Embarking on a river cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap is a journey through the heart of Southeast Asia. Along the way, travelers are treated to a tapestry of bustling cities, peaceful villages, floating markets, and ancient temples, all connected by the lifeline of the region: the Mekong River. Below are the key destinations that highlight this unforgettable voyage.
Your journey begins in Vietnam’s vibrant southern metropolis. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a dynamic mix of colonial heritage, modern skyscrapers, and rich history. Highlights include the War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, and an evening Vespa tour through the city’s buzzing streets. Some itineraries include a pre-cruise stay here.
Located in the Mekong Delta, My Tho is often the first river port on the cruise. It offers a gentle introduction to the pace of life in the Delta. Visitors may enjoy sampan rides through narrow canals lined with coconut palms, and visit local workshops to see how coconut candy or rice paper is made.
A charming town known for its floating market and traditional craft villages. In Cai Be, you’ll discover fruit orchards, French colonial architecture, and small family-run businesses producing puffed rice, pop-rice cakes, and handmade rice wine. The floating market isn’t as crowded as in the past but still offers a glimpse into local commerce.
This peaceful riverside town is often associated with French writer Marguerite Duras, whose semi-autobiographical novel The Lover was set here. Sa Dec is known for its colorful flower gardens, the colonial-era Huynh Thuy Le house, and its bustling market. A walking tour reveals authentic life untouched by mass tourism.
As the last Vietnamese stop before crossing into Cambodia, Tan Chau offers insights into Vietnam’s rural silk-making traditions. Here, you might visit a local mat weaving workshop, a floating fish farm, or take a rickshaw ride through quiet streets. It’s a serene farewell to Vietnam’s Delta landscape.
The capital of Cambodia is a lively, elegant city full of contrasts. In Phnom Penh, travelers can explore the opulent Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, then confront the country’s painful past at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields. A cyclo ride or tuk-tuk tour gives a charming view of city life. Cruises often spend a full day or overnight here.
As the ship sails north, stops like Kampong Tralach offer a unique ox-cart ride through rice paddies to a remote pagoda. Nearby Oudong, the former royal capital, presents sweeping views of the countryside from a hilltop stupa. It’s a moment to reflect on Cambodia’s spiritual depth.
An atmospheric hilltop temple complex with views over the Mekong, Wat Hanchey dates back to pre-Angkorian times. Here, guests may participate in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony with local monks, deepening the cultural immersion.
Often a logistical stop, Kampong Cham is a gateway to rural Cambodian life. Some tours explore local villages, silk-weaving workshops, and bamboo bridges (seasonal), while others use it as a base to visit nearby sites like Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (Man and Woman Mountain).
Before reaching Siem Reap, cruises may call at Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that survived the Khmer Rouge intact. Traditional wooden stilt houses and warm welcomes from locals make this a favorite stop. Nearby Kampong Kdei features one of Cambodia’s oldest surviving Angkor-era bridges.
The journey concludes in Siem Reap, the gateway to the legendary Angkor Wat temple complex — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on Earth. Many river cruise itineraries include a multi-day land extension here, allowing time to explore Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and enjoy cultural performances and fine dining.
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