Best of Vietnam & Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City

The Best of Vietnam & Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City is a 20-night Asia & Indian Ocean cruise aboard Mekong Serenity, operated by APT Cruising. Departing Ho Chi Minh City on October 20, 2027, the voyage visits 14 ports.

Length: 20 nights
Departs: Oct 20, 2027
Returns: Nov 9, 2027
Ports of call: 14

Itinerary

Day 1 Oct 20, 2027 Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant port of call for MSC cruise liners on MSC Grand Voyages cruise itineraries. It’s a fury of sights and sounds, and the crucible in which Vietnam’s rallying fortunes are boiling. Few corners of the city afford respite from the cacophony of construction work casting up new office blocks and hotels with logic-defying speed. An increasing number of cars and minibuses jostle with an organic mass of state-of-the-art Honda SUVs, choking the tree-lined streets and boulevards. Amid this melee, the local people go about their daily life: smartly dressed schoolkids wander past streetside baguette-sellers; women shoppers ride motorbikes clad in gangster-style bandanas to protect their skin from the sun and dust; while teenagers in designer jeans chirrup into mobile phones. MSC Cruises shore excursions can be a clever option to see much of Ho Chi Minh City’s fun that derives from the simple pleasure of absorbing its flurry of activity – something best done from the seat of a cyclo or a roadside café. To blink is to miss some new and singular sight, be it a motorbike stacked high with piglets bound for the market, or a boy on a bicycle rapping out a staccato tattoo on pieces of bamboo to advertise noodles for sale. For some visitors, the American war is their primary frame of reference and such historical hot spots as the Reunification Palace rank highly on their itineraries. In addition, ostentatious reminders of French rule abound, among them such memorable buildings as Notre Dame Cathedral and the grandiose Hotel de Ville – but even these look spanking-new when compared to gloriously musty edifices like Quan Am Pagoda and the Jade Emperor Pagoda, just a couple of the many captivating places of worship across the city. And don’t miss Ben Thanh Market, the teeming Vietnamese market par excellence, check the city’s pulse here on an early morning stroll. Ho Chi Minh City port guide Search cruises visiting Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City photo — Day 1 Oct 20, 2027 Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant port of call for MSC cruise liners on MSC Grand Voyages cruise itineraries. It’s a fury of sights and sounds, and the crucible in which Vietnam’s rallying fortunes are boiling. Few corners of the city afford respite from the cacophony of construction work casting up new office blocks and hotels with logic-defying speed. An increasing number of cars and minibuses jostle with an organic mass of state-of-the-art Honda SUVs, choking the tree-lined streets and boulevards. Amid this melee, the local people go about their daily life: smartly dressed schoolkids wander past streetside baguette-sellers; women shoppers ride motorbikes clad in gangster-style bandanas to protect their skin from the sun and dust; while teenagers in designer jeans chirrup into mobile phones. MSC Cruises shore excursions can be a clever option to see much of Ho Chi Minh City’s fun that derives from the simple pleasure of absorbing its flurry of activity – something best done from the seat of a cyclo or a roadside café. To blink is to miss some new and singular sight, be it a motorbike stacked high with piglets bound for the market, or a boy on a bicycle rapping out a staccato tattoo on pieces of bamboo to advertise noodles for sale. For some visitors, the American war is their primary frame of reference and such historical hot spots as the Reunification Palace rank highly on their itineraries. In addition, ostentatious reminders of French rule abound, among them such memorable buildings as Notre Dame Cathedral and the grandiose Hotel de Ville – but even these look spanking-new when compared to gloriously musty edifices like Quan Am Pagoda and the Jade Emperor Pagoda, just a couple of the many captivating places of worship across the city. And don’t miss Ben Thanh Market, the teeming Vietnamese market par excellence, check the city’s pulse here on an early morning stroll. Ho Chi Minh City port guide Search cruises visiting Ho Chi Minh City

Day 3 Oct 22, 2027 Da Nang Overlooking the mouth of the river Hán, Da Nang is a popular Vietnamese destination on an MSC Cruise. This metropolis, called Tourane under French colonial rule, is in central Vietnam and has 1.350,000 inhabitants. It is one of the country’s economic, cultural and artistic hubs. You can take an excursion to Da Nang, where you can visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Dating back to about 1,000 years ago, these sculptures by the Cham, an ancient Vietnamese civilisation, are made of terracotta, bronze and sandstone. It is an extensive collection that includes over four hundred works dedicated to the most important Hindu deities, from Brahma to Shiva. Huế was the ancient capital of Vietnam and you can take an excursion to the remains of the Imperial City, located on the banks of the Perfume River and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The entrance, reminiscent of the famous Imperial City of Beijing, leads visitors into the Forbidden Purple City, where the emperor lived with his concubines. The complex was heavily damaged by American air raids during the Vietnam war. In 1999, the old town of Hoi An was also declared a World Heritage Site. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the town ‒ called “Faifo” by European merchants ‒ was a nerve centre for Vietnamese Commerce, thanks to its strategic position on the estuary of the Thu Bon River. You can take an excursion to visit the old town: the colourful houses, red lanterns, narrow traffic-free streets and lush flowers make it an unforgettable experience. Da Nang port guide Search cruises visiting Da Nang

