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

Morning

Our guide will pick you up from your Ho Chi Minh City hotel and transfer you to the Mekong Princess docking at Saigon Port, 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, for embarkation.

Please provide your hotel details and be prepared at your hotel between 10:00 and 11:00 to await our shuttle service.

Once on board, a safety briefing will occur in the Ramvong Lounge immediately upon embarkation. The Vietnamese and Cambodian ship's crew will extend a warm welcome before embarking on an exceptional river cruise.

Shortly after departure, a lunch featuring highly attentive oriental hospitality will be served. After settling into your luxurious suites, you can unwind, enjoy the new scenery, and observe the world passing by.

Afternoon

We continue to sail through the Soai Rap River, Nuoc Man Canal, Vam Co River, and Cho Gao Canal to reach the 'Mighty Mekong River'.

We anchor in the heart of the Mekong Delta and relish crafted cocktails by our skilled bartenders while watching the sunset and sampans passing by.

Evening

In the Indochine Restaurant, a traditional Vietnamese “A La Carte” dinner will be served, featuring a subtle fusion of dishes tailored for the most delicate palates.

Morning

Sampans guide you along a mangrove-lined channel. A ride on a local "xe lam" (three-wheeler) reaches a coconut candy workshop, we cannot miss the famous candy-making process.

Then, you can stroll through the village to explore an orchard showcasing native Vietnamese fruits. 

After a refreshing fruit tasting, spend the rest of the time on a journey through narrow creeks bordered by Nipah palm on a local boat before returning to the ship.

Afternoon

Later in the day, the ship navigates through an untouched area to Can Tho city, renowned as the capital of the Mekong Delta.

The guide will take everyone on a brief city tour, including a visit to the Zihuang Pagoda (Chua Ong) and enjoying traditional unicorn dances. 

Evening

Explore the charming city at your own pace before dining onboard. The ship docks in Can Tho overnight.

Morning

Before breakfast, we embark on sampans for a captivating cruise through the enchanting Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. These sampans navigate skillfully through many boats that converge each morning to sell essential produce in the Mekong Delta. 

Besides relishing fresh fruit and fresh coconut water, we make a stop at a local noodle factory, offering a firsthand look at the fascinating noodle-making process.

After the early expedition, we return to the ship for a lavish buffet breakfast.

Afternoon

Following lunch, the excursion continues by sampan to Hoa An Village, renowned for its untouched beauty and seasonal crops.

We then wander around the tranquil villages on a "xe loi" and on foot. Moving to the sampan and observing from afar the land milling in operation will also enhance our understanding of how rice is being transported and processed locally.

Let's visit families involved in conical hat-making, where you can engage in conversations and discover the art of crafting these traditional products.

Evening

As the day unfolds, the Mekong Princess sails and anchors near Gieng Island.

Morning

Following breakfast, we embark on sampans to explore Gieng Island. A brief stroll through the local sampan village, where these boats are crafted daily by resident families, precedes a canal drive to discover mango gardens along the riverbanks. 

We then experience a ride on a 'Xe Loi' (motor trishaw), exploring the island and visiting the Phanxico Monastery.

Afternoon

We venture to the nearby island village of Hong Ngu, situated close to the Vietnam-Cambodia border.

Hong Ngu is renowned for producing traditional Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. There, tourists will have a chance to witness the weaving process and the locals' embroidery art.

Guests will explore the local temple dedicated to the unique Hoa Hao religion, which originated in this part of Vietnam.

Evening

The Mekong Princess will arrive at the border to complete exit procedures before continuing up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh.

Morning & Afternoon

The Mekong Princess will reach the border to complete exit procedures before continuing its journey upper to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

Upon completing immigration procedures, local cyclo drivers await to take you on an exhilarating city tour. 

The ride begins along the riverfront, leading you to the Royal Palace. A leisurely walk through the well-manicured gardens provides opportunities to explore the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion.

You'll pass enormous stupas and spirit houses on your way to the renowned Silver Pagoda, housing Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha, adorned with over 9,000 diamonds.

After a break, your cyclos transport you to the National Museum, which houses Cambodia's largest pre-Angkorian and Angkorian artifact collections.

Following the shore excursion, kindly place your checked luggage outside your suite as it's time to bid farewell to the Mekong Princess and its crew at Phnom Penh Port.

Disembarkation is scheduled for 17:00.