Phnom Penh - Sai Gon - Mekong Princess

This morning the Mekong Princess will cross the border into Vietnam. The scenery changes noticeably from the dry arid landscape of Cambodia, to lush Green irrigated rice paddies.

Your sampans take you to the local island village of Hong Ngu, not far from the Vietnam- Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces a large number of the traditional, Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. Woven in many homes around the village, you will have the opportunity to see the weaving process under several homes. Some villagers are also embroidery artists, displaying their art in and around the homes. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered one western visitor prior to the arrival of the Mekong Princess, and are especially friendly and welcoming. Before returning to the sampans, guests will visit the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hao.

This afternoon local river boats return to ferry us to Gieng Island. We stroll through the nearby village to witness how the classic and traditional oriental sampan boats are made. A short distance along the canal and time to explore duck farms, monkey bridges and tropical orchards. Next is another mode of transport named a “xe loi” (motorized trishaw). Crossing the island aboard your Xe Loi we arrive at the local Catholic Church, built in the 1870’s. We return to the ship for sunset cocktails and dinner is served.

For early risers, sunrise tea or coffee provides the perfect start to your day. Today, sampans take you through a channel lined with mangroves to visit a local coconut candy maker. After watching the candy-making process and walking through the family’s orchard, a horse cart will take you on a 15-minute ride to a pier where you board small, local boats (two guests per boat) for a trip through the narrow creeks lined with Nipah palm before returning to the ship.

Luncheon is served as we cruise along a narrow canal, regarded as one of the busiest trading routes in Southeast Asia. This afternoon, the ship cruises through the hustling bustling Cho Gao canal, a manmade waterway that runs for 21 kms, en route to the Saigon River. The Mekong Princess arrives at Saigon Port at dusk with spectacular skyline views of the city at sunset.

This evening, savor a sumptuous Vietnamese Dinner as we conclude our extraordinary journey through the Mekong Delta. 

After breakfast onboard, it’s time to say farewell to the Mekong Princess and your ship’s crews. A transfer is provided for your convenience from the ship to the Meeting Point at the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel.