Here are a few of the fascinating stops you might experience:
🏙 Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s largest city is a swirl of energy, scooters, street food, and French colonial architecture. Think luxury hotels one block over from a bustling market. History buffs will want to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels or War Remnants Museum.
🛕 Siem Reap
Home to the legendary Angkor Wat and dozens of other temples, Siem Reap is Cambodia’s cultural crown jewel. You’ll find a surprisingly lively town center with artisan markets, great food, and boutique hotels.
👑 Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital holds both splendor and sorrow. The Royal Palace is stunning, while excursions to the Killing Fields and S-21 Genocide Museum offer a sobering but important look at the country’s past.
🍜 Hanoi
Not on the river, but often included in land extensions, Hanoi is Vietnam’s cultural and culinary hub. The Old Quarter is a maze of activity, and the French flair is strong in both the architecture and the pastries.
🛶 Kampong Cham & Small Villages
You’ll also visit smaller villages where life moves at a slower pace. Think floating markets, Buddhist monasteries, and authentic encounters with local families. You might even help kids practice English or visit a silk-weaving cooperative.
Inclusions are another big shift. While river cruises can seem more expensive upfront, they usually cover a lot: wine and beer with meals, Wi-Fi, daily tours, maybe even gratuities and pre-cruise hotel stays depending on the line. You’re far less likely to feel nickel-and-dimed onboard—and yes, you can bring that lovely bottle of Riesling you bought in town back onboard to enjoy on deck.