Cambodia, Vietnam & Mekong Symphony
All-Gay River Cruise & Tour 2027

12 nights from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

November 16 – 28, 2027
Lotus Cruises Mekong Symphony

We invite you to join us for a 13-day, LGBT+, all-inclusive journey featuring a guaranteed full ship charter along the mighty Mekong River and the Temples of Angkor Wat. There can be no more striking cultural contrast than tranquil Cambodia and bustling Vietnam. From the diverse countryside of Cambodia to the Mekong Delta, so rich in human life and endeavor, you’ll discover two countries, two cultures, and two ways of life linked by one river, the Mekong.

Cruise aboard the all-suite, luxurious Mekong Symphony, specially built to ply the Mekong River from Kampong Cham, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City. Embracing an elegant French-colonial design similar to the many homes that once lined the streets of old Saigon, she boasts spacious suites from 299 square feet up to an expansive 603 square feet in size.

From here, you will enjoy all the wonders the Mekong has to offer in sophisticated, yet comfortable style. With never more than 24 guests per expert guide, you will enjoy enriching lectures, a comprehensive series of well-planned excursions, and most meals and beverages.

Also included is a three-night stay in Siem Reap including an in-depth visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, and a two-night stay in bustling Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), each featuring five-star, centrally-located hotels. With just 22 custom-designed suites, space is limited!

Cambodia & Vietnam Mekong River All-Gay Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 - November 16, 2027
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Arrive at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), where you will be greeted by our representative, who will transfer you to the elegant and serene Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort.

Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - November 17, 2027
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

You’ll begin your day at Angkor Wat, the most recognizable landmark in Cambodia, and the largest religious monument in the world, with the longest continuous bas-relief sculpture in existence.

Enjoy lunch at a local Khmer restaurant.

This afternoon, tour the city center of Siem Reap by tuk tuk (motorcycle rickshaw) for an introduction to Siem Reap’s many dining and shopping options, and a stop at a traditional artists’ workshop.

Tonight, enjoy a traditional Apsara Show followed by dinner with the group at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dnner

Day 3 - November 18, 2027
Siem Reap - Angkor Thom

This morning, you have the opportunity to rise early to take part in the optional Bakeng Hill Sunrise and Gondola Boat Ride.

After, you’ll join the rest of the group as we enter through the south gate of Angkor Thom for a guided tour of Bayon (the temple with the faces), then walk around the back of Bauphoun, and along the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

We continue to visit Ta Prohm, which has been overtaken by the jungle, with tentacle-like tree roots spilling over centuries-old walls and roofs, enveloping much of the structure.

Then enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

This afternoon, you’ll visit Banteay Srey, considered to be the pinnacle of artistic achievement at Angkor, and Banteay Samré.

Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own, or you may choose to participate in the optional Cambodian Acrobatic Circus.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 4 - November 19, 2027
Siem Reap / Koh Chen / Embarkation

Departing in the morning, you will enjoy a scenic drive from Siem Reap to Koh Chen, with a lunch stop, arrives on the luxurious Mekong Symphony in the afternoon.

After settling into well-appointed suites, that evening, guests will experience our cordial hospitality at a welcome reception and introduction to our friendly and professional crew who will present a safety briefing.

Shortly after, a delicious Cambodian Welcome Dinner is served in the Tonle Sap Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Welcome Dinner

Day 5 - November 20, 2027
Kampong Chhnang

In the morning, the cruise continues its sailing and arrives Kampong Chhnang.

After having lunch, guests will enjoy Tuk Tuk ride to explore a rural village in Kampong Chhnang.

As we explore the village on foot, our guide reveals the village’s specialties – Khmer style pottery, local market and the process of making of palm sugar “skor t’not” from the palm tree.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - November 21, 2027
Kampong Tralach / Koh Chen

After a nice breakfast, guests will have an interesting excursion in Kampong Tralach.

Guests will have a chance to experience Ox-cart ride through the rice paddies with the beautiful countryside scenery.

