Join us aboard the luxurious RV Mekong Princess and discover the diversity of the mighty Mekong as it flows through Vietnam and Cambodia. With just 28 guests on board, we can offer an intimate experience and close-up perspective of the river including some ports of call along both the Mekong and Bassac Rivers which are virtually untouched by tourism. Our cruise combines scenic interest with a study of local life and culture as well as ample time to relax on board our beautiful vessel admiring the passing scenery.
Our seven night river journey offers the most beautifully relaxing way to discover the stunning, unspoiled countryside, fascinating culture, bustling markets and timeless villages of the Mekong. We have combined our cruise with hotel stays in the iconic Vietnamese city, Ho Chi Minh as well as time in Siem Reap allowing the opportunity to visit the magnificent temple complex at Angkor Wat. During the cruise you will soak up the diverse culture of the region and everyday life of the local people for whom the Mekong plays such an important role and one of the greatest experiences of our journey will be encountering their great charm and natural warmth.
Mekong Princess
The RV Mekong Princess is an all-suite, luxurious river vessel with just 14 spacious suites. The friendly onboard staff of 28 will provide you with excellent service and do much to contribute to your enjoyment throughout your cruise.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrive this morning into Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) and transfer to the centrally located Park Hyatt hotel for a two night stay. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure and tonight meet your fellow travellers for dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 3 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 the 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. Later today there will be the option to either learn how to make a traditional Vietnamese dish in a cooking class or alternatively take an optional tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a massive tunnel network on the outskirts of the city, which were used by the Viet Cong soldiers to house troops and move supplies during the Vietnam War. (B, L)
Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City.
This morning there will be some free time after breakfast before we transfer to the RV Mekong Princess. Enjoy lunch on board with breathtaking views as we set sail for our journey along the Mekong. Join your fellow travellers this evening for the welcome reception and dinner on board. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Ben Tre & Can Tho.
This morning we sail on traditional Vietnamese sampans through a channel lined with mangroves to visit a local coconut candy maker. After watching the candy-making process we will walk through the village to visit an orchard where fruits native to Vietnam can be seen in various stages of maturity on the vine. After a fresh fruit tasting, we continue to a pier where we board small, local boats (three to four guests per boat) for a trip through the narrow creeks lined with Nipah palm before returning to the ship. This afternoon we sail through an area of the Mekong Delta barely touched by tourism to Can Tho city, the riverside capital city of the Mekong Delta. Board your sampan for a city tour including a visit to the Zihuang Pagoda and experience the welcome unicorn dances. There will be some time at leisure to explore this charming city and visit the night market before dinner is served on board. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Can Tho & Hoa An.
We begin our morning before breakfast aboard the sampans for a cruise through the fascinating Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. The sampans 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, there will be many opportunities for amazing photographs, while enjoying fresh fruit and the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” fresh coconut water. Before returning to the ship for breakfast, we stop at a local noodle factory, where we witness the amazing process of how they are made. After lunch, the sampans take us to visit Hoa An village. Hoa An village is untouched and well-known with lush green fields whereby local inhabitants grow a variety of seasonal crops. Starting our excursion on a “xe loi” (motor cart) via winding country roads. En route, we stop for a short walk in the peaceful village with rice fields and fruit orchards. We then continue the sampan ride on a major branch of the Mekong river - before turning into a busy canal famous for being the rice milling center of the region, we will witness how rice is being transported and processed locally. Our last stop is at one of the conical hat-making families, with an opportunity to meet with a local family and learn how to create products through hands-on experience. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Gieng Island & Hong Ngu - Border Crossing.
This morning we board sampans that will take us into Gieng Island. After a short walk around the local sampan village, where hundreds of sampans are produced daily by local families, we take a canal drive to explore the untouched floating area with duck farms, monkey bridges, and tropical orchards along the riverside. We will try one of the most popular local transportation modes named “xe loi” (motor trishaw) driving through the island to visit a Catholic monastery, built around the same time as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon in the 1870s. This afternoon we visit the local island village of Hong Ngu, not far from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces a large number of the traditional Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia and we will have the opportunity to see the weaving process in several of the homes as well as displays of embroidery. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered one western visitor prior to the arrival of the RV Mekong Princess and are especially friendly and welcoming. Also visit the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hoa. In the late afternoon, the RV Mekong Princess will cross the border into Cambodia and continue up the Mekong River. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
This morning the RV Mekong Princess sails towards Phnom Penh. After lunch on board join local cyclo drivers for an afternoon city tour of Phnom Penh. We ride along the riverfront to the Royal Palace, where we enjoy a leisurely walk through the grounds, with opportunities to visit the Throne Hall and moonlight Pavilion. Upon crossing into the second section of the complex, we walk amongst enormous stupas and spirit houses. We continue to the famous silver pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha, encrusted with more than 9000 diamonds. Following some free time we return to the cyclos for a ride to the National Museum which houses the largest pre- Angkorian and Angkorian holdings in Cambodia. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Phnom Penh.
After breakfast we depart on a drive to Choeung Ek, the ‘Killing Fields’. Here we visit the small museum and Memorial Stupa and learn about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. On the return drive to Phnom Penh, we stop at Tuol Sleng (infamously known as S-21), which was converted by the Khmer Rouge from a large school to a prison and torture headquarters. Return to the vessel for lunch and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax on board or perhaps explore the city independently. Before dinner this evening there will be a performance of traditional folk dance on board. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Angkor Ban.
Today we visit the charming town of Angkor Ban. Here, we witness the daily life of the local people, starting with a visit to a family’s home, to meet the family and discuss their lifestyle. We continue through the village to the local school where we join the children in their classroom and experience what their typical school day is like. There will be opportunities to take photos during our return journey to the vessel, including a brief stop at the local monastery complex. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Kampong Cham to Siem Reap.
