify to the greatness of this city.

angkor-wat
Angkor Wat

Located in Cambodia, this is the largest religious structure in the world, admired for its architecture, statues, and the bas-reliefs on the walls.

royal-palace-phnompenh
Phnom Penh Royal Palace

The royal residence of the King of Cambodia.

phnom-national-museum
Phnom Penh National Museum

Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history which houses over 14,000 items.

The Distinctive AmaDara

This distinctive ship is in a class of her own! AmaWaterways’ sole cruise ship on the Mekong River, the AmaDara features French Colonial décor and richly carved wood furniture inspired by the history of the region, as well as local artifacts made by native craftsmen. Air-conditioned interior corridors lead to spacious staterooms and suites, most featuring twin balconies that invite the ever-changing scenery of Southeast Asia inside. On board, the AmaDara caters to your every whim, with massage rooms, fitness room, gift shop, hair salon and sun-deck pool. Her stunning Saigon Lounge provides respite by day and unites guests over intriguing local entertainment by night. Savor authentic regional delicacies and Western cuisine in the Main Restaurant or dine at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant; and throughout your cruise, be treated to unlimited complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, as well as house brand spirits, local beer and soft drinks throughout your cruise.

Discover AmaDara
Life On Board At A Glance
Ama Waterways
Twin Balconies

Enjoy panoramic views and plenty of fresh air in our lavish twin-balcony staterooms that feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony.

Ama Waterways
Dining and Cuisine

Savor regionally inspired cuisine as well as traditional favorites at a variety of dining venues, like the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table.

Ama Waterways
Public Spaces

Meet fellow travelers in Saigon Lounge, enjoy a drink at the bar or soak in the passing scenery. The ship features convenient interior access as well as air conditioning in hallways, restaurants and lounges.

Ama Waterways
Sun Deck Pool

Soak up some rays or take a dip in our refreshing pool on your way to the next exotic stop on your cruise.

Ama Waterways
Spa

After a marvelous day of immersive shore excursions, return to the ship and treat yourself to a bit of pampering with a visit to one of three onboard spas.

Ama Waterways
Fitness Room

Are you looking for a way to stay fit on vacation? Hit the treadmill or lift some weights while cruising from one destination to the next.

Exotic Cuisine

While traveling along the Mekong River, you’ll savor a wonderful blend of fragrant herbs and spices, freshly caught fish, exotic vegetables and fruits bursting with flavor, noodles and rice – the staple of all Southeast Asian cuisine. Using fresh, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, our expert chefs prepare exquisite cuisine inspired by the Vietnamese and Cambodian destinations you visit, as well as a variety of Western favorites.

Local Recipes

Savor the local flavor at home by trying some of our delicious Vietnamese and Cambodian recipes!

Local Entertainment

Performers from local villages come on board to give you a glimpse of traditional culture, such as Apsara, the traditional dance of the Cambodia people. Dating back to the Angkorean era, this classical performance is best described as graceful and sophisticated.

AmaWaterways-Mekong

Mekong Connections

Dancing On Water
Think you know everything about puppets? Think again. Read more
Modern Hanoi
Dynamic, vibrant, bustling – the modern-day Hanoi has found its future by appreciating its past.Read more
Kingdom of Wonder
Life-sized elephant bas-reliefs carved out of temple walls at the aptly named Terrace of the Elephants.Read more
The Phenom of Phnom Penh
Travel to Phnom Penh and see why this vibrant capital city was once known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’Read more
Festivals Springing Up Along the Mekong
Seasonal celebrations in the Mekong regionRead more
Ho Chi Minh City Highlights
A look at the architectural gems that can be found in this historical cityRead more
A Truly Exceptional River Cruise
10-time AmaWaterways cruisers Larry and Linda Offenberg share their unforgettable experience on the 16-day Charms of the Mekong itinerary.Read more

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