Heading into the local pagoda – Wat Kampong Tralach Leu, where guests speak with the monks and receive water blessing. Many Cambodians experience the monk’s lifestyle as children because the monastic order is relatively flexible – one need not make a lifelong commitment. The meeting hall is brightly colored and decorated with scenes from the Buddha’s past lives so that the congregation can learn these morality tales. We will board on Tuk Tuk to back to the ship.

After lunch, we dock at Koh Chen to visit the village by foot. Koh Chen is an island with a wide reach. The closer you get to its village, the louder the heartbeat-pounding sound emanating from it gets. The source, men hammering heated bronze, is also drawing visitors from around the globe, who – along with shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap – are showing renewed interest in the intricately engraved bronze items produced in the village.

Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance of Apsara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - November 22, 2027
Phnom Penh / Boarder Crossing

After breakfast, take a tuk tuk ride for a guided morning tour of Phnom Penh’s highlights.

First stop: Wat Phnom, the legendary founding site of the city and still an active monastery. Ride along the scenic riverfront to the Royal Palace, official residence of the King of Cambodia. Explore the grounds including the Throne Hall, Moonlight Pavilion, and the Silver Pagoda, which houses Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and a Maitreya Buddha encrusted with over 9,000 diamonds.

Your tuk tuk awaits to continue to Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21), a former high school turned into the Khmer Rouge’s most infamous prison and interrogation center.

After returning to the cruise, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh – shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, or exploring the city independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - November 23, 2027
Chau Doc

In this morning, guests will enjoy a tropical fruit introduction and tasting.

After a delicious lunch, guests will begin to explore Chau Doc. Brimming with lush forests, bustling riverbanks, and brilliant temples, the border town of Chau Doc is a compelling spot to experience the fusion of cultures and colors that make up Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Chau Doc may surprise you with its hidden treasures: mysterious wetlands, ethnic Cham villages, and atmospheric temples. This small town has fascinating stories to tell: you might need to stay a while to hear them all.

Guests will first explore a Cham village then a fish farm. Before returning to the cruise, guests will visit a beautiful pagoda (Hang pagoda) where a panorama view of the surrounding landscape is in the sight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 - November 24, 2027
Sa Dec

In the morning, Mekong Discovery will leave Chau Doc and sail to Sa Dec.

This morning, guests will learn how to make Vietnamese spring rolls with the cruise’s chef.

This afternoon, your wooden boats take you out for a leisurely, scenic navigation of the narrow canals of the Mekong, where you will observe daily routines of the villagers en route to the historic town of Sa Dec.

In the town of Sa Dec you visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration of Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant (The Lover), as well as the Chinese Temple – Kien An Cung which was built in honor of the Huynh Thuy Le Family.

From there, you will begin a walk through the town’s market, where you experience the sights, sounds, smells and provides you wonderful photo opportunities of the colorful fresh produce, meat, live fish and seafood for sale.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 - November 25, 2027
Cai Be / My Tho

In Cai Be, board the tender to cruise on a tapestry of waterways bringing us to a cottage factory where industrious artisans produce coconut candy, rice paper, rice wine and popped rice. There’s a selection of postcards, souvenirs, and beautiful oil paintings on sale.

Continue into the long and narrow canals of Cai Be to visit Ba Duc ancient house to learn about family’s story. There are also photo opportunities of rice barges along the cruise. On return to the ship, an elegant dinner is served while sailing downstream towards My Tho.

Start the afternoon excursion by visiting Thoi Binh island hamlet in My Tho. The excursion is partly by tender boat, partly by hand rowing sampan into tiny creeks and partly by motor buggy to tour around the island. The visit will bring us into an abalone mushroom farm to learn how to grow mushroom, a fruit garden to taste tropical fruits, and a bee farm to enjoy honey tea. After the island visit, guests will return the cruise by tender boat.

In the evening, guests gather in the Saigon Lounge for a Farewell Reception with the entire crew, before enjoying a Vietnamese Farewell Dinner in the Tonle Sap Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 - November 26, 2027
Saigon (Disembarkation) / Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Mekong Symphony and enjoy a scenic drive to Ho Chi Minh City.

