Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise Upstream 4 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh

Morning

Gather at the Saigon welcome lounge, where our team assists with embarkation details while you enjoy a relaxed cup of coffee.

We then set out on a 70-kilometer drive south to My Tho, where your floating home for the next four days awaits. After check-in and settling into your cabin, our cruise begins its journey along one of Asia’s most storied waterways.

A lunch buffet is served in the restaurant as the ship sets sail on the Mekong River.

Afternoon & Evening

The rest of the afternoon invites you to soak up the Mekong’s serene landscapes bathed in golden twilight. It’s also the perfect time to mingle with fellow travelers before the official welcome reception, complete with prosecco and canapés.

By dinner time, the ship reaches Tan Phong Island near Cai Be, the anchoring spot for the cruise tonight.

After dinner, there is a cinema in the lounge that showcases classic movies and interesting documentaries on a nightly basis.

Morning

The day begins with a morning Tai Chi class and a rich breakfast buffet, today we will have a visit to Cai Be and Tan Phong Island, a charming market town known for its traditional crafts and food products.

You will call on a workshop in Cai Be, demonstrating the production of rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, and rice wine. The region is also known for the production of coconut candy.

Get to Tan Phong Island, where a visit with a welcoming family allows you to sample exotic fruits fresh from their garden. A leisurely buggy ride then takes you through village paths, where another family demonstrates the intricate weaving of water hyacinth into handmade crafts.

Afternoon

Relax and enjoy some time on your private balcony or at the bar on board the Jayavarman cruise as we continue our voyage upstream. In the afternoon, we arrive at Sa Dec, a charming riverside town in Dong Thap Province. This town reveals a graceful blend of colonial elegance and everyday Mekong life.

Begin with a walk through the lively central market, where an abundance of fresh produce, seafood, and local delicacies reflects the region’s rich agricultural rhythm.

The cultural layers deepen with a visit to the historic home of Huynh Thuy Le, closely tied to Marguerite Duras’ The Lover. Stepping inside offers a glimpse into a narrative that has left its mark on both literature and the town itself.

The journey continues to Kien An Cung Pagoda, a century-old temple of Chinese heritage. With its ornate details and tranquil riverside setting, it provides a peaceful contrast to the town’s lively streets before returning on board.

Evening

Before dinner, the expert guide presents life on the Mekong Delta as the ship continues sailing to Tan Chau, a pleasant border town with a large Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer community.

Morning 

Welcome to Vietnam's fish sanctuary - Tan Chau. Today’s journey begins on Gieng Island, where you stroll through lush mango groves.

Then we visit a small incense workshop that introduces us to the careful process of crafting these fragrance sticks by hand. Another local highlight is a traditional boat-building workshop, where generations of families assemble wooden vessels that are essential to life along the river.

Before departing, we surely are going to taste some of these delicious and freshly picked mangoes with a local tea in the courtyard of a century-old local home. This is the moment when we all understand the rhythms and resilience of life on the Mekong.

Afternoon

After lunch, the afternoon unfolds at a gentle pace as the ship glides towards the border. You are invited to join a hands-on cooking class, where you’ll learn a Vietnamese dish simple enough to recreate at home later. Alternatively, spend the time unwinding on deck as the landscapes drift by, or retreat to the spa for a soothing treatment that restores both body and mind.

Relax at your disposal for massages, relaxation on the terrace deck sunbeds, or private balcony kickbacks. As the day winds down, the ship sets a course toward Cambodia, sailing overnight to Phnom Penh.

Morning

Greetings to Phnom Penh, frequently referred to as the “Paris of the East”. The city has preserved much of its quaint allure and sophistication.

Passengers have their final breakfast on board before stepping off the last 4-day floating home.

Lastly, we bid farewell. Hope you relish this captivating river cruise and will carry along the enchanting memories about the tales of the Mighty Mekong.