Angkor Wat, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay Extensions
Turn a week on the Mekong into a complete Indochina journey.
Get Mekong Cruise QuotesAngkor Wat: The Natural Partner
Most Mekong programs begin or end in Siem Reap, the town beside the temples of Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two or three nights let you see Angkor Wat at sunrise, the faces of the Bayon and the tree-wrapped ruins of Ta Prohm without rushing.
Hanoi and Ha Long Bay
Many travelers fly north from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi for the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature and a night on a junk among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay. Some lines package this as a pre- or post-cruise extension; others, such as Uniworld and Avalon, build it into longer programs.
- Allow at least two nights in Hanoi plus one on Ha Long Bay.
- Add central Vietnam — Hoi An, Hue or Da Nang — if you have more time.
- Check whether internal flights are included in the program price.
- If you are also cruising the ocean in Asia, our sister site Asia Shore Excursions covers Vietnam’s cruise ports.
How Long Should the Whole Trip Be?
| Trip shape | Roughly | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Mekong cruise with Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City stays | About 10–12 days | Travelers with two weeks including flights |
| Add Hanoi and a night on Ha Long Bay | About 14–16 days | First-time visitors who want both ends of Vietnam |
| Add central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue) or Bangkok | 17 days or more | Travelers making it a once-in-a-lifetime journey |
Jet lag is real on this route: Vietnam and Cambodia are 11 or 12 hours ahead of the U.S. East Coast, and more from the West. Many travelers start with two nights in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before boarding, so they are rested for the river. Internal flights within Vietnam are short, but schedules change; your advisor will build in sensible connection times.
Bangkok and Beyond
Bangkok is a common gateway and appears on some long programs. For a broader comparison of Asia’s rivers, from the Yangtze to the Ganges, see River Cruises in Asia; our long-standing Asia River Cruises site covers the routes and ships. Want to sell journeys like this yourself? Start at beatravelagent.com. Our wider travel network includes the Official Travel Directory, the Official Cruise Directory and Best of the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need at Angkor?
Two full days covers Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm at a comfortable pace; three lets you add outlying temples such as Banteay Srei and avoid the midday heat. Many programs include two nights in Siem Reap.
Can I add Ha Long Bay if my cruise ends in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. A short domestic flight takes you to Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay is a drive from there. Your advisor can book it as part of the same trip so the connections line up.
Build Your Mekong Trip End to End
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will put the river, Angkor, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay together in one quote.
Quote My Full Trip