Cruise the Far East - from Singapore to Vietnam and China

A typical Far East cruise starts in Singapore, calls at ports in Vietnam, visits Hong Kong, and continues to Shanghai and perhaps Beijing in China. Some may call at Taiwan and Japan, others may start at Bangkok in Thailand

A South East Asia cruise is an unbeatable experience. Enjoy the unique sights and sounds and see fascinating countryside, exotic cities, and amazing buildings.

Singapore

Singapore is a thriving city with an obvious British heritage, from the historic Raffles hotel to the Cricket Club on the central green. The Boat Quay on the Singapore River is popular with tourists, locals and bankers from the nearby financial district enjoying the many bars and restaurants.

Go to Orchard Road for varied shopping, explore Chinatown and its mysteries, or visit the superb Botanical Gardens. Perhaps try a ‘hawker centre’ for cheap yet quality meals. The centre of Singapore is easy to walk around, or use the clean and efficient underground trains which also go to the Cruise Terminal. A few days’ stay in Singapore before a cruise is well worthwhile.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam is unmissable, with its ancient culture surviving amongst modern influences. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is a shock to the senses - few cars but hordes of motor bikes carrying goods and people. Beautiful pagodas contrast with French colonial buildings, communist landmarks with thriving markets. Around the Town Square are famous buildings such as the Rex Hotel and the Post Office, and nearby the colourful Ben Thanh Market selling everything from vegetables to fish, electronics to souvenirs.

In Saigon don’t miss a Vietnamese water puppet theatre show, and maybe take an amazing pedal cab ride through the busy streets. Outside the city a major attraction is the Cu Chi tunnels, a huge underground city, base for Viet Cong guerrillas. Not for the claustrophobic or rotund! Smaller cruise ships can sail up the Saigon river to the city outskirts, larger ships dock at Phu My some miles away.

From Saigon you can visit the Mekong River delta, from where there are river cruises up river to Phnom Penh in Cambodia and visiting the fabled Angkor Wat temple, perhaps continuing to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. See our guide to Mekong River Cruises and Cambodia.

Hoi An and Hue, Vietnam

From Saigon cruises may call at Nha Trang, an international tourist resort in a beautiful bay setting, or the port of Da Nang for visits to Hoi An or Hue. Reached by a coast road alongside superb beaches, Hoi An is an ancient market and trading town on the Thu Bon river. It has fascinating old houses and streets, colourful temples, and a famous Japanese covered bridge built in 1593. Its lively riverside market is a mixture of sights and smells. Hue, the ancient imperial capital, is three hours from Da Nang. The Imperial Citadel is a World Heritage Site, modelled on Beijing’s Forbidden City, and now being rebuilt after severe war damage.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

For many, the most amazing sight in Vietnam is Halong Bay, home to thousands of limestone islands of all shapes and sizes. Cruising into the bay is unforgettable as the ship threads between the islands. Perhaps transfer to a local junk for a close-up view of the islands and the floating fishermens’ villages - their permanent homes (as seen on BBC TV Top Gear special Vietnam programme).

Bai Chay town is a short tender ride from your anchored cruise ship – a Vietnamese seaside town with a good open-air market. Further afield is Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam following reunification.

See Mekong River Cruises and Cambodia for our selection of cruises and tours on the Mekong river and beyond.

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All photographs on these pages are by Blue Water Holidays customers or staff