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Day 1: Phnom Penh – Border Crossing – Tan Chau
Day 2: Tan Chau – My An Hung – Binh Thanh Island
Day 3: Binh Thanh Island – Tan Phong Island – My Tho
Day 4: My Tho – Saigon
Operating cruise: Heritage Line The Jahan & Jayavarman
- Day 1: Settle into cruise life as you sail from Phnom Penh, with opportunities for relaxation, culinary workshops, and river views
- Day 2: Explore Tan Chau by rickshaw, visit a local market, a Cao Dai temple, and a fish farm. Later, enjoy the charm of My An Hung Village with a traditional tea tasting and dragon dance performance
- Day 3: Discover Binh Thanh Island’s water hyacinth cultivation and traditional mat-making, with optional cycling tours available
- Day 4: Conclude your journey with a transfer to Saigon, bringing home unforgettable memories of the Mekong
- Accommodation in selected cruise
- English-speaking tour guiding on-and offshore
- Transfers during the cruise; transfers between meeting points and the ship and vice versa
- Meals as mentioned in the program; welcome drink, brewed coffee, tea and mineral water; complimentary beverage package
- Passenger liability insurance
- Internet on the ship (subject to cellular network signal)
- Crew and guide gratuities
- VISA fees
- Private transfers
- Personal expenses
- Other beverages than those stated under inclusions
- Medical services
- Spa treatments
- Port and anchorage fees
- Optional excursion (as stated in the itinerary)
- All other services or items not listed under inclusions
- Embarkation: Phnom Penh Pier – Building #649; Sisowat Quay, Sangkat Sraschork, Khan Daun Penh, GPS (11°34’58.7″N 104°55’16.8″E)
- Disembarkation: My Tho Pier – No. 8, 30/4 Street, Ward 1, My Tho City, Tien Giang Province, Vietnam (70 km away from Saigon, transfer time ~2hrs)
- Welcome Lounge in Saigon: Renaissance Riverside Hotel 15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Welcome on board with Heritage Line for your Mekong River adventure. After you have checked in, we invite you to come to the lobby lounge for your safety briefing.
Once the ship departed, the rest of the morning and the whole afternoon is at your own disposal. It is time to switch into cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing 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.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam.
Default Excursion (any ship): After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration of this area, renowned primarily for its aquaculture. Upon disembarking, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant town life of Tan Chau by boarding “xelois” (the Vietnamese word for rickshaws). Your personal xeloi driver leisurely navigates through a network of streets, allowing you to observe workshops, street vendors, shops, and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals. Our journey takes us to the local market, where we mingle with residents as they go about their morning shopping routines. Continuing on, we visit a Cao Dai temple and meet with one of the priests, who enlightens us about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Our final destination is a fish farm that has been operated for many years by a local family, who make their livelihood from this distinctive business. Here, we gain insight into the essential knowledge required to manage such a unique enterprise in this region.
OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:
Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): Once on-shore, we walk five minutes to the nearby market. Join our guide in selecting and buying fresh ingredients for the upcoming cooking session. We take cyclos for a charming ride through town to the local Cao Dai temple. During a quick visit you get to know some insight into this particular religion as well as the special dietary practices of Cao Dai followers. We head to the temple kitchen for an hands-on cooking class, preparing special dietary dishes in an interactive and culturally enriching experience together with the local kitchen team.
Cycling (Ship ‘The Jahan’ only with extra cost): By tender we reach the shores of an small island in the Mekong River near Tan Chau. The island’s flat terrain will make this ride pleasurable and easy along lush green paths with many mango farms. Enjoy the local life left and ride and the many nice fruit gardens. We stop at a small market for a little break an chit chat with local vendors. We continue our cycling tour with some exciting sightseeing on the way: A frog farm and a workshop specialised in weaving high quality mats.
After back onboard a siesta after lunch, 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 where time stood still. We receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to understand what the farmers is currently cultivating. A Vietnamese tea tasting at a local family’s house is accompanied by a presentation of a variety of fruits that are grown near-by, freshly cut from the tree. An artistic group performs displays the traditional dragon dance, whilst we can snack on the “vitamins bombs”.
Back onboard, the ship sails into the sun set towards our destination for the next day. A complimentary cocktail hour and snacks at the pool with music and dance vibes are offered to enjoy the blue hour before dinner is served.
Default Excursion (any ship): Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. Energize yourself with our daily morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast buffet. By local boat, we head out to one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh. This island is home to several communities that sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths. Strolling through the village, you’ll gain profound insights into local life and witness the complete traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island. They enjoy engaging in conversations with foreign visitors.
OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:
Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): Not available
Cycling (Ship ‘The Jahan’ only with extra cost): Once on the shore, you’ll be fitted with a bike and start the ride around the around the island, stopping at scenic backstreets, rice paddies, and the island’s distinctive houses on stilts for some great photo opportunities. The ride will lead us to the village of Long Ta, which is famous for its scarf weaving, for a walk around before returning to the pier and sailing back to the mother ship.
Afterward, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho, offering some little farewell party vibes along the way.
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.
