Douce Mekong Cruise

Douce Mekong is a modern and tastefully designed  river barge. Built in traditional style Douce Mekong measures around 30 meters long from bow to stern and has two 420 HP engines , one in back up, making Douce Mekong a very powerful and safe river vessel.
Douce Mekong  offers an elegant,  relaxing and fulfilling ways to  explore endless  water way of  Mekong River. The cruise brings us into contact with people in different corner of the Delta . With Douce Mekong, you will have ample  opportunity to see Vietnam in its authenticity   and sample local culture and food,  in a one unpacking, unforgettable vacation where  your “floating hotel” get  you insight into Mekong Delta and quaint villages.
Aboard Douce Mekong you will enjoy the continuous and ever-changing scenery as you encounter a lively world of legendary  waterways and picturesque landscapes, floating markets, lush bonsais garden, rice fields,  villages, pagodas and temples, fruit-filled orchards, boat laden bazaar and a host of smiling children.
Cabin
Each cabin has its own air-conditioning unit, which can be adjusted for your comfort. We recommend you do not over- cool your cabin as the sudden change from the outside temperature to a chilled cabin can bring on colds, respiratory illnesses and even stomach upsets. When you go out, we recommend you turn the setting to ‘Lo Cool’, set at about 4, and then when you return you can readjust the temperature to your preference without having to wait for cool air. At night you may prefer to use the fan only, and have the windows open. Insect netting covers the windows to enable you to do this. Please do not leave your air-conditioner on with the window open – this results in energy loss (the equivalent of switching on the heating and opening the windows in a cold country!
Dining
Meals on board  Douce Mekong are taken at one sitting. It is not necessary to sit at the same table each time and we have tables for individuals, couples right up to larger groups.  We offer a mixture of local cuisine with richly flavor  and taste  and there are always vegetarian dishes offered. Passengers requiring special diets, such as vegetarian, low salt & low cholesterol meals, may make their requests to the chef when onboard. The chef will try to honor all requests. Exotic fruit, fresh organic vegetables, locally caught fish and prawns are the preference of most of our passengers.
The bar
The cruise bar is always open, it offers while selection of drinks including famous wine French, Australian, Italian wine.
Kid Room
This play rooms will keep your baby busy with different games as chess, playing card, darts, dominoes, toys, and reading, painting books.
Sun Desk
The sun deck is located on the top of our boat, It is spacious for your relaxation and suntans . For your enjoyment, there are plenty of deck chairs.
Optional activities
Bicycles on board
Row boat on board
Sight-seeing excursions
Bicycles
Bicycles are carried onboard. Crew will be happy to help you with bike adjustments and getting it on and off the barge. Please remember to use caution when riding along towpaths or into villages. A decision to engage in cycling during the cruise constitute the travelers assumption of all risks associated and an agreement not to make a claim against the barge owners for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of such activity.
Kayaking
Exploring the Mekong Delta with kayak along the small canal and arrays.
Cruise Manager
An experienced, English /French -speaking Passenger Service Manager accompanies every departure. They are there to ensure your comfort, answer questions and make your vacation the most memorable trip ever.

CAIBE – CANTHO 2 DAYS

(Departure : Every Tue, Thu and Saturday)
DAY 01:  CAIBE – TRAON(L,D)
*  08h00: Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and transfer to Cai Be.
* 11h30 -12h.00 boarding DOUCE MEKONG boat. Enjoy welcome drink
* Transfer to a local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, the mazes of waterway , local pop-rice and sweets production.
* Visit of colonial buildings, old houses, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers.
* Douce Mekong continues its cruise to Cochien . Lunch served on board
* Embark on  a  pleasant walk or cycle on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and the local people’s activities. Visit a cottage industry , a local farm  and sample seasonal fruits
* Leisurely cruise on the Mekong River while taking in the beautiful scenery .
* Enjoy an aperitif over the sunset.
* Dinner and night on board.
DAY 02:  TRAON – CANTHO (B)
* Breakfast on board
* The morning bobbling commotion of Mekong river life comes to life for another lovely day our boat set sails to Cantho through tributary and canals.
* Transfer to Cairang: one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong. We go for a walk along the canals and the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards, ship building yards, rural and water activities in full swing.
* Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink.
* 11h00 Disembark in Cantho. Transfer back to Saigon. End of Vietnam Hidden Charm’s services.
Inclusion:
•    Round trip from Saigon in private car.
•    2days cruise with stops and visits as stated  with English /French-speaking escort.
•    1 nights accommodation on board.
•    Meal  as mentioned during the cruise (  B=Breakfast, L = Lunch,  D=Dinner)
•    Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
•    Biking, sampan boat ride,
•    Services of crews during the cruise.
•    Apperitif
Exclusion:
•    Visa approval and fees for Vietnam or Cambodia.
•    Travel insurance
•    Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc.,

