Cruising the Mekong: From Ho Chi Minh City to Angkor Wat

On arrival in Siem Reap, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your luxury hotel in the heart of town. Once you’ve checked in and had time to unwind, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.

Stay: Three nights at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Siem Reap

Today, dive into the wonders of Angkor with a visit to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Explore the iconic Bayon Temple, famous for its serene stone faces, and stroll along the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Then head to the atmospheric Ta Prohm, where tree roots twist through temple ruins—made famous by the film Tomb Raider.

Along the way, enjoy a meaningful visit to a local charity, ODA, which supports education for children in rural communities.

This evening, take your VIP seat at the incredible Phare Circus. Go backstage to meet the performers before watching a high-energy mix of acrobatics, music, and Cambodian storytelling.

Rise early for a special sunrise visit to Angkor Wat—watch as this majestic temple glows in soft shades of pink and orange, reflected in the still morning ponds. After exploring the complex, return to your hotel for breakfast and a relaxed start to the day.

In the afternoon, choose from a range of activities—perhaps a countryside bike ride, a hands-on cooking class, or a tuk tuk ride to a local artisan workshop.

Tonight, enjoy a truly memorable experience. Visit Theam’s Gallery for a private viewing of contemporary Khmer art, followed by a beautifully presented five-course Khmer dinner and a graceful Apsara dance performance in a lush garden setting.

Head into Cambodia’s countryside and arrive in Kampong Cham, where you’ll board the Mekong Serenity-your floating home for the next seven nights. After a leisurely lunch on board, set out by tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen, passing traditional stilt houses and peaceful farmland. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring fresh regional flavours.

Stay: Seven nights aboard Mekong Serenity, Mekong River

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 presents a wealth of included sightseeing choices. After lunch back on board, you may wish to explore Phnom Penh independently or simply relax.

Freedom of Choice – Killing Fields and Genocide Museum

Learn about a confronting part of Cambodian history during a sobering visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

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.

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.

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 an extraordinary example of Khmer architecture with elements of French influence. The palace also houses the Silver Pagoda.

Daily:
· Breakfast· Lunch· Dinner

Disembark in Phnom Penh and discover Oudong, a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. 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.

Daily:
· Breakfast· Lunch· Dinner

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.

Daily:
· Breakfast· Lunch· Dinner

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around the riverside town of Tan Chau. Cruise past a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a rickshaw tour of Tan Chau. On board your rickshaw, you’ll glide past small shops and meet locals who are always eager to say hello. Stop to pay a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop. Later, step back in time during a visit to Evergreen Island, where you’ll experience 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’. Afterwards, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple. Return to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch while you cruise towards Cai Be. Board your tender boat, where you’ll visit French gothic Cai Be Church and the port area. Then, visit a rice paper manufacturer to learn how this Vietnamese staple is made.

Disembark in My Tho and continue to Ho Chi Minh City, once the bustling French colonial city known as Saigon. A range of Freedom of Choice options await today before sitting down to dinner.

Freedom of Choice – City Walking Tour

Discover the city’s iconic landmarks and French colonial architecture on an informative guided walk. Stroll by the Saigon Opera House, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Freedom of Choice – Motorbike Ride

Jump on the back of a motorbike like a local for a thrilling sightseeing adventure. Weave through the streets past the Central Post Office and Independence Palace. Visit Chinatown and Thien Hau pagoda.

Freedom of Choice – Cooking Class

Meet your chef, visit the market and discover Vietnamese ingredients. Continue to a villa and relax in the outdoor garden before you create your dishes. Learn the intricacies of making bánh mì xíu mại.

Freedom of Choice – Ho Chi Minh City Shopping Adventure

Seek out the city’s boutiques and discover high-quality handmade goods on a visit to Mekong Quilts. Saigon Kitsch sells quirky souvenirs, while L’Usine is a trend-setting lifestyle store.

Stay:
Two Nights, Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon

Leave the city behind and enjoy your Signature Experiences today. Tonight, relish a delectable dinner during another Signature Experience.

Signature Experience – Cu Chi Tunnels Visit

Set off on a thrilling speedboat journey along the Saigon River to the Cu Chi tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war.

Signature Experience – Private Gin Tasting

Meet a Master Distiller at Lady Triệu Distillery and enjoy a guided tour and private tasting of the multi-award-winning gin. Follow up your tour with a light lunch, accompanied by a refreshing Lady Trieu gin and tonic.

Signature Experience – Dinner at Vietnam House

Savour dinner at the highly acclaimed restaurant Vietnam House, and delight in a special cocktail designed specifically for APT guests.

Daily:
· Breakfast· Lunch· Dinner

Enjoy breakfast before you are transferred to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.