Saigon to Siem Reap Classic program (9D/8N)
Cruise
Cruise Route
HO CHI MINH CITY - MY THO - CAI BE - VINH LONG - SA DEC - CHAU DOC - PHNOM PENH - KOH CHEN - KAMPONG TRALACH - KAMPONG CHHNANG - SIEM REAP
From the heights of the Himalayas to the southern coasts of the South China Sea, winding over 2,700 miles, the Mekong is much more than just irrigation for Indochina—everywhere it flows, it fascinates men and shapes their lives. Come take an expedition on this grand and plentiful “water snake,” from Ho Chi Minh City, still largely influenced by the French colonial days, to Phnom Penh, Tonle Sap Lake and Siem Reap, following the footsteps of Henri Mouhot. Our meditative trip takes you along the Mekong River on board a ship combining charm and colonial-style comfort.
EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- Discover historical cities: Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh
- Meet the locals and learn about their daily lives in Koh Chen, My Tho...
- Crossing through the splendid Cho Gao canal
THE CFMEKONG DIFFERENCE
- All meals included
- Refined local cuisine
- Headsets are included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Onboard activities and/or lectures
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included
Route
Discover your itinerary day by day
Day 1
HO CHI MINH CITY (Saigon)
Meet at the Liberty Central Riverside Hotel restaurant between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Lunch at the hotel.
In the afternoon, we will tour the city: Reunification palace, Notre Dame cathedral and Central Post office.
We’ll visit Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city, including its hectic market and Ba Thien Hau Pagoda dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail, have dinner and spend the night on board downtown.
Day 2
HO CHI MINH CITY (Saigon)
We’ll leave by coach for the Cu Chi tunnels, an immense network of underground tunnels that were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches. Lunch will be served on board. Visit the Museum of Vietnamese History. We’ll then set out to cross the very narrow Cho Gao Canal. Night on board.
Day 3
CHAO GAO - MY THO - VINH LONG - CAI BE
We continue our cruise to My Tho along the magnificent Cho Gao Canal. Local boats comes alongside the Toum Tiou II to pick up passengers to the mainland for a short panoramic tour of My Tho town and visit Vinh Trang pagoda, stop for a visit of My Tho market. Return at the pier – Passengers cruise on the river to Dragon Island by local boat to visit the island, explore local people’s daily life and enjoy locally seasonal fruits. Lunch on board. We’ll 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*. Night on board.
Day 4
SA DEC
Visit the former house of Huynh Thuy Le, the man who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover on. Short panoramic tour and transfer to Trung Vuong primary school. Continuing to Kien An Cung Pagoda. Stroll around Sa Dec Market along Sa Dec River bank. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. We’ll return on board our ship and have lunch.
Day 5
CHAU DOC - PHNOM PENH
Breakfast is served on board as we sail to the border. After the custom formalities, we will set sail towards Phnom Penh while having lunch on board. We’ll arrive late afternoon in Phnom Penh. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 6
PHNOM PENH
We’ll enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum & Wat Phnom. 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, enjoy some free time at the market. As we get back on board, we will enjoy an Apsara dance show. Dinner and overnight on board, in the port of Phnom Penh. Free evening.
Day 7
KOH CHEN - KAMPONG TRALACH
The Toum Tiou II leaves Phnom Penh for Koh Chen. Breakfast during navigation. Visit of Koh Chen, a small village where craftspeople specialize in silver and copper work. Lunch on board. Visit of the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda we need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach in ox carts, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Day 8
KAMPONG CHHNANG – KOH CHEN
Departure of the Toum Tiou II early in the morning. Sail to Kampong Chhnnang. Breakfast during navigation. Visit of Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on Tonle Sap Lake. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is best known for its fine traditional pottery which is a major source of revenue for the entire country. Tasting of some local products. Lunch on board. We’ll then continue our cruise towards Koh Chen.
Cocktail and gala dinner tonight. Overnight on board.
Day 9
SIEM REAP
Breakfast on board. After breakfast, passengers will be transferred by air-conditioned coach from Koh Chen to Lotus Blanc Hotel in Siem Reap (5-6 hours bus ride). End of our journey. Please do not book your flight before 3:00 p.m.
Disclaimer: Please email us for a precise itinerary as programs differ from ship to ship.
Date & Price
Choose your departure date
- Start DateEnd DateRouteDaysFrom*
No date available
* Prices are per person and are based on Double/Twin cabins located on the lower deck
For Reservation conditions: please contact us at office@cfmekong.com
What’s included
What's Covered and What's Not on Your Cruise Tour
- Full board accommodation, including meals mentioned in the program, coffee, tea & drinking water
- French or English speaking guide
- Visits mentioned in the program
- Entrance fees
- Transportation from departure port to arrival port
- Port fees
- Wifi
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Visas if needed
- Tours & meals other than those mentioned in the program
- Transfers from/to airport and hotels
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for the crew/guides
Ships
Several ships available for this cruise
Toum Tiou II
Non-EU nationals are requested to consult their embassy or consulate.
HEALTH FORMALITIES
Vaccines are not mandatory for this trip. However, it is advisable to be up to date with all vaccinations (tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, and typhoid fever). Your doctor will prescribe an antimalarial drug if necessary. Mosquito repellent is strongly recommended.
WEATHER
The dry season lasts from December to April, but the air remains humid (temperature: 77° to 95°F). The rainy season, from May to November, can present very strong but brief storms that generally take place at the end of the afternoon.
METHODS OF PAYMENT – CURRENCY EXCHANGE
- The currency accepted on board is the US dollar. You can pay in dollars or using an international credit/debit card (Visa and MasterCard) at the end of the cruise. In Cambodia, it is recommended to have some US dollars in cash with you. In Vietnam, if you wish to buy souvenirs, we recommend that you change about £20 or $20 into dongs on arrival.
- For the current exchange rates for the Vietnamese dong and the Cambodian riel, please consult websites such as www.xe.com or www.oanda.com/currency/converter/.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
- “Pchum Ben” from September 16th to 18th
- “Water and Moon Festival” from October 30th to November 1st
During these days, some sites can be closed without warning.
TIME DIFFERENCE
You can consult www.worldtimezone.com to see the time difference between your home and your destination.
Visit the former house of Huynh Thuy Le, the man who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover on. Short panoramic tour and transfer to Trung Vuong primary school. Continuing to Kien An Cung Pagoda. Stroll around Sa Dec Market along Sa Dec River bank.
Breakfast on board