Mekong Princess River Boat in Combination with Jeep Tour

Step into Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's pulsating urban core where time-honored heritage meets contemporary flair. This captivating destination showcases a storied past, elegant French colonial-era buildings, and a modern skyline dotted with soaring towers. Dive into the local culture, treat your palate to a fusion of French, Chinese, and Vietnamese culinary delights, and relax at sky-high bars offering sweeping city vistas.

Your adventure kicks off with a hassle-free transfer from the airport to your upscale 5-star accommodation. Venturing through the lively urban streets, get ready to be captivated by the endless flow of motorbikes weaving through traffic—a true symbol of the city's energy.

As evening approaches, treat yourself to a romantic cruise along the Saigon River aboard the graceful Saigon Princess. Watch as the setting sun bathes the cityscape in warm golden hues while you savor a sumptuous four-course meal paired with a fine glass of wine. Experience the magical transformation of the city after dark, as countless lights bring the skyline to life. Your unforgettable evening wraps up with a peaceful cruise back to your hotel.

Today we uncover the layered identity of Ho Chi Minh City, where echoes of history blend seamlessly with the pulse of modern life. The morning kicks off at the Reunification Palace, a striking symbol marking the end of the Vietnam War. Nearby, the War Remnants Museum offers a powerful and poignant look at the war's lasting impact on human lives. Wander further to admire the city's French colonial imprint at Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, two architectural gems that whisk you back to another century. Break for a flavorful local lunch to fuel the rest of your explorations. In the afternoon, seek out tranquility at Giac Lam Pagoda, one of the city's oldest temples, where intricate carvings and a peaceful atmosphere provide a welcome escape from urban energy. Then venture into Cholon, Saigon's bustling Chinatown, where the Thien Hau Pagoda reflects the rich Chinese influence woven into the city's cultural fabric. As daylight fades, Ho Chi Minh City reveals a completely different personality. The evening is yours to shape—dive into the vibrant nightlife, indulge in mouthwatering street eats, or lose yourself in the maze of lively streets and hidden corners.

Journey back through history as you venture into the labyrinthine Cu Chi tunnels, a remarkable feat of engineering that showcases the resourcefulness and grit of the Viet Cong. Discover how this underground network became a vital lifeline during the Vietnam War, exploring the cramped living quarters, strategic command posts, and cunning booby traps that once lay hidden beneath the earth. Thrill-seekers can even crawl through sections of the original tunnels for a truly immersive glimpse into the past.

As daylight fades, dive into an evening filled with flavor and culture in the pulsing heart of Saigon. Kick things off with a mouthwatering introduction to Vietnamese street food at a local favorite, where the sizzle of freshly made bánh xèo fills the air and delights the senses. From there, head to 5KU, a buzzing social hub where the city's young crowd comes together to relax and connect. Savor great food, sip on refreshing drinks, and soak up the electric energy of genuine Saigon nightlife alongside the locals.

Today marks the beginning of your voyage aboard the elegant Mekong Princess. Following breakfast, your driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to Saigon Port, located at 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh St, Ward 13, District 4, HCMC, where the RV Mekong Princess awaits. Upon arrival, your Vietnamese and Cambodian crew will greet you warmly as you step aboard to begin an unforgettable adventure of exploration. Departure is set for midday, as the ship sets sail through the renowned Mekong Delta, heading toward the legendary 'Mighty Mekong River'.

Shortly after leaving port, a delicious lunch will be served with gracious oriental-style service, while you cruise gently along the Saigon River. Once you've settled into your elegant suite, take the time to unwind and soak in the ever-changing scenery drifting past your window.

As evening approaches, the ship will drop anchor in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon and traditional sampans glide silently by. Dinner will feature an exquisite Vietnamese menu, thoughtfully crafted to blend diverse flavors and delight even the most discerning palate.

