Just Back From Avalon Waterways: A River Cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia

[Host Jazzbeau]

New article on Cruise Critic:

Just Back From Avalon Waterways: A River Cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia

[suspaul]

Excellent read, we did this with Avalon from Hanoi to Siem Reap in January 2016 on the river boat Siem Reap, to date it’s been our favorite.  We weren’t able to sail to Siem Reap due to the time of the year so flew instead from Phnom Penh Avalon does an excellent trip from start to finish.

[Rebel54]

Thank you for this.  I am so looking forward to this cruise in April.

[CanEcosse]

Also "just back". Avalon trip Hanoi to Bangkok including 7 days Mekong cruise from Siem Reap to HCMC.

Highly recommended. Happy to answer questions.

[Rebel54]

5 hours ago, CanEcosse said:

Also "just back". Avalon trip Hanoi to Bangkok including 7 days Mekong cruise from Siem Reap to HCMC.

Highly recommended. Happy to answer questions.

Would love a review and trip report.  We are on the same ship for the North Bound April sailing.

[CanEcosse]

 

On 11/23/2018 at 4:29 PM, Rebel54 said:

On 11/23/2018 at 11:11 AM, CanEcosse said:

Also "just back". Avalon trip Hanoi to Bangkok including 7 days Mekong cruise from Siem Reap to HCMC.

Highly recommended. Happy to answer questions.

Would love a review and trip report.  We are on the same ship for the North Bound April sailing

Not much I can add to the reviews and cabin photographs already on Cruise Critic other than to say I endorse all the glowing praise for this cruise. Any specific questions?

Be aware that all 2019 cruises will go to/from Phnom Penh, not Siem Reap (although that's probably not a change for your trip in April). This adds an extra internal flight.

Also, I would recommend the B (lower) level cabins. All the same layout but the proximity to the water and the fully-opening panoramic windows made the lower level special for us.

However, try to avoid the front cabins (e.g. 101/102) because of noise from the anchor chain. I'd recommend mid-ships if you can. With only 18 cabins, it's easy to get anywhere in minutes.

 

[Rebel54]

Thank you CanEcosse.  We are on level 2.  I prefer not to have people above me if possible.  The ship is almost sold out.  Pretty exciting!  3 cabins left.  I am sooo ready.

[TravelingAngel]

We did this cruise in December 2017 and loved it!  For those with an upcoming cruise, check out my blog (listed in my signature); it has loads of pictures and will give you a good idea of what you can expect to see.  Again, this was a once in a lifetime experience that we and you will never forget!!

[newcruiser1956]

On 12/19/2018 at 5:27 PM, TravelingAngel said:

We did this cruise in December 2017 and loved it!  For those with an upcoming cruise, check out my blog (listed in my signature); it has loads of pictures and will give you a good idea of what you can expect to see.  Again, this was a once in a lifetime experience that we and you will never forget!!

 

Thank you so much for your wonderful long post with pictures! I can't wait for this trip!!!

[Twitchly]

Those of you who have been on this cruise, how much of a slant did you perceive in the information you received during the Viet Nam portion of the trip? From what I’ve been able to tell, the victors of the war — the North Vietnamese — have dominated the narrative about the war ever since, which makes sense because they now control the country. I’m interested in seeing Viet Nam (and Cambodia) but not in propaganda.

 

Background: I worked in Southeast Asian refugee camps for 3 years and heard the South Vietnamese perspective, which directly contradicts some of what I now hear from current-day Viet Nam. I’d love to see the country and talk with people, especially if they’re not heavily controlled in what they’re allowed to show us or say. But if tourists are heavily shepherded toward hearing only certain people’s (officially sanctioned) stories, I’m not sure how much I would enjoy this cruise.

 

I’d be interested in your thoughts.

[CanEcosse]

23 hours ago, Twitchly said:

Those of you who have been on this cruise, how much of a slant did you perceive in the information you received during the Viet Nam portion of the trip? From what I’ve been able to tell, the victors of the war — the North Vietnamese — have dominated the narrative about the war ever since, which makes sense because they now control the country. I’m interested in seeing Viet Nam (and Cambodia) but not in propaganda.

 

I’d be interested in your thoughts.

 

History is written by the victors so when you are in the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum grounds in Hanoi or the War Remnants Museum in Saigon you may not agree with all you read. However, everywhere else was quite open and free. The people are lovely and give no sense of concern over what they say. Remember also, its a younger generation who have no memory and little interest in the war years. Our guides (Avalon) were young but knowledgeable and in no way spouting propaganda. Take the trip - you will love it.

[Twitchly]

5 hours ago, CanEcosse said:

 

History is written by the victors so when you are in the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum grounds in Hanoi or the War Remnants Museum in Saigon you may not agree with all you read. However, everywhere else was quite open and free. The people are lovely and give no sense of concern over what they say. Remember also, its a younger generation who have no memory and little interest in the war years. Our guides (Avalon) were young but knowledgeable and in no way spouting propaganda. Take the trip - you will love it.

 

Thanks! Good to hear. 

[TLCOhio]

On 2/2/2019 at 4:35 PM, Twitchly said:

Those of you who have been on this cruise, how much of a slant did you perceive in the information you received during the Viet Nam portion of the trip? From what I’ve been able to tell, the victors of the war — the North Vietnamese — have dominated the narrative about the war ever since, which makes sense because they now control the country. I’m interested in seeing Viet Nam (and Cambodia) but not in propaganda.  I’d be interested in your thoughts.

 

During our trip all over Vietnam in early 2018 as detailed in my below live/blog, we got a little "spin" and/or slant, but really not that much.  In fact, they were fairly candid and honest as to how the post-war years under a socialistic economic model had totally failed.  That's why in 1990, they switched to more of a "market-based" economy and the rest is history as to where things are now operating in Vietnam.  Their government still has its "Prolitburo" and other limits, but the people there are not big fans of powerful China to the north.  And our treatment and welcoming as Americans was warm and very nice.  In total, we spent more than two weeks in Vietnam, south to north, in the middle, on the Mekong, etc. 

 

For those considering travel to this part of the world, below are just a few of my visual samples to help build the excitement and encouragement for visiting this unique and interesting areas of the world. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.!  Live/blog from early 2018, first adventure through SE Asia, stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before exploring all over Vietnam and Cambodia, seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 43,389 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

 

Here are just a few visuals samples from what we saw and did with Avalon while sailing along the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Many, many more photos and details on the full live/blog.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

 

 

 

We saw many temples, palaces, markets and samples of daily life/work, including at this below spectacular Royal structure in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.: