Mekong River Cruise – From Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be smilingly met and transferred to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the day will be all yours to stroll around the city’s center

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today you will embark on a journey through time that unveils diverse historical epochs, from vibrant Chinese heritage to enduring French influences and the transformative American era, painting a vivid portrait of Saigon’s past.

Starting with the Chinese Era (17th -19th century)

After breakfast, transfer to Cho Lon, Saigon’s vibrant Chinatown, where history and culture converge. Stroll through its captivating streets on a leisurely walking tour, unveiling hidden gems and local life. You will start at Fabric Streets, a kaleidoscope of textiles and hues. Marvel at the bustling energy as vendors trade meters of fabric, a visual delight even for non-enthusiasts.

Continue on to Aquarium Street, a marine haven. Immerse yourself in diverse aquatic life, a captivating and educational experience.

Next, discover the world of sewing accessories on the next street. Unearth a treasure trove of creative possibilities, where imagination knows no bounds. Then explore the mysteries of Chinese medicine as you wander through herbal medical centers.

Conclude your morning at Lady Thien Hau Pagoda, a prominent Chinatown temple. Admire intricate woodcarvings, delicate porcelain figurines, and ornate altars celebrating Chinese heritage.

Step into the French Era (19th – 20th century):

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, an architectural marvel built by French colonists, followed by a visit to the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical gem that stands as a prominent city attraction. These remarkable landmarks stand as enduring testaments to the enduring French influence in Vietnam.

Then the American Era (1960s – 1970s)

Navigate your path to the Reunification Palace, once the official residence of the President of South Vietnam throughout the tumultuous War period. Continue your journey with a visit to the War Remnant Museum, a poignant repository of history’s truths.

In the evening, you can take a stroll around the town and discover one of the fantastic dining options it has to offer. You might want to explore the vibrant Ben Thanh night market, or alternatively, you can head to the rooftop bar at the historic Rex Hotel (your own arrangement)

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today, you will drive to Cu Chi Tunnels where you will visit the amazing network of underground tunnels was used during the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong. This huge construction was a habitation for villagers in the war time. With 3 levels of depth, it was never discovered by the US during the Vietnam War despite its proximity to Saigon. Visit the fighting tunnel system with your local guide. Back to the city by early afternoon. Free at leisure

~17:00 depart from Saigon WaterBus Station. Noticing the most modern, professional and biggest container terminal operator in Vietnam – Saigon New Port.  Circling around the island, witnessing a very traditional living of Vietnamese along the river, learning how fishermen survive their floating life, feeling the depth of yourself in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere…

Cruising through Vietnam’s leading urban complexes: Vinhomes Central Park and Vinhomes Golden River. Taking a look at the most important functional bridges in HCMC: Saigon bridge (the main gateway to areas in bustling HCMC) and Thu Thiem bridge

18:00 – 18:45 Going through extremely fancy riverside villas, arriving to a riverside restaurant, and enjoying Happy-hour drink here (1 glass of Cocktail or Mocktail per person included)

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, SpeedBoat

Later in the morning, our guide will come to pick you up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City to transfer to the Mekong Princess docking at Saigon Port – 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Ward 13, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City for embarkation. Please give us your hotel name and address and be ready at your hotel around 10:00 am – 11:00 am to wait for our shuttle service.

Once aboard, a safety briefing will occur in the Ramvong Lounge as soon as you embark. You will be welcomed by your Vietnamese and Cambodian ship’s crew before embarking on the most extraordinary journey of discovery.

Lunch, with highly attentive oriental hospitality, will be served soon after departure as we cruise along the Saigon River. Having settled into your luxurious suites, you can relax, enjoy the new scenes, and watch the world pass by.

We sail midday through the Saigon River, Soai Rap River, Nuoc Man Canal, Vam Co River and Cho Gao Canal to the ‘Mighty Mekong River’.

