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Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

Description

The new Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise is perfect for your individual river cruise on the northern route of the Mekong connecting Southern Vietnam with Phnom Penh.

Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise is designed to roam through the narrow and winding rivers and canals of the river system that cannot be accessed by the larger cruise boats. That way we can show you the hidden gems of the northern Mekong Delta.

The cruise ship has 12 superior cabins that are all designed as outside cabins, slightly larger than the ones on the Mekong Eyes Classic. In addition to the deluxe cabins the cruiser has 4 suites, which are located on the upper deck and equipped with a private balcony. The interior design is using a lot of local materials and design patterns and is hand-crafted by local craft masters.

  • Mekong Eyes
  • Launch 2016
  • 16 cabins
  • Metal boat
  • Ho Chi Minh – Can Tho – Phnom Penh
  • Vietnam, Cambodia

Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise's Facilities

  • 24-hour Security
  • Boutique Library
  • Observatory
  • Restaurant
  • Spa & Beauty
  • Tender for sightseeing

Travel Map

Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

Cruise Itineraries

Upstream: Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau – Phnom Penh

Note*: This tour departs weekly on very Friday.

Pickup at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh at 8:00, transfer to Cai Be (note*: this option is included if you book shuttle services)

Arrive Cai Be jetty at 11:30. Embarkation and enjoy traditional lunch.
In the afternoon we arrive in the laid back town of Sa Dec for a city tour. There you can see the busy and colorful local market, enjoy a coffee on the nice riverside promenade or visit a nearby flower village with orchards. The charming town still has a lot of colonial architecture, in particular the old market, the church and many old villas and traders’ houses. We visit one of them, a beautifully renovated traditional house of a Chinese trader’s family. This sumptuous building belonged to the main character of the novel „The Lover” and indeed to the lover of Marguerite Duras.
In the late afternoon we return to the Mekong Explorer Eyes explorer and enjoy a sunset cruise with more fantastic photo opportunities from aboard.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

The Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise arrives Cao Lanh in the morning. After breakfast on the top deck, you can enjoy the the visit to Tan Thuan Dong Islet, which is famous for its orchards full of mangoes, longans, and ambarellas. It is totally off-the-beaten track and rarely visited by tourists. As the boat maneuvering through the scenic Cho Vam Canal, you are invited to a sunset cocktail party on the top deck, which also allows you to fully enjoy one of the most magnificent moments that Mekong river has to offer.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

After breakfast the tour with Mekong Eyes Explorer ends. Disembarkation, then you embark our speedboat for an exciting ride to Cambodia.  Arrival in Phnom Penh around lunchtime. Trip ends.

Note*: If you do not travel to Cambodia, and would like to explore Vietnam, please contact us for more details.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:  n/a

Downstream: Phnom Penh – Tan Chau – Sa Dec – Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh

Note*: This tour departs weekly on Sunday from Phnom Penh

In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in Phnom Penh and bring you to the jetty where our boat departs. An English speaking guide accompanies all our speed boats to ensure your comfort and well being on board and to support the immigration to Vietnam. Drinks and snacks area available on our comfortable speed boats.
Around 13h the speed boat arrives in Tan Chau and you board your Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise. After a refreshing welcome drink, we show you our on-board facilities and your cozy cabin. Enjoy your lunch while the boat starts cruising through the branches and canals of the Mekong. Sit back on the sundeck or in our lounge and marvel the amazing sights – the lush vegetation and the diverse daily life of the people in the Mekong Delta. Round the day off with a Sunset Cocktail Party at the bar while the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6:30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
We cruise towards the Island of Cu Lao Gieng. Located between Chau Doc and Sa Dec on the small island of Cu Lao Gieng, the monastery here was once an important convent. It could accommodate more than 1,000 people and included an orphanage, a school, a hospice and a leprosy centre. Today, Cu Lao Gieng is mainly a retreat for retired nuns. The large building is completely cut off from villages and located in the middle of fields and green jungle. You will be very surprised to see such an architectural impressive monastery in the middle of nowhere. If you have time you should take the opportunity to visit the Catholic monastery which was built on the island in 1875 by French nuns of Saint Paul de Chartres.
In the afternoon we cruise towards the charming city of Sa Dec. There you can see the busy and colorful local market, enjoy a coffee on the nice riverside promenade and visit a nearby flower village with orchards. The charming town still has a lot of colonial architecture, in particular the old market, the church and many old villas and trader’s houses. We visit one of them, a beautifully renovated traditional house of a Chinese trader’s family. This sumptuous building belonged to the main character of the novel „The Lover” and indeed to the lover of Marguerite Duras.
Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong River. The cruise boat anchors for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

