On this journey, we leave the bustling French colonial port of Saigon and travel along the main channel into the lush countryside of Cambodia, passing through a vast delta abundant in human life and endeavor. The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is where your journey will end.
DAY 1: SAIGON PORT EMBARKATION
Our guide awaits you at the Meeting Point, Park Hyatt Saigon, then transfer to the Mekong Princess docking at Saigon Port. Once aboard, you will be welcomed by your Vietnamese and Cambodian ship’s crew, before embarking on the most extraordinary journey of discovery. We sail at midday through the famed Mekong Delta on our way to the ‘Mighty Mekong River’. Lunch, with highly attentive oriental hospitality, will be served soon after departure, as we cruise along the Saigon River. Having settled into your luxurious suites, you can relax and enjoy the new scenes and watch the world pass by.Late in the day we anchor in the heart of the Mekong Delta, where cocktails are served as sun sets, and sampans pass by. A traditional Vietnamese dinner is soon ready, embracing a subtle fusion of dishes for the most eclectic tastes.DAY 2: BEN TRE, TRA ON
This morning we sail on traditional Vietnamese sampans through a channel lined with mangroves to visit a local coconut candy maker. After watching the candy-making process we will walk through the village to visit an orchard where fruits native to Vietnam can be seen in various stages of maturity on the vine. After a fresh fruit tasting, we continue to a pier where we board small, local boats (two guests per boat) for a trip through the narrow creeks lined with Nipah palm before returning to the ship. This afternoon we sail through an area of the Mekong Delta barely touched by tourism to see Phuoc Hau historic pagoda and a local handicraft village.
DAY 3: CAN THO, HOA AN
We begin our morning before breakfast aboard the sampans for a cruise through the fascinating Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. The sampans will weave in and out of the many boats that sail into the market each morning to sell produce and other items the residents of the Mekong Delta need in their daily lives. As they weave through the market, there will be many opportunities for amazing photographs, while enjoying fresh fruit and the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” fresh coconut water. Before returning to the ship for breakfast, we stop at a local noodle factory, where we witness the amazing process of how they are made.After lunch, continue excursion by boat to Hoa An village, where is untouched and well- known with flower growing and handmade craft. Our first stop at flower gardens where we will see many different kinds of flowers and learn how to grow and take care of them. Then, a short walking to a local house and chat with the host to see how they live and work in their daily life.After a short break, continue our excursion on motor cart to another village. We stop by at the conical hat-making and mat weaving families, have memorable time chatting with local family members and learning how to create products though hands-on experience. Enjoy your walk in the peaceful village with rice fields, fruit trees...in between visiting 2 local families. Then, we say goodbye and go back to the ship by boat.DAY 4: HONG NGU BORDER CROSSING
Today we visit 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, here we have the opportunity to see the weaving process under several homes. Some villagers are also embroidery artists, displaying their art in and around thehomes. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered one western visitor prior to the arrival of the Mekong Princess, they are especially friendly and welcoming. Guests will also visit the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hao. This afternoon, the Mekong Princess will cross the border into Cambodia and continue up the Mekong River.DAY 5: PHNOM PENH DISEMBARKATION
Following breakfast, it’s time to say a fond farewell to the Mekong Princess and your ship’s crews at Phnom Penh Port.
- Full board welcome and farewell diner
- Cruise Itinerary and Program
- Entrance and Sightseeing Fees
- In-house English-speaking Tour Guide
- Superb dining with all meals included
- 4-night cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom and all port taxes included
- Services of an experienced cruise director throughout the cruise
- Cabin amenities included infotainment system & 24/7 hotline support
- Airfares, and Hotels
- Visa Arrangements & Port tax per passenger
- Crew gratuities, Tips and personal expenses
- Beverages at bar other than mentioned
- All the meals which does not mentioned clearly above
- Peak season or Public holidays surcharge if any
- Compulsory Gala dinner on X-Mas or New Year if any
- All other services not clearly mentioned above
