A Journey on the Mekong River

Travel to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrival in Saigon - After your morning arrival you will be met and transferred to the four-star superior Pullman Saigon Centre to stay for two nights with breakfast. Breakfast is available at the hotel this morning after checking in. 

We’ll take an introductory tour of the city. Highlights include the Reunification Palace where famously in 1975, a tank burst through its gates in the final defining moment of the Vietnam War. We also see the War Remnants Museum and the lively Ben Thanh market - a fascinating insight into Saigon's daily life, you can find anything here, all at extremely good prices! The colonial-style central post office is a marvellous photo opportunity. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Cu Chi Tunnels - This will be a day to remember. We visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a complex underground network stretching for 124 miles, which included hospitals, meeting rooms, sleeping quarters and kitchens. Begun during the last years of French rule and vastly expanded during the 1960s, the tunnels provided a base for the Vietcong from which to attack US forces within just 30 miles of Saigon.

Our visit here is a fascinating insight into these troubled times: we see the tunnels themselves and examples of the many mantraps and stake pits which protected them. Despite being carpet bombed, the tunnels were never really penetrated and should you wish, you may even try out real period weapons on a firing range. We continue through rural farming communities back to Saigon in the afternoon.

Board the ship - Expectations rise during our drive to the Mekong Delta, its coconut groves swaying with the breeze, the countryside studded with pagodas and an amazing network of paddy fields, tended by farmers bent double and almost completely covered by their iconic conical hats; these are some of Vietnam’s most enduring images. Originally called Mae Khong, ‘Mother of all Rivers’, huge volumes of water drain from the hinterland plains and the snow-clad Chinese Himalayas, surging along an epic 3,000-mile journey. Life here revolves around its waterways: the imposing sampans so typical of South East Asia for hundreds of years and the quintessential floating markets of longboats, which almost sink under the groaning weight of colourful vegetables.

Your cruise is the perfect way to discover and understand this fascinating and rapidly emerging corner of the world – a serene experience immersing you in its people and customs at a wonderfully gentle pace. After a stop at the picturesque Cholon market and a lacquer workshop, you board the superb four-star RV La Marguerite. Your highly professional crew, imbibed by the unique service ethic you find everywhere here, ensure you settle in to your spacious and beautifully appointed cabin. 

After an excellent lunch, we depart late afternoon for a visit to the Van Thanh Mieu Temple, built in 1864 followed by a traditional Hat Boi show combining dance, song and storytelling. 

As darkness gently falls, take your seat in the restaurant for your first dinner, offering a choice of superbly executed Vietnamese or Cambodian cuisine or international classics. The delectable cuisine is accompanied by tasty and included local wines, beers or soft drinks.

Vinh Long & Ben Tre District - This morning, after a hearty breakfast, depart your river cruise ship on smaller local boats to discover a canal lined with brick kilns and local factories in nearby Mang Thit district in Vinh Long province. The district is known as the Kingdom of Bricks with nearly 1,000 factories and 2,000 kilns making it the largest handicraft brick and pottery kiln area in the Mekong Delta region. After your visit, return to the ship for lunch.
Depart on small boats again this afternoon to see the floating coconut market in the Ben Tre District. Ben Tre is known for its coconut production and culture, and is home to thousands of coconut trees, groves and factories. Complete your tour with a visit to Vinh Buu pagoda before returning to the ship to relax on board, savour a delicious dinner on board, and perhaps sip a refreshing cocktail. 
 

Cái Bè & Sa Dec - This morning, we once again depart on small local boats and sail to the island of Tan Phong. Here you can take a walk to see local craft villages where locals are skilled in the art of weaving water hyacinths for baskets and other decorative objects. Continue by small vehicles to visit some local fruit fields and learn about the many exotic fruits this area is known for. 
Before returning on board, you’ll also have a visit to the gothic cathedral of Cai Be, a poignant reminder of Vietnam’s colonial past. Then end your visit by meeting a family making rice paper and coconut candies.
 
Enjoy lunch on board before venturing out again this afternoon to the city of Sa Dec. Soak up the vibrant atmosphere on a city tour, including a visit to the house described in the novel ‘The Lover’ by French writer Marguerite Duras. The house, now a museum, dates back to 1895 and is a meld of French, Chinese and Vietnamese styles. Experience the colourful Cao Dai temple as well as the sights and smells of the local market. 
 

Tan Chau - One of the great pleasures of river cruising is waking up somewhere completely different, and as dawn breaks, we are berthed in remote Tan Chau near Cambodia. One of the delights of Vietnam is that so many cottage industries still thrive, offering a fascinating insight into the past.
This morning we transfer to small boats and explore Tan Chau, Vietnam’s leading silk centre producing extremely high quality and truly beautiful naturally dyed clothes.