Da Nang photo — Day 3 Oct 22, 2027 Da Nang Overlooking the mouth of the river Hán, Da Nang is a popular Vietnamese destination on an MSC Cruise. This metropolis, called Tourane under French colonial rule, is in central Vietnam and has 1.350,000 inhabitants. It is one of the country’s economic, cultural and artistic hubs. You can take an excursion to Da Nang, where you can visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Dating back to about 1,000 years ago, these sculptures by the Cham, an ancient Vietnamese civilisation, are made of terracotta, bronze and sandstone. It is an extensive collection that includes over four hundred works dedicated to the most important Hindu deities, from Brahma to Shiva. Huế was the ancient capital of Vietnam and you can take an excursion to the remains of the Imperial City, located on the banks of the Perfume River and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The entrance, reminiscent of the famous Imperial City of Beijing, leads visitors into the Forbidden Purple City, where the emperor lived with his concubines. The complex was heavily damaged by American air raids during the Vietnam war. In 1999, the old town of Hoi An was also declared a World Heritage Site. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the town ‒ called “Faifo” by European merchants ‒ was a nerve centre for Vietnamese Commerce, thanks to its strategic position on the estuary of the Thu Bon River. You can take an excursion to visit the old town: the colourful houses, red lanterns, narrow traffic-free streets and lush flowers make it an unforgettable experience. Da Nang port guide Search cruises visiting Da Nang

Day 3 Oct 22, 2027 Hoi An Hội An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. Hoi An port guide Search cruises visiting Hoi An

Hoi An photo — Day 3 Oct 22, 2027 Hoi An Hội An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. Hoi An port guide Search cruises visiting Hoi An

Day 5 Oct 24, 2027 Hue/Danang (Chan May) When you arrive at Chan May Port, you'll have Vietnam's imperial history and natural splendor at your fingertips. As you travel through the countryside near the port, you'll see fields of grazing water buffalo and lagoons overlooked by misty mountains. But you'll want to spend your day exploring one of the two nearby cities: Hue and Danang. About 80 minutes north of the port, Hue was Vietnam's capital city until 1945: Experience the country's imperial past at the moat-surrounded citadel of Hue Imperial City, or see the Khai Dinh Tomb, an emperor's resting place high up in the mountains. Cruise to Chan May, Vietnam and head one hour south to Danag: Relax on white-sand My Khe Beach, or hike up the Marble Mountains dotted with Buddhist temples. Hue/Danang (Chan May) port guide Search cruises visiting Hue/Danang (Chan May)

Day 7 Oct 26, 2027 Hanoi Dotted with thousands of limestone islets, Ha Long Bay is a breathtaking World Heritage Site that calls out to be explored. Hop on a kayak or take a boat tour to get close to these jungle-capped karst wonders or explore the caves inside. If history draws you, head 60 miles west to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam for 1,000 years. Rich in native and French colonial influences in architecture, it has been called the "Paris of Asia." The grounds of the Temple of Literature and ancient university are particularly stunning. Hanoi port guide Search cruises visiting Hanoi

Hanoi photo — Day 7 Oct 26, 2027 Hanoi Dotted with thousands of limestone islets, Ha Long Bay is a breathtaking World Heritage Site that calls out to be explored. Hop on a kayak or take a boat tour to get close to these jungle-capped karst wonders or explore the caves inside. If history draws you, head 60 miles west to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam for 1,000 years. Rich in native and French colonial influences in architecture, it has been called the "Paris of Asia." The grounds of the Temple of Literature and ancient university are particularly stunning. Hanoi port guide Search cruises visiting Hanoi

Day 9 Oct 28, 2027 Tan Chau Tân Châu is a town of An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. As of 2009 the town had a population of 184,129. The town covers an area of 175.68 km². It is famous for Tân Châu silk with the famous product Lãnh Mỹ A, whose black colour comes from the Diospyros mollis's fruit. Tan Chau port guide Search cruises visiting Tan Chau

Tan Chau photo — Day 9 Oct 28, 2027 Tan Chau Tân Châu is a town of An Giang Province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. As of 2009 the town had a population of 184,129. The town covers an area of 175.68 km². It is famous for Tân Châu silk with the famous product Lãnh Mỹ A, whose black colour comes from the Diospyros mollis's fruit. Tan Chau port guide Search cruises visiting Tan Chau

