RV Mekong Pandaw
With a colonial era nostalgia, the RV Mekong Pandaw provides guests with an opportunity to explore lesser visited parts of the river in a classic style and comfort. Whether you choose to join for the full journey from Saigon to Siem Reap, or for a shorter section, you'll have the opportunity to visit rural villages, riverside temples and historic sites. After the day of exploring you can retire to the saloon bar or upper deck for an evening drink. On board guides are particularly knowledgeable, and often run informative talks on the history and culture of the destinations you visit. The ship also offers quality mountain bikes for your independent exploration.
The majority of the cabins are on the upper deck, with six larger state rooms on the main deck. Air-conditioned, teak lined cabins provide a cosy place to retire, every cabin has en suite facilities and a panoramic French window to enjoy the river views.
Start planning your Vietnam - Cambodia cruise holiday with RV Mekong Pandaw by contacting one of our Vietnamese travel consultants now.
Itinerary
About This Cruise
THE ORIGINAL AND BEST CRUISE ON THE MEKONGThere can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. You pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, through the vast delta so rich in human life and endeavour, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh you then explore remoter waterways as we progress to the great monuments of Angkor.
UPSTREAM TRANSFERS & JOINING
Day 1: Saigon to My Tho
Transfer from the InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel in Saigon to the port of My Tho by coach to embark cruise.
Registration Details
INTERCONTINENTAL ASIANA SAIGON HOTEL
Registration is at 10:00 A.M
THE LIBRARY Bar, ground floor next to the hotel's reception
39 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (+84) 28 3520 9999
- Morning transfer from the Inter Continental Asiana Saigon Hotel to the port of My Tho by coach to embark on the Pandaw vessel.
- Please arrive at meeting point no later than 10:00 A.M. Transfer will depart 10:30 A.M.
- Your guide will collect your passports at the meeting point so we can arrange the immigration formalities.
Day 8: Siem Reap
- Early morning coach transfer to the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap, arriving mid-afternoon (approx. 13:30).
- Transfer by coach from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap takes approx 5 hours.
DOWNSTREAM TRANSFERS & JOINING
Day 1: Siem Reap
Registration Details
VICTORIA ANGKOR RESORT & SPA
Registration is at 09:00 A.M
Central Park, Siem Reap Town, Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel: +855 63 760 428
Morning transfer by coach from the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa to your Pandaw moored at Kampong Cham. Transfer will depart 10:00 A.M and takes approx. 5 hours.
Day 8: My Tho to Saigon
Early morning coach transfer to the InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel, arriving around 10:30 A.M.
Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1: Saigon - My Tho.
Transfer from the meeting point in Saigon to My Tho Port. After boarding your Pandaw, you sail downstream to Ben Tre and anchor midstream. In the afternoon, there is a lecture on Vietnamese life on the Mekong Delta. During cocktail hour you are entertained by an indigenous dance group and meet your key crew.
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Day 2: Ben Tre.
Travel by sampans through mangroves and bamboo groves to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. Local artisans are at work they will be more than happy to invite you into their homes for tea, fruits and honey product. This is an area rich in bird life and on your return journey you'll travel by local transport through the lush countryside.
After lunch, the ship moors off Cho Lach island for pot making and further glimpses of Delta life, agriculture and local Viet hospitality including a culinary lesson in making traditional Banh Xeo.
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Day 3: Con Phuoc Island.
After breakfast, there is a short coach journey to the Gao Giong "green oasis" with its bird sanctuary. Here a diverse selection of water and egrets that gather in the tens of thousands across the Dong Thap Muoi or "Plain of Reeds". Rowing boats traverse the canals to take you to see the principal nesting areas. After returning to the boat, you will cruise upstream to Con Phuoc Island. Moor in a small canal off Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore the island by Xi Loi seeing basket production and visiting a 100-year old Catholic Church as well as local woodworking artisans.
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Day 4: Cambodia Border.
Afternoon, explore the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau to visit a Taoist temple where the monks will read fortunes. Continue through local villages by Xi Loi stopping off to help locals tend their fields before stopping off to visit a fish farm and earn merit by releasing fish back into the Mekong. Border crossing formalities take up much of the afternoon and during this stationary period there is an optional tour of the working ship and fruit carving classes on deck.
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Day 5: Phnom Penh.
Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary. Afternoon optional visit to the Killing Fields and Genocide museum or take a tuk-tuk to explore the riverfront and finish with High Tea at Raffles Hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh City port with its lively bars, restaurants and night life.
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Day 6: Silk Island.
Sail up the Mekong/ Tonle River convergence to visit Koh Okhna Tey, or "silk island" to study the entire silk making process from worms to weavers. There will be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator. Return to the ship and cruise upstream towards Kampong Cham. Evening lecture on Angkor and Khmer culture.
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Day 7: Wat Hanchey, OBT Chiro Village & Wat Nokor Bachey.
Sunrise cruise to Wat Hanchey - an important centre of worship during the Chenla period located on top of a hill above the mighty Mekong River with some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia. Visit 8th century structures some destroyed by American bombings during the Vietnam War. Well noted for its bizarre Fruit and Animal statues.
Cruise back downstream to Kampong Cham. After lunch you'll travel by bus to the local OBT Chiro Village where the education of local children is high on the agenda. Pre-Hospitality training courses, plastic recycling, bee keeping, farming and handicraft skill projects are set up to improve the skill set of local children. You then travel to the Wat Nokor Bachey dating back to the Jayarvaman VII period. Built completely from Black Sandstone which makes it standout from other temples built during this period. Many legends surround this complex one being it was built by a king who accidently killed his father then married his mother as per Greek legend. This temple was built in penance for his crime.
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Day 8: Siem Reap.
Sail downstream to moor at Kampong Cham for disembarkation and road transfer to Siem Reap.
Deck Plan
Video
CHECK RATE
Total Cabin(s)
#Cabin 1
Cabins
- Half Side River View
- 15.6m2
- Non-Smoking
- Shower
- Private Balcony
- 1 Queen Size Bed or 2 Single Beds
- Half Side River View
- 15.6m2
- Non-Smoking
- Shower
- Private Balcony
- 1 Queen Size Bed or 2 Single Beds
Cabins
Our Offers
Additional Services
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Exclusive Offer: Vietnam Visa Approval Letter
Price Includes
• Entrance fees.
• Guide services (English language).
• Gratuities to crew.
• Main meals.
• Local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes.
• Transfers between the meeting point and the ship at the start and end of a voyage.
Price Excludes
• International flights.
• Port dues (if levied).
• Laundry.
• All visa costs.
• Fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions).
• All beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes.
• Tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.