Discovery Cruise - From Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

Description

A brief and rewarding taste of Mekong’s agrarian heartlands Aboard the luxurious Aqua Mekong, this 3-night river cruise on the Mekong river offers plenty to see and explore for travelers with limited time. Our private fleet of ergonomic, sheltered launch boats put the pleasure and efficiency in exploring Mekong’s myriad waterways, making the most of your time in this beautiful region.

Trip Name

Discovery Cruise - From Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury River Expedition Length: 62.4 meters / 204 feet Passenger Capacity: 40 Year Built: 2014 Aqua Mekong operates as a compact, high-spec river vessel built for controlled immersion into Cambodia and Vietnam’s culture, landscapes, and food traditions. Suites are large, climate-controlled, and fitted with floor-to-ceiling glass to keep the Mekong panorama in constant view. Social areas—pool, cinema, gym, spa—are scaled for quiet rather than crowd. Shore access is handled by a private tender fleet, allowing tightly run excursions into temples, markets, villages, and river life without dependence on public infrastructure. The onboard culinary programme is engineered around regional produce and Mekong flavours, executed with Michelin-level discipline. Market visits, cooking demonstrations, and ingredient-driven menus keep the experience tied to place. Kayaks, bikes, guided hikes, and cultural visits round out the activity options, supported by a crew-to-guest ratio that enables controlled, small-group exploration.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 CAMBODIA Phnom Penh

Our crew warmly welcomes you aboard the Aqua Mekong with our special refreshers, such as the salted watermelon crush with Thai basil. Together we celebrate our journey towards the heart of the Mekong river with the Khmer Apsara dance performance, a famous centuries-old tradition that is memorialized on the temple walls of Angkor Wat.

Day 2 - Day 2 VIETNAM Ka ́om Samnor-vinh Xuong Border Crossing - Chau Doc - My An Hung

Say ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ while we cross the border and sail towards Tan Chau, a vibrant border town. Take the local rickshaw (xe loi) for a trip around town, or pedal 18 kilometers on a top-of-the-line mountain bike on the peaceful island of Long Khanh. In the afternoon, stroll through the verdant plantations in the Mekong Delta village of My An Hung, visiting a local’s home to savor local fruits, listen to traditional folk song performances by villagers and participate in a unique unicorn dance. A biking option is also available for those who wish to explore the idyllic countryside on wheels.

Day 3 - Day 3 VIETNAM Binh Thanh/Sa Dec - Cai Be

Begin the day learning about traditional mat weaving at Binh Thanh village or visit Sa Dec’s vibrant market and the beautifully-preserved home of Marguerite Duras’ legendary lover, Mr. Huynh Thuy Le. We continue downstream for Cai Be, sailing in a traditional sampan past lone fishermen on their long tail boats. Later in Cai Be, walk or cycle among high-roofed open courtyard houses that date back more than 100 years, before arriving at one such house invited by a gracious local resident.

Day 4 - Day 4 VIETNAM My Tho – Ho Chi Minh

Enroute to My Tho port for disembarkation, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the largest Mahayana Buddhist temple in the region. Admire the temple’s eclectic architectural style and see three large Buddha statues plus an impressive collection of bonsai trees.

Day 5 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Start the day with a guided meditation on a sundeck overlooking the emerald greenery around the river,
Travel in luxury amidst captivating landscapes along the Mekong river, from the Silver Pagoda and Art Deco of the Cambodian capital to the fascinating, modern Vietnam.
Sail into the agrarian heartlands of the Khmer and Vietnamese people, little touched by the modern world, making indelible memories as you cycle and kayak far, far off the beaten path.