Mekong Navigator Cruise | Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap 8 days 7 nights

In the afternoon, take a scenic drive from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho port in South Vietnam. Hop aboard the luxurious Mekong Navigator cruise ship. Once you've settled into your comfy suite or cabin, the evening kicks off with a warm welcome reception, a safety briefing, and introductions to the key crew members. Indulge in a delicious Vietnamese 'Mekong Delta' Welcome Dinner served in the Le Marche Dining Room.  

Embark on a journey through Cai Be by hopping on a rowing boat, where local rowers don their iconic conical hats. It's a delightful adventure along the enchanting canals of the Mekong Delta, treating you to picturesque scenes. After the rowing experience, cruise along a network of waterways to a cottage factory where skilled artisans create rice paper, rice wine, and popped rice. Treat yourself to a variety of postcards, souvenirs, and beautiful oil paintings available for purchase. Continue your exploration through the narrow canals of Cai Be towards Cau Xeo, capturing photo-worthy moments of rice barges, rice husking mills, water palm thatching cottages, temples, and more. Head back to the ship for an elegant buffet lunch while sailing upstream, surrounded by tranquil riverine scenery towards Sa Dec.

In the afternoon, sampans return for a leisurely and scenic navigation of the narrow Mekong canals. Observe the daily routines of villagers on the way to the historic town of Sa Dec. Visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration for Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant (The Lover), and the Chinese Temple – Kien An Cung, built in honor of the Huynh Thuy Le Family. Dive into the town’s market, soaking in the vibrant sights, sounds, and aromas with fantastic photo opportunities of colorful fresh produce, meat, live fish, and seafood for sale.

Embark on a short journey from ship to shore by traditional sampan, visiting the typical evergreen farming village of My An Hung on the Mekong Delta. Walk through the verdant village, interact with villagers, and enjoy fresh coconut in the garden. A local family invites you for honey tea and fruit while experiencing the “don ca tai tu” folk music, followed by an impressive VOVINAM Vietnam Martial Arts performance by village teenagers.

In the afternoon, sampans take you to the local island village of Long Khanh A (Hong Ngu district), near the Vietnam – Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces traditional Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. Witness the weaving process in several homes, and some villagers showcase their embroidery art. Before returning to the sampans, take a walk around this evergreen island and visit the home of a local War Veteran.

Sail upstream for a leisurely cruise along the Mekong River, arriving in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon. Enjoy cultural activities on board, including the introduction of tropical fruits and fruit tasting, a demonstration of Vietnamese spring roll making, and an introduction to traditional Cambodian costumes.

In the evening, before dinner, join a cocktail hosted by our Captain.  

In the morning, delve into Cambodia's history at the Choeung Ek killing fields. After a scenic 45-minute drive from the ship, explore the fields, visit the small museum, and the Buddhist memorial stupa, learning more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), the former school converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.

After returning to the ship from S-21, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh – whether shopping or exploring the city independently. (A scheduled shuttle coach with your local guide is provided from the Port to the Central Market for your shopping time).

Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck with a performance by local children of Apsara, the Khmer national dance, and other traditional folk dances.

After breakfast on board, Tuk Tuk drivers meet you on the pier for an exciting morning tour of Phnom Penh's best sites. Gently transport along the riverfront to the Royal Palace complex, the official residence of the King of Cambodia. Enjoy a leisure walk through the grounds, visit the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, and explore the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and the Maitreya Buddha, adorned with more than 9,000 diamonds.

Your Tuk Tuk is waiting outside to take you on a short ride to the open-air National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics, as well as Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artifacts, excavated at the Angkor Temple complex at Siem Reap and other areas around Cambodia.

After returning to the ship, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh.  

This morning, we'll explore Wat Roka Kaong, a temple complex dating back to 1840, as per archaeologists' findings. The structure, partly constructed with wood, underwent renovation in 1998. During this restoration, an emerald statue, believed to be more than 180 years old, was discovered, earning the temple its alternative name, Wat KeoMoni Chort (Emerald). Admire the two towering Golden Buddhist Columns (53 meters tall) that stand in front of two temples: the north temple, Preah Keo Preah Kor, and the south temple, BakSei Chamkrong. Unfortunately, Baksei Chamkrong temple faced destruction due to a landslide in 2020. Take a leisurely stroll around this fascinating temple complex before heading to the Main Pagoda. Inside the vibrant Main Pagoda, experience a traditional water blessing from the local monks.

This afternoon, venture to the rustic and charming village of Opopel, where stilted houses and Brahmin cows seeking shade under banana trees create a timeless atmosphere. Witness the rhythm of rural life as you visit a local family's home, engaging in discussions about their lifestyle. Continue to the local school, where you can join children in their classrooms, providing a glimpse into a typical Cambodian school day. A leisurely stroll through the village offers ample opportunities to capture photos of this forgotten-in-time place. On your way back, make a brief stop at the local monastery.

As the evening sets in, gather on the Sun Deck in front of Le Salon Lounge for a Farewell Reception with the entire crew. Conclude the day with a memorable Cambodian Farewell Dinner in Le Marche Dining Room.

Say goodbye to the crew after breakfast as you disembark the cruise. Transfer from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with a lunch stop, arriving in Siem Reap in the afternoon.