From Siem Reap to the Mekong Delta (port-to-port cruise)

Arrive in Koh Chen. You can explore this small village where craftspeople specialize in silver and copper work. Lunch on board, then set out to visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda you need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach in a “tuk-tuk”, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. Spend the night on board.

This morning visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports. Fish farming is abundant here. The region is also known for its traditional pottery combining ancient knowledge with modern techniques—Chhnang itself means “pot.” There will be a tasting of regional products before returning on board. Lunch and cruising towards Phnom Penh, arriving in the early evening. Enjoy a brief tour of the area by “tuk-tuk,” the easiest way to get around the city. Return to the ship and enjoy a performance of classical Khmer dancing and music and have dinner.

This morning there will be a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Continue to visit the National Museum. After lunch in town, you can pay a visit to the Tuol Svay Prey School, a former detention, torture, and execution center run by the Khmer Rouge during the civil war. Afterwards, there will be some free time at the market. Return on board and have dinner. Night on board.

We’ll arrive in Chau Doc. Located on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, the prosperous city of Chau Doc has developed around fish and fish farming. Floating farms invade the waters. Visit to the Tay An Pagoda and the Ba Chua Xu Temple. Lunch. Once you are back on board, you will begin to cruise toward Sa Dec. We’ll spend the night on board.

Visit the former house of Huynh Thuy Le, the man who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover on. After your excursion, there will be some free time in Sa Dec. Lunch on board and cruise to Vinh Long. Set out in smaller boats and travel through canals and orchards before arriving in Cai Be. Discover a brick and pottery factory as well as a traditional factory producing puffed riced, rice-paper wrappers used to make nems, and rice alcohol. Return on board your ship and begin to cruise. You will have dinner and spend the night on board.

This morning you will visit a beekeeping farm where you will taste honey tea and exotic fruits. You will then take a ride in small sampans along the canal lined with mangrove palms. Lunch will be served on board. Set out to cross the very narrow Chao Gao Canal, heading for Ho Chi Minh City. You will have dinner and remain in port overnight in the downtown area.

Ho Chi Minh City was heavily influenced by French colonialism in the 19th century. It is now the largest port in Vietnam. Take a tour of the city to see the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saigon Central Post Office, and visit the Museum of Vietnamese History. Lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon leave by coach for the Cu Chi tunnels(2), an immense network of underground tunnels that were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War. After the excursion return on board the ship. Tonight, there will be a farewell cocktail and dinner. Spend the night at the port.

(2) The transfer by coach takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes each way.

Breakfast on board before disembarking. Spend the morning visiting Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city, including its hectic market. After lunch in town, bid you farewell at approximately 2:00 p.m. Please do not book your flight before 5:00 p.m.

• Your cruise in the cabin category of your choice
• Transfer from downtown Siem Reap to the boat
• All meals
• Onboard drinks included (except for drinks from the special lists) – drinks at lunches in Hô Chi Minh-City and Phnom Penh (water + 1 soda or 1 beer and 1 coffee or 1 tea per person and per meal)
• Visits and excursions mentioned in the program
• The services of an english-speaking local tour guides and onboard CroisiEurope tour director
• Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
• Tips: To ensure a worry-free trip, tips are included as follows: 35€ per passenger for tips which will be entirely paid to the personnel from the countries to be visited and 45€ per passenger for crew members. This amount was determined while taking into consideration the local customs and etiquette.

• International flights and their taxes
• Transfers not mentioned in the program
• Cambodian and Vietnamese visas
• Cancellation and baggage insurance
• Drinks on board from special lists
• Drinks other than those mentioned