CANTHO – CAIBE 2 DAYS

(Departure : Every Mon, Wed, Fri and Sunday)
DAY 01: CANTHO – TRAON (L,D)
* 08h00: Pick up at your hotel ina Saigon and transfer to Can Tho.
* 12.00-12h30 boarding DOUCE MEKONG boat. Enjoy welcome drink
* Transfer on a local boat to  explore the CaiRang market one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong. We go for a walk through the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards.
* Douce continues its cruise to Tra On. Lunch served on board
* Leisurely cruise down the Mekong while enjoying the beautiful scenery
* Visits of the fruit farm and walks amongst pleasant villages on the footpaths of the countryside. Opportunity to  meet with  local people.
* Boarding back at with an aperitif while enjoying the magnificent sunset on the Mangthit canal and Nicola river.
* Dinner and overnight on board
DAY 02: TRAON – CAIBE (B)
* Breakfast  on boat in the morning.
* Visit the fruit farm and walks amongst the lush vegetation through verdant villages and meet with  local people
* LeCochinchine continues its cruise toward Caibe.
* Transfer to a local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, local pop-rice and sweets production. Visit of colonial buildings, old houses, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers.
* Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink.
* 11 h00 Disembark in Caibe. Transfer back to Saigon.
End of Vietnam Hidden Charm’s services.
Inclusion:
•    Round trip from Saigon in private car.
•    2days cruise with stops and visits as stated  with English /French-speaking escort.
•    1 nights accommodation on board.
•    Meal  as mentioned during the cruise (  B=Breakfast, L = Lunch,  D=Dinner)
•    Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
•    Biking, sampan boat ride,
•    Services of crews during the cruise.
•    Apperitif
Exclusion:
•    Visa approval and fees for Vietnam or Cambodia.
•    Travel insurance
•    Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc.,

CAI BE – SA DEC – CAN THO 3 DAYS

(Departure: on every Tue, Thu and Sat)
DAY 01: CAIBE – MYTHUAN – SADEC(L,D)
* 08h00 Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and transfer to Cai Be.
* 11.00-11h30 boarding DOUCE MEKONG boat. Enjoy welcome drink.
* LeCochinchine continues sets sails to Caithia while lunch is served on boat.
* Embark on  a lovely cycling excursion  on the bank of the peninsula browsing several verdant villages. Visit of the gardens and orchards, local houses and ample opportunity  meet with people and get insight into Delta life. Visit Caodai temple on the way to Mythuan.
* Continue our cruise toward Sadec, a nice and quiet  town overlooking Mekong river
* Visit the lively Sadec food market and primary school headed by Magueritte Duras. Walks along the village path and get yourself acquaintance with rural activities  as farmers farm their fields: rice fields, and vegetable farms, fish farms.
* Back to our boat for a cruise down stream. Relax on boat while sipping  an aperitif .
* Dinner and overnight on board
DAY 02: CAITHIA – VINHLONG – TRAON  (B,L,D)
* Breakfast on board on the Mekong.
* Visit Binh Hoa Phuoc island and go for walk  walk through the islets, sampling native fruits viewing local handicraft production and meet the local people.
* Transfer to a local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, the mazes of waterway , local pop-rice and sweets production.
* Visit of old houses, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers.
* Douce Mekong continues its cruise to Cochien. Lunch served on board
* Embark on  a  pleasant walk on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and the local people’s activities. Visit a cottage industry , a local farm  and sample seasonal fruits.
* Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Open bar and rest on the deck enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the DOUCE MEKONG boat is cruising Mang Thit river.
* Dinner and night on board.
DAY 03: TRAON – CANTHO DEPARTURE (B)
* Breakfast on board
* The morning bobbling commotion of Mekong river life comes to life for another lovely day our boat set sails to Cantho through tributary and canals.
* Transfer to Cairang: one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong. We go for a walk along the canals and the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards, ship building yards, rural and water activities in full swing.
* Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink.
* 11 h00 Disembark in Cantho. Transfer back to Saigon. End of Vietnam Hidden Charm’s services.
Inclusion:
•    Round trip from Saigon in private car.
•    3 days cruise with stops and visits as stated  with English /French-speaking escort.
•    2 nights accommodation on board.
•    Meal  as mentioned during the cruise (  B=Breakfast, L = Lunch,  D=Dinner)
•    Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
•    Biking, sampan boat ride,
•    Services of crews during the cruise.
•    Apperitif
•    Group insurance
Exclusion:
•    Visa approval and fees for Vietnam or Cambodia.
•    Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc.,

