Must-see Attractions During a Cruise on Mekong River

1. Cai Be Floating Market

Begin your trip in Saigon, your first wonderful stop will be at Cai Be Floating Market. Cai Be not only is one of the largest markets in the region but also features iconic features of Vietnamese traditional atmosphere. You will be taken on a wooden boat called sampan to contemplate the bustling trading scenery up-close. This is a great opportunity to taste or try delicious tropical fruits in Vietnam.

From Cai Be, tourists will also venture to the local factory and understand how Vietnamese make their coconut candies or various products from rice.

2. Sa Dec Traditional Village

Continue your trip from Vietnam, while floating in Mekong Delta, passengers will be transferred to Sa Dec, a small authentic village. Leave the cruise and board a sampan to visit the unique village where you can capture the beauty of the countryside in the country. Take time and explore a wide variety of local products, especially the unique foods like fried frogs, ducks, and so on.

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Finally, the highlight in Sa Dec will be the traditional inn featuring in the well-known movie in the 90s, "L'Amant" or “The Lover”.

3. Tan Chau River Town

Near the border between Vietnam and Phnom Penh, Tan Chau is a must-see destination during a journey on Mekong River. This is the place where The Hoa, Chams, and Kinh people live in harmony. You will witness the local life of the local as well as their unique culture and customs.

Beautiful silk is one of the specialties in Tan Chau with special black dye from Mac Nua (Diospyros mollis). Otherwise, there are a number of farms presenting different kinds of fishes in Mekong Delta.

4. The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Arrived in Phnom Penh, tourists will usually begin an excursion around the city and two most special locations are The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Both of them showing the darkness time in the history of Cambodian when the Khmer Rouge killed their countryman. 

It will not a pleasant trip in a historical building as there are a lot of pictures and recreation in the past. However, it cannot stop tourists from exploring those realistic lessons in Cambodia’s history, though children are not advised to visit the Killing Fields or Tuol Sleng.

5. The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

Another highlight in Phnom Penh includes the Royal Palace which was constructed in 1860 to serve the Cambodian Kings. Here, tourists will be astounded at the architecture in the Palace and other impressive architecture like the Silver Pagoda and Moonlight Pavilion. 

Unlike other historical and religious locations, the Cambodian still hold important events in the Palace. Even though many buildings and areas are limited to public, you can still have a glimpse into the ancient past of the place.

6. Wat Hanchey in Kampong Cham

Stop at Kampong Cham, tourists will wander around this wonderful land filled with the magnificent landscape in the country. Begin a short excursion to Wat Hanchey, an ancient temple from the pre-Angkorian era. To reach the top of the temple, either choose to challenge yourself climbing over 300 steps or take a leisure drive. Upon arriving at a vantage point, you can capture the beauty to the Mekong River or join the ceremony and receive the blessing from the monks.

7. The Great Tonle Sap

As one of the most well-known location in Cambodia, the Great Lake offers a perfect chance to contemplate the nature in the country. Tonle Sap provides the habitat for diverse ecosystem including flood plain, forests, and wetlands. This is also an important agriculture site, allowing the freshwater fishery to thrive in Cambodia.

On the other hand, tourists love to the peaceful scenery of the Great Lake letting them escape from the busy modern life.

8. Pak Lay

Pak Lay is a usual river port for cruises during their travel in Laos and passengers can explore this old town to their heart’s content. One thing that makes visitors fall in love is the historical buildings dated back to the colonial time. There will be also a bustling market in which tourists can immerse in the daily life of the local. A true off-the-beaten-path while cruising on Mekong River.

9. Luang Prabang

It is no exaggeration to say that your cruise in Laos is incomplete without visiting Luang Prabang, known as a World Heritage Site. Luang Prabang contains a huge number of symbols in the country. Expect to encounter a combination of architecture from many stages in the Laotian’s history. 

In Luang Prabang, it is possible to join the alms giving ceremony in the early morning before continuing your trip in the region. Feel free to check out Kuang Si Falls, Pak Ou Caves, two natural wonders of the country.