Day 9 Oct 28, 2027 Ha Long Bay The extraordinary, mossy limestone mountains that rear from the waters of Ha Long Bay form one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on the planet. At least 1,600 green islands rise over a flotilla of strung-together fishing boats and floating villages. Spectacular at any time, sunset bathes the remarkable limestone formations in warm, honey-coloured light, adding an extra layer to the seascape's heart-stirring beauty. Emerald green sea washes around this immense network of islands and limestone outcrops, which you can explore at leisure on junk boats and by sea kayak. View less Local legend says the islands were formed when a dragon descended, spitting fire and emerald and jade jewels across the water to deter invaders. The sheer scale points to the supernatural – but scientists stubbornly maintain that this collection of towering sculptures was the result of various forms of erosion and a flood of seawater following the ice age. The water continues to chip away at the islands, and you can venture into the mouths of caves hollowed out by the relentless wash of the waves. Dau Go Cave and Sung Sot Caves are adorned with rows of spectacular stalactites, descending like dragon teeth from above. Investigate via boat, and find island jewels like Ti Top - a sharp, slope of land decorated with a crisp fringe of gleaming sand. The seaplanes that soar overhead, offer a magnificent bird's eye perspective. Located in Vietnam's northeast, the unique topography that forms the islands continues into neighbouring national parks like Cat Ba - which rises and falls in a similar, jaggedly undulating fashion, just without the flooded seawater in-between. Ha Long Bay port guide Search cruises visiting Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay photo — Day 9 Oct 28, 2027 Ha Long Bay The extraordinary, mossy limestone mountains that rear from the waters of Ha Long Bay form one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on the planet. At least 1,600 green islands rise over a flotilla of strung-together fishing boats and floating villages. Spectacular at any time, sunset bathes the remarkable limestone formations in warm, honey-coloured light, adding an extra layer to the seascape's heart-stirring beauty. Emerald green sea washes around this immense network of islands and limestone outcrops, which you can explore at leisure on junk boats and by sea kayak. View less Local legend says the islands were formed when a dragon descended, spitting fire and emerald and jade jewels across the water to deter invaders. The sheer scale points to the supernatural – but scientists stubbornly maintain that this collection of towering sculptures was the result of various forms of erosion and a flood of seawater following the ice age. The water continues to chip away at the islands, and you can venture into the mouths of caves hollowed out by the relentless wash of the waves. Dau Go Cave and Sung Sot Caves are adorned with rows of spectacular stalactites, descending like dragon teeth from above. Investigate via boat, and find island jewels like Ti Top - a sharp, slope of land decorated with a crisp fringe of gleaming sand. The seaplanes that soar overhead, offer a magnificent bird's eye perspective. Located in Vietnam's northeast, the unique topography that forms the islands continues into neighbouring national parks like Cat Ba - which rises and falls in a similar, jaggedly undulating fashion, just without the flooded seawater in-between. Ha Long Bay port guide Search cruises visiting Ha Long Bay

Day 11 Oct 30, 2027 Siem Reap Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries. Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag. Giant, mysterious faces are carved into the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom. Siem Reap port guide Search cruises visiting Siem Reap

Siem Reap photo — Day 11 Oct 30, 2027 Siem Reap Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries. Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag. Giant, mysterious faces are carved into the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom. Siem Reap port guide Search cruises visiting Siem Reap

Day 16 Nov 4, 2027 Phnom Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market. Phnom Penh port guide Search cruises visiting Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh photo — Day 16 Nov 4, 2027 Phnom Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market. Phnom Penh port guide Search cruises visiting Phnom Penh

Day 17 Nov 5, 2027 Oudong Oudong is a town in Cambodia, at the base of Phnom Udong Mountain, northwest of Phnom Penh. It was the site of the royal capital from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The mountain’s 2 mounds are connected by a ridge and dotted with stupas and shrines dedicated to former kings. Chedi Mouk Pruhm is the burial site of King Monivong. The ruins of Arthross Temple house a large golden Buddha. Oudong port guide Search cruises visiting Oudong

Oudong photo — Day 17 Nov 5, 2027 Oudong Oudong is a town in Cambodia, at the base of Phnom Udong Mountain, northwest of Phnom Penh. It was the site of the royal capital from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The mountain’s 2 mounds are connected by a ridge and dotted with stupas and shrines dedicated to former kings. Chedi Mouk Pruhm is the burial site of King Monivong. The ruins of Arthross Temple house a large golden Buddha. Oudong port guide Search cruises visiting Oudong

Pricing

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

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Show all 8 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Deluxe Twin Balcony Suite	A	Suite
Angkor Suite	ANG	Suite
Deluxe Twin Balcony Suite	B	Suite
Bayon Suites	BAY	Suite
Deluxe Twin Balcony Suite	C	Suite
Deluxe Twin Balcony Suite	D	Suite
Deluxe Twin Balcony Suite	E	Suite
Deluxe Twin Balcony Suite	EE	Suite

Ship

Your ship Mekong Serenity 5★ 88 guests Built **2021** The brand new ship on the Mekong River, the enchanting Mekong Serenity provides a spacious retreat to truly enjoy the lush landscapes of Vietnam and Cambodia. With a large amount of space per guest, this luxurious vessel boasts some of the largest suites on the Mekong. With just 44 suites accompanying a maximum of 88 guests, its intimate size means your voyage is highly personalised. Showcasing a modern sophisticated style with a nod to colonial times, this is a ship beyond compare. Mekong Serenity ship guide Search cruises on Mekong Serenity

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