CAN THO – SA DEC – CAI BE 3 DAYS

(Departure: on every Tue, Thu and Sat)
DAY 01: CANTHO – TRAON(L,D)
* Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and transfer to Can Tho.
* 12.00-12h30 boarding DOUCE MEKONG boat. Enjoy welcome drink
* Transfer on a local boat to  explore the CaiRang market one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong. We go for a walk through the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards.
* Douce Mekong continues its cruise to Tra On. Lunch served on board.
* Leisurely cruise down the Mekong while enjoying the beautiful scenery
* Visits of the fruit farm and walks amongst pleasant villages on the footpaths of the countryside. Opportunity to  meet with  local people.
* Boarding back at with an aperitif while enjoying the magnificent sunset on the Mangthit canal and Nicola river.
* Dinner and overnight on board
DAY 02: VINHLONG– MYTHUAN -SADEC (B,L,D)
* Breakfast on board over splendid sunrise on the Mekong.
* Walks /cycle amongst the lush vegetation to visit the fruit farm , the handicraft villages  and meet with  local people .
* Douce Mekong set sails again to Sadec while lunch is served on board.
* Visit busy Sadec food market and primary school headed by Magueritte Duras. Walks along the village path and acquaintance with rural activities  as farmers farm their fields: rice fields, vegetable farms,  fish farms.
* Boarding back at with an aperitif while cruising down to Caithia.
* Dinner and overnight on board .
DAY 03: CAIBE DEPARTURE (B)
* Breakfast  on boat in the morning.
* Cycling  on the bank of the peninsula for a visit of the gardens and orchards.
* LeCochinchine continues its cruise toward Caibe.
* Transfer to a local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, local pop-rice and sweets production. Visit of colonial buildings, old houses, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers.
* Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink.
* 11 h00-11h30 Disembark in Caibe. Transfer back to Saigon. End of Vietnam Hidden Charm’s services.
Inclusion:
•    Round trip from Saigon in private car.
•    3 days cruise with stops and visits as stated  with English /French-speaking escort.
•    2 nights accommodation on board.
•    Meal  as mentioned during the cruise (  B=Breakfast, L = Lunch,  D=Dinner)
•    Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
•    Biking, sampan boat ride,
•    Services of crews during the cruise.
•    Apperitif
•    Group insurance
Exclusion:
•    Visa approval and fees for Vietnam or Cambodia.
•    Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc.,

CAI BE – CAN THO 4 DAYS

DAY 01: SAIGON – MYTHO -CAIBE(L,D)
* 08h00 Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and transfer to My Tho.
* 11h00 boarding DOUCE MEKONG boat. Enjoy welcome drink
* Leisurely cruise down the Mekong River while enjoying the beautiful scenery
* DOUCE MEKONG boat  with lunch served on board.
* Arrive in Chogao, walking around the local market .
* Leisurely cruise down the Mekong River while enjoying the beautiful scenery
* In My Tho. Visit the Thoi Son island ,walk through the island, sampling native fruits viewing local handicraft production and meeting the local people. Then take a brief sampan ride through the palm-shaded creeks
* Then boat depart for Cai Be, the magnificent sunset on the river. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 02: CAIBE – VINHLONG – SADEC(B,L,D)
* Breakfast is available from 6:30 in the morning.
* Mid-morning, transfer to a local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, local pop-rice and sweets production.
* Visit of old colonial time buildings onshore.
* Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink.
* Departure from Cai Be to Binh Hoa Phuoc Island while lunch is served on board.
* Transfer onto a local boat for a visit of the gardens and orchards on the bank of the peninsula.
* Back on board, a refreshment awaits you.
* Dinner is served as the Le Cochinchine gets under way towards the My Thuan bridge then towards Sa Dec.
* Le Cochinchine drops anchor at the entry of Sa Dec for the night.
DAY 03:  SADEC – MANGTHIT – TRAON (B)
* Breakfast on boat.
* Transfer for a visit of the town of Sa Dec, following the tracks of French novelist Marguerite Duras.
* Boarding back about noon at Sa Dec. Welcome back drink.
* Lunch while en route. The Le Cochinchine goes down stream the Tiền Giang River towards Vinh Long. Rest on the deck, or enjoy the open bar.
* Visit bricks and tiles kilns and the manufacture of earthenware pots on a bank of river Co Chien
* Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Open bar and rest on the deck enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the Douce Mekong boat is cruising Mang Thit river.
* Le Cochinchine sets anchor in front of Phuoc Hau pagoda, in Tra On, for the night.
DAY 04:  TRAON -CAIRANG -RACHNGONG -CANTHO(B)
* Breakfast is available from 06:30, while the ship is cruising the Tra On floating market.
* The ship then departs towards Can Tho.
*Arrival in Cai Rang floating market, check out and transfer onto a local boat to visit the floating market, the nearby arroyos and gardens and return to the Ninh Kieu pier.
* Arrival at Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, late morning. Transfer back to Saigon. End of Vietnam Hidden Charm’s services.
Inclusion:
•    Round trip from Saigon in private car.
•    4 day private cruise with stops and visits as stated  with English /French-speaking escort.
•    3 nights accommodation on board.
•    Meal  as mentioned during the cruise (  B=Breakfast, L = Lunch,  D=Dinner)
•    Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
•    Biking, sampan boat ride,
•    Services of crews during the cruise.
•    Apperitif with canape
Exclusion:
•    Visa approval and fees for Vietnam or Cambodia.
•    Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc.,

