Explore the waterways of the mighty Mekong from Seam Reap to Saigon with this wonderful cruise. Step back in time with explorations of the ancient Cambodian lifestyle. End your water and land journey with a glimpse into Vietnam’s past while you mingle with the locals in the bustling city of Saigon
Upon your arrival at Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh city, airport, you are greeted by your travel manager and driver, then transferred to your hotel in the centre of town. Check-in, freshen up and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure by the pool or discovering Saigon.
Overnight in Saigon.
Depart Ho Chi Minh City and head out to Cu Chi Tunnels. After an introductory video, viewing various man traps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters, you will spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see how the Viet Cong survived in this underground network. We then board our ship and enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner. Overnight onboard RV Lan Diep.
After breakfast, we devote our morning to visiting Cholon, whose name means “Great market”, a district crawling with people, where almost half the population of the city lives and where trade reigns supreme. We visit the market and the Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea.
We have lunch on board before our afternoon visit of the National History museum then a visit to a lacquer-ware factory. We return on board and set sail for the navigation channel of Chao Gao. Dinner and overnight on board and we drop anchor and moor for the night at Nha Be
Very early this morning, we continue our cruise to My Tho along the magnificent Chao Gao Canal, which passes from the Saigon River to the Mekong Delta. The Delta is made up of four main arms and thousands of canals, both large and small.
We have breakfast as we arrive in My Tho. The town is named after the river My Tho which means “beautiful reed”, and it is peaceful and prosperous. Known for its many vegetable gardens, and its fruit orchards, the climate here is hot and pleasant all year long. The surrounding countryside includes one of the most luxuriant gardens in Vietnam with coconut,
banana mango and longan trees. We visit My Tho islands in small boats. Along the maze that makes up the network of small canals, pretty country villages appear and we see the local craftsmen at work.
We return on board for lunch and continue our cruise to Vinh Long, and Caï Be. The town is located in the middle of the delta region, between two arms of the Mekong. We set off in small boats through the arroyos and gardens which lead to Caï Be's colonial church. Vinh Long, a land made rich by alluvium, is the country of mandarins and oranges. All of life is
organised around the water and we see houses built on stilts and hundreds of small boats that criss-cross in all directions. We then set sail for Sac Dec. Dinner and overnight stop at our mooring point.
Early this morning we visit Sa Dec, famous for its horticulture and known as the “Garden of the Cochin Chine” in colonial times. We have a tour of the small town where a few colonial mansions are still in existence.Discover the local market and visit the former dwelling place of Huynh Thuy Le, former lover of the French novelist Marguerite Duras who spent part of
her childhood in Sa Dec.
We return on board for a hearty breakfast and continue our cruise to Chau Doc, a town at the border between Cambodia and Vietnam which became part of Vietnamese territory some 300 years ago. We have lunch on board and arrive in Chau Doc in the early afternoon. Situated in the heart of a gigantic grid of rice fields, the city of Chau Doc embraces both banks of the Mekong and the floating farms overspill into the waters. Chau Doc is a very prosperous town which developed around fishing and farming. Inside the town, a few colonial buildings with their old fashioned charm still remain. The market which surrounds them is the vibrant heart of the city and a multitude of colours. Transfer by small boat to visit a Cham village, a village of silk weavers and fish farms. Dinner and overnight stop in Chau Doc.
We spend the day afloat today, first heading for the Cambodian border, where we complete customs during the morning and continue our journey. Lunch and dinner are taken on board as we arrive towards the end of the day in Phnom Penh.
After dinner we have a “tuk tuk” trip, a motorised tricycle which is the traditional mode of transport in Phnom Penh. We moor for the night in the port of Phnom Penh.
Founded in 1434, the capital of Cambodia retaines much of its colonial charm, thanks to the rehabilitation of part of its architectural heritage. We visit the Silver Pagoda, constructed in wood in 1892 then rebuilt in 1962, and the Royal palace, symbolic heart of the nation and one of the finest examples of Cambodian architecture in classical Khmer style. Then we visit the National museum housing the Fine Arts museum, built in 1917 by the French in traditional Khmer architectural style.
