The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam (Northbound)

17 nights from £6,595pp commencing Monday 2nd Sep 2024

This magical Southeast Asia river cruise along the Mekong River will take you through Vietnam and Cambodia, showing you the culture and local traditions of each country and the must-see sites along the way.

Your adventure begins in bustling Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where you’ll get a taste of the culture first-hand with a Vietnamese cooking class and go on a fascinating excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels used extensively during the war. Immerse yourself in the everyday life of locals with a stroll through a busy market, and visits to a family’s ...

Continue your journey into Cambodia where you’ll visit the famous sites, such as the temple of Wat Hanchey, providing spectacular views, and take part in a traditional water blessing with local monks. Enjoy an ox-cart ride around the Cambodian countryside and meet a local farmer to learn about his daily life. Siem Reap offers the magnificent Temples of Angkor. These ancient ruins are a display of architectural complexity and grandeur unlike anything else in the world. See the most famous temples here, such as Angkor Wat, dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu; and the Bayon temple, which features some 200 mysterious faces carved in its many towers. Enjoy an inspiring Aspara dance performance and other treasures of the city.

Fly to Hanoi and explore the famous sites, such as the Old Quarter, where peddlers have traded goods for centuries on its 36 ancient streets. Next, a remarkable 2-night cruise along Ha Long Bay will show you its beautiful Limestone Islands. You’ll visit the Cua Van Floating Village, spectacular caves, and even go for a swim at Ti Top Island. The perfect ending to an unforgettable Southeast Asia river cruise vacation!

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	2nd02	SepSep	202424	3 nights accommodation before your cruise, staying in Ho Chi Minh City
	5th05	SepSep	202424	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, embark on the Avalon Saigon
Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a super-charged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes zoom day and night along the wide boulevards, through the narrow back alleys and past vendors pushing handcarts hawking goods of all descriptions. Still called Saigon by most residents, this is Vietnam's largest city and the engine driving the country's current economic resurgence, but despite its frenetic pace, it's a friendlier place than Hanoi and locals will tell you the food—simple, tasty, and incorporating many fresh herbs—is infinitely better than in the capital.This is a city full of surprises. The madness of the city's traffic—witness the oddball things that are transported on the back of motorcycles—is countered by tranquil pagodas, peaceful parks, quirky coffee shops, and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways, although some of these quiet spots can be difficult to track down. Life in Ho Chi Minh City is lived in public: on the back of motorcycles, on the sidewalks, and in the parks. Even when its residents are at home, they're still on display. With many living rooms opening onto the street, grandmothers napping, babies being rocked, and food being prepared, are all in full view of passersby.Icons of the past endure in the midst of the city’s headlong rush into capitalism. The Hotel Continental, immortalized in Graham Greene's The Quiet American, continues to stand on the corner of old Indochina's most famous thoroughfare, the rue Catinat, known to American G.I.s during the Vietnam War as Tu Do (Freedom) Street and renamed Dong Khoi (Uprising) Street by the Communists. The city still has its ornate opera house and its old French city hall, the Hôtel de Ville. The broad colonial boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are other remnants of the French colonial presence. Grisly reminders of the more recent past can be seen at the city's war-related museums. Residents, however, prefer to look forward rather than back and are often perplexed by tourists' fascination with a war that ended 40 years ago.The Chinese influence on the country is still very much in evidence in the Cholon district, the city's Chinatown, but the modern office towers and international hotels that mark the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future. HO CHI MINH CITY (EMBARKATION) 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 HO-CHI-MINH-CITY-SKYLINE.jpg
	6th06	SepSep	202424	Vinh Long, Vietnam
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 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
	7th07	SepSep	202424	Châu Đốc, Vietnam
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, take a sampan Ride to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration in this well-preserved artisan’s tradition. Return to the ship and head for the Cambodian border. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH LONG-KHANH-A-WEAVING.jpg
	8th08	SepSep	202424	Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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
	9th09	SepSep	202424	Phnom Penh, Cambodia
PHNOM PENH A Dark History and Bright Markets 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
	10th10	SepSep	202424	Angkor Ban, Cambodia
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
	11th11	SepSep	202424	Kampong Tralach, Cambodia
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
	12th12	SepSep	202424	Phnom Penh, Cambodia, disembark the Avalon Saigon
PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION)–SIEM REAP A Pilgrimage of Inspirational Beauty Fly to Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! CLASSIC After lunch, begin your Sightseeing Tour by tuk-tuk to explore the temples. Start at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, visit Angkor Thom, where you will explore Bayon Temple with its 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-relief sculptures. The evening is yours to explore charming Siem Reap, stay to witness the sunset at Angkor Wat, or consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Cambodian circus SIEM-REAP-ANGKOR-WAT.jpg
	12th12	SepSep	202424	7 nights accommodation following your cruise, staying in Ha Long Bay , Hanoi , Siem Reap
	19th19	SepSep	202424	Check out of accommodation