Slipping our moorings, Vietnam slowly recedes as we cross into Cambodia and continue into the evening with a chance to enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the lounge, before another tasty dinner. Take a stroll outside, look above and be dazzled by the luminosity of an amazing night sky, unfettered by streetlights and advertising as we cruise to Phnom Penh.
 

Phnom Penh - Called the ‘Paris of the East’ during colonial times, Phnom Penh has preserved much of its wonderful rustic charm, elegance and French allure. Sightseeing includes visiting the dazzling Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, followed by a chance to witness exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft in the National Museum. In homage to Cambodia’s tragic recent history, we next visit the haunting Tuol Sleng Genocide museum. We also head to the hill Vat Phnom, ascending the hill to 27 metres you see the picturesque sanctuary dedicated to Mrs Penh who gave her name to the city.

This evening be enchanted by a traditional Khmer dance show after another delicious dinner on board. 
 

Silk Island & Phnom Penh - This morning we navigate to Silk Island to discover a delightful silk weaving village by tuk-tuk.

We return on board for lunch as the ship resumes its navigation back to Phnom Penh. You will have a free afternoon in the capital, enabling easy exploration of the city where the bustling markets, teeming street restaurants and hawkers sell literally anything, enhancing the electric ambience so typical of the emerging Far East. 
 

Upper Mekong - Angkor Ban - This morning we cruise into the Upper Mekong and the heart of Cambodia where this vast river astonishingly changes its direction of flow between wet and dry seasons. A remarkable ecosystem here is home to 20,000 plant species, 1,200 birds, 800 of reptiles and amphibians, plus 430 mammals – with 1,300 new species having been discovered since 1997.

After lunch, we arrive to Angkor Ban, one of the very few villages that survived and was not burned or destroyed during the Khmer Rouge period. We see traditional houses some more than a century old and absorb the peaceful atmosphere, where time stands still here as you witness a slice of Cambodian rural life. Back on board we continue our journey towards Siem Reap.
 

Siem Reap - Early this morning our river cruiser glides to a final halt, berthed in Kampong Cham. We say our fond farewells to the splendid crew as you continue your exploration of Cambodia. We take our bus transfer to Siem Reap enjoying the scenery of everyday life. En route we take a stop at the Kampong Kdei Bridge dating from the Angkorian period, build during the reign of Jayavarman VII. We continue to the four-star superior Borei Angkor Hotel where you stay for three nights on the Privilege floor with breakfast.

An all-day breakfast is available upon check in today. The hotel is extremely comfortable with two restaurants, a pool and the Mudita Spa. The rest of the day is at leisure, you may relax, take a refreshing swim or enjoy the spa.

Angkor - Today we see the haunting soft morning light over the eerie temples of Angkor. Encircled by verdant steamy jungle, shrouded in mist and with a tropical dawn chorus reverberating in the air, this is something you will never forget.

We visit the huge, fortified 13th-century city of Angkor Thom with its five monumental gates and 91-metre-wide moat; its centre contains one of Angkor’s most astonishing sites, the temple of Bayon. Crowned by over 50 towers, each with four colossal carved heads looking out in every direction, this is an extraordinary masterpiece of Khmer art.

After some time for lunch, we explore one of the most intriguing sites, the smaller temple of Ta Prohm which has been left in its natural, unrestored state, with giant tropical trees bursting through the ruins, their roots entwined like vast tentacles across the moss-covered, weathered walls and roofs.

Late in the afternoon we see the immense temple of Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious structures in the world. The main entrance faces west to catch the rose-red glow of the setting sun, a truly magical time of day.

You will have time for dinner at leisure, before we finish our visit to Angkor at the Night market to snap up some souvenirs and enjoy drinks and snacks.

You also have the option today to see a Cambodian Circus performance - Phare - on our optional visit. Check extras & upgrades for more details.

Free day in Siem Reap - You might want to spend your free time enjoying the swimming pool and facilities of your hotel, or getting out to explore the excellent markets and restaurants of Siem Reap. 

Perhaps take a stroll along the tree-lined promenade along the river, visit the Old Market, trawl the boutiques and galleries that dot cool Kandal Village, or learn about the revival of traditional Khmer arts at Artisan Angkor’s workshops.

Return home - Depending on your flight time, afternoon tea (wine and cocktails also included) is available at the hotel this afternoon.

Why not take the option to pre-book late check out at the Borei Angkor Resort Hotel? Check extras & upgrades for more details.

Arrive home