THE MEKONG (Vietnam and Cambodia)
 There
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. We pass from the vibrant French
colonial port of Saigon, now called Ho Chi
Minh City, through the vast Delta so rich in
human life and endeavour, to travel along
the main channel into the rich countryside
of Cambodia. In 2003 with the Mekong Pandaw
we were the first ship to attempt this
extraordinary journey in its entirety
surmounting complex bureaucratic and
navigational obstacles. In 2004 we brought
the former Pandaw III now renamed the Tonle
Pandaw over from Myanmar to join her. The
two Pandaws explore two countries, two
cultures and two ways of life linked by one
great river.
 The
RV Mekong Pandaw offers a seven night cruise
between My Tho Port (for Saigon) and Siem
Reap Port (for Angkor) with two days spent
in central Cambodia following the Mekong as
far as Kampong Cham. The ship then returns
to explore the Tonle river and lake. The
ultra shallow draft RV Tonle Pandaw, on a
nine night cruise, will follow a similar
itinerary only navigate further north on the
Mekong as far as Kratie and beyond, if river
conditions permit, into a mountainous area
rich in forest and jungle.
 A
shipping link between Saigon and Angkor is
immensely practical for the traveller as it
makes it possible to connect three important
destinations on one trip with easy plane
connections at either end: Saigon the exotic
Frenchfried former capital of South Vietnam,
Phnom Penh, the quaint Cambodian capital,
and the stupendous World Heritage monuments
at Angkor: no longer need one check in and
out of hotels and endure bumpy roads. In our
Pre and Post Cruise Options you will see
that we have selected the most fitting hotel
partners in both Saigon and Angkor.
Click here For Siem Reap to Saigon.
Click here For Saigon to Siem Reap.
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