RIVER CRUISE: VICTORIA MEKONG CRUISE (HO CHI MINH - PHNOM PENH) — NAAR
Characteristics
River Cruise. Local english-speaking guides for all destinations. Meals included (see “Price includes”)
Itinerary
Day 1 — Long Xuyen
Departure by coach from the EMM Saigon Hotel to Can Tho, the vibrant heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop in the rustic riverside town of Cai Be, where lunch is served at the elegant Le Longanier Restaurant, surrounded by lush fruit trees along the river. Board the Victoria Mekong Cruise at the Victoria Can Tho Pier at 4:00 PM. Set sail for Long Xuyen and have the opportunity to admire the sunset over the Hau River. Enjoy a traditional southern Vietnamese folk music performance, known as "Don Ca Tai Tu," while sipping a cocktail. As day turns into night, enjoy a welcome dinner that officially greets you aboard the Victoria Mekong Cruise, accompanied by onboard entertainment activities. Overnight near Long Xuyen.,
Train
Day 2 — Long Xuyen → Vam Nao
After breakfast, tender ashore to visit the authentic Long Xuyen Floating Market and the An Giang Museum, with fascinating exhibits on Kinh, Chinese, Khmer and Cham cultures in the region. During lunch the ship sails on before anchoring near Tiger Island. Head ashore by sampan and explore Tiger Island by 3-wheeled “xe loi”, visiting cottage industries such as plant pot and incense making. Visit a site locally known as “Mr. Tiger’s Temple” and hear the story that won the island its name. Return on board in time for the cocktail competition and the evening’s entertainment as the ship continues cruising to Vam Nao where we anchor and overnight.,
Train
Day 3 — Vam Nao → Tan Chau
Wake up to another leisurely breakfast in Phu Tan, the provincial capital of An Giang in the Mekong Delta. Tender ashore to visit a craft village famed for handmaking Ca Rang clay stoves. Used for hundreds of years by the southern Vietnamese, these stoves have a unique design which allows them to block the wind, retain heat, and keep ash from dispersing. Enjoy lunch onboard as we cruise towards the village of Tan Chau where we’ll travel by local rickshaw to visit the local market and colorful temple which is the spiritual center for local residents. Return to the ship in time for a traditional Vietnamese lion dance, followed by dinner and the evening’s entertainment. Overnight in Tan Chau.,
Train
Day 4 — Tan Chau → Phnom Penh
Enjoy early morning scenery on the Sky deck while the ship begins cruising towards the Vietnam – Cambodia border. After the leisurely breakfast in the Claypot restaurant, select from the many onboard activities including a ship’s tour, mini-golf tournament, or simply enjoy the scenery as we cross the border between Vietnam and Cambodia and sail on towards Phnom Penh. We arrive late afternoon in the charming capital of Phnom Penh, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient” for its French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic river walk. Before dinner, enjoy an interesting pre-dinner lecture about Cambodia as well as learn some basic Khmer phrases. Overnight in Phnom Penh.,
Day 5 — Phnom Penh
Enjoy the last breakfast on board the ship before disembarking at 9:00 AM. End of services.,
Notes
ROOMS: Triple rooms are double rooms plus an extra bed, typically smaller than the other two. Triple rooms are subject to availability at the time of reservation. Special requests for smoking, communicating, adjoining, high floor, low floor rooms etc. are always upon request and the service is never to be intended as guaranteed.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: before the start of the tour, all the participants must make sure they possess the required documents to enter the destination countries, and that such documents are comprehensive and valid.
FINAL HOTEL LIST: as in the travel documents. HOTEL, CHECK-IN: rooms are usually assigned starting from 3pm. Earlier check-in is at the hotel’s discretion. If you request earlier assignation, you must book an extra night at the beginning of your stay.
HOTEL, CHECK-OUT: rooms must be left in the morning (the exact time will be provided by the hotel). Supplements for late check-out amount to 50% of an extra night if you check-out by 6pm, and to a full extra night if you check-out after that
HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The Organizing Body reserves the right to substitute the itinerary and/or the hotels to alternative of a similar or superior category in the event of unplanned circumstances, and if the safe and normal proceeding of the tour is threatened. Furthermore, when in the impossibility for all of the travellers to stay at the same hotel, the group will be split amidst several hotels of the same category.
TIMETABLES: departure times are indicative, depending on the number of hotel pick-ups per day. Tourists are kindly asked to be in the lobby at the indicated time. Depending on which hotel you are staying at, you may have to wait 15 minutes or more. The return times are indicative and subject to change depending on a number of factors, including traffic and duration of the visits.
PUNCTUALITY: you are advised to be punctual. No refund is issued to passengers failing to meet at designated time.
TIPS: not included; at your discretion. MEALS: not included when not specified
REFUNDS: If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to Force Majeure or Vis Majeure, the Company shall not be responsible to give any refund; also, no refund will be given for any portions of the tour unused by the traveler
TRANSFERS: not included when not specified. When included, transfers operate only from/to the hotels included in the tour, and only on the first and last day of the tour. A supplement is charged for transfers from/to different hotels; in the event of a longer stay; and in the event of arrival/departure at/from other airports. A supplement is always charged to individual passengers. Requests for unscheduled transfers from/to different hotels must be issued at least 3 weeks before departure; otherwise, an additional urgency surcharge will be applied.,
Starts from
5 days / 4 nights – from Long Xuyen to Phnom Penh,
Meals
Key: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner,
Price includes
Local english-speaking guides for all destinations, admissions, visits and excursions: as scheduled, meals: breakfasts, lunches, dinners,
Price does not include
Administration fees and “no-risk” coverage, trip cancellation, medical expense & baggage coverage, meals that have not been specified; beverage; any extra, tips, porterage, air travel and taxes, everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes",
Important notes
It is necessary to plan at least one overnight stay at Saigon before the departure of the tour., on the last day, flight from Phnom Penh (not included): book a flight leaving after 15.00, the timetable in the travel plan is indicative. The definite timetable will be confirmed on site by your guides, Visiting Vietnam: starting from July 2015, an entry visa is no longer required. The exemption is valid for stays not exceeding 15 days (45 days starting from August 15, 2023)., Cambodia visa is mandatory: 35 USD, it can be obtained on site (further details will be provided upon booking)., Tips: although not mandatory, tips are recommended for all those who provide a service such as guides, drivers of any means of transportation used, porters. It is a sign of appreciation that makes them proud and gratifies them for the work done. As an indication, the amount to consider per person per day is about 5 USD for the tour guide and 3 USD for the driver of the vehicle used for transportation. For the rest of the services provided, the amount of the tip is at the discretion of the traveler.,
