Mekong in Style

Day 1 - Phnom Penh

Arrival Phnom Penh International airport- meet and greet your local English-Speaking guide- transfer to the city center. Visit the National Museum and the Silver Pagoda, and then rub shoulders with the royals in the Royal Palace, where King Norodom Sihamoi still lives today.

Day 2 - Phnom Penh

The city still bears the scars left by the Khmer Rouge. In particular the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Formerly the high school, it became the main interrogation and torture facility. Largely unchanged, it bears witness to the thousands of victims that passed through the doors - only seven of whom survived.  Just outside the city, in a peaceful rural setting, we find the Killing Fields. Thousands of people were killed here between the years of 1975 and 1978 and buried in mass graves. These are distressing places to visit, but it's necessary to get a clearer idea of how Cambodians have suffered and how they have survived. 

And of course, there's time for shopping for exotic souvenirs in one of the city's fabulous markets. We'll either visit the art-deco Central Market or the sprawling Russian Market to barter for locally made silk, crafts, jewellery and lots more. Let us know if you have a preference!

Enjoy a cyclo ride around Phnom Penh during the sunset.

Day 3 - Mekong Cruise

After breakfast transfer to the pier. DAY 1 Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau

Welcome on board with Heritage Line for your Mekong River adventure. After you have checked in, we invite you to a highlight of this cruise before we lift the anchor. The lounge is set up for an eye- and ear-catching lecture about modern Cambodian history, held by our friend and local expert, Mr. Jean-Michel, professor from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. He has studied the subject extensively and is more than happy to share his first-hand knowledge and surprising insights. The lecture takes about one hour before we set sail southbound towards the Vietnamese border.

The rest of the morning and the whole afternoon is at your own disposal. From now on here, you can turn into cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing influence of the cadence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed or private balcony kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river and float into a state of mild bliss.

You also may like to visit the bridge, as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, we approach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam. From here it is just a short distance to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views on the riverbanks.

Day 4 - Mekong Cruise

 Cruise Day 2 Tan Chau - My An Hung - Sa Dec

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam.

Once arrived on-shore, we hop on “xelois” to see Tan Chau’s vibrant town-life. A “xeloi” is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this area. Your personal xeloi driver slowly navigates through the streets to observe all the workshops, houses and shops while feeling the laid-back vibe of this place. We stop at the colourful, local market near one of the town’s temples. This is a great opportunity to interact with the vendors of this friendly town and try your hand at bargaining with them.

To see what Tan Chau is famous for, we board local boats and head to a floating fish farm. You are about to get an exclusive look into the world’s largest inland aquaculture industry. Each of the floating structures has netting hanging down into the water to enclose the fish, which are raised and fed on a daily basis. The region’s specialties are tilapia and the Basa catfish, or Pangasius, which is unique to the Mekong River basin and rapidly gaining popularity on the international seafood market.

Back on board and before lunch is served, you may take a dip in the pool. After the meal, our expert guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa Dec province.

My An Hung Village is a wonderful example of a real local village in the Mekong Delta. Time stands still here and we receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to see what they are currently cultivating. We are invited to their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting. Vietnamese tea is often bitter, so locals sweeten it with honey, a regional delicacy also produced by our hosts. The family then presents a huge variety of fruits growing in the delta, freshly cut from the tree. And as an artist group performs a traditional, artistic dragon dance, we snack on these “vitamins bombs”.

The sun sets and the light now bathes everything in a golden hue. The surrounding natural beauty is a perfect backdrop for a riverbank gathering with cocktails and dancing with the crew in this remote, secluded location.

Day 5 - Mekong Cruise

Cruise Day 3 Binh Thanh Island - Cai Be - My Tho

This morning the vessel arrives at one of the larger islands in the vast stream of the Mekong, Binh Thanh Island. Several communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyacinths.

We exclusively visit one of these untouched areas. By wandering through the village, we get a deep understanding of native life. One of the local artisans, for example, demonstrates the entire process of traditional mat making. You can try weaving yourself. We also meet a local elderly couple who share their story of living on this island. They are always happy to chit-chat with our guests.

Back on the ship lunch is served and we sail towards Cai Be. Cai Be is a charming town which is famous for its Catholic French church and the manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The once enormous floating market of Cai Be gets smaller year by year since trading on the water is continually shifting towards modern markets. However, you can still see boat-to-boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products and imagine what this must have looked like on a larger scale. We learn from our guide about the long-lasting trading culture and how each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling.

By local boat, we sail along the green canal network and watch the farmers working in the fields. A visit ashore of a workshop shows us the manufacturing of rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine. Cai Be’s surrounding areas are covered by palm trees, which is why the region is also famous for the production of coconut candy.

Back on board our crew invites you to a farewell event and to enjoy some cheerful moments before dinner, including music and Cambodian dancing together with the team. Savour your final dinner aboard and relive the week’s adventures in your mind’s eye with a glass of wine at the open bar.

Day 6 - Arrive Ho Chi Minh

Cruise Day 4 My Tho - Saigon

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. We disembark the ship after breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometres on the highway, and you arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you and share the stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

Transfer to your hotel

Day 7 - Ho Chi Minh

Half Day Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh Ever-vibrant, ever-changing - this is the buzzing city of Saigon, where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. There's classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975. We'll visit all the main sights of the city and make time to browse the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market.  Today's Highlights: Reunification Palace, Emperor of Jade Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market. Afternoon and evening is free at leisure.

Day 8 - Nha Trang

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your domestic flight. On arrival transfer to your hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 9 - Nha Trang

Half Day Sightseeing in Nha Trang Explore the sights of Nha Trang, first visit the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers. Built between the 7th and 12th centuries, the site was used for Hindu worship as early as the 2nd century AD. Continue to the rocky Chong Promontory, the Nha Trang Cathedral, and the Lang Song Pagoda. Stop to visit the Pastuer Institute, founded in 1895 by Dr Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943). Dr.Yersin's library and office are now a museum, while the institute continues to actively coordinate vaccination and hygiene programme for the country's southern coastal region. Finally stroll around a local wet market for a visit and understand the market culture of Vietnamese people. Afternoon is free at leisure.

Day 10 - Nha Trang

Enjoy time at leisure in Nha Trang

Day 11 - Nha Trang

Enjoy time at leisure in Nha Trang

Day 12 - Nha Trang

Enjoy time at leisure in Nha Trang

Day 13 - Hanoi

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for the onward flight to Hanoi. On arrival transfer to your chosen hotel

Day 14 - Hanoi

Half Day  Sightseeing in Hanoi  Begin your day visiting the Temple of Literature with its walled courtyards and graceful gateways. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. Continue to Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honour the country Great Father. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside only) which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh; and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Following by the miniature 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Next, visit Hoan Kiem Lake which contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda and enjoy the coffee at a small local coffee shop. Afternoon and evening free at leisure.

Day 15 - Hanoi

Conclude your trip with a transfer to the airport for your homeward flight