Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey along the legendary Mekong River, travelling from southern Vietnam into the heart of Cambodia. Aboard the elegant Mekong Navigator, discover peaceful river communities, traditional crafts, historical landmarks and fascinating local cultures while enjoying refined comfort, attentive service and memorable dining experiences.
BRIEF & MAP
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Saigon - My Tho - Cai Ba
Day 2 : Cai Be - Sa Dec
Day 3 : Sa Dec - Gieng Island
Day 4 : Giang Island - Phnom Penh
Day 5 : Phnom Penh
Day 6 : Phnom Penh
Day 7 : Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham
Day 8 : Kampong Cham - Siem Reap
In the afternoon, depart Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic drive through the countryside of southern Vietnam to My Tho Port, the gateway to the Mekong Delta.
Upon arrival, embark on the luxurious Mekong Navigator and settle into your comfortable, elegantly appointed suite or cabin.
In the evening, join your fellow guests for a warm Welcome Reception, followed by a safety briefing and an introduction to key members of the crew.
Your first evening on board concludes with a delicious Vietnamese Mekong Delta Welcome Dinner served in the elegant Le Marche Dining Room, marking the beginning of your memorable journey along one of Southeast Asia’s greatest rivers.
Overnight aboard Mekong Navigator.
This morning, arrive in Cai Be, one of the most charming destinations in the Mekong Delta.
Board a traditional rowing boat, guided by local rowers wearing iconic Vietnamese conical hats, and glide peacefully through narrow canals surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and scenes of everyday river life.
After your rowing excursion, continue by sampan through the intricate waterways to visit a traditional cottage workshop, where local artisans demonstrate the production of several Mekong specialties, including: rice paper, rice wine, honey, and popped rice
There will also be opportunities to browse locally produced souvenirs, postcards and artwork.
Continue cruising through the narrow canals of Cai Be towards Cau Xeo, passing rice barges, rice-husking mills, traditional thatched cottages, temples and fertile riverbanks.
Return to the ship for an elegant buffet lunch as the Mekong Navigator sails upstream through tranquil countryside towards Sa Dec.
In the afternoon, board a sampan for a leisurely journey through the narrow canals leading to the historic riverside town of Sa Dec.
Discover the former residence of Huynh Thuy Le, whose love story with French writer Marguerite Duras inspired her celebrated novel L’Amant or The Lover.
Continue to Kien An Cung, a beautiful Chinese temple associated with the Huynh family, before taking a walk through Sa Dec’s lively local market.
Immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the Mekong Delta as vendors display colourful tropical fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, seafood and other local produce. The bustling market offers excellent opportunities for photography and for observing everyday life in this fascinating river town.
Overnight aboard Mekong Navigator.
After breakfast, travel from the ship to shore aboard a traditional sampan and visit My An Hung, a peaceful agricultural village surrounded by lush greenery.
Take a leisurely walk through the village and meet local residents while learning about traditional life in the Mekong Delta.
Enjoy fresh coconut in a tropical garden before being welcomed into the home of a local family for honey tea and seasonal fruits.
During your visit, experience a performance of Đờn Ca Tài Tử, the traditional music of southern Vietnam, followed by an impressive demonstration of Vovinam Vietnamese martial arts performed by young members of the village.
In the afternoon, travel by sampan to Cu Lao Gieng, affectionately known as “The Mango Island.”
Located along the upper Mekong River and still largely untouched by mass tourism, the island is famous for its mango orchards, peaceful countryside, religious architecture and traditional village lifestyle.
Explore the island partly by sampan and partly by local motorised rickshaw, with visits to four characteristic sites:
Your final stop is another traditional Vietnamese home surrounded by a mango orchard. Meet the host family, learn about local life and enjoy freshly harvested mangoes before returning to the Mekong Navigator.
Overnight aboard Mekong Navigator.
Today is dedicated to relaxation as the Mekong Navigator continues its journey upstream towards Cambodia.
Spend a leisurely morning enjoying the scenery along the Mekong River from the comfort of the ship.
A selection of cultural activities is organised on board, offering an introduction to the traditions and flavours of Vietnam and Cambodia. Activities may include presentation and tasting of tropical fruits, Vietnamese spring-roll-making demonstration and introduction to traditional Cambodian costumes
Take time to relax on deck, enjoy the ship’s facilities or simply admire the constantly changing landscapes along the river.
