Charms of the Mekong

Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital.

Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub. to know Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon. It iis Vietnam’s former capital.

Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub.

Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, east and west.  I

n the morning, explore some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post office, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon visit Cu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam war.

In the morning, visit Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Board the AmaDara at My Tho Port.

Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be.

Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops and the historic Kiet Old House.

Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth.

You will visit the local market, Cao Dai Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which her prize-winning novel, “The Lover,” is said to be based on.

This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum).

Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling yellow-colored Central Market . After lunch on board, you will explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts.

After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.

Visit Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital from the early 17th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery.

You may also take a walking tour of Oudong. In Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly authentic excursion – an oxcart ride through a local village along the river bank. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture.

Experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture.

In the morning, set sail for Oknhatey Village. Oknhatey is the “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River and known for its rich tradition of silk weaving.

While here, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving of handicrafts.

Go on a walking tour of Angkor Ban*, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive.

Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural on-going of the local villagers.

After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via motorcoach to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals.

Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.

Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and Motorcoach transfer to Sofitel Siem Reap.

Begin your morning exploration of the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the most iconic of all Angkorian Temples, built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honour the Hindu God, Vishnu.

An afternoon excursion takes you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian Art, Banteay Srei, which means citadel of Women, as its has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man.

Later in the day, visit the English language school, sponsored by AmaWaterways in the village of Ta Toum.

During the evening, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.

After breakfast, you will have a guided tour of Angkor Thom, meaning “Great City”. This is home to the Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Later in the day, bid farewell to Siem Reap as you prepare for your return flight home.