Mekong River Cruise – Essential Vietnam & Cambodia

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. The evening begins with a welcome dinner, where you can sample the traditional flavours of Vietnamese cooking. You will spend two nights in the heart of District 1, close to the local markets and historical landmarks.

Today's excursion takes you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network used during the Vietnam War. You will learn how these tunnels functioned as living quarters, hospitals, and supply routes. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace or perhaps visit the Ben Thanh Market for some local shopping.

Following a morning walking tour to see the city wake up, you will travel to My Tho to board the RV Lotus. This boutique ship features twin balconies in every suite. After a welcome dinner on board, the ship sets sail towards Cai Be, allowing you to settle in and observe the rhythmic life of the river from the sun deck.

Explore Cai Be by boat to see the local church and visit small workshops making rice paper and coconut candy. In the afternoon, the ship reaches Sa Dec for a guided tour of the markets and the historic home of Huynh Thuy Le. The day ends with evening entertainment in the lounge as the ship moves towards Tan Chau.

Take a rickshaw tour through Tan Chau and visit a rattan weaving workshop. Later, a small boat takes you to Evergreen Island to see traditional Vietnamese farming methods. As the ship approaches the Cambodian border, you can enjoy onboard presentations before crossing and sailing overnight towards the capital, Phnom Penh.

A sobering but important day visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. After lunch, the mood lightens with a visit to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, famous for its architecture. The afternoon is free to browse the capital's markets or relax on board the ship.

Travel to the former royal capital of Oudong for a special Buddhist blessing ceremony conducted by local monks. On the return journey, visit the village of Koh Chen, where families have specialised in copperware for generations. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please in Phnom Penh.

Travel by tuk-tuk across Oknha Tey, also known as Silk Island. You will see the entire silk-making process, from the looms to the finished fabrics. Back on board, enjoy lunch and a relaxing afternoon on the sun deck as the ship continues its journey north towards Angkor Ban.

Stroll through Angkor Ban, one of the few villages to survive the Khmer Rouge era intact. You will see traditional wooden houses on stilts and a local pagoda. In the afternoon, a tuk-tuk tour takes you through the agricultural fields of Koh Pen before a final farewell dinner on board the ship in Kampong Cham.

After disembarking the ship, travel through the countryside to Siem Reap. Visit the Ta Prohm temple, where giant tree roots have grown through the ancient stones. In the evening, enjoy a performance at the Phare Circus, which tells Cambodian stories through acrobatics and music, before checking into your hotel.

Rise early to watch the sun rise over the towers of Angkor Wat. Explore the vast temple complex with your guide before visiting the ancient city of Angkor Thom and the Bayon temple, famous for its many stone faces. The tour concludes with a traditional Khmer dinner and an Apsara dance performance.

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for your flight home, marking the end of your 14-night adventure through Vietnam and Cambodia.