The Jahan Cruise: Saigon – Phnom Penh

We welcome our guests in the morning at our Saigon welcome lounge. Relax with a second coffee while our staff collects your details. We bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometres south overland towards My Tho to embark on our vessel. After checking into your luxurious floating “home,” the sailing on this major Asian waterway begins.

A lunch buffet is served in the restaurant as the vessel steadily glides upstream. As twilight bathes the Mekong Delta in a golden haze, take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and join in our official welcome with canapés and prosecco.

During dinner, the ship will likely reach Tan Phong Island area near Cai Be, where we anchor midstream. This is your first glimpse of the bustling area where we will begin our Mekong adventure on land tomorrow. Join us for some late-night entertainment in the evening cinema, featuring interesting classic movies or thrilling documentaries.

Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. Energize yourself with our daily morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast buffet. By local boat, we gain access to the secluded island of Tan Phong, a small island situated in the midst of one of the expansive Mekong River tributaries flowing toward the nearby sea.

Default Excursion (any ship): During a visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, we’ll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. This is a very interesting manual process involving manual labour and special production technics. After the workshop we are heading to Tan Phong Island, a smaller island in the middle of the vast Mekong. We are visiting a local family and their fruit garden offering us various kind of tropical fruits to taste. A buggy ride through the island let us have a glimpse of the local day to day life as it unfolds. We stop at another family’s house. They are specialized in weaving of water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:

Cycling (Ship ‘The Jahan’ only, extra cost): This cycling tour offers a ride over the scenic Tan Phong Island. Cycle along well-maintained and flat concrete paths winding through orchards of rambutan, longan, and jackfruit. We stop and visit a local business family business producing charming handicrafts from water hyacinths. The tour continues for 3 km along a canal to a local temple for a refreshing break under a banyan tree before continue the ride to a tropical fruit farmer’s home for a tasting.

Distance: 12km / Duration: approx. 90 min / Terrain: flat on concrete path

Default Excursion (any ship): Relax and enjoy some time on your private balcony or at the bar as we continue our voyage upstream. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Sa Dec region and anchor near one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh. This island is home to several communities that sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths. Strolling through the village, you’ll gain profound insights into local life and witness the complete traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island. They enjoy engaging in conversations with foreign visitors.

OPTIONAL AFTERNOON EXCURSION:

Cycling (Ship ‘The Jahan’ only, extra cost): Once on the shore, the cycling discovery around the island begins with interesting stops at scenic backstreets, rice paddies, and some island’s distinctive houses offering great photo opportunities. The cycling tour leads to the village of Long Ta, which is famous for its scarf weaving. We return to the pier taking our tender boat back to the mother ship.

Distance: 7 km / Duration: approx. 60 min / Terrain: flat on concrete path

Before dinner, join us in the lounge for a presentation about life on the Mekong Delta as the ship sails toward our mooring spot for the night in Tan Chau.

Default Excursion (any ship): Upon disembarking, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant town life of Tan Chau by boarding “xelois” (the Vietnamese word for rickshaws). Your personal xeloi driver leisurely navigates through a network of streets, allowing you to observe workshops, street vendors, shops, and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals. Our journey takes us to the local market, where we mingle with residents as they go about their morning shopping routines. Continuing on, we visit a Cao Dai temple and meet with one of the priests, who enlightens us about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Our final destination is a fish farm that has been operated for many years by a local family, who make their livelihood from this distinctive business. Here, we gain insight into the essential knowledge required to manage such a unique enterprise in this region.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:

Cycling (Ship ‘The Jahan’ only, extra cost): By tender we reach the shores of an small island in the Mekong River near Tan Chau. The island’s flat terrain will make this ride pleasurable and easy along lush green paths with many mango farms. Enjoy the local life left and ride and the many nice fruit gardens. We stop at a small market for a little break an chit chat with local vendors. We continue our cycling tour with some exciting sightseeing on the way: A frog farm and a workshop specialised in weaving high quality mats.

Distance: 12 km / Duration: approx. 90 min / Terrain: flat on concrete path

Back on board our “home”, we sail towards the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Get ready for a fascinating and leisurely cruise through the deep Cambodian countryside towards Phnom Penh.

