Cruises to Vietnam and Cambodia

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is renowned for its spectacular colonial architecture and ancient temples. Highlights include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the centre of Ba Dinh Square, the One-pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple and the Temple of Literature founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Hanoi serves as the gateway to the dramatic limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay, which is often explored

Ha Long Bay

The thousands of vertical limestone karsts and islands of Ha Long Bay are a memorable sight. Topped off with jungle vegetation, some of the islands are hollow and contain large cave chambers, whilst others like Cat Ba are inhabited and offer facilities for tourists. Floating villages with a population of fishermen can be seen during cruises through the bay.

As mentioned, it’s a location that’s within arm’s reach of Ha Long Bay, making these destinations in combination one of the highlight stretches of Vietnam cruises.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a picturesque town of well-preserved ancient buildings, Chinese-style shophouses, and is famous for its covered pagoda bridge, its tailors, and colourful lanterns. It is World Heritage Listed for its importance as a 15th to 19th-century trading port, with a mixture of local and foreign architectural styles. The Museum of Trade ceramics is housed in an interesting old Hoi An home. This vibrant and culturally-rich city is undoubtedly a highlight on many Vietnam cruises.

Hue

The World Heritage Site of Hue can be visited from Chan May or Da Nang. This exquisite city was once Vietnam's capital, built beside the Perfume River in the early 19th century, and contains a Forbidden City, pagodas, tombs, palaces, temples and lakes. It was described by the Director General of UNESCO in 1981 as 'a masterpiece of urban poetry', whose treasures include the six-tiered Thien Mu Pagoda, the Citadel and the Emperor's Tomb.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is an international tourist resort set in a beautiful bay, often a stop on coastal or Vietnam cruises. More lively and urban in character than other Vietnam beach destinations, it is the scuba diving centre of Vietnam. Local artwork can be found on Doc Lop Street, and to visit the beaches of Hon Tre Island, take the high-level Vinpearl Cable Car. Po Nagar Cham Towers are an elaborate series of 8th-century towers and temples on Cu Lao Mountain.

Ho Chi Minh City

Large Vietnam cruise ships reach Ho Chi Minh City via the Saigon River and berth in the port of Phu My, whilst smaller vessels can approach along the Mekong Delta. Formerly Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has many places of interest, including the Cu Chi Tunnels, which hid the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War; Reunification Hall, once the Presidential Palace, and the temples and Pagodas of the Cholon Chinatown district.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is a bustling and dynamic city, still recovering from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Itineraries often include trips to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the grim Tuol Sleng or S21 Detention Centre. Less harrowing is the Royal Palace, and its two magnificent pagodas - the Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the historic hill-top temple complex of Wat Phnom. While its past is some of the most difficult in Cambodia’s historical timeline, this city is a must-see on many Cambodia cruises.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the stepping-off point for visits to the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, a key inclusion on Mekong River Cruises. In Siem Reap itself, there are French shop houses, and tree-lined avenues beside the river. The Angkor National Museum has displays tracing the history of the complex, and a short distance away by tuk-tuk is Kampong Phluk Floating Village, built on stilts in a mangrove forest. Siem Reap has good restaurants and several luxurious spas.

Sihanoukville

The port town of Sihanoukville is an attractive beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand, often a coastal cruise stop on several Cambodia cruise itineraries. There are watersports on offer along the beaches, where there are thatched beach umbrellas and seaside cafes. Sihanoukville has several temples in leafy surroundings, including the lovely hillside Wat Leu and its carved white elephant. In the Downtown area are markets, bars and cafes.

Tonle Sap

Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia is a UNESCO Biosphere known for its tranquil fishing villages. Often, it is accessed via Mekong cruise extensions, adding another spectacular destination onto many larger Cambodia cruise itineraries.

It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia during the wet season and home to an abundance of wildlife, including crocodiles, macaques and otters. Fishing is the main source of income, however, the floodplains are used to grow vegetables. Angkor, the capital, which is located on the northeastern edge of the lake, is a designated World Heritage site.

Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

The Angkor Archaeological Park has one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Angkor Wat is the best-preserved and most iconic of the Angkor temple complex, built in the early 12th century to honour the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple took over 30 years to be completed by King Suryavarman II.