The vessel completes the necessary border-crossing formalities during the journey and is scheduled to reach Phnom Penh in the late afternoon.
Before dinner, join the Captain for a special cocktail reception and ceremonial sabering experience.
Overnight aboard Mekong Navigator in Phnom Penh.
This morning is dedicated to one of the most important and moving chapters of Cambodia’s modern history.
After approximately 45 minutes by road from the ship, arrive at the Choeung Ek Killing Fields.
Walk through the memorial grounds, visit the small museum and Buddhist memorial stupa, and learn about the tragic events that took place during the Khmer Rouge regime.
Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21. Originally built as a school, the complex was transformed during the Khmer Rouge period into a detention and interrogation centre.
The visit provides valuable historical context and a deeper understanding of the hardships endured by the Cambodian people during this period.
Return to the ship and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your own pace.
You may choose to explore Phnom Penh independently, dine at one of the city’s many restaurants or enjoy some shopping.
A scheduled shuttle service accompanied by a local guide is available between the port and Central Market for guests wishing to shop or explore the surrounding area.
Before dinner, gather on the Sun Deck for a special cultural performance featuring local children presenting Apsara dance, Cambodia’s celebrated classical dance tradition, together with other traditional Khmer folk dances.
Overnight aboard Mekong Navigator in Phnom Penh.
After breakfast on board, local Tuk Tuk drivers will meet you at the pier for an enjoyable exploration of Cambodia’s capital.
Travel along Phnom Penh’s lively riverfront towards the magnificent Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Cambodia.
Enjoy a leisurely walk through the palace grounds while admiring some of the complex’s most important buildings, including the Throne Hall and the elegant Moonlight Pavilion.
Continue to the celebrated Silver Pagoda, which houses some of Cambodia’s most treasured religious objects, including the Emerald Buddha and a richly decorated Maitreya Buddha adorned with thousands of diamonds.
Your Tuk Tuk will then take you to the National Museum of Cambodia, the country’s largest museum dedicated to cultural history.
Its remarkable collections include Khmer sculptures, ceramics and archaeological artefacts from the Angkorian and pre-Angkorian periods, many of which were discovered at Angkor and other historical sites throughout Cambodia.
Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon to relax or continue exploring Phnom Penh independently.
Overnight aboard Mekong Navigator in Phnom Penh.
This morning, visit Wat Roka Kaong, a historic Buddhist temple complex believed to date from around 1840.
Parts of the original structure were constructed from wood and later restored. During renovation work in 1998, an emerald-coloured Buddha statue believed to be more than 180 years old was discovered, giving the temple its alternative name, Wat Keo Moni Chort.
Explore the colourful temple complex and admire its distinctive architecture and towering Buddhist structures before continuing to the main pagoda.
Inside the beautifully decorated sanctuary, participate in a traditional water blessing ceremony performed by local Buddhist monks, offering a memorable insight into Cambodian spiritual traditions.
Continue to the peaceful countryside village of Opopel, characterised by traditional stilt houses, banana trees and Brahman cattle grazing in the shade.
The quiet atmosphere offers an authentic glimpse into rural Cambodian life.
Visit a local family in their home and learn about their daily routines, traditions and way of life.
Continue to the village school, where you may meet local children and observe a typical Cambodian classroom.
A relaxed walk through the village provides excellent opportunities to photograph the countryside, traditional houses and scenes of everyday life.
On the return journey, make a brief stop at a local monastery.
This evening, gather on the Sun Deck in front of Le Salon Lounge for a special Farewell Reception with the ship’s crew.
The memorable final evening aboard concludes with a delicious Cambodian Farewell Dinner in the elegant Le Marche Dining Room.
Overnight aboard Mekong Navigator.
Enjoy your final breakfast aboard the Mekong Navigator while taking in the peaceful Mekong scenery one last time.
After breakfast, bid farewell to the Captain and crew before disembarking in Kampong Cham.
Continue your journey by road towards Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia’s magnificent Angkor temples.
A lunch stop is included during the transfer.
Arrive in Siem Reap in the afternoon, marking the end of your unforgettable Mekong River cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia.
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