Cruise along the Mekong from Saigon to Phnom Penh
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – All aboard in Saigon
One of our representatives will meet you in Saigon and transfer you to the riverside town of My Tho, where you’ll board your colonial-style floating home for the next three nights. Settle into your comfortable cabin and take in your first views of the Mekong from your private balcony. Once you’ve settled in, make your way to the dining room for your first taste of the flavours of this region with a freshly prepared lunch. After lunch, take a seat on the sundeck and soak up the scenes of local life unfolding along the Mekong with fishing boats, stilted houses and buffalo cooling off in the shallows. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and get acquainted with the friendly crew who will be looking after you before heading inside for your first dinner on board – a delicious three-course meal prepared with fresh local ingredients.
Day 2 – Island hopping and local life
After a peaceful night’s sleep on the water, you’ll wake up to views over the Mekong. If you’re feeling active, you can start your day with a morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a delicious buffet breakfast. Today, you will learn why the Mekong is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam with a visit to the small town of Cai Be, where you’ll learn about the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candles at a local workshop. Next, you will board a small boat to explore the lush island of Tan Phong, where you will visit a local family who will offer you some of their homegrown fruit straight from the garden. You’ll get a glimpse into local day-to-day life here on a buggy ride through the island, stopping to meet another family who specialise in weaving water hyacinth plants into handmade crafts.
This afternoon, you’ll have some time to relax on your private balcony or the sun deck as you continue your journey upstream. The next stop is one of the larger islands known as Binh Tanh, an island home to several communities that make a living from cultivating water hyacinths. You can stroll through the village and get an insight into local life, seeing the traditional mat-making process and interacting with the friendly people who call this island home.
Day 3 – Cross the border into Cambodia
Today, you will be heading ashore to the vibrant town of Tan Chau, where you’ll hop in a traditional Vietnamese rickshaw (xelois) and whizz around the network of streets, passing street vendors and locals going about their day. Your first stop will be at a local market where you can mingle with the residents as they do their morning shopping and explore the colourful display of goods on offer. Then pay a visit to a Cao Dai temple to meet one of the priests who will teach you about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Nearby, there is a small fish farm that has been owned by a local family for many years which you will also visit.
Back onboard, continue sailing towards the Cambodian border, where you will cruise through the deep Cambodian countryside towards Phnom Penh. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish, so embrace the relaxed atmosphere on board and have a dip in the on-deck swimming pool, soaking in your peaceful riverside surroundings. Enjoy your final evening on board with another tasty dinner and wind down with a sunset drink as the mighty Mekong glows at the end of a magical day.
Day 4 – Arrive in Phnom Penh
This morning, you will enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarking the ship, as you will have now arrived in Phnom Penh. It’s time to say goodbye to life on the river, but you will take plenty of stories, memories and a taste of the Mekong’s magic with you as you move onto your next destination.
Explore the vibrant streets and learn about Cambodia’s heartbreaking history with a visit to Tuol Sleng Museum, where you’ll see the famous killing fields, which will send shivers down your spine. Phnom Penh is also known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’ due to its colonial architecture, scenic riverfront location and vibrant mix of cultures
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Mekong Cruise - In Style
If you’re looking for a touch more luxury, then we can arrange for you to travel aboard The Jahan. With all the comforts of a five-star resort, but full of the traditional charm and character of the Mekong, you’ll be experiencing river life in style. As you drift along the river, relax on the beautiful terrace deck and take a dip in the swimming pool, or soak in your surroundings from the comfort of your spacious private balcony.