Begin your day gliding by sampan along a mangrove-fringed waterway to a family-run workshop where coconut candy is handcrafted before your eyes. Once the demonstration wraps up, stroll through the surrounding village to an orchard bursting with native Vietnamese fruits in every stage of ripeness. Sample the harvest fresh off the vine, then make your way to a nearby pier where intimate two-passenger boats await to ferry you deeper into slender canals shaded by Nipah palms, eventually looping back to your ship.

In the afternoon, cruise through a stretch of the Mekong Delta still largely undiscovered by tourists, arriving in Can Tho, the bustling riverside capital of the region. Join a brief guided tour of the city, including a stop at Chua Ong (Zihuang Pagoda), where you'll be greeted by a lively unicorn dance performance. Afterward, spend some free time wandering this appealing city at your own leisure before returning to the ship for dinner. Your vessel will remain docked overnight in Can Tho.

Rise early and step aboard traditional sampans for a pre-breakfast excursion into the vibrant Cai Rang floating market, the largest of its kind in Vietnam, located just outside Can Tho. Glide gently among the crowds of vendor boats that gather here every morning, laden with fresh produce and everyday goods for the communities of the Mekong Delta. As your sampan threads through the bustling waterway, you'll find countless chances to capture unforgettable photos, while sampling juicy tropical fruits and sipping on fresh coconut water, affectionately dubbed Vietnam's "anti-aging elixir." On the way back to the ship for breakfast, pause at a local noodle-making workshop to observe the fascinating traditional process firsthand.

Following lunch, hop aboard a boat bound for Hoa An village, a serene and unspoiled area celebrated for its flower cultivation and artisanal crafts. Your first stop will be the flower gardens, home to a colorful variety of blooms, where you'll discover the techniques locals use to grow and nurture them. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll to a nearby home and spend time conversing with the family who lives there, gaining insight into their daily routines and livelihood.

After a brief pause, hop on a motorized cart for the journey to another charming village. Here, you'll visit families skilled in the art of conical hat-making and mat weaving, sharing warm conversations and even trying your hand at these traditional crafts. Wander through the tranquil countryside, passing rice paddies and fruit orchards as you visit additional local households along the way.

The Princess will then sail onward, dropping anchor near Gieng Island for the night.

Our day begins as we climb aboard sampans bound for Gieng Island. A brief stroll through the local boat-building village reveals how families here craft hundreds of sampans by hand each day. From there, we cruise the canals into a serene floating landscape dotted with duck farms, rustic monkey bridges, and lush tropical orchards lining the water's edge. For a taste of authentic local travel, we hop aboard "xe loi" (motorized trishaws) to tour the island and visit a historic Catholic church, constructed in the 1870s around the same era as Saigon's famous Notre Dame Cathedral.

In the afternoon, we head to Hong Ngu, a village near the Cambodian border renowned for producing traditional Khmer scarves sold throughout Cambodia. Many households here practice weaving, and we'll get a firsthand look at this craft, along with the delicate embroidery work created and displayed by local artisans. Remarkably, this community had welcomed only a single Western visitor before the Mekong Princess began calling here, making the warmth and curiosity of the villagers all the more special. We'll also stop by a local temple devoted to Hoa Hao, a distinctive religious tradition that originated in this part of Vietnam. As evening approaches, the RV Mekong Princess will cross into Cambodian waters, continuing our journey upriver along the Mekong.

Welcome to Cambodia! Our Princess sails into Phnom Penh this morning, mooring at the port right in the heart of the city.

