A RIVER JOURNEY FROM SIEM REAP TO SAIGON ON THE HISTORIC MEKONG

CF Mekong

There’s no better way to feel the pulse of Southeast Asia than by drifting on the Mekong — a river that has shaped empires, nourished civilizations, and still feeds like the soul of Cambodia and Vietnam today. On a 9-day, 8-night New Discovery Tour with CF Mekong by CroisiEurope, travellers are offered not just a cruise, but a cultural immersion that flows from the ancient temples of Siem Reap to the vibrant bustle of Ho Chi Minh City.

CF Mekong by CroisiEurope operates an intimate 38 metre 14-cabin teak riverboat that combines French flair with local charm. The atmosphere is relaxed, the cabins are compact and well appointed, and every window is a kaleidoscope to river life. The many daily excursions off the ship help to make this cruise unforgettable.

Each day brings a new adventure. In the Cambodian countryside, we cycled past lotus fields and waved to children balancing on ox carts. At the floating villages of Tonle Sap, we quietly paddled kayaks through canals where homes, schools, and shops drift gently on the water. In Phnom Penh, history spoke loudly from the golden spires of the Royal Palace to the sombre reminders at the Killing Fields and T21, the genocide museum.

CF Mekong

Excursions are hosted by expert, bilingual English, French, Cambodian and Vietnamese speaking guides — storytellers who bring the past and present to life and every experience is hands-on. One afternoon, we joined a cooking class where we learned the delicate art of crafting Cambodian spring rolls and spicy green mango salad. Onboard, local dancers came aboard for a night of traditional music and Apsara dance under the stars.

As the boat entered Vietnam, the scenery shifted. The Mekong Delta unfolded into a network of green tributaries and lively river towns. We explored the markets of Cai Be, tasted tropical fruits straight from the orchard, and glided through shaded canals in wooden sampans. Life here is lived on the water and, as visitors, we’re welcomed into it — not as tourists, but as curious guests.

Dining onboard is a celebration. Meals combine refined French techniques with Southeast Asian ingredients — think lemongrass-infused soups, delicate fish amok, and tropical fruit tarts. The staff? Warm, attentive, and often found joining guests on excursions or sharing a laugh over dinner. Mitch was our hard working purser who was constantly on the run but had enough time to explain the inner workings of theTT2 including safety, security and all the many inquiries by inquisitive passengers.

CF Mekong

By the time we reached Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) we’d travelled through centuries of history. From Angkor’s sacred temples to the massive floating grain, sand and cargo barges that ply the Delta. The RV Toum Tiou11 and the Mekong has showcased stories, tastes, experiences and magic memories that are unforgettable.

To mark the 25th anniversary of Croisi Europe’s launch on the Mekong a 25 percent discount is available for bookings until 30 September 2025.

October 2025 Departures 

• Upper deck Price per person in a shared cabin: $2,279 USD - 25% = USD 1,709.30 
• Lower deck Price per person in a shared cabin: $2,079 USD - 25% = USD 1,559.30 

November to December 2025 Departures 

• Upper deck Price per person in a shared cabin: $2,569 USD - 25% = USD 1,926.80 
• Lower deck Price per person in a shared cabin: $2,369 USD - 25% = USD 1,776.80’

CF Mekong by CroisiEurope 

313 Preah Sisowath Quay Office 20 Phnom Penh 12207 Cambodia 

Tel no.: + 855 (0) 23 216 070 | M: + 855 (0) 12 240 859 

WhatsApp: + 855 (0) 12 998 199 

Email / Web office@cfmekong.com | www.cfmekong.com 

International: www.croisieurope.travel

* Written by John Savage