The journey
Overview
An exotic cruise on the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake, this journey teams city sights in old Saigon and Phnom Penh, with rural riverbank towns, remote, romantic pagodas, rarely-visited villages, and the Siem Reap gateway to Angkor’s exquisite temple enclave.
A leisurely journey, on a luxury cruiser, this tour begins and ends in famous places, the French colonial sights of Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City; and the fabled Khmer temples of ancient Angkor. The vast expanse of the land in between offers a more intimate and authentic experience, immersed in the customs, culture and crafts of little-known towns and villages, many unreachable by road. Specifically designed to sail through shallow waters, the river vessels make it possible to visit these unsung outposts, travelling in comfort and style. Cruising upriver from the South China Sea, the huge and hauntingly scenic delta of the Mekong River is a fitting end to its long journey, and a fascinating start to ours. Within the delta, we share the water with junks, sampans and floating markets, before joining the main Mekong flow. We visit the temples of Chau Doc at the Cambodian border, where the river widens to a water highway leading to the capital, Phnom Penh. Then a tangent links the Mekong to Tonle Sap Lake, home to wild fowl and wetland birds, the busy town of Kampong Chhnang, and a floating village amid a web of canals; and we sail its full length to Siem Reap, set by the ‘cultural wonder of the world’, Angkor.
Unforgettable moments
Highlights
01
Small vessel cruising
02
Discover Ho Chi Minh City
03
Cross the splendid Cho Gao canal
04
Explore bustling Phnom Penh
05
Meet locals in Koh Chen
06
UNESCO Site: Angkor Wat
Your itinerary
Day by day
- Day1
Join tour in Ho Chi Minh City+
Your tour starts in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, the city is a confusion of old and new, soaring towers and riverside stilt-houses, thriving commerce and thrilling culture.
Hotel check in starts from 3pm and is strictly followed. If you require an early check in, there is an additional fee and dependent on availability.
Check into the 4-star Liberty Century Saigon Riverside Hotel for overnight.
- Day2
Morning at leisure and a city tour after lunch+
This morning is at leisure before we meet our cruise staff between 11.30-12.30 at the hotel for lunch. We then depart for a tour of the city introducing its landmarks. We view the 19th- century twin towered Notre Dame Cathedral, the unmistakeably French colonial Central Post Office, and the Reunification (aka Independence) Palace, the 1960s structure built on the site of the former French colonial seat of government. Discover Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city, visiting its hecticmarket, and the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to Mazu, the sea goddess. Embark on the RV Indochine for your eight-night cruise, and enjoy a welcome cocktail.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch,Dinner - Day3
Visit the Cu Chi tunnels and the History Museum+
Visit the labyrinth of tunnels running beneath the city’s Cu Chi district, dug by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam/American war, to house troops, transport, and supplies. The extensive network here is a just a small part of the thousands of miles of tunnels burrowed between Saigon and the Cambodian border. Continue to the History Museum, charting the evolution of Vietnam with exhibits from the Bronze Age to the 19th century; and return to the cruiser to begin your journey, sailing on the narrow Chao Gao Canal.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day4
Cruise to My Tho and visit a bee farm+
Cruise to My Tho, one of the dozen or so towns on the Mekong Delta, and get a taste of local livelihoods with visits to a bee farm, sampling honey tea and exotic fruit; a brick and pottery factory; and a traditional producer of all things ‘rice’, from puffed rice to rice paper and rice alcohol.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day5
Visit the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house+
In Sa Dec, visit the ‘Huynh Thuy Le ancient house’. Admired for its Sino-French architecture, the riverside residence of Huynh Thuy Le is famed as the setting for a similarly east-meets-west love affair, between him and French writer Marguerite Duras. Her novel, The Lover, is based on the house and the man. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the charming little town, before setting sail for Cambodia.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day6
Enjoy visits to the Ba Chua Xu Temple and Tay An Pagoda+
Set on the Vietnam-Cambodia border, the colourful, characterful town of Chau Doc has made its wealth from the river, with stilt-houses over the water, floating fish-farms beneath the surface, and barges plying a course between tiny, green islets. Visit the Ba Chua Xu Temple, a busy religious site, to which devotees bring offerings of food and flowers; and the ‘national historical site’ of Tay An Pagoda, a solemn and sacred place, much visited by monks and pilgrims. Cruise to Phnom Penh.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day7
Explore the landmarks of Phnom Penh+