We have lunch in a local restaurant and this afternoon we have the option to visit the Tuol Svay Prey S21 school, former centre of detention, torture and execution used by the Khmer Rouge during the civil war. There is free time in the “Central Market”. This evening we have a Apsara dance show by student dancers and musicians. Overnight on board,
We set sail early morning, have breakfast on board before we visit Koh Chen, a small village where the inhabitants are experts in silverwork and copper work. Here are made the ornaments and decorations used during traditional ceremonies in the pagoda or for weddings. Visit the private school of Mr. Thom Umson, a bright French teacher.We have lunch on
board and arrive in Kampong Tralach to visit the beautiful Vihara of the Wat Kampong Tarlach Leu Pagoda. We cross through the village of Kampong Tralach by oxcart to reach the pagoda on a small path running perpendicular to the river amidst a magnificent landscape of rice fields. The Vihara dates back to the beginning of last century and has many magnificent wall paintings which are starting to suffer from the effects of time. Completely isolated in the middle of the rice fields, the pagoda is quite unassuming and does not receive many visitors, so its isolation makes it a truly magnificent spot. We return on board and continue our cruise to Kampong Chhnang. Dinner and overnight stop
We have breakfast on board and then visit Kampong Chhnang. Located some 90km from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chhnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is best known for its fine traditional pottery which is a major source of revenue for the entire country, and the region's very name Kampong Chhnang means “the port of the pottery” in Khmer. We visit a traditional grove of palm trees and taste some palm sugar before a visit to a traditional pottery. Next we visit a floating village using small local boats. All the buildings here are afloat - the school, the shops and so on, and life develops along the canal network. We return on board for lunch then continue our cruise to lake Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia which forms the heart of the hydraulic system of the Mekong. Cocktail and gala dinner tonight. Overnight stop
We spend the morning cruising, taking breakfast on board. Disembark the RV Lan-Diep at noon. Our driver will transfer you to your hotel in Siem Reap. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the city.
After breakfast you will visit the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphuon, and Phimeanakas temples, plus Terraces of the Elephant and Leper King. Lunch will be at a famous local restaurant. In the afternoon visit Ta Prohm then explore the Angkor Wat temple, the 7th Wonder of the Ancient World. You will climb up to Bakheng Hill to watch the sunset over Angkor Wat and the surrounding area.
Today our driver will transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Inclusion
- 01 night shared Accommodation in twin/double room at hotel in Saigon - Ho Chi Minh city
- 08 nights shared accommodation in twin/ double cabin on Lan Diep Cruise
- 02 nights shared Accommodation in twin/double room at hotel in Siem Reap
- All transfers and transportation with Air-Con vehicles (types of vehicles depend on the number of pax)
- Shuttle bus from meeting point in Saigon to cruise and from cruise to meeting point in Siem Reap
- Local ENGLISH speaking guides
Siem Reap: 1 guide
On Lan Diep Cruise: cruise in-house guide
Ho Chi Minh City: 1 guide
- Boat trip - as per program
- All entrance fees - as per program
- 02 bottles of mineral water per person per day on bus - on days of transfer and sightseeing only
- Port tax
- Government tax and service charge
Exclusion
- Airfares (international and domestic)
- Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
- Drinks
- Early check-in or late check-out
- Visa - as per country requirements
- Tips
- Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
- Mineral water beyond that which is supplied
- Personal Insurance
- Optional excursions and activities
- Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages, etc.)
- Peak season surcharges if any
- All not mentioned above
Note
Supplement cost for Upper Deck Cabin is available on request
Hotel List
Category: Superior
Destination Hotel Room Type
Ho Chi Minh City Central Palace Hotel Deluxe
Mekong cruise RV Lan Diep Main Deck
Siem Reap Empress Angkor Resort & Spa Superior Room
NOTES
1. Above itinerary is based on the current flight schedule. In case of flight changes, the itinerary will be changed accordingly.
2. No early check in or late checkout is included except those indicated in the program. Generally, the check in time is 14.00pm and check out time is 12.00pm.
3. Visas into Vietnam and Cambodia are required except for countries who have signed the visa exemption contracts. Please contact us for visa information details.
Remarks: Passport must be valid 6 months ahead since the time of departing the visited country
4. Compulsory dinners on Dec 24th (Christmas), Dec 31st (New Year) and applicable public holiday event within your host country will be advised at time of booking.
