The cruise

HO CHI MINH CITY

In the morning, departure for a sightseeing tour of Saigon. Sights you will see include the Cathedral, the Post Office built by Gustave Eiffel, the National Museum. You will experience a rickshaw riding before enjoying the lunch at a local restaurant.In the afternoon, continuation of the tour with the colonial districts and the Reunification Palace. Visit of the Chinese market of Cholon, one of the biggest trading centres in the economic capital of Vietnam. Transfer to the ship and embarkation on the RV Indochine. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and information meeting as you are introduced to your Captain and Crew. Dinner on board.

HO CHI MINH CITY

After breakfast, excursion to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels. Built during the Vietnam War to protect from bombing raids, the tunnels extend for over 212 km underground and from a depth of 3 to 12 meters. They feature remnants of a living city; schools, kitchens, sleeping quarters, hospitals and military production facilities. Return to the city and enjoy a Vietnamese style lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, back to RV Indochine and navigation to My Tho. Dinner on board.

MY THO - CAI BE - VINH LONG

In the morning, sightseeing of My Tho. The town is peaceful and prosperous, with 100 000 inhabitants and well known for its numerous orchards, fruit gardens, and its huge rice plantation. Visit of the Vinh Trang pagoda with its original architecture (mix between oriental and colonial styles). Navigation in local boats to reach the island of Thoi Son. Enjoy a stroll through the arroyos. Return to the ship for having lunch while you sail on to Cai Be. Local boats take passengers to see the manufacturer of bricks and pottery, the seedbed of fruit trees of the island of Binh Hoa Phuoc. Arrival in Vinh Long with local boats. Vinh Long, nicknamed the “Majestuous Dragon”, is located in the centre Delta region, between two arms of the Mekong. Vinh Long is the region of tangerines and oranges. Hundreds of ships cross each day in all directions, pace the trade and abound between the houses built on piles. Embarkation and departure to Sa Dec in late afternoon. Dinner on board.

SA DEC - CHAU DOC

After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour of Sadec by coach. During the colonial time, Sa Dec was called “the Garden of Cochinchine”. Visit of the “house of the Chinese” described in the novel from Marguerite Duras, “L'amant”. Back to the ship and sail for Chau Doc. Lunch on board. Arrival at Chau Doc. Near the delta of Mekong, the city of Chau Doc lies next to the border of Cambodia. Chau Doc, very prosperous, develops itself around fishing and breeding. The floating farms fulfil the waters. Visit of the Chua Xu Temple and the Tay An Pagoda. Return to the ship. Dinner on board.

KOH DEK CHAU

Early in the morning, the RV Indochine leaves Chau Doc for Vinh Xuong (Vietnamese border) and heads towards Cambodia. Arrival after lunch on the banks of Kôh Dek Chau Island. Walk through the village to discover the intimate and unusual of Khmers everyday life. The 600 inhabitants of this village still live away from all modern civilization. Embark and enjoy the magnificent views as you continue sailing until nightfall. Dinner on board. Arrival in Phnom Penh during the evening.

PHNOM PENH

After breakfast, departure for the visit of the Cambodian capital, which has retained its French colonial charm. Visit of the Royal Palace, which constitutes a huge unit, and the Silver Pagoda. Back on board for lunch. In the afternoon, visit of the National Museum, containing the most important collection of Khmer art. Continue your sightseeing with an excursion to the infamous “S 21” former detention and torture center during the Cambodian civil war which lasted between 1975 and 1979. Dinner on board.

PHNOM PENH

In the morning, time at leisure to enjoy the city. Back on board for lunch. In the afternoon, departure for a “tuk tuk” city tour. Stop at the Wat Phnom, a famous monument in Phnom Penh, 27 meters high. The city takes its name after this monument. Then you will have time to explore the Russian market and do some shopping. In the evening, enjoy a Cambodia's traditional Apsara dance show. Dinner at a restaurant.

KOH CHEN - KAMPONG TRALACH

In the morning, navigation to Koh Chen. This village is known for silverworking. Walk through the village to see the work of the craftsmen. Lunch on board. The RV Indochine continues sailing to Kampong Tralach. Upon arrival, tour to the Pagoda Wat Kampong Leu. We get there by walking through the village of Kampong Tralach, then in the middle of a magnificent rice plantation. The Vihara is a small pagoda from last century, and was probably built on a more ancient ground, as we can see from the foundations in laterit. Dinner on board.

KAMPONG CHHNANG - TONLE SAP

Arrival at Kampong Chhnang in the morning. The river narrows and a wide variety of ruralsceneries is to be seen, including a busy port and bustling markets. Located at approximately 90 km of Phnom Penh, the city of Kampong chhang is one of the largest fishing ports on Tonle Sap Lake. It is also a place for fish farming. The area is famous for its particularly archaic pottery which supplies the entire country. Then, boarding on local boats to visit the authentic floating village. The whole village is floating. The life of the entire population is connected with the River and all people evolve in boats through the canal system which criss-cross this little town. Lunch on board and relaxing afternoon while navigation to the Great Tonle Sap Lake. Dinner on board.

SIEM REP

Arrival at Siem Reap pier in the morning. Breakfast and disembarkation.