Once lunch is finished, a fleet of local cyclo drivers awaits to whisk you away on a lively exploration of Phnom Penh. The journey begins along the riverside promenade, leading to the Royal Palace, where you'll wander the grounds at a relaxed pace, taking in sights such as the Throne Hall and the elegant Moonlight Pavilion. Passing into the palace's second courtyard, you'll stroll past towering stupas and ornate spirit houses en route to the celebrated Silver Pagoda—home to Cambodia's revered Emerald Buddha and a Maitreya Buddha statue adorned with over 9,000 dazzling diamonds. After pausing briefly to rest, your cyclo drivers will carry you onward to the National Museum. As the guardian of Cambodia's most extensive collection of pre-Angkorian and Angkorian treasures, the museum rounds out your morning excursion with an in-depth look at artifacts unearthed from the Angkor Archaeological Area near Siem Reap, along with relics from other regions once part of the ancient Khmer Empire.

Tonight, the ship remains docked in Phnom Penh, staying overnight in port.

Set off this morning aboard a private motor-coach for a scenic 45-minute journey from the ship to Choeung Ek, the notorious killing fields immortalized on film and forever marked as one of the darkest chapters in Cambodia's history. Wander through the grounds, step inside the modest museum, and pause at the Memorial Stupa as you gain deeper insight into the horrors inflicted under the Khmer Rouge regime. Heading back toward Phnom Penh, you'll pause at Tuol Sleng, better known as S-21, a former school that the Khmer Rouge transformed into a grim prison and interrogation center.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, offering the perfect opportunity to discover the charm and character of Phnom Penh at your own pace.

Before dinner this evening, settle in for an onboard cultural showcase featuring the graceful Apsara, Cambodia's cherished national dance, alongside a variety of traditional folk performances.

The ship remains docked overnight in Phnom Penh.

Departing Phnom Penh, the Princess cruises onward to the riverside town of Angkor Ban, where our afternoon excursion begins amid its timeless charm and authentic atmosphere. Wander through this traditional village to catch a glimpse of everyday life along the Mekong, starting at a local pagoda where resident monks offer a heartfelt blessing ceremony for our guests. From there, we continue to the home of a local family, sharing conversation and insight into their daily routines and way of life. Our exploration carries us further into the village to the local schoolhouse, where we step into a classroom to join the children and discover firsthand what a typical school day looks like for them. As evening approaches, the ship sets sail once more, cruising toward Kampong Cham where it will dock for the night.

Following breakfast, bid farewell to the Mekong Princess as you disembark in Kampong Cham and settle in for a scenic motor-coach journey to Siem Reap. You'll reach the designated meeting point at the Park Hyatt Siem Reap Hotel around midday, where onward transportation will whisk you away to Yaya River Park — an eco-conscious, award-winning luxury retreat nestled peacefully along the banks of the Siem Reap River, cocooned by mature, verdant trees.

This evening promises an extraordinary culinary journey unlike anything else in Siem Reap. Dine at the Embassy Restaurant, where local culinary icons Executive Chefs Pol & Sok — affectionately known as the "Kimsan Twins" — take the helm. Having honed their craft across multiple continents under the guidance of a Michelin-starred mentor, these talented brothers bring world-class expertise to every plate. Expect a dynamic, ever-evolving "Active" seasonal Khmer tasting menu that showcases five-star artistry and authentic local flavors.

Rise before dawn and set off in a classic open-top jeep as your driver whisks you away to the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. Arrive in time to witness the sky shift colors over the ancient stones, watching as golden light slowly creeps across the temple's iconic five spires. Once the sun has fully risen, wander through the hallowed grounds while the morning air is still crisp and the crowds have yet to arrive, soaking in the serenity of this UNESCO-listed wonder. A short jeep ride later, a hearty breakfast awaits, giving you the chance to refuel and reminisce about the sunrise spectacle you just witnessed. From there, you'll be driven back to your hotel for a proper breakfast and some downtime.

Later, hop back into the jeep for an adventure along Angkor's lesser-known pathways. Drawing on years of local expertise, your guide will lead you off the beaten path, steering clear of tourist crowds as you bump along dirt tracks and wind through dense jungle. This is your chance to uncover hidden corners of the park alongside its most famous landmarks. Marvel at the enormous stone faces watching over Bayon Temple, get lost in the tangled roots and towering trees enveloping Ta Prohm, and admire the detailed craftsmanship of the Elephant Terrace. Once your temple exploration comes to a close, you'll be dropped back at your hotel with the rest of the evening free to explore Siem Reap however you like.

