Vietnam and Cambodia: Along The Mekong River, Including Angkor and Saigon

Arrive in Saigon, Vietnam's second largest city and one of the country's centers of economy, wartime history and entertainment. Upon arrival, settle into the Park Hyatt Hotel.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

This morning meet with a local expert on Vietnam’s modern development, followed by a tour of Saigon’s landmarks, including the Bitexco Tower, post office and the Reunification Palace, headquarters of the South Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War. Lunch is at leisure. A visit to the War Remnants Museum is offered in the afternoon. In the evening, take in a performance of water puppetry—a distinctive Vietnamese folk art, practiced here for over 300 years—then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning visit the Cu Chi tunnels, part of an extensive underground network used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. After lunch, drive to My Tho, stopping en route at the impressive Vinh Trang pagoda, originally built in 1850. Continue to the Mekong River and embark The Jahan to begin your seven-night sailing. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner aboard the riverboat.

Board a sampan and glide along the tropical canals of the Mekong Delta to experience the rhythms of rural life. In Cai Be, visit a rice workshop to see traditional sweets being made. On Binh Thanh Island, set out with local guides to watch farmers produce rattan mats and visit a village temple.

After cruising along the man-made Tan Chau Canal, board local boats in Chau Doc—an aquaculture hub on the Bassac, the southern branch of the Mekong Delta—to visit a basa catfish farm and weave through lively riverside markets. In town, ride trishaws to the bustling market, brimming with colorful tropical fruits and local delicacies. In the afternoon, relax on board and enjoy presentations as you sail toward Cambodia.

Discover Cambodia’s capital by cyclo, visiting the opulent Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to more than 14,000 artifacts ranging from prehistoric stone tools to stunning sculptures from the ancient Khmer Empire. Gain insight into the Khmer Rouge era at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Next, visit the Killing Fields or browse the vibrant Central Market, once the largest market in Southeast Asia. End the day with a mesmerizing Apsara dance performance on board.

Spend the morning cruising the Tonle Sap River, enjoying the ship’s amenities and attending presentations by your expedition staff. This afternoon, hop on a tuk tuk in Kampong Leaeng, stopping at homes where artisans shape pottery by hand, and visiting a local farm to learn how palm sugar is harvested and processed.

In Kampong Tralach, ride a traditional oxcart through emerald rice paddies to the Green School, a unique educational institution founded in 2016 that offers free instruction in English, Khmer and computer literacy to children from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. The school’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty while fostering community development, with a strong emphasis on environmental education and local stewardship. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has helped build an English-language library, and the students are always eager to practice their English and share stories with visitors. Later, in the serene village of Prek Bang Kong, visit a family-run silk-weaving workshop to see this centuries-old craft brought to life.

Stroll through Angkor Ban, a village with some of the oldest remaining traditional Khmer-style wooden homes, and visit Wat Angkor Ban, a living testament to the region’s spiritual heritage. Local monks will join you on board The Jahan for a special blessing. You’ll also stop at the lively riverside town of Kampong Cham and visit the remarkable Wat Nokor, where a well-preserved 11th-century temple forms the heart of a contemporary pagoda still in active use. The reliefs on the ancient temple are exceptional, as are the decorative details of the modern structure. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner aboard The Jahan.

Disembark The Jahan at Steung Trang for the drive to Siem Reap, where lunch is available upon arrival to the hotel. Spend the next three nights at the outstanding Raffles Grand hotel d'Angkor located near Angkor Wat. The luxurious rooms are styled with Cambodian furnishings and look out on either the pool or lush temple and lotus gardens. Siem Reap is the gateway to the great temple complex of Angkor, and this afternoon visit the evocative temple Ta Prohm. The jungle has been allowed to continue growing here, framing the structures with the twisted roots and branches of ceiba and fig trees, giving you an idea of what archaeologists encountered when they began their work in the area. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant.

Begin early in order to get to Angkor Wat in time for sunrise. This visionary 12th-century temple, the world’s largest religious monument, represents the apogee of Khmer art and architecture. Crowned by five towers, with elaborate bas-reliefs and a profusion of statues that dramatically depict complex religious tales, along with some 2,000 carved Apsaras (beautiful female spirits), Angkor Wat is enthralling. Return to your hotel for a late breakfast.

In the afternoon, visit Les Artisans d’Angkor to see how local artisans preserve ancient Khmer arts. Venture out some distance from the central sites to the fine temple of Banteay Srei, known for its exceptional carvings. Tonight you'll have a very special treat: a private dinner by candlelight at one of Angkor’s temples, complete with Cambodian music and dance. The effect of seeing the temple gently illuminated and taking in the age-old performing arts is magical, and is bound to stand out as a highlight of your travels.

This morning, take tuk-tuks (motorized taxis) to the great remains of Angkor Thom and see the Bayon Temple, known for its dozens of serene stone faces of King Jayavarman VII, and the Terrace of the Elephants. The afternoon is free to explore further, shop or just relax.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Anytime.
Departure City: Siem Reap, Cambodia