Join Source Journeys for our Small Luxury Gay Group through Vietnam and Cambodia. From its peak high up in the Tibetan Plateau, the powerful Mekong River courses 3,000 miles through Asia. Immerse yourself in exploring ancient traditions as you embark on an unforgettable journey through Southeast Asia.  Ho Chi Minh City offers a mixture of old and new, while the Mekong teems with colorful floating markets, ancient pagodas, rain forests, and mementos of its French Colonial past. Along the way, learn more about the culture of each country, marvel at the spectacular scenery, and interact with local people. In colorful Siem Reap, you’ll explore the vast UNESCO-designated jungle temple complex of Angkor Wat, one of the most famous and recognizable monument.

Itinerary

OCT 17

Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Saigon, transfer to Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel.

 Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel

 

OCT 18

Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, join a guided tour of the city which was built by the French in 1850. We begin our day with a visit to the Central Post Office and along the way we will also view the Saigon Opera House, constructed by the French in 1898. We visit Independence Palace, also known as Reunification Palace, which was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. The palace was the home and former workplace of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. We also visit the War Remnants Museum which primarily contains exhibits relating to the Vietnam War. Next, we learn how to make a traditional Vietnamese dish in a cooking class followed by lunch. This evening welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel

OCT 19

Saigon/Embark Mekong Princess

Make your way to Saigon Port and embark on the R/V Mekong Princess by noon and begin the journey up the Mekong. Lunch is served during the breathtaking sail out of Saigon. After enjoying time to settle into your suites and explore your Mekong River home, welcome reception and Vietnamese welcome dinner are served this evening.

Mekong Princess

OCT 20

Ben Tre/Tien Loi Island

Today, you witness the hustle and bustle of delta river life as the local traders take their produce to market. After breakfast, we board the classically built sampans to explore the narrow canals and backwaters of this famed region.

Cruising amidst the mangroves and Nipah Palm plantations, we will disembark to visit the handcrafted coconut candy-makers. This is a famous cottage industry and a local delicacy enjoyed throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Upon ship’s arrival in Ben Tre, meet your guide and sampan driver, and we head to Tien Loi island. Tien Loi island is untouched by tourist activity. You will be amazed by an honest welcome from rustic locals.

Arrive at Tien Loi island, just a few steps from the pier, you will see a big fish pond fed by a local family for selling, then take a short walk to a local family and learn how to manually weave mat and make chicken coops. Take a seat chatting with the host and enjoying tropical fruits with tea.  

Another few minute walk to other family making hats & baskets from sedge. You have a chance to buy their products at wholesale rates. Then, walk to the pier for sampan driving through a channel to the ship

Mekong Princess

OCT 21

Can Tho/Hoa An Village

Your sampans return early this morning before breakfast for a cruise through the fascinating Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. The sampan will weave in and out of the many boats that sail into the market each morning to sell produce and other items the residents of the Mekong Delta need in their daily lives. As they weave through the market, you will have many opportunities for amazing photographs, while enjoying fresh fruit and the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink”, fresh coconut water. After the market visit, a stop is made at a local factory to see the amazing process of making instant noodles.

This afternoon, sampans take you to visit Hoa An village. Hoa An village is untouched and well known for flower growing and handmade crafts. Starting with a visit to flower gardens, where you will see many different kinds of flowers, especially tropical ones, and know-how to grow and take care of flowers. You will then take a short walk to a local house, with an opportunity to meet the family and discuss their lifestyle. After a short break, continue our excursion on a “Xe Loi” (motor cart) to another village. Next, enjoy your walk in the peaceful village with rice fields, and fruit trees. Before returning to the sampans, we stop by the conical hat-making and mat weaving families, with an opportunity to chat with local family members and learn how to create products through hands-on experience.

Mekong Princess