Visit the Royal Palace residence of Cambodia’s king. A sumptuous focal point of Phnom Penh, and a fine example of Cambodian architecture, its grounds encompass the shimmering marble ‘Silver Pagoda’ Buddhist temple. Continue to the National Museum, housing a huge collection of Khmer cultural relics, from ancient to post-Angkor periods. After lunch in the city, perhaps visit the sombre sites of Khmer Rouge atrocities, the Tuol Svay Prey School turned into a place of detention and torture. Time at leisure to explore the colourful market. On-board this evening, enjoy an Apsara dance theatre show.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day8
Enjoy local village visits+
Explore Koh Chen, a charming village known for its skilled silver and copper craftspeople. Afterwards, visit the stunning Vihara at Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To reach the pagoda, we will traverse the village of Kampong Tralach via a small road that runs perpendicularly to the river, amidst beautiful rice fields.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day9
Explore Kampong Chhnang before continuing to Tonle Sap Lake+
Visit Kampong Chhnang. An easy-tempo provincial capital, a busy port town, and a market hub for local products of rice and bananas, it has several strings to its bow, but the one Kampong Chhnang is famed for is all in the name, which translates as Port of Pottery. With high quality clay sourced from nearby Golden Mountain, the ancient art of handcrafting ceramics has been passed down through the centuries and is now a major source of revenue for the province. Continue upriver to sail on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia, and a UNESCO listed Biosphere Reserve, sprinkled with stilt-house ‘floating villages’. Enjoy a cocktail and Gala Dinner this evening.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner - Day10
Disembark in Siem Reap and visit local temples+
The cruise ends in contemporary Siem Reap, the gateway to ancient, amazing Angkor, the world’s largest religious complex. Its temples adorned with intricately carved stonework, or tangled in the tree roots of the jungle which has hidden it for so long, it was abandoned in the 15th century, yet is still steeped in haunting mythology. Disembark and transfer to 4-star Empress Angkor Resort & Spa for three nights. Visit the Roluos group of temples with Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei temple. Visit Satcha Handicraft Centre to discover Khmer traditional handicraft products. Apsara dance theatre and dinner.
MealsBreakfast, Dinner - Day11
Explore the South Gate temples+
Visit the magnificent South Gate temples including Angkor Thom, Bayon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Terrace of Elephants and jungle temple of Ta Phrohm.
MealsBreakfast - Day12
Visit the Angkor Wat temple complex+
Visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre temples, then Angkor Wat, one of the world’s largest religious monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
MealsBreakfast - Day13
Tour ends in Siem Reap+
Your tour ends this morning after breakfast.
MealsBreakfast
Accommodation
Where you stay
Ho Chi Minh City
Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel
A modern 4-star hotel overlooking Saigon River, the hotel is in the heart of the Central District. Restaurant, bar, gym, rooftop pool and WiFi (free). 170 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Ho Chi Minh City
Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel
This stylish 4-star hotel enjoys a prime location in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, placing vibrant markets, elegant boulevards and cultural landmarks within easy reach. Contemporary air-conditioned rooms provide a hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, TV and free WiFi, while the rooftop pool offers sweeping city views. Guests can unwind with a spa treatment, savour a blend of local and international cuisine, or enjoy a sunset drink overlooking the glittering skyline of this dynamic and energetic city.
Siem Reap
Empress Angkor Resort & Spa
A traditional 4-star hotel, a short drive from Angkor Night Market. Restaurants, bar, gym, outdoor pool, spa and WiFi (free). 390 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite TV and balcony/terrace.
Siem Reap
Somadevi Angkor Boutique Hotel
This welcoming 4-star resort offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Siem Reap, combining contemporary comfort with warm Cambodian hospitality. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, it provides an inviting escape after a day exploring the temples of Angkor. Guests can relax beside the outdoor pool, indulge in soothing spa treatments or savour a variety of Khmer and international flavours. With vibrant markets, cafés and nightlife nearby, it is perfectly positioned for discovering the charm and culture of Siem Reap. Air-conditioned rooms have a hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, TV and free WiFi.
Hotels are as planned; occasionally similar alternatives are used.
Peace of mind
What's included
- ✦4 nights’ hotel accommodation (5 nights from October 2027)
- ✦8-night cruise (7-night cruise from October 2027)
- ✦Meals Included: breakfast daily and 1 dinner (2 dinners from October 2027)
- ✦Full board and drinks on cruise vessel, except premium brands (most soft drinks and local mineral water, house spirits & mixers and beers from October 2027)
- ✦Drinks during lunches in Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh (water, 1 glass of soft drink or 1 beer and 1 coffee or tea)
- ✦Port charges
- ✦Tips for local guides (up to March 2027) and crew whilst onboard the cruise are included.
- ✦Itinerary as described
- ✦Services of guides and local representative
- ✦Flights from the UK can be added — ask your adviser