Here, we begin our tour of the city’s incredible French Colonial architecture, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Tonight is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 12 - November 27, 2027
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, enjoy a tour to the town of Cu Chi, where the local Vietnamese lived underground during the Vietnam war. This incredible complex features underground homes and tunnels, as well as examples of the traps used to maim and kill soldiers.

This evening, we bid farewell, with a special farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13 - November 28, 2027
Ho Chi Minh City Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continue with us to Hanoi & Halong Bay. Hotel check out is at Noon.

Meals: Breakfast

Hanoi and Halong Bay – Optional Post-Program Itinerary

Day 13 - November 28, 2027
Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Breakfast at the Reverie Saigon Hotel, then transfer to the Tan Son Nhat airport for a short domestic flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, we proceed outside the terminal, meet our guide and transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.

Following lunch, we proceed to the hotel for check-in and some time at leisure.

Later we make our way to old Hanoi for a charming water puppet performance followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Hanoi at Intercontinental Westlake Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14 - November 29, 2027
Hanoi – Half Day City Tour

This morning, following breakfast, we meet our guide in the hotel lobby for a city tour. We first enjoy a thrilling electric car tour through the city’s charming historic quarter to explore the hidden alleys, cafes and shops.

After, we visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex including the Vietnamese leader’s mausoleum, which overlooks Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh’s house, behind the mausoleum, which is built on top of stilts. This simple, traditional house sits in a botanical garden by a lotus pond. Next, we visit the Temple of Literature, a temple dedicated to Confucius and Vietnam’s first national university, founded in 1070.

After a full morning, we enjoy an included lunch.

Following lunch we continue on to visit the Hoa Lo prison (“Hanoi Hilton”) to learn about its use as a place for holding American POWs. It was also used by the French to imprison Vietnamese patriots.

Finally, we transfer back to hotel for an evening at leisure and dinner on your own. If you choose, you may enjoy an included light buffet in the Club Intercontinental Lounge.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 15 - November 30, 2027
Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

This morning following breakfast, we transfer to Ha Long via motor coach. We’ll arrive to the Ambassador Ha Long Bay Cruise around 12:30pm.

After check-in and a short briefing about our cruise, we’ll enjoy our welcome lunch at Le Marin Restaurant. During lunch we sail toward Ha Long Bay, passing the famous Fighting Cocks Islet, and Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves.

Following lunch, your first excursion is a visit to Titov island where you can climb to the top for the panoramic view of the surrounding area and spend some time on the beach.

Our next visit is to Luon Cave – a fascinating natural wonder located in the heart of Halong Bay. You will have the chance to travel und?r th? lim?st?n? m?unt?in and admire at the amazing rock formations and crystal-clear waters via bamboo boat or kayak (kayaks are an additional charge).

Alternatively, you can opt for an afternoon of pampering at the Spa or an afternoon tea in the Piano Bar.

Once back on board, there will be a cooking demonstration and pre-dinner sunset cocktails. We anchor overnight at Coconut Tree Island.

After dinner in the restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy live music at the Piano Bar. Or, take the opportunity for squid fishing, a spa treatment at the Spa or watch movies in your cabin.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16 - December 01, 2027
Halong Bay - Hanoi

Early this morning, watch the sunrise while taking part in a Tai Chi session on the Sundeck, followed by a light breakfast in the Piano Bar.

Later this morning, we make a visit to the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you can take in the panoramic views across Halong Bay after visiting the cave. Once back on board, enjoy breakfast as we once again cruise past Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves and Fighting Cocks Islet.

After a late morning check out, we return to shore and journey back to Hanoi, with an included lunch after returning to the Old City.

Following lunch, we return to the Intercontinental Hotel for check-in and some time to rest.

Later we depart for a visit to Ngoc Son Temple, before enjoying a delicious farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17 - December 02, 2027
Hanoi - Flights Home

Meals: Breakfast