Vietnam and Cambodia: Cruising the Mekong River

Duration:
14 days, January 19 – February 1, 2026 (one cabin left)

Price:
From $7,995, from Hanoi, Vietnam

Tour Operator:
Criterion Travel

RESERVE YOUR SPACE

Join us for a fascinating experience through the magnificent Buddhist and Hindu temples, lush tropical landscapes, and rich culture of Vietnam and Cambodia, including a seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the Mekong Princess. Featuring 14 spacious suites, each with panoramic floor-to-ceiling glass French doors and deluxe amenities, the Mekong Princess allows us to experience this mighty river from an intimate and authentic perspective. Her shallow draft enables access to parts of the Mekong inaccessible to larger vessels.

Our Washington and Lee- exclusive program begins with a two-night stay in the luxurious Park Hyatt Hotel in bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam’s dynamic hub, before embarking the Mekong Princess for seven nights. The Mekong River takes us into the fascinating but seldom visited world of one of Asia’s great waterways. Marvel at floating villages whose residents literally live on the water — working, shopping, even attending school and church. Enjoy gliding through floating markets in the early-morning hours as they come to life, stepping into local homes to see how people live and work, and experiencing the beauty of Buddhist temples. In addition, tour a family- owned orchard, visit a noodle factory, travel through mangrove channels to a local coconut candymaker, and experiment with typical Vietnamese ingredients during a cooking demonstration.

Disembarking in Siem Reap, this adventure culminates in Cambodia with three nights at the deluxe Grand Raffles Hotel. Explore the legendary temples of Angkor, including Bayon Temple and Angkor Wat, considered the most important archaeological site in Southeast Asia and protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

A pre-trip extension to Hanoi, Vietnam, and breathtaking Ha Long Bay is available for those wishing to immerse themselves in this region further.

W&L has previously offered this popular tour to enthusiastic reviews, and we expect strong interest again. With only 14 cabins available, we recommend making your reservation soon to secure your spot.

Traveling With You

Tim Lubin, the Jessie Ball duPont Professor of Religion, and Head of the Law, Justice and Society Program, studies the origins of Hindu and Buddhist culture in India and its spread to Southeast Asia. He focuses on how religion shaped law and society in antiquity, and how these changed during the colonial era.

Laure Stevens-Lubin, a painter whose work explores “human-systems” and “eco-systems,” their divergences and intersections, has often been Visiting Assistant Professor of Studio Art.  She has many years’ experience living, painting, and bird-watching in Asia (including Cambodia), and can share her deep familiarity with Asian art and culture.