Late in the day, we anchor in the heart of the Mekong Delta, time to enjoy crafted cocktails by our skilled bartenders and watch the sunsets and sampans passing by. A traditional Vietnamese “A La Carte” dinner will be served in the Indochine onboard Restaurant, embracing a subtle fusion of dishes for the most delicate palates.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

This morning, sampans take you through a channel lined with mangroves. We will try one of the most popular local transportation, named “xe lam” (three-wheeler), to visit a local coconut candy maker. After watching the candy-making process, walking through the village to visit an orchard where fruits native to Vietnam can be seen in various stages of maturity on the vine. After a fresh fruit tasting , you continue to a pier where you board small, local boats through the narrow creeks lined with Nipah palm before returning to the ship.

This afternoon, the ship sails through an area of the Mekong Delta barely touched by tourism to Can Tho city, known as Tay Do – the capital of the Mekong Delta. Guests will take a short and orientated city tour with visiting to the Zihuang Pagoda (Chua Ong) and enjoying the welcome unicorn dances. Explore on your own around the charming city before having dinner onboard. The ship docks in Can Tho overnight.

*Onboard activity: Lecture of Vietnam, Vietnam’s People, Culture & colonial History.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

We start our morning before breakfast aboard the sampans for a cruise through the fascinating Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. The sampans will weave in and out of the many boats that sail into the market each morning to sell produce and other items the residents of the Mekong Delta need in their daily lives. As they weave through the market, there will be many opportunities for amazing photographs, while enjoying fresh fruit and the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” fresh coconut water. Before returning to the ship for a sumptuous buffet breakfast, we stop at a local noodle factory, where we witness the amazing process of how they are made.

After lunch, continue the excursion by sampan to Hoa An village, which is untouched and well known with lush green fields whereby local inhabitants grow a variety of seasonal crops, including vegetable, fruity trees. Starting our excursion on a “xe loi” (motor cart) via winding country roads. En route , enjoy a short walk in the peaceful village with rice fields, and fruit orchards. We then continue the sampan ride on a major branch of the Mekong river – before turning into a busy canal famous for being the rice milling center of the region, observing from afar on our sampan towards the village milling in operation will also enhance our understanding of how rice being transported and processed locally. Our last stop is at one of the conical hat-making families, with an opportunity chatting with local family members and learn how to create products through hands on experience.

The Princess sails and anchors near Gieng Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

After breakfast, we board sampans that will take us to Gieng Island. After a short walk around the local sampan village, where local families produce sampans daily, we take a canal drive to explore the mango gardens along the riverbanks. We will try one of the most popular local transportation, “xe loi” (motor trishaw), driving through this island to visit a Phanxico Monastery.

This afternoon, we visited the local island village of Hong Ngu, not far from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces a large number of traditional Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. Woven in many homes around the village, we can see the weaving process under several homes. Some villagers are also embroidery artists, displaying their art in and around their homes. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered a few Western visitors before the arrival of the Mekong Princess; they are especially friendly and welcoming. We will also visit the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hao.

This evening, the Mekong Princess will arrive at the border to complete exit procedures and continue up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh (the capital of Cambodia)

*Onboard activity: Cooking Class Demonstration by our Executive Chef

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

This morning, the Mekong Princess will arrive at the border to complete exit procedures and continue up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh (capital of Kingdom Cambodia). You can enjoy the fascinating scenery on both sides of the Mekong River. After completing immigration procedures to Cambodia, local cyclo drivers meet you for an exciting city tour of Phnom Penh. You begin your ride along the riverfront to the Royal Palace, where a leisurely walk takes you through the grounds and perfectly manicured gardens, with opportunities to visit the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion. Upon crossing into the second section of the complex, you walk amongst enormous stupas and spirit houses on the way to the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha, encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. Following a short break, your cyclos will take you to the National Museum. Housing the most extensive pre Angkorian and Angkorian holdings in Cambodia, the National Museum ends the morning tour with a comprehensive look at many of the artifacts excavated around the Angkor Archeological Area

in Siem Reap, as well as other areas around the former Khmer Empire. The ship docks in Phnom Penh overnight.

