GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE TOUR FROM HO CHI MINH CITY TO PHNOM PENH BY THE MEKONG
DESTINATION OVERVIEW
Museums, markets and monuments, this excursion from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by the Mekong from Orient Skyline Travel covers a lot but just interesting sites. Experience the best of Southeast Asia in a compact yet insightful holiday!
DESTINATIONS INCLUDED
Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Can Tho – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit floating markets of the delta
- Explore the local life of the inhabitants of the Mekong
- Discover Phnom Penh and its oriental charms
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
- Meals as mentioned in tour program (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
- English speaking guide
- Transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Boat trip as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees during guided visits
- Domestic flights
- Service charge
THROUGH THE TOUR FROM HO CHI MINH CITY TO PHNOM PENH BY THE MEKONG, YOU WILL DISCOVER
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Can Tho (L)
In the morning, from bustling Ho Chi Minh City depart for the delta city of Can Tho. Arrive in Can Tho around lunch-time.
After taking a break to refresh and relax, head out to discover another side of Can Tho. Depart from the hotel to cross the Hau River then continue to cruise along one of the many canals to visit a local brick and terracotta factory. Next start cycling for through the lush countryside on village paths, and river dikes along the rice fields while enjoying the rustic charm and simplicity of the local daily lives and experience the friendliness form the farmers. Afterwards return to the boat and cruise back to Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho City.
Day 2: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B, L)
Begin with an early start today, take a boat cruise to Cai Rang floating market while enjoying breakfast on boat. Cai Rang market host larger sized boats for wholesale for fruit and vegetables. Depending on the season the boats may carry more mango, papaya or pineapple, and even coffee shop and pho vendors float around for sale.
Return to Can Tho and depart for 3-hour car journey to Chau Doc. En route you’ll have a chance to visit the bamboo basket weaving hamlet at Long Thanh.
The rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 3: Chau Doc city tour (B, L)
Visit Chau Doc’s riverside market which overlooks the mighty river and then take boat trip to visit Cham community, visit their Islam mosque on the island. The Chams also are skillful at silk weaving.
On the way, you’ll visit a beautiful Khmer temple, and the floating houses cum fish farms that now is a huge industry in the Delta.
In the afternoon, visit Sam Mountain, a pilgrimage Mecca site in Vietnam that is frequently for pilgrims from all over the Mekong Delta. After visiting some onside temples, reaching the peak will be rewarded with spectacular views from the top. If weather permitting, you can easily look out over Cambodia.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 4: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B, D)
Get ready for the morning speed boat ride to Phnom Penh. At the border, you will proceed for the visa formalities (visas must be obtained in advance) before continuing into Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel.
After check in and a short relaxing break, be welcome by a cyclo driver and he will take you around on his cyclo to visit the highlight destinations of Phnom Penh. Your visit includes the hilltop temple of Wat Phnom where the city founding story began, then the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda in within, the name comes after its floors are covered with over 5000 silver tiles. In the pagoda, there is a great collection of Buddha statues in gold, silver and bronze.
The last in the morning, visit National Museum of the Khmer style. There you will enjoy the comprehensive collection of over 5,000 pieces of ancient Khmer archaeological artistic and religious artifacts date from the 4th to the 13th centuries.
During the afternoon, hop on a river boat for an atmospheric sunset cruise, refresh with a coconut drink and enjoy watching how Phnom Penh’s riverfront streets lighting up in the evening.
Tonight, enjoy dining in the renowned Foreign Correspondents’ Club in the riverside street. Enjoy the dinner in the breeze from confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers.
Spend the night in hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 5: Phnom Penh half day city tour (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the infamous Tuol Sleng, the Genocide Museum. The building was a former high school then was occupied by the Khmer Rouge and renamed “S–21” to use as their main torture and detention center. After that, visit Choeung Ek known as the Killing Fields. A moving place to visit but important to understand and appreciated Cambodia better today.
Free time in the afternoon.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 6: Phnom Penh – Departure (B)
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
You might be interested in our Red River to Halong Bay tour, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Vietnam cruise travel style.
