"Vietnam and Cambodia-why would you ever want to travel to those war-torn countries?"
That's the reaction we received before we went on a river cruise from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap, onboard Avalon Waterways' newest ship, Avalon Saigon.
To answer that question, here are a few reasons why, and what makes Avalon Waterways special.
Avalon is one of the only mainstream river cruise lines with ships built to sail directly to and from Ho Chi Minh City, giving you more time on water and less time on tour buses. Secondly, it's one of only a handful of cruise lines that sail all the way up to Siem Reap, whereas other ships usually have to drive four-plus hours from another river port.
The line routinely switches up the villages it visits, allowing passengers to savor one-of-a-kind experiences. Additionally, Avalon Waterways has its own partnerships with various organizations, schools and orphanages. In Phnom Penh, for example, Avalon supports a local orphanage from which children come onboard the ship to perform traditional Cambodian dances.
Your fare is nearly all-inclusive and covers tours, pre- and post-cruise stays, most beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and other extras onboard.
Most importantly, though, the cruise offers an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with everyone you encounter. As rugged as they are, tours during which you get to walk through villages open up so many doors for priceless, unscripted moments.
On an Avalon Waterways Mekong River cruise, you're not a tourist; you become a traveler. Tours are off-the-beaten-path, focusing primarily on war history, daily life in the depths of the Mekong River, and religious practices and monuments.
Everyone we met along our journey who'd been affected by the wars, had the same message: Spread the word. And everyone on our cruise, ourselves included, felt compelled to do just that. Bringing history like this to life without sanitizing the facts will help ensure it's never repeated.
Every country has a dark past, and as long as we confront them, our world can continue to become better.
For more information on Avalon Waterways and their cruise offerings, visit their blog page here.
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