Nestled at the base of the stunning Kulen Mountain, the Bos Thom Community Forest spans 1,100 acres of protected wilderness and serves as home to 14 rescued elephants once used in Angkor's temple tourism trade. After more than two decades of giving rides to visitors, these gentle giants now roam freely through their natural surroundings, embodying a hopeful shift toward more compassionate tourism. This sanctuary is known as the Kulen Elephant Forest.

Getting there is an adventure in itself. Aboard one of our lovingly restored vintage jeeps, you'll bump along narrow dirt tracks that wind through dense forest, offering front-row views of untouched nature along the way.

Your morning begins with a truly magical moment: helping prepare and serve breakfast to the elephants as they stir for the day ahead. Watching their morning rituals and joining them as they wander into the forest offers rare insight into the care and compassion these incredible animals deserve. Come midday, you'll return to base camp to share a traditional meal alongside your gentle new friends, before saying your goodbyes and setting off for the afternoon's adventure.

A short distance from the elephant sanctuary sits a modest pagoda perched on a hillside. Climb the stone steps to reach the top, where sweeping views of the surrounding countryside await. If the heat gets to you, take a refreshing dip in the pagoda's natural pool to cool off.

For the journey home, hop back into your vintage jeep and meander through scenic country roads and quaint villages, soaking in the picturesque landscapes as you make your way back to Siem Reap.

Day 15 packs in four remarkable encounters, each offering a completely different side of Cambodian life and culture.

Your morning begins at Theam's Gallery, the combined home, studio, and exhibition space of celebrated Cambodian artist Lim Muy Theam. Wandering between its stunning pavilions, you'll feel enveloped in calm and beauty, discovering Khmer artistry at its finest while browsing Theam's remarkable personal collection of traditional artifacts.

Next, head to APOPO, where you'll witness firsthand the vital work of humanitarian mine clearance and the extraordinary rats trained to detect explosives. You'll gain insight into Cambodia's landmine history, meet the African giant pouched rats known as HeroRATs, and even watch one demonstrate its life-saving skills in real time — a genuinely one-of-a-kind encounter.

The third highlight brings a touch of home-style hospitality. Join a local Cambodian family to help prepare a meal together — not a formal cooking class, but a relaxed, hands-on experience where you can help cook three traditional dishes or simply observe the process. Afterward, you'll share the fruits of your labor, sitting down to enjoy an authentic homemade lunch with your hosts.

Your afternoon is left free for leisure — browse the local markets for souvenirs or unwind poolside at your hotel.

As evening falls, get ready for one final unforgettable experience. At 7pm, you'll be collected and driven to Phare, the renowned Cambodian circus that blends theater, live music, dance, and acrobatics to tell powerful stories rooted in Cambodian tradition and spirit. Over the course of an electrifying one-hour show, the performers pour raw emotion and energy into every act, creating a spectacle that's rightfully considered a must-see in Siem Reap.

Day 16 marks the final chapter of your Cambodian escapade, as a private transfer whisks you away to Siem Reap International Airport for a smooth and stress-free departure.

We hope every moment of this journey has left you with unforgettable stories and memories to treasure for years to come. Few trips can rival the blend you've just experienced: gliding along the Mekong River aboard the elegant Mekong Princess, then venturing through the lively streets of Saigon and Siem Reap in a classic vintage jeep.

But who says the adventure has to stop here? If the mystery of Siem Reap's ancient temples still calls to you, or if a tropical island getaway sounds tempting, we'd be delighted to extend your trip with a tailor-made itinerary. Whether it's uncovering more of Cambodia's storied past or unwinding on a sun-soaked beach, we're ready to help you design the perfect continuation to your travels.