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 the ruins of Angkor, 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.
Meet at the Liberty Central Riverside Hotel restaurant between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, a tour of the city to see the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saigon Central Post Office. Next, we’ll head to Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city, to tour its hectic market and the Thien Hau temple. You’ll then be transferred to our ship. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll have dinner and spend the night on the ship, which will remain moored.
We’ll leave by coach for the Cu Chi tunnels, an immense network of underground tunnels that were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War. After lunch, join us for a visit to the Museum of Vietnamese History. We’ll then begin to cruise to the splendid Cho Gao canal. We’ll spend the night on board.
During our passage through the Cho Gao Canal, you’ll discover the daily life in Vietnam—organized around fishing, farming, and transport. In My Tho, we'll visit a bee farm and enjoy some honey tea and exotic fruit. We'll then take a ride in small sampans along the canal lined with mangrove palms. After having lunch on board, we’ll visit Vinh Long, located in the middle of the Delta region between two of the Mekong’s distributaries. We’ll discover a brick and pottery factory, a fruit-tree nursery, puffed riced, rice-paper wrappers, and rice alcohol.* We’ll spend the night on board.
We’ll visit the former house of Huynh Thuy Le, the man who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover on. After our excursion, enjoy some free time in Sa Dec. We’ll return on board and cast off as you sit down to lunch. Our ship will begin to cruise to Cambodia. We’ll spend the night on board.
After breakfast and our arrival in Chau Doc, we’ll visit a local fish farm, the Ba Chua Xu Temple, and the Tay An Pagoda. We’ll enjoy lunch on board and arrive in Phnom Penh in the evening. We’ll enjoy dinner on board this evening. Set out on a brief tour of the area by "tuk-tuk," the easiest way to get around the city. We’ll remain in port overnight.
We’ll enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, which is inlaid with more than 5,000 silver tiles. After, join us for a visit to the National Museum of Cambodia. We’ll have lunch in the city. In the afternoon, 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. We’ll return to the ship and enjoy a performance of classical Khmer dancing and music. We’ll have dinner on board and remain in port overnight. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.
Once we arrive in Koh Chen, you can explore this small village where craftspeople specialize in silver and copper work. Enjoy lunch on board. We’ll head to Kampong Tralach to visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda, we need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
We’ll visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on Tonle Sap Lake. Fish farming is abundant here. The region is also known for its traditional pottery combining ancient knowledge with modern techniques—Chhnang itself means "pot." We'll also enjoy a tasting of regional products. Enjoy lunch on board. We’ll cruise to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Tonight, we’ll have our final cocktail and dinner on the ship. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Disembark, road(1) to Siem Reap and discovery of traditional villages Or Morning cruise(2) through Tonle Lake and disembark.
After, we'll visit the Angkor Wat temple: the epitome of Khmer architectural art and the most famous and imposing of all the monuments in Angkor (visitors must cover their shoulders and wear long pants or a long skirt). Enjoy a stroll through the Angkor Night Market. Dinner and overnight in hotel (Accommodations will be at either a 4-star or 5-star hotel according to the cruise you choose).
Visit of the Senteurs d'Angkor (closed on Sundays), a local business with a diverse collection of silk and carvings, as well as a superb range of traditional beauty products and spices, all made locally. We’ll end the day with Phare, the Cambodian circus, and spend the night at the hotel.
This morning, we’ll tour Ta Prohm, a Cambodian temple dedicated to the family of Jayavarman VII. We’ll then explore Angkor Thom. Stroll through the grounds of the former Royal Palace and discover the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch will be served at the hotel.
We’ll bid you farewell at approximately 2:00 p.m. Please do not book your flight before 5:00 p.m.
FOR DEPARTURES FROM JANUARY TO MAY 2024
Your cruise in the cabin category of your choice - double-occupancy accommodations in a first-class hotel - all meals - drinks at all meals (1 soft drink or 1 beer* or 1 mineral water + 1 tea or coffee per person for each meal) - unlimited tea, coffee and mineral water during the cruise - visits and excursions mentioned in the program - the services of an English-speaking local tour guides and onboard Sonia Jones Travel tour director - the Sonia Jones Travel agent in Siem Reap - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - tips (excluding tips for crew members on board the ship).
Tips: To make your vacation worry-free, the equivalent of AUD 85 per passenger will be given to service providers for your destination country as tips. We feel this amount is appropriate in consideration of local customs and practice.
FOR DEPARTURES FROM AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2024
Your cruise in the cabin category of your choice - double-occupancy accommodations in a first-class hotel - all meals - on board drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists) - drinks during the lunch on Day 01 and all meals in Siem Reap (1 soft drink or 1 beer* or 1 mineral water + 1 tea or coffee per person for each meal) - visits and excursions mentioned in the program - the services of an English-speaking local tour guides and onboard Sonia Jones Travel tour director - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - tips.
Tips: To ensure our customers more pleasant stay, we’ve included AUD 89 per passenger for tips which will be entirely paid to the personnel from the countries to be visited and AUD 109 per passenger for crew members. This amount was determined while taking into consideration the local customs and etiquette.
FOR DEPARTURES FROM JANUARY TO MAY 2024
International flights and their taxes - transfers - Cambodian and Vietnamese visas - cancellation and baggage insurance - tips for crew members on board the ship (for informational purposes, daily tips per passenger amount to AUD 11) - drinks other than those mentioned.
FOR DEPARTURES FROM AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2024
International flights and their taxes - transfers - Cambodian and Vietnamese visas - cancellation and baggage insurance - drinks on board from our special lists - drinks other than those mentioned.
*Price based on double occupancy
Several ships available for this cruise are RV Indochine, RV Indochine II and RV Lan Diep.
Accommodation available for Pre and Post Cruise on request.
For other amazing cruise itineraries and destinations, please contact our Destination specialists.
Non-EU nationals are requested to consult their embassy or consulate.
Useful Information
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.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
"Pchum Ben" in September
"Water and Moon Festival" in November
During these days, some sites can be closed without warning.
Additional Information: (Below Extensions available on request)
THE ROYAL CITIES in 7 DAYS
PRE-CRUISE PROGRAM AVAILABLE starting with 2 participants
The 7-day pre-cruise program lets you discover the essential sites in two Vietnamese provinces formerly known as
Annam and Tonkin. Visit the capital, Hanoi, as well as thousand-year-old pagodas, lakes and historical monuments.
Set out on an unforgettable cruise on the legendary Halong Bay among the fantastically formed islands, crags, and cliffs.
4 DAYS IN HANOI AND HALONG BAY
PRE-CRUISE PROGRAM AVAILABLE starting with 2 participants
The 4-day pre-cruise program will let you discover Hanoi, the capital, and many of the unforgettable sites in the country. Set out on an unforgettable cruise on the legendary Halong Bay among the fantastically formed islands,
crags, and cliffs.
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- Discover 3 historical cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
- Crossing through the splendid Cho Gao canal
- Visit 5 major temples in Angkor
- Meet the locals and learn about their daily lives in Koh Chen, My Tho...
THE Sonia Jones Travel DIFFERENCE
- All meals included
- Refined local cuisine
- Headsets are included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Tour leader or cruise director on board
- Onboard activities and/or lectures
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included