Downstream itinerary
4 nights
PHNOM PENH
EMBARKATION
Embark in the late morning and lunch onboard. In the afternoon, guests are free to further explore Phnom Penh. Alternatively, guests can opt to go shopping or sample the city’s vibrant restaurants and bars.
Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance by local children of Apsara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances.
DAY TO RELAX & ENJOY THE SHIP
BORDER CROSSING
Morning departing Phnom Penh to sail downstream to the Cambodia – Vietnam border.
This morning we sail downstream to the border. Enjoy a leisurely cruise and take in the sights along the Mekong River. Some cultural activities are planned on board (introduction of tropical fruitS and fruit tasting, demonstration of Vietnamese spring roll making, introduction of traditional Cambodian costumes).
In the evening, before dinner, there is a cocktail and sabering time hosted by our Captain.
LONG KHANH A ISLAND
MY AN HUNG
In the morning you are taken by traditional sampans to the local island village of Hong Ngu in the Mekong Delta, close to the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Here, a large number of traditional Khmer scarves are woven in many village homes and exported to Cambodia. Guests have the opportunity to observe the weaving process passed down many generations. Some villagers are also embroidery artists and display their art for visitors to enjoy. The inhabitants of this rural area have only recently become familiar with western travellers and always offer a friendly welcome. Before returning to the sampans, guests can enjoy a walk around the beautiful evergreen island, stopping for a visit at the home of a local war veteran.
After lunch on board, guests make the short journey from ship to shore by sampan, landing on the charming evergreen village of My An Hung, visiting a typical farming village on the Mekong Delta, the My An Hung village. We walk through the verdant village, interact with villagers, enjoy fresh coconut in the garden… A local family would invite us for some honey tea and fruit while we enjoy the “don ca tai tu” folk music, followed by an impressive VOVINAM Vietnam Martial Arts performed by the teenagers of the village.
SA DEC
CAI BE
MY THO
Upon arrival in Sa Dec, your sampans return for a leisurely, scenic navigation of the narrow canals of the Mekong, where you will observe daily routines of the villagers en route to the historic town of Sa Dec. Then in the town of Sa Dec you visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration of Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant (The Lover), as well as the Chinese Temple Kien An Cung which was built in honor of the Huynh Thuy Le Family. On your itinerary is a walk through the town’s market, where you experience the sights, sounds, smells and provides you wonderful photo opportunities of the colorful fresh produce, meat, live fish and seafood for sale.
In Cai Be, board the rowing boat with rower in conical hats for an enjoyable excursion along the lovely canals of the Mekong Delta with beautiful scenes. After finishing the rowing, the sampan will cruise on a tapestry of waterways bringing us to a cottage factory where industrious artisans produce rice paper, rice wine and popped rice. There’s a selection of postcards, souvenirs, and beautiful oil paintings on sale. Continue into the long and narrow canals of Cai Be towards Cau Xeo with many photo opportunities of rice barges, rice husking mills, water palm thatching cottages, temples, etc. along the cruise. On return to the ship, refresh and enjoy the sunset cruise towards My Tho Marina.
In the evening, you gather in the Sun Deck in front of the Le Salon Lounge this evening for a Farewell Reception with the entire crew, before enjoying a Vietnamese Farewell Dinner in Le March Dining Room.
MY THO
DISEMBARKATION
Following breakfast, you say goodbye to the crew as you disembark the cruise ship and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
