The Jahan Cruise – Downstream 4 Days

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Your Mekong adventure begins in Phnom Penh, where the Heritage Line team welcomes you aboard The Jahan. After checking in, gather in the lobby lounge for an introduction to the ship and an essential safety briefing.

Before departure, attend a special presentation by Mr. Sum Rithy, a survivor of imprisonment at S21 who later participated in the Khmer Rouge tribunal. Through his personal testimony, he shares firsthand experiences of one of the most difficult periods in Cambodia’s history. Guests have the opportunity to listen to his story and engage in a meaningful discussion about the country's past.

Once the ship leaves Phnom Penh, settle into the relaxed rhythm of river cruising. Spend the afternoon enjoying the onboard facilities, unwinding on the terrace deck, or taking in the scenery from your private balcony. You may also visit the bridge to hear the captain share insights into navigating the Mekong, or join a culinary workshop led by the head chef to discover aspects of Khmer cuisine.

During afternoon tea, accompanied by drinks and light refreshments, the ship approaches the international border and enters Vietnam. Continue through the waterways of the Mekong Delta before anchoring near Gieng Island for the night.

Overnight on board near Gieng Island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the morning with a Tai Chi session before enjoying breakfast on board. Today's exploration introduces you to the character of Gieng Island, locally known as Mango Island, where fruit orchards, traditional workshops, and long-established family homes reflect the region's distinctive way of life.

Morning Excursion: Gieng Island

Travel to the island to walk beneath its mango trees and discover local crafts that remain important to the community. Visit a small incense workshop to see how fragrant sticks are made by hand, followed by a traditional boat-building workshop where generations of local craftsmen have constructed wooden boats for river transport.

Before returning, stop at a century-old family home to enjoy freshly picked mangoes accompanied by local tea. This visit offers a closer look at the traditions and everyday routines of a community closely connected to the Mekong.

Optional Morning Excursion

Culinary Experience – Available on Jayavarman only

Join a local family to prepare Banh In, a traditional Vietnamese sweet made from glutinous rice flour and sugar. Commonly enjoyed during national celebrations such as Tet, this delicacy is traditionally served with jasmine tea.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Explore Gieng Island by bicycle along flat concrete paths surrounded by mango farms and lush gardens. Along the way, enjoy encounters with local residents and make stops at a traditional incense workshop and a boat-building workshop.

• Distance: Approximately 15 km

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Afternoon Excursion: My An Hung Village

After lunch and a relaxing break on board, attend a presentation by your guide about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues towards My An Hung Village in Dong Thap Province.

Visit this traditional rural community to learn about local agriculture and family life. Meet a local household and explore seasonal vegetable fields to discover which crops are currently being cultivated. At another family home, sample Vietnamese tea and taste freshly harvested tropical fruits grown in the surrounding area.

The visit also includes a performance of the traditional dragon dance, adding a lively cultural touch to the afternoon.

Return to the ship and enjoy the changing river scenery as The Jahan continues sailing. Before dinner, take advantage of the complimentary cocktail hour, with alfresco snacks and music creating a pleasant atmosphere as daylight fades over the Mekong.

Overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake early to observe the Mekong Delta coming to life, with local residents already busy along the riverbanks. After a morning Tai Chi session and breakfast, head ashore to discover Sa Dec, a riverside town in Dong Thap Province known for its lively markets, historical architecture, and cultural heritage.

Morning Excursion: Sa Dec

Begin with a walk through the central market, where stalls display fresh produce, seafood, and regional specialties that reflect the agricultural abundance of the Mekong Delta.

Continue to Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, a historic residence associated with the love story behind Marguerite Duras' novel The Lover. Its architecture and history offer a glimpse into the cultural influences that have shaped the town.

The excursion concludes at Kien An Cung Pagoda, a century-old Chinese temple distinguished by its ornate decorative details and peaceful atmosphere. Afterwards, return to the ship.

Optional Morning Excursion

Culinary Experience – Jayavarman only

This excursion is not available on Day 3.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Discover Sa Dec on two wheels, starting at a bustling local market before visiting Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House. Continue to Sa Dec Flower Village, where family-run gardens showcase rows of colourful blooms and traditional flower-growing techniques.

Pause for a refreshing drink at the Pink House before cycling to Cao Dai Holy See, a distinctive religious landmark known for its striking architecture.

• Distance: Approximately 15 km

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Afternoon Excursion: Cai Be and Tan Phong Island

After lunch, visit a workshop in Cai Be to observe the production of traditional Mekong Delta specialties. See how local artisans prepare rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine, and coconut candies using established methods and manual techniques.

Continue by local boat to Tan Phong Island, a fertile island in the middle of the Mekong River. Visit a local family and their fruit garden, where you can sample a variety of tropical fruits different from those found on Mango Island.

A buggy ride provides an opportunity to observe daily life around the island. You will also visit a family specialising in handmade crafts created from water hyacinth, a plant traditionally used by local artisans to produce decorative items.

Optional Afternoon Excursion

Culinary Experience – Available on Jayavarman only

After a short buggy ride through the fruit orchards, join a local family for a hands-on cooking experience focused on traditional jackfruit leaf cakes. Learn how fresh leaves are prepared, how their juice is extracted, and how the cakes are shaped and steamed in their natural leaf casings.

The experience also includes preparing a coconut dipping cream, followed by an opportunity to enjoy your freshly made cakes with hot ginger tea.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Cycle through Tan Phong Island along flat, well-maintained concrete paths bordered by orchards of rambutan, longan, and jackfruit trees. Visit a local family business to learn about handicrafts made from water hyacinth, then continue along a canal to a local temple, where you can take a short break beneath a banyan tree.

The ride concludes with a visit to a tropical fruit grower's home, where you can sample fresh seasonal produce.

• Distance: Approximately 12 km

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Once everyone has returned to the ship, The Jahan continues towards My Tho on its final stretch of the journey. Enjoy the river scenery and a relaxed atmosphere on board as the cruise prepares for its arrival in southern Vietnam.

Overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy your final breakfast on board The Jahan while taking in the last views of the Mekong River. After breakfast, disembark in My Tho and board the transfer vehicle for the journey to Saigon.

The road transfer covers approximately 70 kilometres and is expected to bring you into the city by mid-morning.

Your 4-day, 3-night Mekong River journey concludes here. Leave with lasting memories of the river's landscapes, the people you have met, and the traditions discovered along the way.

End of the cruise.