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Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

Pearl of the Orient

Phnom Penh to Saigon - Example 4 Day Cruise aboard Jayavarman
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On this 4-day river cruise aboard the Jayavarman from Phnom Penh to Saigon and discover the diverse cultures of Cambodia and Vietnam. During your trip, learn about the culture and heritage of the Lower Mekong River with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas, and colorful markets. Engage with locals and witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies. Experience all this and more on this life-enriching cruise along the Mekong. 
Boat floating along the Mekong RiverLocal ArtisansKampong TralachRoyal Palace in Phnom PenhBoy on wooden fishing boatFloating village in Southeast AsiaBoat House in MekongRoyal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Highlights
  • Learn about the culture and life of the locals along the river with an expert guide
  • Cruise downstream along the Mighty Mekong River aboard a luxurious riverboat
  • Discover Phnom Penh, once named "Paris of the East."
  • Board local boats and head to a floating fish farm in Tan Chau.
Activity Level: Relaxed
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Phnom Penh | Embark | Tan Chau

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Welcome aboard with Heritage Line for your Mekong River adventure. After you have checked in, learn about the highlights of this cruise before lifting the anchor. The lounge is set up for Mr. Jean-Michel, a professor from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, to deliver an eye-catching and entertaining lecture on modern Cambodian history. Before setting sail southward near the border with Vietnam, the presentation will last around an hour.

The rest of the morning and the whole afternoon is at your disposal. From now on, you can turn into cruise mode and hopefully experience the calming effects that the cadence of this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed, or private balcony kickbacks.

You also may like to visit the bridge, as the captain always has a little story to share about the Mekong river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, you will reach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam. From here, it is just a short distance to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer community. The ship will moor near the city with views of the riverbanks.

Day 2: Tan Chau | My An Hung | Sa Dec

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. Once on shore, see Tan Chau’s vibrant town life. Hop on a xelois, which are local vehicles still used as taxis in this area. Your Xeloi driver will slowly navigate through the streets to observe all the workshops, houses, and shops while feeling the laid-back vibe of this place. Make a stop at the colorful local market near one of the town’s temples, interact with the vendors of this friendly town, and try your hand at bargaining with them.

To see what Tan Chau is famous for, board one of the local boats and head to a floating fish farm to get an exclusive look into the world’s largest inland aquaculture industry. This floating structure has netting hanging down into the water to enclose the fish, which are raised and fed daily. The specialties of this region are tilapia and the Basa catfish, or Pangasius, which are unique to the Mekong River basin and are rapidly gaining popularity in the international seafood market.

Back on board, and before lunch is served, you may take a dip in the pool. After the meal, the expert guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung, near Sa Dec province.

My An Hung Village in the Mekong Delta is a beautiful illustration of a genuine native village. Upon arrival, you will receive a remarkable insight into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to see what they are currently cultivating. Visit a local family's house for a Vietnamese tea tasting. Vietnamese tea is often bitter, so locals sweeten it with honey, a regional delicacy also produced by our hosts. The family will present a wide variety of fruits growing in the region and freshly cut from the tree. And as an artist group performs a traditional, artistic dragon dance, we snack on these vitamin bombs.

The sunsets and the light now bathe everything in a golden hue. The surrounding natural beauty is a perfect backdrop for a riverbank gathering with cocktails and dancing with the crew in this remote and secluded location.

Day 3: Binh Thanh Island | Cai Be | My Tho

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning the ship arrives at one of the larger islands in the vast stream of the Mekong, Binh Thanh Island. Several communities have settled here and made their living by growing water hyacinths.

During this exclusive visit to one of the untouched areas, you will have the chance to wander through the village and get a deep understanding of native life. One of the local artisans will demonstrate the entire process of traditional mat-making. You can try weaving yourself. You will also meet a local elderly couple who will share their story of living on this island. They are always happy to chit-chat with our guests.

Back on the ship, continue to sail toward Cai Be while taking your lunch. Cai Be is a charming town famous for its Catholic-French church and the manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. You will learn from the guide about the long-lasting trading culture and how each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling.

You will sail along the green canal network and watch the farmers working in the fields from a local boat. A visit ashore to a workshop shows the manufacturing of rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, and rice wine. Due to the abundance of palm trees in Cai Be, the area is renowned for producing coconut sweets.

Back on board, the crew will invite you to a farewell event and some cheerful moments before dinner, including music and Cambodian dancing together with the team. Enjoy your final dinner aboard and relive the week’s adventures in your mind’s eye with a glass of wine at the open bar.

Day 4: My Tho | Saigon | Disembark | Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. Disembark the ship after breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometers on the highway, and you arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

Ship/Hotel

Jayavarman

Heritage Line - Mekong - Jayavarma - Cooking Class 2
Heritage Line - Mekong - Jayavarma - Barbecue on Board
Heritage Line - Mekong - Jayavarma - Cooking Class

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Early Bird Discount
Book your cruise with Heritage Line in advance to secure your cabin together with an ‘Early Bird’ discount on your journey along one of Southeast Asia’s most enchanting waterways. The ‘Early Bird’ is available on any published departure date in any cruise destination, on any ship, and on any itinerary. Kindly note that this offer is only available in the entry room category and must be booked 180 days prior to the cruise. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to all departures

Per person starting at
$1,150
Superior StateroomSuperior Stateroom
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Superior Stateroom
Room Size: 20 sqm/215 sqft. (Double & Twin Beds) Located in the main deck, the Superior Staterooms feature a separate bathroom and large floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass doors that open onto a balcony.
Deluxe StateroomDeluxe Stateroom
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Deluxe Stateroom
Room Size: 23 sqm/248 sqft (Double & Twin Beds) The Deluxe Stateroom comprise of a combined bed and living room, chairs, private balcony and a spacious bathroom. Warm tones, dark wood antique furniture, and handmade, rustic copper sinks in the bathrooms bring back the sensation of an awe-inspiring colonial era.
Signature SuiteSignature Suite
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Signature Suites
Room Size: 27 sqm/290 sqft. (Double Beds) The Signatures Suites sit on the upper deck and in a quiet area at the front of the ship. Both are uniquely designed and have a king double bed, sofa, walk-in wardrobe, luxurious bathroom with shower, and a front-facing balconies. A butler takes care of these suites.
Included
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
  • 3 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Internet access (in limited areas)
  • Daily Group Shore-Excursions
  • All entrance fees as per program
  • All transfers as per itinerary by air-conditioned Vehicles
  • Welcome drink, brewed coffee, tea and mineral water
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Spa Treatments
  • Port taxes/fees
  • Passport or Visa fees

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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