Jump on board the boutique Toum Tiou II and embark on a cruise from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, discovering a wealth of local life and nature along the way
Location
The six-day-five-night discovery tour on the 38-metre Toum Tiou II, operated by CF Mekong River Cruises by CroisiEurope, starts in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and traverses the mighty River Mekong to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, docking at riverine villages along the way.
Accommodation
Each of the boats feature 14 cabins – with a maximum capacity of 28 pax – are fitted out with two single beds and a separate bathroom with a hot shower. The cabins are decked with Cambodian teak, hard wood and palm, giving it an Olde World vibe.
My cabin was on the lower deck, with a large window allowing me to relax on my bed and watch life on the banks of the Mekong pass by. Cleverly thought-out storage space, such as a drawer under the beds large enough to stash a suitcase, meant that the cosiness of the cabin was not a problem.
Amenities
On the top deck sits a sun deck complete with sun beds, perfect for soaking up the scenery. An adjacent bar lounge serves a range of cocktails, wine, beers and soft drinks, so we were able to enjoy the striking sunsets with a cocktail in hand. Complimentary snacks, tea and coffee are available. The spacious upper deck also houses a covered lounge area, complete with comfortable tables and chairs. This space was cleared one evening when a karaoke night was hosted. An air-conditioned restaurant sits on the second deck.
F&B
The meals predominantly comprised Cambodian food, with lavish buffet dinners offering a range of meat and seafood dishes, rice and noodles, soup and Khmer desserts. Set menus were also served on some evenings. Breakfast came in the form of a buffet with a mixture of European and Asian options. Lunch was either served on board as we continued on our journey, or at a village we visited as part of the daily excursions.
Excursions
The beauty of this cruise lies in its journey through the Mekong Delta, home to diverse communities, nature, and sacred sites. Along the way, we visited Chau Doc, Sa Dec, Cai Be, and My Tho, cycling through rural roads, taking cookery classes, kayaking along tributaries, rowing through wildlife-rich mangroves, and visiting weaving workshops to experience local life. On day four, we docked near the city centre, spending 1.5 days exploring the vibrant Vietnamese city to round off the adventure.
Verdict
This is an excellent way to get an insight into life on the Mekong Delta, delivered by a small team of talented staff, who were firm friends by the time we disembarked.
Contact details
E-mail: office@cfmekong.com
