Cruise the Mekong River in beautiful Vietnam

THE MEKONG RIVER

Indochina encapsulates the three neighbouring countries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. It covers a total area of over 740,000 square kilometres, stretching south from the Chinese border and as far west as the Thai and Burmese borders. The countries have incredibly varied landscapes and climate from the relative winter cold of Hanoi in the north, to the tropical climate of Saigon and Phnom Penh in the southern reaches of the peninsula. Each country has its own highlights from the amazing temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia to the UNESCO heritage sites of Hoi An in Vietnam and Luang Prabang in Laos.

The great link between them all is the huge snaking Mekong river which provides some awe inspiring river cruising options, like The Jayavarman and its sister ship, The Jahan. Aside from the majestic river systems supporting all kinds of human and wildlife, there are mountains to the north (Laos and Vietnam) and a particularly interesting diversion to Sapa, north Vietnam.

THE SHIP

Inspired by the golden age cruise liner, Normandie, The Jayavarman is a 20th century boutique style marvel that marries avant-garde French colonial design with enchanting Indochina architecture.

The Jayavarman is the first of its kind – a boutique style river cruise liner which offers uncompromising luxury on 800 m² of public space including four decks. The guest accommodation consists of 27 luxurious and carefully designed rooms with floor-to-ceiling panoramic sliding glass doors onto a private French balcony.

We also use The Jahan, launched in October 2011, which offers an equal level of accommodation, food and service. This magnificent vessel was named after the Indian emperor Shah Jahan, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1628 to 1658. A great patron of architecture and the arts, Shah Jahan oversaw the construction of many legendary sites, including India’s dazzling Red Fort, and the famed 777 gardens of Kashmir. This cultured monarch is a fitting namesake for The Jahan, which evokes the opulent vessels of British India.

EXPERIENCE DETAILS

Begin this incredible experience with two nights in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), plenty of time to explore the wonders that live within this charming spot. Officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City after reunification in 1975, most people here still prefer to use the old name, Saigon. On a tour of the city, visit the Reunification Palace (formerly South Vietnam’s Presidential Palace), the War Remnants Museum, the French-built Notre Dame Cathedral and the Gustav Eiffel designed Central Post Office.

On day four, travel 70km south by land to My Tho to embark your boutique cruise ship. You will be served a refreshing welcome drink as the ship steadily glides along the Mekong River whilst bathing in the fading sunset on the balcony, followed by a briefing at the lounge. Later, a welcome dinner awaits you.

You’ve got seven indulgent nights ahead onboard – enjoy them! Begin your mornings with an invigorating tai-chi lesson on the sun deck, just as the sun climbs over the horizon, before tucking into a hearty breakfast at the Indochine Dining Hall or in the quiet sanctuary of your private balcony.

Disembark and visit Cai Be’s boisterous and colourful floating market on board a traditional sampan, discovering breathtaking landscapes along the river. The cruise will pause so you can watch how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. After touring the canals, head to an ancient house surrounded by fruit orchards, followed by a traditional sampan to tour Binh Thanh Island and its man-made canals. Here, every villager is involved in the process of growing and processing water hyacinths into natural fibre floor mats and rattan baskets.

Visit Chau Doc, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities, and explore the colourful local market near the ancient temple, before hopping on a boat excursion to the floating villages, rustic catfish farms and the Cham Muslim community village. By mid-afternoon of your second day onboard, the cruise liner will make its way to the border for Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.

Be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history, followed by a city tour of Phnom Penh, a dynamic, historical capital city. Sightseeing will include visiting the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Genocide museum and the Killing Fields in town, before cocktails and Apsara dancing onboard!

Depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh with a stop at the little known Chong Koh, a silk weaving village. Cruise past the Mekong’s tranquil villages and exhilarating river life, and tour the rural Angkor Ban village where time stood still – the houses here are truly rustic, made by hand and without any concrete.

Head out for a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, either via taxi or on foot, climbing the 291 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, it offers one of the most breath-taking views in Cambodia. Return to the ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks. When the tide allows, enjoy a surprise sojourn in the ship’s zodiacs (inflatable boats) to the nearby beach to swim in the tea-coloured Mekong river, an experience that may well dominate dinner conversations in the weeks to come.

Cruise on towards Kampong Chhnang on the Tonle Sap River – an amazingly narrow river which glides through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle. Kampong Chhnang is an awesome sight as everything is on stilts balanced on rich soil. Take a short bus trip to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. Then, join an adventurous motorboat excursion to the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region.

After your final night, bid farewell to the cruise and jump on your transfer to Siem Reap – where more sightseeing awaits!

The Roluos group of temples, Lolei and Preah Ko are well worth visiting, before stopping at the Banteay Srei temple, considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art because of its small size. Enjoy two nights in Siem Reap before sadly waving goodbye to your Indochine adventure.