*Onboard activity: Fruit Carvings & Tropical Fruits Demonstration.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

This morning, a private motor coach takes you on a scenic 45-minute drive away from the ship, arriving at Choeung Ek, the killing fields depicted in the movie and the centre of the darkest days of Cambodian history. You may walk through the fields, visit the small museum and Memorial Stupa, and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. On the return drive to Phnom Penh, a stop is made at Tuol Sleng (infamously known as S-21), which the Khmer Rouge converted from a large school to a prison and torture headquarters.

This afternoon is free at leisure to explore the charming city of Phnom Penh.  This evening before dinner, enjoy the entertainment onboard with a cultural performance including Apsara, Cambodia’s national dance, and several traditional folk dances. The ship docks in Phnom Penh overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

The Mekong Princess leaves Phnom Penh and sails to Angkor Ban. We start the afternoon tour with a visit to the charming and authentic town of Angkor Ban. Here, we witness the daily life of the local people, beginning with a visit to the pagoda with a special blessing ceremony for our guests by local monks. Then we keep visiting a local family’s home to meet them and discuss their lifestyle. We continue through the village to the local school, where we join the children in their classrooms and experience their typical school day. The ship sails to Kampong Cham and docks overnight.

*Lecture on Cambodia’s Geography and Life along the Mekong River by your host.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

Enjoy a sumptuous Breakfast Buffet in the Indochine Restaurant. After breakfast, we disembark the Mekong Princess in Kampong Cham and transfer by motor coach to your hotel in Siem Reap at noon. Free at leisure

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Boat

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Angkor Wat at dawn, as the temple’s silhouette emerges against a sky painted with golden and pink hues. The tranquil atmosphere and historic grandeur make it a truly unforgettable moment. Then, back to hotel for breakfast.

Today, visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

This afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today, continue to Banteay Samre temple which was built in 12th century during Angkor period, admired by its serenity, take some beautiful photo before heading to reveal the intricately carved, beautiful red-pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei – considered to be a Jewel of Khmer art which features elaborate decorations and its finest details. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a “precious gem”.

On the way back, we will stop at Preah Dak village for a short tour, enjoying to observing the real-life of Cambodian in this area, how they make a living from the hand-made products, how to producing sugar palm and fruit itself.

This afternoon, visit to the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.

Then, enjoy the sunset Gondola with Canapé at Angkor Thom.Before the dawn, drift along the serene waters surrounding Angkor Thom as the sun sets, painting the sky in golden and pink hues. Enjoy a refreshing canapé aboard a private gondola, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere and stunning views of ancient temples reflected in the water, a perfect blend of romance and relaxation.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Private vehicle

After the breakfast, head out of the town to visit the birth place of the Khmer Empire Phnom Kulen, about 2 hours drive out of Siem Reap. The mountain is considered sacred and is the site where King Jayavarman proclaimed independence from Java in 802 and where the cult of the linga began. Linga’s are a phallic like, fertility statue that were worshiped by the king. Jayavarman had thousands of lingas carved into a sandstone river bed and the river diverted so he could bathe in the holy waters. At the top of Phnom Kulen is a pagoda where Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims come to worship. The mountain is also favored by locals who come to admire the waterfalls and swim in the cool pools. Lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon, continue to venture Beng Mealea jungle temple which was built in 12th century during Angkor Wat time. We then enjoy the guided walking orientation within the wilderness to unlock the hidden temple whose the ruined rocks spread around, enhanced by the vegetation and the tranquility. Walk, crawl, climb and squeeze into/over galleries to see its amazing setting, reveal the history, take some amazing photos and feel the natural surroundings. Return back to Siem Reap city, we stop to observe how traditional bamboo sticky rice is made, and try some bites of its delicious taste.

Return back to Siem Reap at the end of the afternoon.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Private vehicle

Spend the day free at leisure.

At good time, private pickup (driver only) to Siem Reap airport for your departure flight

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle