A Mekong river cruise is a journey that takes travelers to a part of the world where modern day meets the ancient past. The 4350 km (2700 mi) river that flows from China to Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, then drains into the South China Sea has been for centuries the lifeline and food source for millions of people who live alongside its riverbanks. Visit Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in southeast Asia, providing the second largest export in Cambodia, fish.
On this intimate and expeditionary type river cruise experience, visit floating villages, explore the ancient Angkor temples, and discover some ever changing cities oozing with French influence.
Highlights
Ancient Angkor Temples
The ancient City of Temples, Angkor, flourished from the 9th to 15th centuries and is the largest preindustrial city in the world. The most famous of the architecturally exquisite temples and the largest religious structure in the world is the 12th century Angkor Wat. It’s the emblem of Cambodia and is so revered by the Khmer people, it appears on the national flag. Angkor is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The capital city of Cambodia is situated at the confluence of three rivers: Tonle Sap, Bassac and Mekong. Founded in 1434, it wasn’t until 1866, under King Norodom, that Phnom Penh was once again made the capital of Cambodia and since then the seat of the government. For almost 100 years from 1863 to 1953, the country was under French colonial rule and reminders of this period remain in the city with French style architecture sprinkled throughout.
Ho Chi Minh City
Located at the Delta of the Mekong, Ho Chi Minh City has had several different names. In fact, domestically and internationally, many still refer to the city of skyscrapers and French colonial buildings as Saigon. Originally Cambodian territory, Vietnamese refugees starting fleeing to the area in the 17th century and gradually became the majority. In the 19th century, it was conquered by the French; evidence of colonial occupation here is evident with the French-influenced architecture, most notably, the Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of Paris’ Eiffel Tower.
Floating Villages
Where else in the world do you get to experience floating villages? Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River are the major sources of protein in the region. People are always fishing and floating villages are commonplace here. The rising and falling water levels dictate where these villages are – they’re ready to move! With planks to get to one area of the village to another, this adventure on a Mekong river cruise is only for the truly adventurous.