After breakfast, we enjoy a rowing boat excursion through the hidden small canals of Tan Phong Islet on a sampan. We also visit some of the local candy or rice cake making production or boat through the green water landscape to see local villages, verdant orchards or rice paddies. Disembark at about 10am and take your shuttle to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh. Trip ends.

Note*: transfer to Ho Chi Minh is included only if you book shuttle service

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Upstream: Ho Chi Minh – Can Tho – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau – Phnom Penh

Note*: This tour departs weekly on very Thursday.

Pickup at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh at 08:00, transfer to Can Tho  (District 1 and parts of District 3 & only included for guests using the shuttle service). Arrive Can Tho at about 11:30. Board the Mekong Explorer Cruise and checkin.

As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people. In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits. Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong River. The cruise boat anchors for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6:30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
After breakfast, we enjoy a rowing boat excursion through the hidden small canals of Tan Phong Islet on a sampan. We also visit some of the local candy or rice cake making production or boat through the green water landscape to see local villages, verdant orchards or rice paddies.
In the afternoon we arrive in the laid back town of Sa Dec for a city tour. There you can see the busy and colorful local market, enjoy a coffee on the nice riverside promenade or visit a nearby flower village with orchards. The charming town still has a lot of colonial architecture, in particular the old market, the church and many old villas and traders’ houses. We visit one of them, a beautifully renovated traditional house of a Chinese trader’s family. This sumptuous building belonged to the main character of the novel „The Lover” and indeed to the lover of Marguerite Duras.
In the late afternoon we return to the Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise and enjoy a sunset cruise with more fantastic photo opportunities from aboard.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

The Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise arrives Cao Lanh in the morning. After breakfast on the top deck, you can enjoy the the visit to Tan Thuan Dong Islet, which is famous for its orchards full of mangoes, longans, and ambarellas. It is totally off-the-beaten track and rarely visited by tourists. As the boat maneuvering through the scenic Cho Vam Canal, you are invited to a sunset cocktail party on the top deck, which also allows you to fully enjoy one of the most magnificent moments that Mekong river has to offer.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

After breakfast the tour with Mekong Eyes Explorer ends. Disembarkation, then you embark our speedboat for an exciting ride to Cambodia.  Arrival in Phnom Penh around lunchtime. Trip ends.

Note*: If you do not travel to Cambodia, and would like to explore Vietnam, please contact us for more details.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:  n/a

Downstream: Phnom Penh – Tan Chau – Sa Dec – Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh

Note*: This tour is weekly departure on Sunday from Phnom Penh

In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in Phnom Penh and bring you to the jetty where our boat departs. An English speaking guide accompanies all our speed boats to ensure your comfort and well being on board and to support the immigration to Vietnam. Drinks and snacks area available on our comfortable speed boats.
Around 13h the speed boat arrives in Tan Chau and you board your Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise. After a refreshing welcome drink, we show you our on-board facilities and your cozy cabin. Enjoy your lunch while the boat starts cruising through the branches and canals of the Mekong. Sit back on the sundeck or in our lounge and marvel the amazing sights – the lush vegetation and the diverse daily life of the people in the Mekong Delta. Round the day off with a Sunset Cocktail Party at the bar while the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6:30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
We cruise towards the Island of Cu Lao Gieng. Located between Chau Doc and Sa Dec on the small island of Cu Lao Gieng, the monastery here was once an important convent. It could accommodate more than 1,000 people and included an orphanage, a school, a hospice and a leprosy centre. Today, Cu Lao Gieng is mainly a retreat for retired nuns. The large building is completely cut off from villages and located in the middle of fields and green jungle. You will be very surprised to see such an architectural impressive monastery in the middle of nowhere. If you have time you should take the opportunity to visit the Catholic monastery which was built on the island in 1875 by French nuns of Saint Paul de Chartres.
In the afternoon we cruise towards the charming city of Sa Dec. There you can see the busy and colorful local market, enjoy a coffee on the nice riverside promenade and visit a nearby flower village with orchards. The charming town still has a lot of colonial architecture, in particular the old market, the church and many old villas and trader’s houses. We visit one of them, a beautifully renovated traditional house of a Chinese trader’s family. This sumptuous building belonged to the main character of the novel „The Lover” and indeed to the lover of Marguerite Duras.
Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong River. The cruise boat anchors for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

