Jayavarman, Pearl of the Orient Downstream ex Phnom Penh to Saigon (My Tho)

3 Night cruise departing from Phnom Penh to Saigon (My Tho) onboard The Jayavarman.

Day 1 Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau
Welcome on board with Heritage Line for your Mekong River adventure. After you have checked in, we invite you to come to the lobby lounge. Before the ship sets sail southbound on the Mekong towards Vietnam, the lounge is set up for an eye- and ear-catching lecture from a special outside expert.

Once the ship departed, the rest of the morning and the whole afternoon is at your own disposal. It is time to switch into cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing cadence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed or private balcony kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river and float into a state of mild bliss. You also may like to visit the bridge, as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, we approach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam. From here it is just a short distance to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views on the riverbanks.

Day 2 Tan Chau - My An Hung – Binh Thanh Island
Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam.

Default Excursion (any ship): After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration of this area, renowned primarily for its aquaculture. Upon disembarking, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant town life of Tan Chau by boarding "xelois" (the Vietnamese word for rickshaws). Your personal xeloi driver leisurely navigates through a network of streets, allowing you to observe workshops, street vendors, shops, and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals. Our journey takes us to the local market, where we mingle with residents as they go about their morning shopping routines. Continuing on, we visit a Cao Dai temple and meet with one of the priests, who enlightens us about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Our final destination is a fish farm that has been operated for many years by a local family, who make their livelihood from this distinctive business. Here, we gain insight into the essential knowledge required to manage such a unique enterprise in this region.

Default Excursion (any ship): After back onboard a siesta after lunch, our expert guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa Dec province. My An Hung Village is a wonderful example of a real local village in the Mekong Delta where time stood still. We receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to understand what the farmers is currently cultivating. A Vietnamese tea tasting at a local family’s house is accompanied by a presentation of a variety of fruits that are grown near-by, freshly cut from the tree. An artistic group performs displays the traditional dragon dance, whilst we can snack on the “vitamins bombs”.

Back onboard, the ship sails into the sun set towards our destination for the next day. A complimentary cocktail hour and snacks at the pool with music and dance vibes are offered to enjoy the blue hour before dinner is served.

Day 3 Binh Thanh Island - Tan Phong Island – My Tho

Default Excursion (any ship): Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta's inhabitants have already been active for hours. Energize yourself with our daily morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast buffet. By local boat, we head out to one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh. This island is home to several communities that sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths. Strolling through the village, you'll gain profound insights into local life and witness the complete traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island. They enjoy engaging in conversations with foreign visitors.

Afterward, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho, offering some little farewell party vibes along the way.

Day 4 My Tho – Saigon
Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. We disembark the ship after breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometres on the highway, and you arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you and share the stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

"The Jayavarman" - a floating sanctuary of style and space

Inspired by the golden age cruise liner Normandie, "The Jayavarman" is a 20th century boutique style marvel marries avant-garde French colonial design with enchanting Indochine architecture to perfection.

As the sun slowly sets...Step out on to your private balcony...sip on your drink and become part of the river life unfolding around you.

Start your day on the Mekong with Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Or bathe in the rays of dawn shining through your balcony as you lay in bed. A journey full of reverberating sights, colors and sounds awaits you.

Whether it is a refreshing sundowner drink at the lounge or a pampering time at the "Apsara" beauty salon, this is a time for reflection and relaxation.

When night falls, dancers perform and dinner is served. The ship changes hue at night and the staff emerge the following morning in their exquisite Cambodian traditional outfit.

Heritage Line was founded in 2008 and provides luxurious cruise journeys on the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia. The company is la Swiss-Vietnamese Joint Venture and located in Saigon - now called Ho Chi Minh City.

As the sun slowly sets...Step out on to your private balcony...sip on your drink and become part of the river life unfolding around you.

Start your day on the Mekong with Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Or bathe in the rays of dawn shining through your balcony as you lay in bed. A journey full of reverberating sights, colors and sounds awaits you.

Whether it is a refreshing sundowner drink at the lounge or a pampering time at the "Apsara" beauty salon, this is a time for reflection and relaxation.

When night falls, dancers perform and dinner is served. The ship changes hue at night and the staff emerge the following morning in their exquisite Cambodian traditional outfit.