Vietnam - Cambodia Mekong Cruise Direction

Ho Chi Minh City is a dynamic and youthful metropolis where tradition and modern life blend seamlessly. Energetic streets, historic landmarks, and a fast-growing skyline reflect the city’s vibrant spirit, entrepreneurial energy, and ever-evolving culture.

Morning visit to:

• Central Post Office - the historic landmark with French colonial architecture style
• Notre Dame Cathedral - the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient 
• Book street
• Independence Palace where used to be the workplace of 4 presidents of South Vietnam, a historic site marking Vietnam’s reunification in 1975.

After lunch, continue to China Town, Thien Hau temple which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Explore the highlights with intricate friezes, carved tableau and impressive incense coils.

Then, move to Binh Tay market, the busy wholesale market at the heart of China Town, discover a wide range of local products from clothing, groceries to souvernirs.

Free day to explore the city at your own pace, with a private car arranged for your full-day use.

Have breakfast and check out hotel.

(13:30) In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho port, South Vietnam. From there, you will begin your journey aboard the luxurious Mekong Navigator cruise ship. After settling into your well-appointed suite/cabin, that evening, following a welcome reception, safety briefing, and introduction to key members of our crew, a delicious Welcome Dinner is served in Le Marche Dining Room.

Mekong Navigator departs My Tho about 17:00 and arrives Cai Be about 21:00
Overnight anchoring mid-river 

(08:30) In Cai Be, board the rowing boat with rower in conical hats for an enjoyable excursion along the lovely canals of the Mekong Delta with beautiful scenes. After finishing the rowing, the sampan will cruise on a tapestry of waterways bringing us to a cottage factory where industrious artisans produce rice paper, rice wine and popped rice. There’s a selection of postcards, souvenirs, and beautiful oil paintings on sale. On return to the ship, an elegant buffet lunch is served while sailing upstream through tranquil riverine scenery towards Sa Dec.

Mekong Navigator departs Cai Be area at 11:00 and arrives in Sa Dec area about 14:00

(14:30) This afternoon, your sampans return for a leisurely, scenic navigation of the narrow canals of the Mekong, where you will observe daily routines of the villagers en route to the historic town of Sa Dec. In the town of Sa Dec you visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration of Marguerite Duras' novel, L'Amant (The Lover), as well as the Chinese Temple - Kien An Cung which was built in honor of the Huynh Thuy Le Family. From there, you will begin a walk through the town's market, where you experience the sights, sounds, smells and provides you 
wonderful photo opportunities of the colorful fresh produce, meat, live fish and seafood for sale.

Mekong Navigator departs Sa Dec about 17:00 and arrives in My An Hung about 21:00
Overnight anchoring mid-river

(08:30) This morning, we make a short journey from ship to shore by traditional sampan, visiting a typical evergreen farming village on the Mekong Delta, the My An Hung village. We walk through the verdant village, interact with villagers, enjoy fresh coconut in the garden… A local family would invite us for some honey tea and fruit while we enjoy the “don ca tai tu” folk music, followed by an impressive VOVINAM Vietnam Martial Arts performed by the teenagers of the village.

Mekong Navigator departs My An Hung at 11:00 and arrives in Gieng Island about 15:00

(15:00) Cu Lao Gieng, known as “The Mango Island”, is a small and lovely island along the upper Mekong River,  untouched by tourism, famous for mango farms. 
Touring this serene island would give people an interesting insight into its nature, architecture and local life. The sightseeing partly by sampan and partly by motorized rickshaw will include 4 stops: a boat-building yard, a Vietnamese ancient house, an incense making workshop, and a Catholic church of Gieng island.

The island tour begins with a visit to the sampan-building yard to learn about the age-old craftwork which has been handed down for several generations. Continue the rickshaw ride into shady mango roads with photo ops. Another stop is made at an incense making workshop to see locals at work. The next stop is at the most beautiful colonial Catholic church on the island.

