Vietnam and Cambodia: Along the Mekong River

Arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia's second-largest city, and settle into the well-appointed Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, located near the iconic Angkor Wat. Arrival Time: Arrive before 3:00 p.m. local time. Arrival City: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. This 12th-century Khmer temple, one of the world’s largest religious monuments, is adorned with elaborate bas-reliefs and sculptures. Ride a tuk-tuk, or motorized rickshaw, to the walled city of Angkor Thom. Discover the shrines of Ta Prohm and the temple of Banteay Srei. Visit a workshop where local youth are trained in age-old Khmer arts. Enjoy traditional Cambodian music and dance at a beautifully lit private dinner at one of Angkor’s temples. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on Day 2; breakfast and dinner are included on day 3.

Drive to the bustling town of Steung Trang and embark The Jahan, your riverboat home for the next seven nights. Step out onto your balcony to watch as you set sail on a journey along the Mekong River.

Stroll through Angkor Ban, a village with some of the oldest remaining traditional Khmer-style wooden homes, and visit Wat Angkor Ban, a living testament to the region’s spiritual heritage. Local monks will join you on board The Jahan for a special blessing. Later, in the serene village of Prek Bang Kong, visit a family-run silk-weaving workshop to see this centuries-old craft brought to life.

In Kampong Tralach, ride a traditional oxcart through emerald rice paddies to the Green School, a unique educational institution founded in 2016 that offers free instruction in English, Khmer and computer literacy to children from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. The school’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty while fostering community development, with a strong emphasis on environmental education and local stewardship. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has helped build an English-language library here, and the students are always eager to practice their English and share stories with visitors. Later, cruise up the Tonle Sap River to Kampong Leaeng, stopping at homes where artisans shape pottery by hand, and visiting a local farm to learn how palm sugar is harvested and processed.

Discover Cambodia’s capital by cyclo, visiting the opulent Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to more than 14,000 artifacts ranging from prehistoric stone tools to stunning sculptures from the ancient Khmer Empire. Gain insight into the Khmer Rouge era at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Next, visit the Killing Fields or browse the vibrant Central Market, once the largest market in Southeast Asia. End the day with a mesmerizing Apsara dance performance on board.

Take in views of everyday life along the river, attend talks by experts and join the chefs to learn how to cook regional dishes. Cross the border into Vietnam.

After cruising along the man-made Tan Chau Canal, board local boats in Chau Doc—an aquaculture hub on the Bassac, the southern branch of the Mekong Delta—to visit a basa catfish farm and weave through lively riverside markets. In town, ride trishaws to the bustling market, brimming with colorful tropical fruits and local delicacies. In the afternoon, relax on board and enjoy engaging presentations as you sail deeper into the Mekong Delta.

Board a sampan and glide along the tropical canals of the Mekong Delta to experience the rhythms of rural life. On Binh Thanh Island, set out with local guides to watch farmers produce rattan mats and visit a village temple. In Cai Be, stop at a rice workshop to see traditional sweets being made. Tonight, gather aboard The Jahan for a festive farewell dinner.

Disembark in My Tho and visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, originally built in 1850. Then journey to Saigon and, on arrival, visit the landmarks of Saigon including a visit to the Bitexco Tower, post office and the Reunification Palace followed by lunch. Continue to the Park Hyatt Hotel to check in. Early this evening meet with a local expert on Vietnam’s modern development, and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, visit the Cu Chi tunnel, part of a huge network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. If you wish, visit the War Remnants Museum, which gives a strong view of the war through the eyes of the Vietnamese. The rest of the afternoon and lunch are at leisure. In the evening, you'll take in a performance of water puppetry—a distinctive Vietnamese folk art, practiced here for over 300 years. Dinner is at the hotel. Depart Saigon on Day 13, arriving home the same day. Breakfast and dinner are included on Day 12; breakfast is included on Day 13. Departure Time: Anytime. Departure City: Saigon, Vietnam