4 Days Downstream Phnom Penh Saigon on Heritage Line Jahan Cruise: Arrive in Chau Doc, browse the local market, go to the quay, stop by the floating market and the catfish farms, then depart for My An Hung hamlet to learn about boat construction and take in the surrounding landscape. Some people may like going to the bridge since the captain usually has a funny river tale to tell. Float into a pleasant blissful state. Don’t forget to have lunch about noon before completely losing track of time.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Phnom Penh – Tan Chau
Activities: A cruise along the Mekong Channel and a trip to the Vietnamese border to complete the necessary papers for crossing the border.
We greet our Pearl of the Orient Cruise guests at 8 o’clock (3-nights).
The Royal University of Phnom Penh lecturer is delivering a fascinating talk on modern history of Cambodia in the lounge. Receiving information firsthand from our speaker, who has personally and thoroughly researched the topic, is undoubtedly one of the cruise’s highlights.
You make your own plans for the whole afternoon. Even the last passenger will now switch to cruise mode and perhaps feel the healing energy that this powerful river emanates. It’s time to rest on the sunbed, get a massage, and unwind on your own private balcony. It’s time to become one with the river. Some people may like going to the bridge since the captain usually has a funny river tale to tell. Float into a pleasant blissful state. Don’t forget to have lunch about noon before completely losing track of time.
In the afternoon, you may take a cooking lesson to improve your understanding of regional food. Join our High Tea with coffee and nibbles if you’d like to before taking a sleep.
Finally, we cross the border and enter Vietnam. Tan Chau, a beautiful, leisurely border town with a sizable Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer population, is just a short drive away from here. With views of the riverbanks and close to the city, we moor.
Dinner will shortly be served, and you are welcome to stay for our evening screening of a different great film.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 2: Chau Doc – Sa Dec
Activities: Arrive in Chau Doc, browse the local market, go to the quay, stop by the floating market and the catfish farms, then depart for My An Hung hamlet to learn about boat construction and take in the surrounding landscape.
Welcome to the Vietnamese fish sanctuary. Start your day off well with a substantial breakfast in the dining hall or the seclusion of your balcony.
Prepare for a leisurely tour of Tan Chau, a charming town with a sizable Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer population close to the Cambodian border. We board the “Xeloi ” as soon as we reach land to explore Tan Chau. In this area, a native vehicle known as a “xeloi” is still utilized as a taxi. To visit all the businesses, homes, and abodes, we leisurely circle the streets. Experience the relaxed atmosphere of this location. We make a pit break at the vibrant, neighborhood market next to a shrine. The finest opportunity to engage with the local merchants in this welcoming community and create your own shopping adventure is now.
We take our neighborhood boats and go past floating residences till we come at a floating fish farm. A fish production that is marketed all over the globe originates in this area. We are given a unique look into the operation of fish aquaculture.
Before lunch is served, before you return to the ship, you may want to treat yourself to some spa services or cool down in the pool on the sun deck. As the ship travels to My An Hung, which is close to the province of Sa Dec, one of our knowledgeable guides gives a lecture on “Life on the Mekong Delta.” Meet other travelers and exchange tales before we arrive.
We’re going to go to My An Hung Village. In the village, we are given fascinating glimpses inside a local family’s private home. We are permitted to explore their vegetable garden and cross a monkey bridge to go to the seasonal vegetable fields. We’re also welcomed to their home for a sampling of Vietnamese tea. The natives in Vietnam frequently add honey to their tea to make it less harsh. The family makes the honey, which is a genuine delicacy in this area. Fruits that are ripe, fresh, and straight off the tree are provided to us. While we snack on those organic “vitamin bombs,” a local artist group performs a typical traditional dragon dance.
We decide to have a drink party beside the riverside as the sun sets and everything becomes golden.
We board the ship once again and sail down the Mekong. Prepare for supper while you rest. Amid the river, close to Sa Dec, the ship moors.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 3: Cai Be – Sa Dec – My Tho
Activities: Sampan to Binh Thanh Island, arrive at Cai Be, see the floating market and the breathtaking Mekong River scenery, and then cruise to My Tho
We reach the island of Binh Thanh at breakfast time.
We go to Binh Thanh Island on a traditional sampan. One of the largest islands in the enormous Mekong River is this one. It is home to certain populations that depend on the cultivation of water hyazinths for their livelihood. We only go to one of those uninhabited places. We get a thorough insight of local culture by ambling about the hamlet. In addition, we can see the whole process of creating ratts. Even if weaving is still done manually, you may give it a try. We’ll also run across several elderly locals who are delighted to engage with us and tell us about their life on the island.
After lunch is provided back on board, you have some time to relax in your favourite cruise mode.
Early in the afternoon, we reach Cai Be. A quaint little hamlet called Cai Be is well-known for its Catholic French church as well as for producing local crafts and cuisine. Since more and more trade is moving into contemporary central markets, the Cai Be floating market is shrinking yearly. There is still some boat-to-boat commerce going on for local items including fruits and agricultural supplies.
The unique features of this long-standing trading culture are explained by our guide. Each boat has a distinctive marking that informs customers of the things it is selling. We go ashore to a workshop where we learn about and get to see how products like rice paste, rice paper, rice biscuits, and rice wine are made. Because Cai Be and the neighboring regions are palm-covered, the area is renowned for producing coconut candy. There are several water canals that transect the city. We continue to go through the verdant canel network in our local boat, where we can see farmers at work in the fields.
Our staff welcomes you to a goodbye celebration as the sun sets. Enjoy your meal, followed by some dancing and music with the staff. In the evening, the ships dock at My Tho’s pier.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 4: My Tho – Saigon
Activities: Arrive in My Tho, bid the cruise adieu, and join the throngs of people in Saigon.
Onboard our floating paradise, enjoy your last meal.
After breakfast, we will disembark the ship and travel by bus from My Tho to the Saigon drop-off location. On the highway, it is just around 70 kilometers. Mid-morning finds you in Saigon.
As our crew does every time, we hope you enjoyed this fascinating river. Additionally, we hope that you will leave with many happy memories and new friendships to go along with your tales of this incredible river, the Mighty Mekong.
Meals: Breakfast
