The story of romantic cruise holiday in the Mekong River

After a short stay in Saigon, I embarked on board L’Amant, traveling to Ha Tien in the Gulf of Thailand. Casting off at the first day light, we arrived the same day at Vinh Long in the heart of the Mekong Delta, sailing amidst islets of lush and colorful tropical orchard.

After a short stopover, we continued straight away our journey to Can Tho, as our skilled Captain kept insisting that  “The tide does not wait!”. He was usually carrying a map and an ever lasting pen noting down the location of the sand banks where we could sometimes spot some ships accidentally trapped.

The following day, we benefited from a short halt to visit CanTho floating market, so colorful. Later, we set sail to Rach Gia, cruising a small river liven up by the coming and going of sampans and junks. When we came out of the Xano Canal, the calmness and dawdling surroundings inclined me to daydreaming.

We arrived at Rach Gia, at the gates of the Gulf of Thailand, before sunset. The harbour of this town shelters numerous fishing boats, all proudly decorated with an eye in front, so, as the legend says, the water monsters mistook the boats for one of their kinds and did not harm them.
The next day, our vessel journeyed towards Ha Tien.  

I wish I was a poet to fully describe the astonishing view opening to us. Greenish hills surround the western side and in front of us, barely visible, lies Ha Tien, half sitted on the lake and half on the sea. Wading birds perched on some sand banks were fishing their evening meal, hardly disturbed by our presence.

It is under the hazy rays of the rising sun that we left Ha Tien, escorted by a group of multi-colored small boats, their nets providing the morning market with fresh fishes. We joined by Mekong meanders by the Tám Nga canal, greeted along the way by cheerful children proudly showing us their capers.

L’Amant could not have continued its tour without paying honorable homage to Sa Dec, the town where Marguerite Duras lived during her childhood. Now famous for its flowers and bonsais, Sa Dec turned out to be a pleasant village and its structural richness is an array of gold woodworks and delicate murals…

Sagion – Phnom Penh 5 Days by The L’Amant Cruise

Grade:

Duration: 5 Days/ 4 Nights

Cruise Routes: Saigon – Ben Tre – My Tho – Cai Be – Vinh Long Province – Sa Dec – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh

Upstream cruise Saigon – Phnom Penh 5 days by L’ Amant

Day 1: Saigon – My Tho – Ben Tre – Cai Be  (dinner)   

Meeting point is at 10H30 at the lobby of the Caravelle Hotel. Then, drive through to My Tho – the gateway to the Mekong Delta. On arrival, embark on board L’AMANT and enjoy a lunch and get acquainted with the crew.
After lunch, board a river-boat to explore the hidden treasures of the Xep canal and islands with tropical fruit gardens. An exciting ride on a carriage drawn by small horses awaits you for a stroll through the fascinating farming villages. Enjoy the tasty fruits and tea with natural honey.
Then continue your journey on a sampan boat through small canals.
Welcome dinner and overnight on board of L’AMANT.

Day 2: Cai Be – Vinh Long – Sa Dec (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

After breakfast, board a local sampan boat and sail through the canals to explore Cai Be’s vibrant floating market, visit a charming ancient colonial house and handicraft workshop. Return on board of L’Amant for lunch. In the early afternoon, take a small boat for a journey towards An Binh islands, continue the tour by bicycle to visit Tien Chau ancient pagoda, some tropical fruit orchard gardens and witness the everyday life of the Mekong Delta. Continue to visit a traditional house and enjoy some mouth-watering tropical fruits. Anchorage near Sa Dec. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 3: Sa Dec – Chau Doc (breakfast/lunch/dinner) 

After breakfast, tour Sa Dec, the town where the French Writer, Marguerite Duras spent her childhood. Famous for its flowers and bonsai plants, stop at the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, the “house of the Chinese” described in Marguerite Duras’novel, L’Amant. Pass-by the school where Margerite’s mother has taught and be charmed by the pleasant greetings of the school children. Return on board of L’AMANT for lunch. Sail to Chau Doc. During the afternoon you can enjoy a cooking class or just relax on the sun deck. Anchorage on the way to Chau Doc. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 4: Chau Doc (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

In the morning, you will reach the city of Chau Doc, the border city with Cambodia. Visit a floating fishing farm where thousands of fishes are breed for export and visit a mosque in a Cham village. In the afternoon, visit Sam Mountain, a popular pilgrimage site where you will find a large number of Chinese, Cham and Khmer temples. Farewell dinner and overnight on board.

Day 5: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (breakfast)   

After breakfast, disembark and depart to the Cambodian border by speed boat, go through the customs formalities and continue your cruise to Phnom Penh arriving by early afternoon.
End of our services.

For departure date, Please contact us for details!

We are offering 10% off  compared with the below rates published by L’Amant Cruise! This policy is applied for Client’s booking with 2 Cabins only!

Quotation: Prices & Conditions (July 2011 – Mai 2012)

Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 21,000 VND

Cruise Inclusions:

    • Full board accommodation, including meals, coffee, tea & drinking water.

    • French or English speaking guide.

    • Visits mentioned in the program.

    • Entrance fees.

    • Transportation from departure port to arrival port

    • Transfer OUT / from Chau Doc to Phom Phenh by speed boat.

Cruise Exclusions:

    • Personal Travel Insurance.

    • Tours & meals other than those mentioned in the program.

    • Transfers from/to airport and hotels.

    • Personal expenses.

    • Gratuities for the crew. Indochine Cruise

    • Transfer from hotel to port and vice-versa.