After breakfast we disembark the RV Mekong Princess in Kampong Cham and transfer to the Park Hyatt Siem Reap for a three night stay. The Park Hyatt Siem Reap is the city’s most prestigious address. Located in the heart of the city, the 108 rooms are encased in an elegant, contemporary, residential facade that dramatically rises above Siem Reap’s skyline and is surrounded by manicured gardens. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy this beautiful city independently. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening. (B, D)
Day 12 Siem Reap.
This morning we visit the famous Angkor Wat complex, situated 5.5 kilometres north of the modern town of Siem Reap and built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. The modern name Angkor Wat means ‘Temple city’ or 'City of Temples’ in Khmer. After lunch at a local restaurant we ride on Tuk Tuks to visit the walled city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Bayon Temple is located at the end of the south gate entrance and is regarded as a 12th century masterpiece. Inside the city we will see impressive stone carvings. (B, L)
Day 13 Siem Reap.
Today, we travel to the gem of the Angkor area and the pretty temple of Banteay Srey. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. Next we visit Ta Prohm; it has been largely left as it was found, overgrown by jungle trees and vines, making it one of the most picturesque of the Angkor temples. This afternoon, we visit the Roulous temple group, the site of the ancient centre of the Khmer civilisation known as Hariharalaya. Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 14 Siem Reap to London.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the scheduled indirect flight to London. (B)
Day 15 London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
17 February to 3 March 2025 • 3 to 17 March 2025 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Category 4 Saigon Suite with French Balcony | £6995 | £6795 |
Category 3 Apsara Suite with French Balcony | £7295 | £7095 |
Category 2 Tonle Suite with French Balcony | £7795 | £7595 |
Category 1 Angkor Suite with Private Veranda | £8495 | £8295 |
Category 5 Junior Suite with French Balcony for Sole Use | £8695 | £8495 |
Category 4 Saigon Suite with French Balcony for sole use | £9095 | £8895 |
2 to 16 March 2026 • 23 November to 7 December 2026 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Category 4 Saigon Suite with French Balcony | £7295 | £7095 |
Category 3 Apsara Suite with French Balcony | £7595 | £7395 |
Category 2 Tonle Suite with French Balcony | £8095 | £7895 |
Category 1 Angkor Suite with Private Veranda | £8795 | £8595 |
Category 5 Junior Suite with French Balcony for Sole Use | £8995 | £8795 |
Category 4 Saigon Suite with French Balcony for sole use | £9395 | £9195 |
Tour Reference Code: RCMPRMEKONG
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Two nights accommodation at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City • Seven nights aboard the RV Mekong Princess • Local spirits, house wine, beer & soft drinks included with lunch and dinner on board • Three nights accommodation at the Park Hyatt Siem Reap Hotel • Meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner) • Cruise Director and Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • Shore excursions with local English speaking guides • Entrance fees • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Cambodian visa, optional tour to Cu Chi Tunnels on day 3.
Important Visa Information: A visa is required for Cambodia for British passport holders (passport holders of other nationalities will need to check with their nearest relevant embassy/ consulate). Noble Caledonia will provide further information about the visa application process to booked passengers. Visa information is subject to change.
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All Decks
Mekong Princess
The RV Mekong Princess is an all-suite, luxurious river vessel with just 14 spacious suites. The friendly onboard staff of 28 will provide you with excellent service and do much to contribute to your enjoyment throughout your cruise.
Charitable Trust Project
It is our vision to use the Noble Caledonia framework to improve economic, social and environmental conditions in the areas we work and visit. To this end, in 2013 we established the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust (NCCT): Registered Charity No. 1153281.
Noble Caledonia Ltd cover the costs of administering the NCCT so that 100% of your donation will go directly to the beneficiaries. Money is raised from a percentage of Noble Caledonia’s profits and through fundraising by staff and donations from our travellers and business partners.
Cambodia - Vocational Training
Though recent progress has been made, 40% of Cambodia's population still lives just above the poverty line, pushing children, youth and families onto the margins of society.
In Phnom Penh, thousands of children and young people are living on the streets. In order to survive, these children often undertake dangerous occupations such as scavenging, begging, construction, and sex work, making them highly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Vocational training that leads to employment can help break the poverty cycle and give vulnerable young people the opportunity to reach their full potential and build a safer and more sustainable future.
Friends-International, an award-winning international NGO and social enterprise, offers vocational training and social services enabling marginalized young people to overcome the many barriers they face and re-integrates them into society as productive, skilled, and empowered citizens.
NCCT are funding five students to go through Friends-International’s hospitality vocational training, the most popular of their vocational training programs as it meets growing demand for a qualified workforce in a booming hospitality industry and opens the doors to wide range of careers, from kitchen porters all the way to head chefs.
In Cambodia, Friends-International has three successful training restaurants. They place emphasis on preserving local culinary heritage and providing guests with a tasty insight into local food culture, while offering marketable cooking and serving training skills both theoretical and practical to students.
In 2018, they have trained 297 students and placed all graduates in employment.
Two students at Friends the Restaurant tell you more about it: Friends Restaurant video
Your donation could provide:
£15 - a starter pack with material & uniform for a student
£50 - one month of training for a student
£100 - accommodation and food for a student for a month
£200 - support for a graduate to start his business
DONATING
If you would like to make a donation by cheque please make it payable to ‘NCCT’ and send it to NCCT, 2 Chester Close, London, SW1X 7BE, stating the name of the project you wish to donate to. Or
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000