New Year's on the Mekong

Embark on an enchanting Mekong River voyage from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City, retracing the steps of explorer Henri Mouhot. Our journey kicks off in Siem Reap, where we'll explore the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat—a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing the grandeur of the ancient Khmer civilization.

As we set sail aboard the boutique RV Indochine I, the Mekong River becomes our scenic route, offering glimpses of charming riverside villages and immersive encounters with locals, allowing us to witness their timeless traditions.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's dynamic capital, awaits us with visits to the magnificent Royal Palace and vibrant markets. Crossing into Vietnam, we arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, a metropolis that harmoniously blends French colonial influences with modernity. Here, we'll delve into its bustling streets and pay homage to the region's resilience through a visit to the historic Cu Chi Tunnel.

Our cruise unravels a vibrant tapestry of cultures, from lively cities to tranquil hamlets like My Tho and Sa Dec, where authentic local life and charm come to life. Our journey ends in Ho Chi Minh City.

Your Fly, Stay & Cruise Package Includes:

• $2400 flight credit per person
• 1 night accommodation in Siem Reap with breakfast
• 8 night Mekong river cruise onboard RV Indochine I, Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
• All onboard meals in complimentary dining venues & selected non-alcoholic beverages
• A wide range of onboard activities & entertainment       
• Private arrival transfers
• Port charges, fees & taxes onboard your cruise

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 29 December 2023 – 07 January 2024

Solo traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

Cruise Itinerary:

DAY 1: SIEM REAP (D)

Meeting at 1 p.m. in Siem Reap. Transfer to your cruise boat. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail and have dinner on board. We’ll spend the night on board.

DAY 2: TONLE SAP LAKE - KAMPONG CHHANG (B,L,D)

Enjoy breakfast as we cruise across the lake. After lunch, 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 enjoy a tasting of regional products before returning on board and beginning to cruise to Kampong Tralach. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

DAY 3: KAMPONG TRALACH - KOH CHEN - PHNOM PENH (B,L,D)

We will set out 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 in ox carts, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. After lunch, we'll arrive in Koh Chen. You can explore this small village where craftspeople specialize in silver and copper work. After returning on board, we'll spend the afternoon cruising towards Phnom Penh, arriving in the early evening. Enjoy a brief tour of the area by "tuk-tuk," the easiest way to get around the city. We’ll return to the ship and enjoy a performance of classical Khmer dancing and music and have dinner.

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH (B,L,D)

We’ll enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum. After lunch in town, 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 on board for dinner in the evening and start sailing towards Vietnam.

DAY 5: CHAU DOC (B,L,D)

Located on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, the prosperous city of Chau Doc has developed around fish and fish farming. We’ll pay a visit to the Ba Chua Xu Temple and the Tay An Pagoda. Lunch. Once we are back on board, we’ll begin to cruise toward Sa Dec. We’ll have dinner and spend the night on board.

DAY 6: SA DEC - VINH LONG - CAI BE (B,L,D)

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 have lunch on board and cruise to Vinh Long. We’ll set out in smaller boats and travel through canals and orchards before arriving in Cai Be. We’ll discover a brick and pottery factory as well as a traditional factory producing puffed riced, rice-paper wrappers used to make nems, andrice alcohol*. We’ll return on board our ship and begin to cruise. We’ll have dinner andspend the night on board.

DAY 7: MY THO - HO CHI MINH CITY (formerly Saigon) (B,L,D)

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. Lunch will be served on board. We’ll then set out to cross the very narrow Chao Gao Canal, heading for Ho Chi Minh City. We’ll have dinner and remain in port overnight in the downtown area.

DAY 8: HO CHI MINH CITY (B,L,D)

Ho Chi Minh City was heavily influenced by French colonialism in the 19th century. We’ll enjoy a tour of the city to see the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saigon Central Post Office, and visit the Museum of Vietnamese History. Lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon, we’ll leave by coach for the Cu Chi tunnels, an immense network of underground tunnels that were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches. After our excursion, we'll return on board our ship. Tonight we’ll have our farewell cocktail and dinner. We'll remain in port overnight.

DAY 9: HO CHI MINH CITY (B,L)

Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking. We’ll spend the morning visiting Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city, including its hectic market. After lunch in town, we’ll bid you farewell at approximately 2:00 p.m. Please do not book your flight before 5:00 p.m. 

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown *on the lowest inside category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 5 October 2023 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated. Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included. Air credit is applicable on airline of choice, subject to availability and subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.