7 days
Ho Chi Minh, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh
Discover the charm of the Mekong on this 7-day journey through the enchanting regions of Indochina - Vietnam and Cambodia. Experience the vibrant floating markets in the early morning, where boats sell fresh produce and local fruits. Gain insight into wartime history with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a renowned network of underground passageways. Explore Saigon’s top attractions, including the Vietnam History Museum, War Remnants Museum, and the Reunification Palace. This tour promises to be an unforgettable adventure for you and your companion.
By Day | Transfer | Destinations | Activities | Meals |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh | Welcome to Saigon, Free to relax | D | |
Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh | Explore Cu Chi Tunnels, visit the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum | B, L | |
Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh, My Tho, Cai Be | Travel to My Tho, cruise along the Mekong, enjoy the sunset, hit Cai Be | B, L, D | |
Day 4 | Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau | Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau | B, L, D | |
Day 5 | Tan Chau, Phnom Penh | Discover around Tan Chau, reach a fish sanctuary, slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles, get to the border for Phnom Penh, enjoy the boat, reach to Phnom Penh | B, L, D | |
Day 6 | Phnom Penh | Have breakfast, disembark the cruise, transfer to hotel and explore the city of Phnom Penh | B | |
Day 7 | Phnom Penh | Have breakfast, check out | B |
Welcome to Saigon, Free to relax
Welcome to Vietnam - Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), you will be met by our guide and taken to your hotel in the heart of the city. After checking in, you’ll have some free time to explore the bustling city center and get a feel for the vibrant atmosphere of this dynamic metropolis.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Explore Cu Chi Tunnels, visit the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum
We will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 AM to begin the Cu Chi Tunnels tour from Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, a renowned historic site located in Cu Chi district. These tunnels, stretching over 200 km, feature numerous branches that connect underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. Used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, they played a crucial role in resisting American forces and contributed to significant military successes. Here, you’ll learn about the communication methods, supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches, and living quarters used by guerrilla fighters during the war. Have lunch at the restaurant, then we drive back to Ho Chi Minh arriving at approximately 2:00 PM.
City tour of Ho Chi Minh City with the War Remnants Museum - a real and huge collection of the war evidences, the Reunification Palace - a historic place which witnessed the victorious moments of Vietnam forces, the Old Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral - the religious symbol of the Christian in Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel to My Tho, cruise along the Mekong, enjoy the sunset, hit Cai Be
At 11:30 AM, the RV Jahan Cruise guide will meet you at the Renaissance Riverside Hotel in Saigon. Before noon, we'll gather at our welcome lounge in Saigon, where you can relax with a drink while our staff greets you and processes your boarding details.
We’ll then leave the hustle and bustle of Saigon behind and travel 70 kilometers south by land to My Tho, where you'll board your luxury floating home for an enchanting journey along the mighty Mekong.
Upon boarding, our crew will warmly welcome you and assist with your check-in to your staterooms. The ship will then set sail, marking the start of your fascinating exploration of the Mekong. Enjoy a buffet lunch in the restaurant as the vessel glides upstream to the overnight location. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the ship's amenities and immerse yourself in the experience of one of Asia’s largest rivers.
In the afternoon, you can relax on your private balcony or join us for tea time at the open-air bar, where you can watch the Mekong Delta bathe in the golden light of twilight.
As you dine, the ship will arrive in Cai Be, a charming small town known for its Catholic French church and traditional crafts and food products. Although the floating market of Cai Be is shrinking as trade increasingly moves to modern central markets, it remains a captivating site.
We will anchor mid-stream for the night, near Cai Be.
Explore floating market, stunning landscapes along the Mekong, cruise to Tan Chau
Everyday, we offer an invigorating Tai Chi class on the sun deck, allowing you to start your day like many locals across Asia, just as the sun begins to rise.
A hearty buffet breakfast will set you up for your first day of exploration in the Mekong Delta. The morning tour will take you to Cai Be, where you can observe traditional boat-to-boat trading of local goods, including fruits and agricultural products. Our guide will explain this enduring trade culture, where each boat displays a special marker to indicate what goods are for sale.
Cai Be is a quaint town intersected by numerous water canals. We will visit a workshop to learn about and watch the production of rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, and rice wine. This region, covered by palm trees, is also renowned for its coconut candies. Continuing our journey by local boat, we will navigate through the lush canal network and witness farmers at work in the fields.
Back on board, enjoy a delicious lunch and some free time. You might choose to savor a true Vietnamese coffee at the bar or simply relax and watch life on the riverbanks drift by.
In the afternoon, we will reach Sa Dec and board a traditional sampan to explore Binh Thanh Island, one of the larger islands in the Mekong’s vast expanse. Some local communities here grow water hyacinths. We will visit one of these untouched areas and explore the village, gaining insight into local life and observing the traditional process of rattan weaving, which is still done manually. Meet local residents who are eager to share their stories and chat with you.
