Mekong Discovery (Northbound) 2026 - 8 Day River Cruise Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh

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Mekong Discovery (Northbound) 2026

8 Day River Cruise Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh



Tour Description:

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!

Map for Mekong Discovery (Northbound) 2026 - 8 Day River Cruise Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
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Dates & Pricing

Wednesday 07 Jan 26 — Thursday 15 Jan 26Starting at $5,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 04 Feb 26 — Thursday 12 Feb 26Starting at $5,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 18 Feb 26 — Thursday 26 Feb 26Starting at $5,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 04 Mar 26 — Thursday 12 Mar 26Starting at $4,929Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 18 Mar 26 — Thursday 26 Mar 26Starting at $4,659Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 01 Apr 26 — Thursday 09 Apr 26Starting at $4,159Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 15 Apr 26 — Thursday 23 Apr 26Starting at $4,159Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 19 Aug 26 — Thursday 27 Aug 26Starting at $3,659Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 02 Sep 26 — Thursday 10 Sep 26Starting at $3,929Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 16 Sep 26 — Thursday 24 Sep 26Starting at $3,929Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 30 Sep 26 — Thursday 08 Oct 26Starting at $4,649Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 14 Oct 26 — Thursday 22 Oct 26Starting at $4,649Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 28 Oct 26 — Thursday 05 Nov 26Starting at $5,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 11 Nov 26 — Thursday 19 Nov 26Starting at $5,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 25 Nov 26 — Thursday 03 Dec 26Starting at $5,149Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Vinh Long–Cu Lao Gieng: Visit a local workshop to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made in Vinh Long; interact with sampan-making and conical hat making families in Cu Lao Gieng
Day 3 Chau Doc–Long Khanh A–Cambodian Border Crossing: Visit a local market and the religious sites at Sam Mountain in Chau Doc; walking tour of Long Khanh A with cotton-weaving demonstration
Day 4 Phnom Penh: Sightseeing by private cyclo, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum; afternoon at leisure; show by children from a local orphanage
Day 5 Phnom Penh: Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and visit one of the Cambodian Killing Fields, or visit the lively central market
Day 6 Wat Hanchey–Angkor Ban: Visit Wat Hanchey and partake in a traditional water blessing by local monks; walking tour in Angkor Ban with school visit
Day 7 Konpong Louang–Kampong Tralach: Visit the silversmith village of Konpong Louang; ox cart ride through the countryside, and visit a local farmer’s home in Kampong Tralach
Day 8 Phnom Penh (Disembarkation): End of vacation

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 HO-CHI-MINH-CITY-SKYLINE.jpg

Day 2
VINH LONG–CU LAO GIENG 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 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 CU-LAO-GIENG-HAT-MAKING.jpg
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Day 3
CHAU DOC–LONG KHANH A–BORDER CROSSING, CAMBODIA Colorful 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 LONG-KHANH-A-WEAVING.jpg
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Day 4
PHNOM PENH 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. Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show featuring local song and dance. PHNOM-PENH-ROYAL-PALACE.jpg
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Day 5
PHNOM PENH 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 PHNOM-PENH-CENTRAL-MARKET.jpg
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Day 6
WAT HANCHEY–ANGKOR BAN 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 WAT-HANCHEY.jpg
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Day 7
KONPONG LOUANG–KAMPONG TRALACH 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 KAMPONG-TRALACH-OX-CART.jpg
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Day 8
PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. PHNOM-PENH-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Accommodations

Ho Chi Minh City
Park Hyatt Saigon
Deluxe



2 Lam Son Square Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Discover urban luxury with a combination of sophisticated design, handcrafted details, and modern-day comforts at Park Hyatt Saigon. Enjoy world-class dining, tranquil spa, and refreshing pool all on site. French-colonial inspired room rooms combine elegant, traditional comfort with the latest technology and desired amenities.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.