After breakfast, we enjoy a rowing boat excursion through the hidden small canals of Tan Phong Islet on a sampan. We also visit some of the local candy or rice cake making production or boat through the green water landscape to see local villages, verdant orchards or rice paddies.
Later in the morning your can discover the nearby town by foot or explore the small side canals of the Mekong on a bicycle. In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.
Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong river. The Mekong Eyes Explorer cruise will anchor for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner. You stay overnight on board your floating hotel in the Mekong Delta.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise

Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6.30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively markets. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards..
The Mekong Delta cruise ends at around 11.00 — 11.30h on the pier.

A shuttle take you to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh (Districts 1 and 3) where you arrive in the late afternoon (Note*: this option is included if you book shuttle service)

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Important note*

  • PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASING ON ACTUAL SITUATION.
  • For overnight registration, we will need passport information (Full name, sex, Nationality, passport number, date of birth) of passengers at least four weeks prior to cruise date.

Cabins & Rates

Cabintype Rates
(US$/person)

Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise
  • 16sqm
  • Main deck
  • Double/twin beds
  • Max 2 persons


Contact us for price

Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise
  • 19sqm
  • Upper deck
  • Double/twin beds
  • Max 2 persons

Note*: The price would vary depending on your selected itineraries, date of departures, number of passengers. Please book the tour or contact us for best rate of your itinerary.

Booking Policy

  • Trip itinerary and routing as described in the itinerary English speaking tour guide
  • Guided walk and side trips as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Accommodation in cosy double or twin bedded cabins
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Mineral water placed in your cabin on board
  • Entry fees, and service charge
  • Transfers from/to Ho Chi Minh to/from port of embarkation
  • Drinks
  • Tour guide gratuities
  • Any visa fees

Cancellation by Customer
For cancellations of bookings, the following charges will apply:

  • 15 days before departure: 20% of total rates
  • From 7 to 14 days before departure: 75% of total rates
  • Under 7 days before departure: 100% of total rates
  • Maximum one Child under 5 years old sharing a cabin with 2 (two) receives a 75 % discount.
  • One child from 5 to 12 years sharing a cabin with two adults receives a 50 % discount.
  • If there is 02 infant stay with parent in 01 Cabin, there will be charge 50% as an adult.

Note*: Price for children would vary depending if you book package to Phu Quoc Island or Phnom Penh. Please contact us for details.

Mekong Eyes Explorer Cruise Amenities

  • Air-conditioner
  • Cabinet
  • Free Wifi - Public area
  • Hair Dryer
  • Non Smoking Rooms
  • Private Balcony - Roomtype
  • Private Bathroom
  • Seating Area
  • Shower
  • Toiletries

VIDEO by Mekong Eyes Cruise

Questions & Answers


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We recommend wearing loose and comfortable clothing made of cotton or modern material that can readily cool off sweat and body hear. The type of shoes will depend on the excursion types so best to have both light, open toed shoes as well as good walking/hiking shoes with you. A sun hat is always a good idea to bring along.
Southern Vietnam and Cambodia are warm all year-round, but our other cruise destinations can get chilly during the winter months (Laos, Myanmar or northern Vietnam). Therefore, it is always recommended to bring a pullover or a warm jacket with you during this period.
Many of our cruises include visits to local temples or pagodas. When visiting these holy sites, make sure to wear appropriate clothing which covers your shoulders and knees.

Generally speaking, the rivers we are cruising on in Southeast Asia are very calm and there is hardly any motion on any of our ships. A bit of motion can occur during monsoon rains with stormy winds, but the amount of motion is much less than one would feel during bad weather on the open ocean.
Sea cruises as we offer in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay can sometimes encounter heavier waters and ship motion, although this happens very rarely and port authorities will most likely not allow sailing under any such circumstances anyway.
If you are new to cruising or prone to motion sickness, it does not hurt to bring along some motion sickness medication. Drinking a nice hot fresh ginger tea is a natural remedy and tasty alternative our staff is always happy to make for you.

