Avalon Saigon

RV Avalon Saigon cruises on the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, departing from Saigon and Hanoi (Vietnam), as well as from Siem Reap (Cambodia). Avalon Waterways also offers fly-cruise packages from Bangkok (Thailand). The ship’s sister vessels are Avalon Siem Reap (2018, on the Mekong) and Avalon Myanmar (2015, on the Irrawaddy River in Burma and Thailand, with departures from Bangkok and Rangoon/Yangon).

Avalon Saigon is part of the Avalon Waterways "Suite Ships" fleet of newbuilds. The vessel is owned by Pandaw River Expeditions and exclusively chartered by Avalon Waterways. Combining modern amenities with colonial charm fitting the region, Avalon Saigon is designed to accommodate fewer guests while maintaining the same length and width as other riverboats, providing a more spacious and uncrowded experience.

Specifically built for Mekong River cruising, Avalon Saigon features all "French Balcony" staterooms available in two Suite categories (based on deck location). Each Suite offers expansive floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows. The vessel’s smaller size allows it to sail the full route between Siem Reap and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), eliminating long hours of bus transfers.

Similar Mekong River cruise itineraries in Cambodia and Vietnam are also offered by major operators such as Viking Mekong, (AmaWaterways) AmaLotus and AmaDara, Uniworld River Orchid, Scenic Spirit, (Travelmarvel) La Marguerite, (CroisiEurope) Indochine and Indochine II.

Cabins

Avalon Saigon has a total of 18 cabins (all Avalon Suites with French Balconies) available in two grades.

Cabin Types, Sizes, Categories (high to low)

• All staterooms feature twin beds convertible to a king-size, 3-door closets with shelving, private bathroom (glass-door shower, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers), vanity/writing desk, French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding doors with wall-to-wall window), individual climate control, minibar, safe, deluxe pillow menu, and complimentary bottled water.
• Cabin occupancy: 2 guests per room.
• Suite size: 245 ft² / 23 m².

Each cabin includes an open-air balcony with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows (4.3 m / 14 ft wide), retractable screen system, and sliding doors (opening 2.7 m / 9 ft). In front of each private balcony is a seating area with a loveseat, low table, and chair. Comfort Collection Beds (custom-made) are a hallmark of the Avalon Waterways Mekong cruising experience.

Shipboard Facilities

There are numerous spaces to relax onboard—from the open-air Observation Lounge and spacious dining room to the air-conditioned Panorama Lounge. The ship’s compact size enables it to cruise the entire Mekong route from Siem Reap to Saigon, removing the need for lengthy bus transfers.

Dining options include the Saigon Restaurant. Other amenities feature the Panorama Lounge & Bar, outdoor Observation Lounge, Library, Spa (massage room), Gym, and Sky Deck with shaded seating and loungers.

Avalon Saigon cruise packages include Wi-Fi Internet, room service, all Vietnam–Cambodia tours and excursions led by expert local guides, all intra-Burma flights and motorcoach transfers, live evening entertainment with local performers, daily enrichment lectures, and complimentary bottled water replenished daily and provided on land excursions.

Prices for Avalon Saigon river cruises are per person based on double occupancy. These are indicative rates and may vary depending on the time of booking, special offers, group rates, and travel agency promotions.

Avalon Waterways also offers USA flights-inclusive packages with discounted airfare and complimentary airport transfers. Avalon Saigon operates on Mekong River itineraries between Cambodia and Vietnam.

River Cruise Itineraries

Below is a list of all Avalon Saigon itineraries officially announced by Avalon Waterways:

• The 13-day "FASCINATING VIETNAM, CAMBODIA and the MEKONG RIVER" itinerary includes twenty variations, depending on the departure port (Cambodia or Vietnam) and direction (northbound or southbound).
• Some versions include a Halong Bay cruise and a flight from Bangkok to Laos (for the Luang Prabang cruise package).
• Northbound cruises from Saigon to Siem Reap and the reverse route from Siem Reap to Saigon each last 8 days (7 days sailing), with embarkation in Saigon—a rare luxury river cruise feature in the region.

The new 18-day "THE HEART OF CAMBODIA and VIETNAM" itinerary runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi (northbound), and in reverse (southbound) from Hanoi to Saigon. The cruise tour includes 3 hotel overnights in Saigon (embarkation on day 4), visits to Chau Doc–Long Khong (Vietnam–Cambodia border), Phnom Penh (overnight), Wat Hanchey–Angkor Ban, Konpong Louang–Kampong Tralach, Siem Reap (overnight, disembarkation, flight to Hanoi), Hanoi (overnight), bus travel to Halong Bay (embarkation), Halong Bay cruise (overnight, disembarkation), bus travel to Sapa (overnight), then back to Hanoi (overnight, return flight).

Note: You can browse CruiseMapper’s full list of river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub, which includes all companies and their fleets.