Selected: fully customisable Mekong ExplorerUsually, covering such an amazing variety of destinations means putting up with multiple transfers, uncomfortable road journeys, and numerous hotel check-ins. Not on this trip.With a river-cruise liner as your base, travel up the Mekong deep into the Southeast Asian countryside, visiting stilt villages and river islands where life is still dominated by tradition. Contrast this with life in some of the region’s biggest cities. Then, round it all off with a visit to one of the most magnificent manmade sites on the planet – all at a pace that feels deliciously slow.Read more LocationMulti-country Suggested Length13 days /12 nights Activity Level Fully customisable Every trip is unique Ratings LightLight mobility requirements as sightseeing activities are done predominantly by vehicle, with light walking SteadyIdeal for most fitness levels. Sightseeing involves walking and being on your feet for a couple of hours at a time, with down-time included too ActiveRequires a moderate level of fitness. Activities and sightseeing will generally involve walking and being on your foot for much of the day. Often includes light activities such as cycling, kayaking, or hands-on experiences AdventureDemands higher fitness. Most days will include a substantial amount of walking and/or activity throughout the day. EnergeticFor people who love being active. We reserve this rating for active itineraries with substantial movement and adventure activities almost every day. Trip highlights Itinerary Is this trip for you? Reviews What's included Get to know Vietnam’s biggest city on a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh’s backstreets Spend a full day exploring the vine-entangled temples of Angkor in Cambodia See world-class acrobatics at the incredible Phare, The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap Spend seven nights onboard a Mekong cruise, with stops to explore the countryside and Phnom Penh along the way ItineraryAll itineraries are fully customisable. Our destination experts created this trip as an example of a cultural adventure: combining remarkable sights, guided experiences and a slice of everyday local life. Choose us, and we’ll create you a custom holiday where every detail reflects your pace, passions and preferences. Take as much or as little from this trip idea as you want, talk to us when you’re ready. Plan my trip Image Image Day 1-2Ho Chi Minh City Highlights: Get to know Ho Chi Minh City with the help of a local on a walking tour of its hidden backstreets Learn about the worship of the “mother goddesses”: a unique ritual recognised by UNESCO as part of Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage Get a sobering insight into Vietnam’s modern history at the War Remnants MuseumBeyond its neo-gothic cathedrals and French-colonial boulevards, Ho Chi Minh City is alive with local life and colour. Getting beyond the tourist sights is what it’s all about — and that’s exactly what you’ll do on your first morning, on a walking tour of the city’s hidden backstreets. With a local guide, you’ll wind your way through narrow alleys rarely visited by tourists, where family-run businesses spill into the streets, vendors cook up sizzling treats on rickety food carts, and little temples preserve age-old rituals found nowhere else in the world. In the afternoon, we recommend a visit to the War Remnants Museum for a look at how the “American War” has shaped life in Vietnam. Accommodation Ho Chi Minh City • Vietnam Superior La Siesta Premium SaigonThis is the La Siesta brand's fourth hotel in Vietnam, and the first in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City • Vietnam Deluxe Hotel des Arts Saigon, MGallery CollectionThe chic Hotel des Arts is reminiscent of French Indochina in the 1930s, modernised with all the comforts of the 21st century. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 1:Car transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to hotel (30 minutes) Day 3-9Mekong River Cruise Highlights: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the facilities onboard your elegant river cruise boat as you watch the countryside change from the bustling Mekong Delta deep into the hinterlands of Vietnam and Cambodia Disembark to explore remote villages where the locals use traditional methods to produce pottery, rice paper, coconut sweets and silk Spend a whole day in Phnom Penh to learn about the history and regeneration of Cambodia’s capital city Stop to explore temples even older and more mysterious than the magnificent ruins of AngkorFor the next eight days, your home will be a beautiful cruise boat on the Mekong. As you travel deep into the countryside, your journey will be punctuated with opportunities to explore tiny villages, floating markets, rural workshops and fish farms — communities where life has changed little in centuries. Then, as you pass from Vietnam into Cambodia, you’ll contrast this with a day in the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh, a city bursting with optimism after a troubled past. On board, there are even more activities to enjoy, including cultural lectures, t’ai chi classes, dance performances, film screenings and spa treatments. If it weren’t for what’s to come, you might never want to leave. Accommodation Vietnam • Cambodia Superior RV Tonle PandawThe P Class RV Tonle Pandaw was built in Yangon in 2002 and updated in 2025, comprising staterooms on the main deck and suite rooms on the upper deck. Vietnam • Cambodia Superior RV Mekong PandawThe P Class RV Mekong Pandaw was built in Yangon in 2003 and comprises 24 cabins across the main and upper decks, each of just over 15 square metres. Vietnam • Cambodia Superior RV Bassac PandawThe P Class RV Bassac Pandaw comprises 28 cabins across the main and upper decks, finished in teak and brass and furnished with spa branded amenities, under-bed storage, air conditioning and a panoramic French window. Vietnam • Cambodia Deluxe Jayavarman CruiseFor a taste of colonial-era glamour, nothing on the Mekong quite compares with the wonderful Jayarvarman, operated by Heritage Line. Vietnam • Cambodia Deluxe The Jahan CruiseHeritage Line's The Jahan was named after an Indian emperor, and marries Indian colonial and Indochine styles to produce a uniquely elegant and luxurious experience. Vietnam • Cambodia Deluxe Aqua MekongSleek, contemporary, and effortlessly stylish, Aqua Mekong is the most luxurious way to experience life along the river that shapes Cambodia and Vietnam. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 3:Shared transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho pier (2.5 hours)Mekong cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap (8 days) Day 10-13Siem Reap Highlights: Visit the temples of Angkor: one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world Watch the sunset from a private gondola cruise on the moat of the ancient city of Angkor Thom Admire the storytelling stylings of the world-class Phare, The Cambodian Circus, an acrobatics troupe with a social impactYour cruise may have concluded, but the best is arguably yet to come. Abandoned centuries ago to the strangling roots of silk cotton and thitpok trees, the crumbling temples of Angkor are the remnants of the biggest pre-industrial civilisation on the planet. Your guide will help you navigate the vast archaeological park, combining the most famous sites with some lesser-known (yet often more atmospheric) temples, then rounding off the day with wine and canapés on the moat of Angkor Thom. Then, we have one more surprise for you: the amazing acrobatics of the Phare, the Cambodian Circus. It might not be on your Cambodia bucket list, but trust us – it's incredible! Accommodation Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Anjali by SyphonThe Anjali is a sleek contemporary boutique hotel, located just a short tuk tuk ride away from the bustling town and ancient temples of Angkor. Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Viroth's HotelBoasting a sleek design inspired by the 1950s, all rooms have a private patio or balcony and are decorated with locally sourced materials and art, making Viroth's Hotel is a firm favourite of ours. Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Shinta Mani AngkorThe Shinta Mani Angkor was designed by the acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, and the space is designed to reflect the famous Angkor temples, making use of minimalist square design with dark wood, granite and stylish orange accents. Siem Reap • Cambodia Deluxe Park Hyatt Siem ReapThe Park Hyatt is one of the top 5* hotels in Siem Reap; a tranquil homely hotel environment centred around a garden courtyard. Siem Reap • Cambodia Deluxe Phum BaitangPhum Baitang is a beautiful property designed to look like a traditional Cambodian village. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 10:Shared transfer from cruise drop-off point to Siem Reap (5 hours)Day 13:Car transfer from town to Siem Reap airport (15 minutes) Is this trip for you? What's greatThe slow pace of travel along the river means you have plenty of time to immerse yourself in scenes of riverside life, observing as the landscape changes from day to dayThe cruise includes a great variety of activities and excursions, including modern history tours, cottage industries and ancient templesYou’ll have one of our fabulous local guides to help you get to know Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap at either end of your tripThis itinerary could easily be extended with a few days on the beach, or more cultural exploration in Vietnam and CambodiaThings to considerThe Mekong’s water levels vary from season to season, and this will affect the cruising route. The itinerary described here is the low water programmeCruises don’t run every day, so you’ll need to factor departure dates into your scheduleThis itinerary can also be done in reverse, beginning in Siem Reap and concluding in Ho Chi Minh CityThis cruise is very popular, so you’ll need to act fast — it sometimes gets booked up a year in advance!This itinerary doesn’t include some of Vietnam’s most famous destinations, so if you’re a first-timer to the country, you might want to think about extending your trip ReviewsOur trips start with listening. These honest, unedited reviews show how we put people first - because making customers happy is what we’re here to do.Read more reviews I would highly recommend Inside Japan and Inside Asia. This is our third trip with them. Their support and advice at the planning stage are excellent. They made suggestions for places to visit that even my Japanese sister in law was impressed with in terms of unusual and unique places [...] What's included? What's includedBreakfast every dayEight lunches: Seven onboard your Mekong cruise; one during Angkor temple sightseeingSeven dinners: all onboard the Mekong cruiseOne full-day experience: tour of the temples of AngkorOne half-day experience: walking tour of Ho Chi Minh CityOne evening experience: Phare, The Cambodian Circus performanceSeven-night cruise on the Mekong River with activities & stopsAll entrance fees to sites included in guided experiencesAll internal transport & accommodationNot includedInternational flightsMeals not mentionedEntrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiencesTips for guides & porters
I would highly recommend Inside Japan and Inside Asia. This is our third trip with them. Their support and advice at the planning stage are excellent. They made suggestions for places to visit that even my Japanese sister in law was impressed with in terms of unusual and unique places [...]