2026 Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River Cruise Photos

Mekong Moments & Timeless Temples

Recapping our 2026 Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River Cruise with Globus and Avalon Waterways, led by Tour Manager Mike Lindo. We explored Hanoi’s historic landmarks and cruised through the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay before heading south to Ho Chi Minh City and boarding our Mekong River cruise. Along the river, we visited floating villages, local artisan workshops, and welcoming Cambodian communities.

In Phnom Penh, we experienced both royal highlights and important history, then continued on to Siem Reap where Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom truly impressed. Bangkok wrapped up the journey with canal rides, the Grand Palace, and vibrant city life. A meaningful Southeast Asia adventure filled with culture, connection, and unforgettable sights.

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We arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam and met with our Avalon Waterways Tour Director, Mr. Quang.

We used the rest of the day to tour Hanoi.

The Hanoi Old City Gate (Ô Quan Chưởng)

Hoa Lo Prison, was formerly known as Maison Centrale in French, which means Central Prison.

Only part of the prison exists today as a museum. Remember this guy?

Guillotine at Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison cell

Hanoi Hilton

ST25 by Koto Restaurant n the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Pho

Spring rolls

The ancient Temple of Literature, over 900 years old and Hanoi’s first university.

One of several temples in Vietnam which are dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Hanoi

The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered.

Water puppetry (Múa rối nước) is a Vietnamese tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century.

Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Hanoi Presidential Palace

We stopped by the Legend Pearl on the way to Ha Long Bay.

Legend Pearl is a pearl farm and shopping destination.

Arrived at Hon Gai, the gateway to Ha Long Bay.

Aboard the Cozy Indochine junk boat.

Views of Ha Long Bay, an UNESCO site.

Billionaire yachts everywhere.

The view from the dining area.

Kissing Rocks, Ha Long Bay

Live music

Ha Long Bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands.

Dong Thien Cung Cave, Ha Long Bay

One of the many chambers inside with numerous limestone stalactites and stalagmites.

Taking the boat to Vinpearl Resort and Spa Ha Long.

A luxurious 5-star retreat located on its own private island.

With views of Ha Long Bay.

We took a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks.

Saigon Opera House, also known as the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon Central Post Office

War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

The museum showcases exhibits relating to the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War.

Hoa Tuc Cooking Class

Learning how to make spring rolls.

Fresh papaya salad

Quick stop at the Rex Hotel for some drinks!

The rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel where the U.S. Military held the infamous “Five O’Clock Follies” during the war.

We took a guided visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

An extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length, used as a hideout and secret village by the Viet Cong.

Camouflaged pit with spikes at the bottom used by Viet Cong.

Embarked the Avalon Saigon.

Educational presentation on the Avalon Saigon.

We took a Discovery Excursion on a sampan boat to visit a local candy workshop.

At the local workshop, we learned how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made.

Coconut candy production

Tasting the final product.

Back on the Avalon Saigon for some amenities and relaxation.

Phanxico Monastery on Cu Lao Gieng Island.

Inside Phanxico Monastery.

A local workshop, where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats.

We took a guided walk through a local market in Chau Doc.

River Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong River.

Buddha statue carved at Sam Mountain.

We landed at the village of Long Khanh.

We watched a cotton-weaving demonstration and learned about the process.

Local kids at Long Khanh.

Our next destination was Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where we took a cyclo ride around the city.

We visited the Royal Palace.

At dinner, children from a local orphanage performed a show featuring local song and dance.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

We learned about the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime.

Here we met survivor Chum Mey, and heard his story.

Back to the Saigon for a ship tour. Here is the galley.

The command center of an Avalon Waterways ship is known as the bridge (or wheelhouse).

Fruit carving on the Saigon.

Gorgeous Mekong sunset views.

Disembarked the ship and climbed to Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century.

The buddhist monks at Wat Hanchey.

Wat Hanchey Temple, Cambodia

Getting to interact with children at a local school and donated school supplies.

Phnom Penh sits at the Chaktomuk confluence (Four Faces), where the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac Rivers meet. This vital intersection, central to the city's identity and life, serves as a major trans

Ox cart ride in Cambodia.

Farewell to the officers and crew of the Avalon Saigon.

Avalon Saigon farewell dinner.

Ankor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia.

Ankor Wat is the best preserved and most famous of all the temples.

The second temple we visited is Angkor Thom.

Angkor Thom, meaning "Great City," was the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire.

Our final temple in Ankor is the Banteay Srei Temple.

Baneay Srei is often called the "Citadel of Women" or the "Jewel of Khmer art" due to its exquisite and delicate carvings.

Trying Khmer hand-made noodles.

Farewell dinner in Siam Reap and a private Apsara Dance Performance.

Apsara Dance Performance

Farewell dinner with authentic dishes.

Our group after the dance performance.

Spending our last few days in Bankok, Thailand.

Here is the stunning Grand Palace in Bankok.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Group shot at the Grand Palace.

Palace guards

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

We took a Tuk Tuk Foodie Tour in Bankok.

Started at a local Thai joint with grilled chicken & pork with pork lard and papaya salad all washed down with Singha beer.

Bankok at night!

The Maeklong Railway Market

Floating market in Bangkok

Farewell Wagyu Teppanyaki dinner at JW Marriott Bankok with the best tour members ever! Mahalo!

Happy Chinese New Year! Now back to Honolulu!

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2026 Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River Cruise Photos

Mekong Moments & Timeless Temples

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