The whole afternoon is at your own disposal. From here, even the last passenger turns on their cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing influence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed or private balcony kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river and float into a state of mild bliss.

You also may like to visit the bridge as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

After our relaxing cruise during the whole afternoon into the evening hours, the boat arrives at Phnom Penh (docking mid-stream or at the pier). Enjoy your time onboard with our onboard entertainment, social at our public venues or relay in the privacy or your cabin (due to immigration regulation passengers may not be allowed to go on land this evening).

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Welcome to Phnom Penh – the city once named Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town with centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home before disembarking the ship. We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you and share the stories of this amazing river – the Mighty Mekong.

Dining: Breakfast

Welcome on board with Heritage Line for your Mekong River adventure. After you have checked in, we invite you to come to the lobby lounge for your safety briefing.

Once the ship departed, the rest of the morning and the whole afternoon is at your own disposal. It is time to switch into cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing cadence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed or private balcony kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river and float into a state of mild bliss. You also may like to visit the bridge, as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, we approach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam. From here it is just a short distance to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views on the riverbanks.

Dining: Lunch, Dinner

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam.

Default Excursion (any ship): After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration of this area, renowned primarily for its aquaculture. Upon disembarking, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant town life of Tan Chau by boarding “xelois” (the Vietnamese word for rickshaws). Your personal xeloi driver leisurely navigates through a network of streets, allowing you to observe workshops, street vendors, shops, and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals. Our journey takes us to the local market, where we mingle with residents as they go about their morning shopping routines. Continuing on, we visit a Cao Dai temple and meet with one of the priests, who enlightens us about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Our final destination is a fish farm that has been operated for many years by a local family, who make their livelihood from this distinctive business. Here, we gain insight into the essential knowledge required to manage such a unique enterprise in this region.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:

Cycling (Ship ‘The Jahan’ only, extra cost): By tender we reach the shores of an small island in the Mekong River near Tan Chau. The island’s flat terrain will make this ride pleasurable and easy along lush green paths with many mango farms. Enjoy the local life left and ride and the many nice fruit gardens. We stop at a small market for a little break an chit chat with local vendors. We continue our cycling tour with some exciting sightseeing on the way: A frog farm and a workshop specialised in weaving high quality mats.

Distance: 12 km / Duration: approx. 90 min / Terrain: flat on concrete path

Default Excursion (any ship): After back onboard a siesta after lunch, our expert guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa Dec province. My An Hung Village is a wonderful example of a real local village in the Mekong Delta where time stood still. We receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to understand what the farmers is currently cultivating. A Vietnamese tea tasting at a local family’s house is accompanied by a presentation of a variety of fruits that are grown near-by, freshly cut from the tree. An artistic group performs displays the traditional dragon dance, whilst we can snack on the “vitamins bombs”.

No optional afternoon excursion available

Back onboard, the ship sails into the sun set towards our destination for the next day. A complimentary cocktail hour and snacks at the pool with music and dance vibes are offered to enjoy the blue hour before dinner is served.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Default Excursion (any ship): Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. Energize yourself with our daily morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast buffet. By local boat, we head out to one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh. This island is home to several communities that sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths. Strolling through the village, you’ll gain profound insights into local life and witness the complete traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island. They enjoy engaging in conversations with foreign visitors.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:

Cycling (Ship ‘The Jahan’ only, extra cost): Once on the shore, you’ll be fitted with a bike and start the ride around the around the island, stopping at scenic backstreets, rice paddies, and the island’s distinctive houses on stilts for some great photo opportunities. The ride will lead us to the village of Long Ta, which is famous for its scarf weaving, for a walk around before returning to the pier and sailing back to the mother ship.

Distance: 7 km / Duration: approx. 60 min / Terrain: flat on concrete path

Default Excursion (any ship): Visit Cai Be town to witness the manual production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine, and coconut candies production. Journey to Tan Phong Island and savor tropical fruits from a local family’s garden. Take a buggy ride, glimpsing local day-to-day life, and stop at a family’s house specializing in weaving water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand. Afterward, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho, offering some little farewell party vibes along the way.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. We disembark the ship after breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometres on the highway, and you arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you and share the stories of this amazing river – the Mighty Mekong.

Dining: Breakfast