All food and beverage on board is completely safe to eat and enjoy, including the ice cubes you enjoy in your chilled drinks. We do not recommend drinking water straight from the tap anywhere, including onboard. We provide you with complimentary clean drinking water throughout your cruise.
You may want to be bit careful with local dishes as they can be spicier than you are used to from home. Approach new dishes slowly and carefully. If you have a sensitive stomach, then you may like to double check with our chef or onboard managers about specific dishes or meals.
On excursions, it may be a good idea to avoid local foods and snacks unless offered by our tour guides. Besides the above, in general we recommend the following motto for your pre- and post-cruise travelling in the Southeast Asian tropics: boil it, peel it, cook it, wash it or forget it!

The most effective protection from personal contamination is ensuring strict attention to personal hygiene and in particular, frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water and refraining from hand-to-mouth contact. Colds and other viruses can spread quickly in an enclosed area such as a ship. Continue to practice common-sense hygiene and respiratory courtesy. Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneeze. It is recommended that passengers carry anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, which does not require rinsing with water. Use sanitizer frequently and throughout the day, particularly after shore excursions and prior to meals. If you have any questions regarding your health or safety, please do not hesitate to ask your cruise director.

Motion sickness can be a problem for some people when cruising, flying or travelling on coaches and trains and it is a good idea to take precautionary measures. Over-the-counter drugs for treating motion sickness can be purchased at pharmacies in most countries, though a side effect can by drowsiness. Alternatives such as ginger tablets and acupressure wristbands are also available and work well for some people.

We recommend at least purchasing travel health insurance which covers both in- & outpatient visits and medical repatriation. Buying additional trip cancellation and interruption coverage may also be beneficial in case you have to cancel your travel plans due to unforeseen circumstances.

We always recommend bringing a travel adapter as a standard item in your travel kit. You can borrow an adapter on board, but these may be limited.

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $3-$5 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service.

Indochina Countries use 220V, and a mixture of flat 2-pin, round 2-pin or 3 pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adapter.

Mekong Eyes Cruise Reviews

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5 star ratingFantastisk tur!! Vi havde to døgn (to nætter) ombord på et af Mekong Eyes mindre skibe. Det var to fantastiske dage. Det første døgn havde vi skibet for os selv (sammen med en kok, en tjener, en guide og to til at... read more
Malene K Avatar
Malene K
01/02/24
5 star ratingRelaxing time on the Mekong Relaxing one night trip on the Mekong. The food and hospitality on board was excellent. The guide , Jonathan, could not have been more helpful and was ao happy to share his extensive knowledge of the region and Vietnam with... read more
Damian H Avatar
Damian H
31/12/23
4 star ratingGreat experience on Mekong Eyes Classic (despite the small cabin) with a great guide Jonathan We did a 3 day 2 night cruise, starting out at Phnom Penh, taking a speedboat and ending in Ho Chi Minh with a taxi transfer. The first night was a stay in a wonderful and beautiful hotel right at... read more
Diverses K Avatar
Diverses K
12/12/23
5 star ratingGecko eyes private cruise We did a three night stay onboard Gecko eyes, starting out at Phnom Penh taking a speedboat and ending in Ho Chi Minh with a taxi transfer. The boat sails along peacefully allowing you to sit back, relax and watch... read more
Stuart G Avatar
Stuart G
02/12/23
5 star ratingCaibe - Cantho by Mekong eyes We enjoyed our 2 days cruise from Caibe - can tho by the Mekong Eyes cruise. It's small, and not as good as the one we did in Halong. But it's one of the best way to explore the Mekong.... read more
Rayhan M Avatar
Rayhan M
29/11/23
5 star ratingZwei tolle Tage im Mekongdelta Außergewöhnliche drei Tage / zwei Nächte mit Mekong Cruises … Es waren tolle zwei Tage mit Mecong Cruises. Wir haben das Mekong Delta sehr authentisch erlebt. Es hat uns überrascht, wieviel Landwirtschaft und Industrie im Mekongdelta war. Die Cruise war... read more
Sebastian K Avatar
Sebastian K
13/11/23
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from $499 /pax
18/03/2024

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