SAI GON – ANGKOR 7 DAYS

Caibe – Vinhlong– Sadec – LongXuyen– Chaudoc – Phnompenh – Angkor Wat
DAY 1: SAIGON -CAIBE -VINHLONG -SADEC (L,D)
Pick up from your hotel in Saigon and depart for Mekong Delta
Arrival Mekong Delta we will board our sampan for an exploration of  lush vegetation of Mekong Delta and the lively Cai Be floating market. Walking  for visit the handicraft village of the local people. Sightseeing the old house and sample various tropical fruits. Return to our boat.
Our  boat sets sail and  cruise through zizag cannales and river heading out  to  Sadec and moor midstream for the night.Diner and overnight on board.
DAY 2: SADEC-LONGXUYEN (B,L,D)
Rising up early for another nice day we  contemplate sunrise while having breakfast on board. Visit the Sadec local market , following the tracks of French novelist Marguerite Duras.Walks/Cycle amongst the ever blossoming Sadec flower village and local industries.Visit bricks and tiles kilns and the manufacture of earthenware pots on a bank of river Back to boat and enjoy welcome back drink while lunch is served.
The Le Cochinchine set sails  through the canals of Lapvo with a magnificent landscape that come along the river banks: rural walks, farming, nursering farm, fishing, boating, smiling school children all in full swing.
Enjoy traditional herbal foot massage on boat.
Diner and while Le Cochinchine cruises towards Longxuyen
DAY 3: LONGXUYEN -CHO MOI – HOAHOA(B,L,D)
Rising up early for another nice day we  contemplate sunrise while having breakfast on board. Visit Longxuyen floating market by small boats
intermingled through the water as vendors buy and sell their fruit. Visit  a crocodile farm and promenade on OngHo island, see daily life of the local people who live on both sides of the Mekong (Bassac river), and small arroyos on the island. Noon approaching we return to Le Cochinchine boat and  carry on our journey  to HoaHao village. Lunch on board. Disembark and head  to Chaudoc.  Tonight we stay overnight in Chaudoc.
DAY 4: CHAUDOC – PHNOMPENH(B,L,D)
This morning we will have a boat ride from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh departing at 8am. The boat takes us  along the Mekong River. It continues on to the Vietnamese (Vinh Xuong) – Cambodian (Kaom Samnar) border and then to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Arrival transfer our hotel in  Phnompenh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia. A visit to Phnom Penh is a very interesting experience indeed. It is a city with an interesting pulse and it gives you a very true taste of Asia. We  will visit the Wats Phnom, National museum, silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. Overnight at Sunway  hotel****  in Phnom Penh.
DAY 5: PHNOMPENH CRUISE TO SIEMREAP(B,L,D)
This morning there will be a transfer to Phompenh port for the boat ride to Siemriep. The boat winding our way on Tonlesap river, taking in such spectacular view of rural life on water. Arrival Siemriep, transfer to the hotel .Visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm.  One of the area’s most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.
Dinner and overnight at Prince d’Angkor hotel.
DAY 6: ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE(B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.
Lunch at local restaurant. Aftenoon visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), until sunset. Dinner local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.Tonight we will enjoy diner with traditional Khmer folk performance of Apsara.Overnight at Prince d’Angkor hotel    in Siemriep
DAY 7:  DEPARTURE (B)
At leisure  to visit  the market or “Les Artisans d’Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination. End of Vietnam Hidden Charm’s services.
Inclusion:
•    All boat cruise Lecochinchine  with meals,
•    Boat ride from Chaudoc to Phnompenh-Phnompenh -Siemreap.
•    All accommodation on the  Le Cochinchine boat and at the hotels ( Sunway hotel, Prince d’Angkor hotel), Meals as indicated ( B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Diner)
•    Admission fees and permits where applicable
•    Land transportation ;
•    Airport transfers,
•    Service of crew  and English speaking guide on board.
Exclusion:
•    Pre/post trip arrangement ,
•    Beverages,
•    Travel insurance ,
•    Visa fee (Visa fee on arrival at Cambodia border: 25USD, 1 photo 3x4cm).
•    Other personal expenses