RV Mekong Navigator Cruise Upstream 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh

Begin your journey in the energetic heart of southern Vietnam—Ho Chi Minh City, a metropolis where old-world charm meets modern dynamism. As the city fades into the distance, the land opens into the calm, fertile plains of the Mekong Delta, where your river adventure begins.

Afternoon

Depart from Ho Chi Minh City in the early afternoon, leaving behind the vibrant hum of Vietnam’s southern metropolis. As your coach weaves through the countryside, urban bustle gives way to vast rice paddies, roadside pagodas, and scenes of daily life by the roadside. Arrive at the quiet riverside town of My Tho, your embarkation point for the journey ahead.

Step aboard the elegant RV Mekong Navigator, where the gracious crew welcomes you with refreshing towels and a warm smile. After checking into your colonial-style suite, take time to settle in and explore the ship's inviting lounges, sundeck, and river-facing views.

Evening

As twilight casts a golden hue across the water, gather for a Welcome Reception and safety briefing, followed by introductions to your onboard hosts. In Le Marché Dining Room, enjoy a beautifully prepared Welcome Dinner featuring Vietnamese and Western fusion cuisine. The ship casts off and glides gently along the Mekong, anchoring mid-river near Quoi Son, where the soft sounds of the river lull you into the first night of your cultural voyage.

Morning
Awake to the peaceful rhythms of Quoi Son, a village cradled by meandering canals and shaded by coconut palms. Board a traditional sampan and glide through the narrow waterways, where locals cast fishing nets and river life hums gently around you. Walk through lush tropical fruit gardens, where the scent of guava and jackfruit fills the air.

Hop aboard a nostalgic Lambro 550 (a three-wheeled motorbike taxi) for a short ride to a coconut candy workshop, where artisans transform every part of the coconut into sweets, tools, and trinkets. Continue on foot to a nearby beekeeping family, where you’ll be invited to sip fresh honey tea beneath fruit trees, taste tropical fruits, and enjoy a heartfelt performance of Don Ca Tai Tu, the soulful folk music of southern Vietnam. A quiet rowing boat cruise back to the ship rounds out your morning in this riverside haven.

Afternoon
After lunch on board, the ship docks at Cho Lach, a peaceful farming village renowned for its horticultural expertise. Embark on a sampan to explore the village’s pottery and plant nursery, where you’ll observe how villagers handcraft ceramic plant pots and propagate bonsai and fruit trees using age-old grafting techniques. Walk along dirt lanes framed by palm trees and exchange smiles with local farmers tending their crops.

Your visit ends with a stop at a family home to see how locals weave traditional bamboo fish traps, still used to catch shrimp and small river fish. These simple tools reveal the Mekong’s quiet ingenuity and sustainable traditions.

Evening
Return to the RV Mekong Navigator as it sets sail toward Gieng Island. Enjoy a relaxed evening onboard with dinner served in Le Marché Dining Room, reflecting on the vibrant encounters of the day.

Morning
Dock at Gieng Island, affectionately known as “The Mango Island.” This serene destination offers an intimate window into Vietnam’s enduring artisan heritage. Board a sampan, then transfer to a remork (local tuk-tuk) for a guided ride through the island’s shaded mango groves.

Your first stop is a bamboo basket-weaving village, where generations of islanders continue a meticulous craft that’s essential to local life. Continue to a mango farm, where you’ll sample juicy, sun-ripened fruit beneath the trees. Visit the island’s striking colonial-era Catholic church, its Gothic architecture offering a dramatic contrast to the rural setting. Before returning to the ship, stop at a beautifully preserved French colonial house, where a local family welcomes you for a short visit and a taste of authentic island hospitality.

Afternoon
Cruise onward to Long Thuan Village, a hidden gem along the riverbank. Take a sampan to explore canals flanked by floating fish farms—nets billowing in the current with river-raised tilapia and catfish. Walk to a Taoist temple, where monks invite you to take part in a traditional fortune-telling ceremony, reflecting the deep spiritual undercurrents of Mekong culture.

Before returning to the ship, stop at a local home to learn how vibrant Unicorn Dance masks are crafted by hand. The visit culminates in a colorful Unicorn Dance performance, where youth from the village share a joyful celebration of Vietnamese folklore.

Evening
Back on board, unwind over dinner in the dining room, followed by a fun and lively music quiz and dancing session in Le Salon Lounge. The ship continues upstream, anchoring mid-river near the Vietnam–Cambodia border.

Morning
As the sun rises over the Mekong, the ship pauses for border formalities near the Vietnam–Cambodia checkpoint. During this time, enjoy a relaxed breakfast on board and take in the unfolding riverscape. As paperwork is completed, the Mekong Navigator resumes its serene upstream journey, cruising through a changing panorama of riverside temples, floating homes, and swaying sugar palms. This is a rare moment to fully absorb the tranquil beauty of the river and reflect on the cultures it binds together.

Afternoon
With no land excursions scheduled today, guests are invited to enjoy a curated program of onboard cultural experiences. Begin with a vibrant tropical fruit tasting—from ruby-red dragon fruit to fragrant jackfruit, each with its own story and culinary use. Join a fun and informative Vietnamese spring roll demonstration, learning how to artfully wrap fresh herbs, shrimp, and rice noodles in delicate rice paper. Later, immerse yourself in the regional aesthetic during a showcase of traditional Cambodian costumes, with elegant silks and ornate patterns that speak to centuries of cultural identity.

Evening
As the river reflects the golden hues of sunset, gather with fellow travelers on the Sun Deck for a special Captain’s Cocktail and Sabering Ceremony—a celebratory toast marking the transition into Cambodia. Raise a glass to new friendships and the journey ahead in Phnom Penh. Dinner is served in Le Marché Dining Room, where refined regional dishes pair beautifully with the day’s relaxed atmosphere. The ship anchors mid-river for the night, just outside the capital.

Note: It takes about 10 hours to go from the border to Phnom Penh, depending on the water situation

Morning
Wake to the gentle bustle of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s charismatic capital. The city’s skyline—crowned by temple spires and colonial façades—signals the end of your upstream voyage. Enjoy a final breakfast in the Le Marché Dining Room while soaking in the river views one last time.

After breakfast, it’s time to disembark the RV Mekong Navigator. Bid farewell to the gracious crew who have accompanied you along the way, their warm hospitality a hallmark of your river experience. Whether your journey continues deeper into Cambodia or concludes here in Phnom Penh, the memories of tropical landscapes, delta traditions, and cultural encounters will remain with you long after the river fades behind you.