Aqua Mekong Expedition Cruise - Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

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.

In the silversmith village of Koh Chen, witness artisans produce magnificent royal Khmer silverware. Keep an eye out for their famous silver bowls, regularly chosen by Cambodia’s king as gifts for visiting dignitaries. Continuing onwards to Udong, the royal capital from the 17th to 19th century, learn about the life of Buddhist monks and interact with them at the Vipassana Dhura Mandala meditation center. In the afternoon, a walking tour of Kampong Prasat offers an intimate look at local ways of life and their riverside habitat.

As the sun rises on the lush countryside, we head to the residence of traditional potters and palm sugar producers, whose age-old techniques are still valuable today. On a bicycle or chauffeured tuk-tuk, head into the rice paddies to watch wizened masters scale sky-high sugar palm trees to harvest their fruit. towering over us. Cruise across the glassy water and disembark among the lotuses for an ox-cart ride along the Tonle Sap riverbanks, past lacquered wooden houses where during these dry months residents take refuge in the relative cool of these impromptu outdoor living rooms.

Sail into the legendary land of the glittering former Khmer empire. At Koh Oknha Tey, watch how Khmer artisans dye and weave krama, a silk scarf loved by locals and a treasured cultural asset that dates back from the Angkor period. Then, cycle the idyllic riverbank past Buddhist temples and traditional thatched and stilted homes and see farmers with white Brahman oxen working the rice fields. After lunch, board Aqua Mekong’s private fleet of launch boats and head towards the tamarind trees of Preah Prosop, a remote village little changed over several lifetimes and home to a startlingly colourful Buddhist temple.

Experience the vibrancy of the Cambodian capital on a motorized tuk-tuk and tour the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. Guests may also visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or shopping at Russian Market before disembarkation.

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.

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.

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.

All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.