Back on board, you may indulge in a spa treatment or take a dip in the pool on the sun deck. Our expert guides will present a talk on "Life on the Mekong Delta" as the ship sails towards Tan Chau, the border town with Cambodia. We will moor mid-stream near Tan Chau.
Dinner will be served, and later you can enjoy our evening cinema session, featuring selected classic movies.
Discover around Tan Chau, reach a fish sanctuary, slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles, get to the border for Phnom Penh, enjoy the boat, reach to Phnom Penh
Welcome to Vietnam's fish sanctuary. Start your day with a hearty breakfast either in the dining hall or on the tranquil balcony of your stateroom.
Prepare for a tour of Tan Chau, a charming, relaxed town near the Cambodian border with a vibrant mix of Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer communities. Once ashore, we'll hop on a “xeloi,” a traditional local vehicle still used as a taxi in this area. We'll meander through the streets, taking in the workshops, homes, and local life. Stop by the lively market near an ancient temple, where you can engage with friendly vendors and practice your bargaining skills.
We’ll then board local boats and cruise past floating houses to visit a floating fish farm. This area is renowned for its fish production, supplying markets around the globe, and you'll get a close-up view of fish farming operations.
Back on board, we will sail towards the Vietnamese-Cambodian border, cruising through the serene Cambodian countryside en route to Phnom Penh. The afternoon is yours to enjoy as you unwind and embrace the tranquility of the river. Whether you choose to indulge in a massage, relax on a sunbed, or enjoy the view from your private balcony, this is your time to fully immerse yourself in the river's soothing atmosphere.
In the afternoon, join a culinary class to enhance your knowledge of local cuisine. Alternatively, visit the bridge for a chat with the captain, who will share stories about the river. As we continue our leisurely journey, enjoy afternoon high tea with delightful treats.
Dinner will be served before we reach Phnom Penh around 8:00 PM. The boat will dock at the city pier, and you are free to explore on your own. Take a stroll along the river promenade, watch the locals socialize and shop, or enjoy a drink at one of the many bars (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).
Have breakfast, disembark the cruise, transfer to hotel and explore the city of Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh, once known as the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid modernization, the city has preserved much of its rustic charm and elegance. It’s a fascinating place steeped in centuries of remarkable history and culture, evident at every turn.
After breakfast, we will check out of the RV Jahan Cruise at 8:00 AM. Our guide will meet you at Phnom Penh Pier and transfer you to the bustling city center.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you'll embark on a cycling tour to explore the city. Your first stop will be the vibrant Khmer-style Royal Palace. Built in 1866 by the predecessors of King Norodom, this palace blends traditional Khmer architecture with Napoleonic influences. The complex includes stunning structures such as the Throne Hall, Pochani Pavilion, and Moonlight Pavilion.
Nearby, you’ll visit the Silver Pagoda, home to national treasures including golden and jeweled Buddha statues. Among these, a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha adorned with 9,584 diamonds stands out as the most precious.
Next, we’ll explore the National Museum, renowned for its exquisite architecture and its extensive collection of Khmer art. This includes sculptures, ceramics, carvings, and bronzes from various periods.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at a charity-run restaurant before heading to Wat Phnom, the highest point in Phnom Penh. From here, you can take in breathtaking sunset views over the city.
You will spend the night at a hotel in Phnom Penh.
Have breakfast, check out
After breakfast at the hotel, you will have some free time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Following this, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. End of services!
Meals
6 breakfasts 4 lunches 4 dinners
Accommodation
Cruise (3 nights)
Transport
Car, Cruise
Included services
03 nights Mekong River Cruise, 03 nights hotel accommodation
Daily western-style breakfast
Daily (group) shore-excursions as mentioned in the program
Entrance fees, performances, boat trips & excursions
Transportation as mentioned in the program, transfers to/from the meeting point/ship of RV Jahan Cruise
Tour guide services (English speaking)
Taxes, fuel, river pilots, local anchorage fees, daily Tai Chi classes and onboard entertainment, sauna or steam bath (The Jahan only)
Welcome drink, breakfast – lunch - dinner (on full sailing days or as indicated in program)
Water & tissues on coach
Free flow of beverages - mineral water, soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee - at all times on RV Jahan Cruise
Free flow of local beer and house wine by glass during lunch and dinner, drinking water in cabin and during excursions, insurance (passenger liability), internet throughout the boat (subject to cellular network signal) on RV Jahan Cruise
International Flights
Visa Fees (issued on arrival) for Cambodia
Any visa fees
Private transfers and any other transfer not stated in the program, personal expenses and purchases, all further beverages, premium spirits and other services not mentioned under inclusions or in the program
Fuel surcharges if any (please refer to general terms and conditions, medical services, spa treatments (please see special cabin inclusions), telephone.
Personal travel insurance
Any services not mentioned in itinerary
.accordion-body
, though the transition does limit overflow.
.accordion-body
, though the transition does limit overflow.
.accordion-body
, though the transition does limit overflow.
Private tours give you more flexibility in your movements
Convenience and saving time are huge reasons people choose private tours
Add more exciting or reduce the less attractive destinations.