DAY 1 – HO CHI MINH CITY | EMBARKATION GALA
Private transfer from your Ho Chi Minh City hotel to the embarkation pier for champagne check-in aboard the Aqua Mekong. A ship of 20 suites, each with a private balcony facing the river, marble bathroom, and butler on call. Sail from Ho Chi Minh City in the early evening as the city’s skyline reflects in the Saigon River. A welcome gala dinner on board: a six-course tasting menu of Vietnamese contemporary cuisine paired with wines selected by the ship’s sommelier.
DAY 2 – CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET | BEN TRE | VINH LONG
Pre-dawn private sampan excursion to Cai Rang Floating Market for exclusive access before trade peaks. Return for a full breakfast on board before a morning canal excursion through Ben Tre: private bicycle through coconut groves, visit to a third-generation rice paper maker, and a tasting of regional honeys at a riverside apiary. Afternoon navigation to Vinh Long: a visit to a hu tieu noodle factory, followed by a cyclo ride through the riverside town. Cooking class on board in the evening: the ship’s chef guides a hands-on preparation of three Mekong Delta dishes using ingredients purchased at the morning market.
DAY 3 – SA DEC | DONG THAP | LONG XUYEN
Morning visit to Sa Dec — the town of flowers. A guided walk to the Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, then through flower nurseries supplying much of southern Vietnam. Lunch on board. Afternoon stop at Tram Chim National Park — a wetland reserve of flooded cajuput forest, home to the Sarus Crane. A private guided bird walk with the park’s chief ornithologist.
DAY 4 – TAN LOC ISLAND | CHAU DOC | OVERNIGHT AT ANCHOR
Morning landing at Tan Loc Island for a private homestay lunch with a farming family. Afternoon navigation upstream to Chau Doc: a guided visit to the Cham Muslim village of Chau Giang by small boat. An evening at anchor in the river outside Chau Doc: the ship’s chef prepares a Chau Doc river dinner on the upper deck under the stars.
DAY 5 – BORDER CROSSING | KAMPONG CHAM | INTO CAMBODIA
Cross the Vietnam-Cambodia border at Vinh Xuong by river — all documentation handled on board by Sun DMC. First stop in Cambodia: Kampong Cham, where a private cycling excursion leads through ancient pre-Angkorian temple fields, silk weaving villages, and a lunch of Khmer countryside cooking at a family home. A visit to the seasonal bamboo bridge rebuilt by hand every November.
DAY 6 – PHNOM PENH | PRIVATE ROYAL PALACE ACCESS | RIVER DINNER
Arrive in Phnom Penh. A private morning tour of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda arranged before general opening. Private curator-led tour of the National Museum. Lunch at a celebrated Phnom Penh restaurant. Afternoon at leisure. A private sunset dinner on the ship’s upper deck anchored in the confluence of the three rivers — the most dramatic dining location of the entire voyage.
DAY 7 – UPSTREAM TONLE SAP | KAMPONG CHHNANG | KAMPONG TRALACH
Depart Phnom Penh north up the Tonle Sap River. Morning stop at Kampong Chhnang for a private guided floating village visit and hands-on pottery session. Afternoon stop at Kampong Tralach: private ox-cart excursion to a 16th-century riverside pagoda, followed by a monk blessing ceremony. Return to the ship for a Khmer cooking class.
DAY 8 – KAMPONG KDEI | SIEM REAP | ANGKOR SUNSET
Transfer from the river to Siem Reap by private vehicle. Check in to your heritage boutique hotel. Late afternoon transfer to Angkor for the sunset from Phnom Bakheng with a private guide. Return to Siem Reap for a private dinner in the garden of a 1920s colonial villa — six courses of Cambodian royal court cuisine.
DAY 9 – EXCLUSIVE ANGKOR WAT SUNRISE | PRIVATE TEMPLE DAY
Exclusive pre-opening access to Angkor Wat at 5:00 AM — arranged by Sun DMC through its Apsara Authority partnership. Breakfast in the inner courtyard as the light strengthens. A full day with a licensed archaeologist guide: Angkor Wat bas-relief galleries, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei. Farewell gala dinner at a heritage villa in the old town with live traditional Apsara dance performance.
DAY 10 – SIEM REAP | DEPARTURE
Late checkout and private transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward flight.
Tour Inclusions
- 9 nights accommodation — 7 nights Aqua Mekong luxury cruise (full board, butler service) & 2 nights 5-star heritage boutique hotel Siem Reap
- Private sampan excursions throughout
- All shore visits, cycling, ox-cart rides, cooking classes, monk blessing ceremony as per itinerary
- Exclusive pre-opening Angkor Wat access (Day 9)
- Private archaeologist-led Angkor temple day
- Private Royal Palace morning visit before public opening (Day 6)
- Farewell gala dinner with Apsara dance (Day 9)
- Private sommelier-selected wine pairing throughout cruise
- Dedicated English-speaking luxury guide throughout
- All transfers by private luxury vehicle
- Vietnam-Cambodia border crossing with full documentation handling
- 24/7 on-trip support from Sun DMC operations team
Practical Information
Best Time to Travel: November – March (optimal river levels; dry season for Angkor)
Minimum Pax: 2 pax (private voyage); 20 pax for full vessel charter
Vessel: Aqua Mekong 5-star luxury expedition vessel — private balcony suites, infinity plunge pool, butler, sommelier, spa, private launch fleet
Accommodation Tier: Luxury throughout — 5-star vessel & 5-star heritage hotel
Vessel Charter: Full vessel charter available for incentive groups and private events. Contact your Sun DMC account manager for NET rates.
Ho Chi Minh City → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap 
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