Mekong Riverboat Back in Time

“Ahoy my hearties”

“Ahoy my hearties,” I yell, clutching the mighty wheel of the Toum Tiou 2 (TT2) riverboat. Finally, I am master and Captain Tran Dinh Hoe, perhaps uneasily, is at my back. No chance of a mutiny here.

We are down river from Tonle Sap Lake, S.E. Asia’s largest freshwater lake somewhere between Cambodia and Vietnam on a stretch of the Mekong, one of the great rivers of the world. Here is a meld of lush greenery, bamboo hamlets and buffalo-ploughed rice fields. Together with an abundance of water birds including Cambodia’s national bird, the giant Ibis, it feels like old-world Cambodia. It is.

It is a feature of the CFM New Discovery Tour, a 9-day 8-night cruise that begins at the dock at Koh Chen south of Siem Reap, home to the stunning Angkor Wat temples, and ends in bustling HoChiMinh City, Vietnam. You can also do the reverse trip.

In addition to traditional friendly Khmer service with English-speaking staff, the TT2 New Discovery itinerary offers more light adventure than a typical river cruise. As well as excellent onboard facilities and delicious cuisine, passengers enjoy on-land walking and a variety of biking, kayaking, and sampan/rowing boat/motorboat experiences - all tailored to suit individual preferences and ages.

Included are visits to floating Khmer, Cham and Vietnamese communities, walks into the unspoilt Tra Su Forest and gentle hikes to stunning Udong Hill. Tour guests also enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Sam Mountain in Chau Doc, and ‘insider’ highlights of bustling Phnom Penh and HoChiMinh City (HCMC).

The TT2 reflects a bygone era of romantic river cruising and service. Built of teak with the safety of a steel hull, passengers relax in comfort and safety. Standouts include cosy air-conditioned double cabins, large lounge areas, panoramic viewing and strolling spaces, and serviced bar-restaurants. The upper deck hosts six cabins while the lower deck features eight cabins: All offer uninterrupted views of the river and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

The CFM New Discovery Tour is now on sale with an early bird special discount offer beginning at A$2,453 (US$1,642) for January to March 2024 cruises for Main Deck cabins double/twin share per person providing unbeatable value. A bonus free singles supplement on all tours is being offered on first 25 tickets sold.

Steering the TT2 is by negotiation. Captain Tran Dinh Hoe is happy to oblige.
* Grahame Cox at grahame@granna.com.au