Our last stop is at a Vietnamese ancient house with a mango farm where guests will be welcomed by the family host for interaction, especially enjoy fresh mango before returning to the tender for the ride back to the ship. Mekong Navigator departs Gieng Island at 17:30 and arrives in border area around 20:00

After dinner, guests will gather in Le Salon Lounge to have a great time with a music quiz and dancing. 

Overnight anchoring mid-river

Border formalities about 07:00
Mekong Navigator departs the border about 09:00

This morning we sail upstream to enjoy a leisurely cruise and taking in the sights along the Mekong River reaching Phnom Penh in late afternoon. Some cultural activities are planned on board (introduction of tropical fruits and fruit tasting, demonstration of Vietnamese spring roll making, introduction of traditional Cambodian costumes).

In the evening, before dinner, there is a cocktail and sabering time hosted by our Captain. 

It takes about 10 hours to go from the border to Phnom Penh, depending on the water situation
Overnight anchoring mid-river

(08:30) In the morning, learn more about the darkest days of Cambodian history. After a scenic 45-minute drive from the ship, you arrive at the Choeung Ek killing fields, where you may walk through the fields, visit the small museum and Buddhist memorial stupa, and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Before returning to the ship, there is a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21), the former school converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. 

After returning to the ship from the S-21, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh - shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, or exploring the city independently.

(There is a scheduled shuttle coach with your local guide provided from the Port to the Central Market for your shopping time).

Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance of Apsara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances.

Overnight docking at Phnom Penh Port

(08:30) After breakfast on board this morning, Tuk Tuk drivers meet you on the pier for an exciting morning tour of the best sites in Phnom Penh. You are gently transported along the riverfront to the Royal Palace complex which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia, where you enjoy a leisure walk through the grounds. After viewing the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, you visit the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia's Emerald Buddha and the Maitreya Buddha, which is encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. 

Your Tuk Tuk is waiting outside to take you on the short ride to the open-air National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics as well as Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artefacts, excavated at the Angkor Temple complex at Siem Reap, as well as other areas around Cambodia.

After returning to the ship, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh.

Mekong Navigator departs Phnom Penh at 18:30 and arrives at Wat Roka Kaong about 21:00
Overnight anchoring mid-river

(08:30) This morning we will visit Wat Roka Kaong. Based on archaeologists’ statements this Temple complex was built in 1840. Some parts of the building were made by wood and have been renovated 1998. An emerald statue was found during the renovation believed to be over 180 years old and given this Wat its second name Wat KeoMoni Chort (Emerald). In front of the two Golden Buddhist Columns (53meter tall), where two temples, the north temple called Preah Keo Preah Kor and the south temple called BakSei Chamkrong. Unfortunately, Baksei Chamkrong temple was destroyed by a landslide in 2020. Enjoy wandering around this temple complex and then proceed to the Main Pagoda.

Upon entering the beautiful and colourful Main Pagoda, we receive a traditional water blessing from the local monks. 

Mekong Navigator departs Wat Roka Kaong at 10:30 and arrives Opopel Village about 13:00

(14:00) This afternoon we have a visit to the rural and charming village of Opopel, with its stilted houses and grazing Brahim cows seeking the shade of banana trees. You feel a sense of timelessness here, witnessing the rhythm of rural life. A visit is made to the home of a local family who discusses their lifestyle, then onto the local school to observe children in their classroom giving you a glimpse a typical Cambodian school day. A leisurely stroll through the village offers an opportunity to take photos of this place that time has forgotten. On your way back we make a brief stop at the local monastery.

Mekong Navigator departs Opopel about 16:00 arrives at Kang Meas port about 20:00

In the evening, you gather in the Sun Deck in front of the Le Salon Lounge for a Farewell Reception with the entire crew, before enjoying a Farewell Dinner in Le Marche Dining Room.

Overnight docking at Kang Meas port

Following breakfast, you say goodbye to the crew as you disembark the cruise and transfer from Kang Meas to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with a lunch stop, arriving in Siem Reap in the afternoon.

Coaches depart Kang Meas to Siem Reap about 08:30

Transfer to your hotel in Siem Riep for check in. Have dinner at hotel.

Check out hotel.

Transfer to the airport for leaving flight, ending memorable trip.