Avalon Saigon

Launch Year

2018

Tonnage

950

Capacity

Cabins

Accessible

Tonle Deck

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Cabin A - Tonle Deck

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
A	Panorama Suite (Sapphire Deck Forward)	£6,915	£6,915

Comfort Collection Beds
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Soft & firm pillows
Choice of bed configuration
Nightly turn-down service
Bedside tables with reading lamps
14' Wall-to-Wall Panoramic window measuring that opens to create a large Open-Air Balcony
Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer, and premium L'Occitane bath amenities
Spacious closets with shelves for ample storage
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Alarm clock
Writing desk/vanity with mirror & comfortable chair
In-house telephone
Bathrobes & slippers
Complimentary water
In-room safe
Individual climate control
One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins
USB Ports

Cabin B - Mekong Deck

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
B	Panorama Suite (Sapphire Deck Aft)	£6,595	£6,595

Comfort Collection Beds
Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
Soft & firm pillows
Choice of bed configuration
Nightly turn-down service
Bedside tables with reading lamps
14' Wall-to-Wall Panoramic window measuring that opens to create a large Open-Air Balcony
Large private bathroom featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer, and premium L'Occitane bath amenities
Spacious closets with shelves for ample storage
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Alarm clock
Writing desk/vanity with mirror & comfortable chair
In-house telephone
Bathrobes & slippers
Complimentary water
In-room safe
Individual climate control
One King-Sized Bed or Two Twins
USB Ports

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Dining Room

The menu at the Dining Room features a selection of Southeast Asia cuisine and local specialties, based on season and made with fresh local ingredients as well as popular Western dishes. Breakfast and lunch here are buffet-style, the 4-course dinner is served with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Observation Lounge

There is an open-air observation lounge with shade system and premium lounge chairs, up on the Top Deck, gives guests a prime view to enjoy with a drink in hand.

Panorama Lounge

For some casual relaxation and discussion guests can visit the Panorama Lounge, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows for a stunning view.

The Panorama Lounge is the Ship's entertainment venue, with stylish furniture, full-service bar and a self-serve beverage station. Here guests can watch a live evening show program by local performers, including dancers and musicians.

Depending on the visited ports along the Avalon Saigon itinerary on Mekong river, the Panorama Lounge also hosts Cambodia and Vietnam culture and history related lectures and multimedia presentations by local speakers. Another entertainment options at the Lounge are the Afternoon Tea service, cocktail hours and movie nights.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

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Holiday Summary

	3 nights in a hotel before your cruise
	7 nights cruising on the Mekong
	7 nights in a hotel following your cruise
	Beer, wine & soft drinks at lunch & dinner
	One complimentary shore excursion In every port
	Free Wi-Fi Included
	Exclusive special events
	Speciality wine pairing meal @ Panorama Bistro
	Bikes for passenger use
	Port Taxes and Fees
	ABTA and ATOL Protection*

	Balcony
	(All prices are £GBP per person)
Mon 5th Aug 202405 Aug 24	5,875
Mon 19th Aug 202419 Aug 24	6,385
Mon 16th Sep 202416 Sep 24	6,595
Mon 30th Sep 202430 Sep 24	6,765
Mon 14th Oct 202414 Oct 24	6,765
Mon 28th Oct 202428 Oct 24	6,855
Mon 11th Nov 202411 Nov 24	Please call for availability
Mon 25th Nov 202425 Nov 24	6,855