Southeast Asia
Feb. 21-March 9, 2026
Charms of the Mekong
Cruise the Mekong on AMA Waterways AmaDara with land extensions in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Siem Riep,
Ha Long Bay and Hanoi
Our Charms of the Mekong is SOLD OUT. Be sure to join our waiting list, as there will likely be cancellations. There are also other sailing dates. Just fill out the form at the bottom of the page (REGISTER), and a Go Travel representative will contact you. Ask about other date possibilities.
Join the YMCA Alumni Travel Club on this unique river cruise and land tour to exotic Southeast Asia.
Charms of the Mekong
We begin our adventure in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and board AMA Waterway's luxurious RV AmaDara. The river cruise ship, built in Vietnam, features French Colonial décor, richly carved wood furniture inspired by the region's history, and local artifacts made by native craftsmen.
Air-conditioned interior corridors lead to spacious staterooms and suites, all featuring twin balconies that invite the ever-changing scenery of Southeast Asia inside.
Following seven wonderful nights and daily adventures along the river, we head out on a motor coach excursion, spending nights at hotels in Siem Reap, Ha Long Bay, and Hanoi. The pre and post-land tours are optional and let you immerse yourself further in this amazing part of our world.
You may take the cruise portion of the trip only or add on the immersive land tour that follows.
Day-by-Day of our unique adventure
Feb. 21-22: Ho Chi Minh City -- Arrive and catch your breath for two nights in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Vibrating with energy, innovation, and lots of traffic, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's economic heart and the southern region's central hub… a freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis.
Feb. 23: Embark on AMA Waterways AmaDara — Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to the AmaDara at My Tho Port for your 7-night river cruise and then meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (L,D)
Feb. 24: Cai Be – Sa Dec --Take a local boat to Cai Be. Visit candy and rice papermaking workshops, or add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta. (B,L,D)
Feb. 25: Tan Chau – Border Crossing --Tan Chau is a small river town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. Board a traditional sampan boat and glide through this diverse and lush ecosystem. Later in the day, we cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border. (B,L,D)
Feb. 26: Phnom Penh, Cambodia -- Visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. Shop for unique treasures at the bustling Central Market after you visit the Royal Palace. After lunch on board, we visit Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). (B,L,D)
Feb. 27: Oudong– Kampong Tralach – Phnom Penh -- Visit Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. Be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery. In Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly authentic excursion – an oxcart ride through a local village. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk-tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture.
Feb. 28: Oknhatey - Angkor Ban -- We set sail for Oknhatey Village, the “Silk Island,” on the lush banks of the Mekong. Visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art preserved for centuries. (B,L,D)
March 1: Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham -- Take a walking tour of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. People still live in traditional wooden abodes, standing intact on stilts and keeping their old cultural traditions alive. The ship then sails to Kampong Cham, where you will visit Wat Nokor, a treasured monument. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
March 2: Disembarkation– Kampong Cham– Siem Reap -- Our cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap. Our cruise portion of the trip ends here. Heading out with us on land? We’ll stay two nights in Siem Reap. (B)
Choose to join us on a motor coach extension on land.
March 3: Siem Reap -- This is an area in the northwest part of Cambodia. Once the seat of power for the great Khmer Empire, it is home to the most ornate temples and is the most popular tourist site in Cambodia.
March 4-5: Hanoi --This is one of Southeast Asia's most bewitching cities. Vietnam's dramatic economic upturn has not yet changed Hanoi's old-world charm and scenic beauty.
March 6: Ha Long Bay – Visit this beautiful natural wonder near the Chinese border in northern Vietnam. The Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 sq km.
March 7: Return to Hanoi. This is the final night of the land portion of the cruise. You can choose to take your return flight from here.
More things to know...
What will it cost
Our river cruise and land exploration is priced so you have lots of choices. For example, you could choose to only take the river cruise. Or you can add a few days in Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) before sailing. You may want to add on the immersive land portion following disembarkation.
Note: Any current promotions offered by AmaWaterways will be included when making your reservation.
“Dynamic pricing” has become a staple of the airline industry and has now been extended to cruise lines. Several factors now determine prices, including the percentage of space, the type of staterooms available, and even which decks are filling fast. Please fill out the information and registration form on the trip page (button below) and a Go Travel representative will contact you about current pricing. But the earlier you decide to travel, the better your chance of locking in the best pricing.
About AmaDara
AMA Waterways AmaDara, a rare gem in the world of river cruises, is a meticulously crafted luxury ship designed and built in Vietnam exclusively for the Mekong region.
There are only 62 staterooms and a maximum of 124 passengers with a crew of 52. The ship is 302 feet long and 46 feet wide.
Our cruise includes seven nights of luxury accommodation in a twin-balcony (French and outdoor) stateroom; Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land packages; Sun Deck with pool Fitness room and three spas; Saigon Lounge with panoramic views and bar; daily entertainment including cultural performances; all onboard dining in a variety of venues; complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits, and soft drinks during the cruise; airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways; Immersive tours in every destination; knowledgeable guides; personal headset for easy exploration; gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options.
How to register
The registration process is simple. Just click on the Go Travel button in the box below. Fill out the form and make your deposit. An expert Go Travel representative will contact you and answer all of your questions. They can also get you the best fares and airline routes. Go Travel Representatives will help you with pre-and/or post-visits as well. Go Travel's Bob Cook is the expert consultant to the YMCA Travel Club Committee, and Go Travel is the booking agent for our trips.
Sorting out choices
There are lots of choices on this adventure, but you are traveling a long way and will want to make the best ones to fit your desires and budgets.
Your Go Travel representative can help you sort it all out so you can build the YMCA Alumni Travel Club adventure you will never forget.
Your YMCA Alumni hosts
Bill and Teri Hooson are your YMCA Alumni hosts for our Southeast Asia adventure. Both are seasoned world travelers, and Bill is chair of our YMCA Alumni Travel Club Committee. Bill and Teri hosted our "Scottish Dreams" tour in 2024.