Mekong Symphony Cruise Upstream 8 days: Ho Chi Minh - Siem Reap

Afternoon

Arrive at the Mekong Symphony in the cruise port of Ho Chi Minh City, where your luxury Mekong journey begins around 15:00. After a seamless check-in, settle into your elegantly appointed suite and take time to explore the ship's premium facilities.

Enjoy the first scenic views of the Saigon River, where modern skylines gradually give way to peaceful riverside villages and lush tropical landscapes on the way to the Mekong Delta.

Evening

Gather in the lounge for a Welcome Reception, where you'll meet the Cruise Manager and the attentive onboard team. A safety briefing will be followed by an exquisite Welcome Dinner at the Tonle Sap Restaurant.

As night falls, Mekong Symphony continues cruising toward Go Cong, a charming riverside town at the gateway to the Mekong Delta, before anchoring peacefully mid-river for the night.

Morning

Wake up to the peaceful scenery of the Mekong Delta as Mekong Symphony cruises toward Quoi Son Islet, renowned for its untouched beauty and lush fruit orchards in Ben Tre.

Board a local sampan and glide through tranquil canals shaded by water coconut palms and mangroves before taking a leisurely walk through fruit plantations. Then hop on a Lambro 550, a vintage three-wheeled vehicle once iconic to southern Vietnam, to visit a local family producing handmade coconut candy and traditional coconut handicrafts.

Enjoy fresh tropical fruits, local honey, and honey tea while listening to a live performance of Don Ca Tai Tu, Southern Vietnam's UNESCO-recognized traditional folk music.

The morning excursion concludes with a peaceful hand-rowed sampan ride through narrow canals, offering a close-up look at daily life along the Mekong before returning to the ship.

Afternoon

After lunch onboard, arrive in Cai Be, one of the Mekong Delta's oldest trading towns. Travel by sampan through the town's intricate waterways before walking through a tropical fruit garden to a local family home, where you'll discover the traditional process of making sticky rice wine.

Continue cruising into the peaceful canals to visit an ancient house, learning about the family's history and the region's rich cultural heritage.

Evening

Return to Mekong Symphony as the ship cruises toward Sa Dec, a charming riverside town celebrated for its flower villages and French colonial heritage.

Morning

Begin the day with a scenic sampan ride through the peaceful canals to Sa Dec, a charming riverside town celebrated for its vibrant flower gardens, French colonial heritage, and literary connections.

Visit the historic Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, made famous in Marguerite Duras' acclaimed novel The Lover, where you'll learn the fascinating love story behind one of Vietnam's most iconic literary works.

Continue to Kien An Cung Temple, an elegant Chinese temple built by the local Chinese community and renowned for its intricate architecture and cultural significance.

From there, take a guided stroll through Sa Dec Market, where colorful displays of tropical fruits, fresh seafood, spices, and local delicacies offer an authentic glimpse into daily life in the Mekong Delta.

Afternoon

Return to Mekong Symphony for lunch as the ship sails toward Chau Doc, a vibrant border town near Cambodia. Spend the afternoon relaxing onboard, enjoying the passing riverscapes and premium services.

Evening

After dinner, join fellow guests for a lively music quiz night, an entertaining evening of friendly competition and laughter.

Morning & Afternoon

After breakfast, discover Chau Doc, a vibrant border town known for its riverside charm, cultural diversity, and spiritual landmarks. 

Visit a traditional floating fish farm to learn about the region's unique aquaculture, then continue to a Cham Village to gain insight into the customs and daily life of the local Muslim community. The excursion concludes at Hang Pagoda (Cave Pagoda), a peaceful Buddhist temple nestled on the slopes of Sam Mountain, offering beautiful surroundings and panoramic views over the countryside.

Return to Mekong Symphony as the ship cruises toward the Vietnam–Cambodia border. While immigration formalities are completed onboard, enjoy a relaxing afternoon sailing into Cambodia.

Enhance your journey with a selection of enriching onboard activities, including:

• Tropical Fruit Tasting: Sample a variety of exotic Mekong fruits before joining the Chef for a hands-on Vietnamese spring roll-making class.
• Cultural Costume Presentation: Enjoy a colorful showcase of traditional national costumes, presented by the talented onboard crew.

Evening

Before dinner, join the Captain's Cocktail Reception for an elegant evening celebration featuring the traditional champagne sabering ceremony.

Morning

Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's vibrant capital, on a guided tuk-tuk tour through the city's most iconic landmarks.

Visit Wat Phnom, the legendary hilltop temple where Phnom Penh was founded, before traveling along the picturesque riverfront to the magnificent Royal Palace. Explore its beautifully manicured grounds, including the Throne Hall, Moonlight Pavilion, and the renowned Silver Pagoda, home to Cambodia's treasured Emerald Buddha and the spectacular Maitreya Buddha adorned with more than 9,000 diamonds.

Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a former school transformed into a prison during the Khmer Rouge regime, offering a powerful insight into one of Cambodia's darkest chapters.

Afternoon

Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Phnom Penh at your own pace. Browse local boutiques, sample Khmer cuisine, or visit nearby attractions.

A shuttle bus with a guide operates between the port and the bustling Central Market, making it easy to discover the city independently.

Evening

Before dinner, experience the elegance of Cambodia's artistic heritage with a Khmer Cultural Performance on the Sun Deck, featuring the graceful Apsara Dance alongside traditional folk performances.

Optional Evening Excursion | Phnom Penh by Night

Experience the vibrant energy of Cambodia's capital after dark on a guided tuk-tuk tour. Discover the vibrant lights and lively atmosphere after dark, then enjoy a signature cocktail while taking in breathtaking panoramic views of Phnom Penh's glittering skyline.

(Please contact the Purser onboard to book and pay for this optional excursion.)

Morning

Arrive at Koh Chen, a peaceful island village renowned throughout Cambodia for its centuries-old bronze and silversmithing traditions. Stroll through the village with your guide and visit local family workshops, where skilled artisans continue to handcraft intricately engraved bowls, statues, and ceremonial objects using techniques passed down through generations.

Afternoon

Experience the charm of Kampong Tralach's countryside with a traditional ox-cart ride through lush rice paddies and quiet village paths to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu, a beautifully decorated Buddhist temple. Meet local monks and take part in a traditional water blessing ceremony, a meaningful Cambodian ritual believed to bring peace, good fortune, and safe travels.

Admire the temple's colorful murals depicting scenes from the Buddha's life before returning to the ship by tuk-tuk.

Evening

Relax onboard as Mekong Symphony cruises toward Kampong Chhnang, one of Cambodia's most authentic river towns.

Morning

Discover the authentic charm of Kampong Chhnang, a riverside province renowned for its traditional pottery and sugar palm production.

Travel by tuk-tuk to a nearby village, where you'll explore local workshops producing handcrafted Khmer pottery, stroll through the local market, and learn how palm sugar (skor t'not) is made using age-old techniques.

Afternoon & Evening

Return to Mekong Symphony as the ship cruises through the tranquil waterways toward Koh Chen.

As your journey comes to an end, gather in the Saigon Lounge for a memorable Farewell Reception with the crew, followed by an elegant Farewell Dinner at the Tonle Sap Restaurant to celebrate an unforgettable Mekong voyage.

Morning & Afternoon

Enjoy a final breakfast onboard before bidding farewell to the crew and disembarking at Koh Chen.

A shuttle transfer departs at 08:30 for Siem Reap, passing through Cambodia's picturesque countryside. A lunch stop is included along the way before arriving at FCC Angkor by Avani at approximately 14:00.