6-Day RV Mekong Princess Cruise: Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

Your journey commences with a warm greeting from your guide at Phnom Penh Port by 11:30. Upon boarding the RV Mekong Princess, the dedicated crew will extend a welcome, inviting you to the Ramvong Lounge for a refreshing drink and an essential safety briefing. Soon after, a delightful lunch will be served in the dining room, marking the official start of your adventure.

In the afternoon, disembark in Phnom Penh for a captivating half-day city tour conducted by local cyclos. Highlights include the magnificent Royal Palace, where you can admire the Throne Hall and the ethereal Moonlight Pavilion, alongside a leisurely walk through the beautifully maintained campus gardens. The route also features the splendid Silver Pagoda. Following a brief period of relaxation, the tour concludes with a visit to the National Museum. This esteemed institution preserves the world's most ancient collection of Khmer art, showcasing 500,000 artifacts from the 4th to the 13th century, offering profound insights into the rich history and religious significance of the former Khmer Kingdom.

As evening approaches, all passengers will return to the ship to enjoy a sumptuous dinner onboard, followed by a relaxing overnight stay at the port.

As dawn breaks on this tranquil Sunday, the Mekong Princess gracefully proceeds towards the Cambodia-Vietnam border for essential immigration formalities. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast onboard while these procedures are completed for entry into Vietnam. The next stop is the charming island village of Hong Ngu, well-known for its production and export of traditional Khmer scarves to Cambodia. Here, you'll have the opportunity to observe the intricate weaving process firsthand and may even try your hand at weaving to fully engage with the local culture.

Following this enriching cultural experience, the journey continues to a nearby local temple dedicated to Hoa Hao, a distinctive Vietnamese religion, offering an additional layer of spiritual exploration.

In the afternoon, the adventure unfolds with a sampan excursion to the picturesque Gieng Island. Upon arrival, take time to wander through the nearby sampan village, where local families expertly craft these traditional boats. The exploration continues with a scenic canal drive past lush mango gardens lining the riverbanks. Seize the opportunity to tour the island aboard a "xe loi" (motor trishaw), a popular local mode of transportation. This unique journey culminates with a visit to the Phanxico Monastery, enriching your island experience with cultural and spiritual insights.

As the day's activities draw to a close, all guests return to the ship for dinner and an evening of relaxation. The vessel will then sail to Hoa An, anchoring there for the night.

After a delightful breakfast onboard, the journey continues with a visit to the untouched Hoa An Village, celebrated for its seasonal vegetables and fruits. Enjoy a leisurely "xe loi" ride and a short walk through the harmonious village, where rice fields and fruit trees create a serene backdrop. The adventure proceeds with a sampan excursion along a bustling canal, renowned as a significant rice milling hub of the Mekong region. The final destination of the morning is a visit to a family specializing in conical hat making, offering a chance to converse with family members and learn about the intricate crafting process of these iconic hats. After the morning's explorations, return to the cruise for a sumptuous lunch and a well-deserved period of relaxation.

In the afternoon and evening, the boat navigates through a scenic expanse of the Mekong Delta, eventually reaching the picturesque Hoang Dieu Harbor, adjacent to Can Tho City. Following arrival, a brief sightseeing tour includes a stop at the Zhuang Pagoda (Chua Ong) and the engaging spectacle of unicorn dances. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city's unique attractions and hidden gems. The ship will dock in Can Tho overnight, where passengers can enjoy dinner and relax onboard.

Begin your morning with a continental breakfast before boarding a small sampan to explore Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest wholesale floating market in the Mekong Delta. Here, you'll observe the vibrant local market activity and daily life on the water, with opportunities to sample fresh regional fruits and the refreshing Vietnamese "anti-aging drink," fresh coconut water. The next stop is a local noodle factory, providing insights into the traditional noodle-making process. Conclude the morning's activities by returning to the cruise for a buffet breakfast, ensuring a hearty start to your day.

Once port formalities are complete, the RV Mekong Princess will depart Hoang Dieu Harbor. The cruise continues downstream along the Bassac River, navigating through the mouth of Tra On Rivulet, the Nicolai Canal, Mang Thit Canal, the mouth of Cho Lach Rivulet, and the main Mekong River, offering continuous scenic views.

After enjoying dinner, guests are invited to savor their time onboard. The ship will anchor and dock overnight in the heart of the Mekong Delta, within Ben Tre province, providing a peaceful evening on the water.

Following breakfast, set off on an excursion by sampan across a mangrove-fringed waterway. The land-based exploration begins with a ride on the distinctive local "xe lam" (three-wheeler), which transports you to a local coconut candy workshop, where you can observe the candy-making process. Continue your trek through the hamlet to a fruit orchard, where you’ll learn about local fruit tree cultivation methods and have the pleasure of sampling freshly picked sweet tropical fruits. The final activity is a short boat trip through narrow creeks lined with Nipah palms. As the sun climbs higher, this is an ideal moment to appreciate the striking beauty of the waterside countryside and capture memorable photographs.

At lunchtime, all guests return to the cruise as it begins its journey through the Mekong River. Later in the day, the cruise will navigate through several notable points along the mighty Mekong River's waterways, including the Cho Gao Canal, Vam Co River, Nuoc Man Canal, Soai Rap River, and the Saigon River, bringing you closer to your final destination.

Indulge in a delightful dinner and unwind aboard the ship as it docks for the night at Saigon Port. Enjoy the peaceful evening atmosphere, allowing the gentle rhythms of the river to provide a soothing backdrop to your overnight stay.

Bid farewell to the RV Mekong Princess and its dedicated crew after savoring the final delightful buffet breakfast onboard. The disembarkation takes place at Saigon Port, where a comfortable bus awaits to transport you either to your nearby hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or directly to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

As your Mekong River adventure concludes, you'll carry with you cherished memories of a journey filled with cultural exploration, serene relaxation, and the warm hospitality extended by the ship's crew.