Vietnam River Cruises
Built in Cambodia from tropical woods and according to tranditional techniques, the Toum Tiou (sometimes spelled Toum Teav) was the first cruise boat to sail on the Mekong from Siem Reap to Saigon, Cambodia to Vietnam, offering a high standard of accommodation, mixing charm and tradition.
As you cruise sedately along the river, you can choose to stay on the sundeck overlooking the river or in the large library lounge decorated in neo-colonial style. the boat's low water draft allows the Toum Teav to stop right next to the villages on the riverside.
Itineraries
The Toum Tiou operates 2 regular rotations from Siem Reap, home of the magnificent World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's charming capital, and from there to the frenetic metropolis of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in South Vietnam passing through the wondrous watery world of the Mekong Delta.
From April to July, when the river levels are low at the end of the dry season, the Toum Tiou can't reach Siem Reap anymore. During this period she sails up the Mekong from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham and Kratie, the last towns of the country to be navigable on the Mekong River, where you can observe the rare Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins.
The legend of Toum and Tiou
The Toum Tiou derives its name from a traditional Khmer tale of star-crossed lovers, the Cambodian equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, Toum being the boy and Tiou, the girl.
This beautiful love story turned tragedy features Tiou's mother, an ambitious woman who wants to marry her daughter off to the king and Toum as the awkward lover.
The king, good-hearted and understanding, eventually gives up on the marriage to make Tiou happy. It ends tragically when a frame-up involving the mother and the governor leads to the death of one of the two lovers, the other committing suicide to follow suit.
This story is taught from primary to high school. Many songs and pieces of traditional music allude to the pair of ill-fated lovers.
Notes
Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor)
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (Angkor) - 3D/2N
The boat follows the meandering Tonle Sap through pastoral countryside, then enters the flooded forests and the copper-toned waters of the Great Lake. The mysterious atmosphere of the Khmer temples of Angkor replaces the timeless colonial ambiance of Phnom Penh.
High water season from July to January - Low water season from February to June. Seasons may vary depending on the year's rainfall.
Toum Tiou program
Day 1: Phnom Penh ~ Kampong Tralach
07:45 Toum Tiou is ready for embarkation.
08:00 Departure of the Toum Tiou for Kôh Chen (Chinese Island). Security briefing.
08:45 Arrival to Kôh Chen, small village of whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages.
The distant hills of Cambodia's old capital, Oudong, and its royal stupas can be seen a few kilometers away from the ferry. At the top of the hill, the ruins of Anthareu temple.
11:45 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Tralach.
15:30 Arrival at Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind.
The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference.
Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
17:30 Passengers re-embark. The Toum Tiou drops anchor a few miles away.
19:00 Welcome drink and info meeting about the cruise and introduction to the crew. Welcome dinner. Overnight on board.
Day 2: Kampong Tralach ~ Kampong Chhnang ~ Chnok Tru
07:00 Departure of the Toum Tiou early in the morning. Sail to Kampong Chnang. Breakfast during navigation.
09:00 Arrival to Kampong Chnang.
Located some 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.
11:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Luong.
16:00 Arrival at Kampong Luong. Local boats will come alongside the Toum Tiou to carry passengers to the village.
Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station... everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
18:00 Passengers re-embark. The Toum Tiou stays overnight under the protection of the flooded forest.
19:30 Farewell cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship & Cruise Manager. Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Overnight on board
Day 3: Chnok Tru ~ Siem Reap (Angkor)
07:00 Departure of the Toum Tiou early in the morning. Time to pack and relax a half a day by crossing the Tonlé Sap Lake.
13:00 Passengers disembark, local tour agent pick up passengers and transfer to hotel after a last lunch on board.
Toum Tiou II Programme
Day 1- Phnom Penh ~ Kampong Tralach
12:00 Toum Tiou II is open for embarking. Security briefing. Lunch on boat on the way to Kôh Chen (Chinese Island).
14:00 Arrival to Kôh Chen, small village of whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages.
The distant hills of Cambodia's old capital, Oudong, and its royal stupas can be seen a few kilometers away from the ferry. At the top of the hill, the ruins of Anthareu temple.
17:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Leaving Kôh Chen to Kampong Tralach. Toum Tiou II drops anchor close to village.
19:30 Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction. Welcome dinner. Overnight on boat.
Day 2: Kampong Tralach ~ Kampong Chhnang
09:30 Breakfast during navigation, departure for Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind.
The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference. Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
11:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Lunch on boat on the way to Kampong Chnang.
14:30 Arrival at Kampong Chnang. Visit the village and its environment.
Located some 90 kilometers from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.
18:00 Re-embarking the boat, Toum Tiou II leaves Kanpong Chnang, direction the Tonle Sap Lake. Toum Tiou II drops anchor for overnight at the entrance of the Grand Lake Tonle Sap.
19:00 Dinner and overnight on boat.
Day 3: Kampong Luong ~ Siem Reap
08:00 Breakfast during sailing.
09:00 Passengers embark local boats to visit a local village, either Kampong Luong during high water (July – January) or Chnok Tru floating village when water levels are low.
Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station... everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
High water season
11:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II.
Time to pack and relax for a half a day.
Lunch during navigation on the Tonle Sap Lake.
Low water season
11:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II.
Lunch on boat.
14:30 Departure with charter speedboat for our passengers to cross the Tonle Sap Lake.
17:30 Arrival to Phnom Krom pier, disembark and drive to Siem Reap.
18:00 Arrival to FCC Hotel, the final destination point of our trip.
At the end of the low water period, the water level may not allow speedboats to cross the lake anymore. In this case, passengers will be transferred from/to Siem Reap by land or river. (5-6 hours).
Price shown is per person sharing a double
Including:
- Accommodation in double cabin, Full board (water, tea, coffee included)
- Mentioned visits, French or English speaking guide on board
- Transfer in Siem Reap from/to FCC Angkor Hotel ONLY
Not including:
- Transfers at departure/arrival port
- Bar fees, Visas, Personal expenses and personal insurance
Notes
Prices shown are per person sharing a cabin.Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Upriver | Enquire | |
| 3 | Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (Angkor) | £374 | Toum Tiou II: Downriver | Enquire | |
Saigon / Phnom Penh
Put the mythical Southeast Asian capitals of Phnom Penh and Saigon side by side and you have a meeting of two countries divided by an invisible line at the river. But the line becomes real when you compare their very different cultures, landscapes and pace of life. After the impressive pastoral riverbanks of Cambodia, we arrive in the "Land of the Nine Dragons", the rice granary of Vietnam. We are constantly struck by the hectic pace of life in this country as we pass houses over fish rearing pens in Chau Doc, the boat yards of Long Xuyen, Marguerite Duras' hometown of Sa Dec, the aquatic gardens of Vinh Long, the floating market in Cai Be, the temples, pagodas, brickworks, then the trawlers of My Tho, before dropping anchor at the nostalgic port of Saigon.
Cruise program
Day 1: Phnom Penh ~ Koh Dek Chau
07:45 Toum Tiou is open for embarkation.
08:00 Formalities clearance.
08:30 Toum Tiou leaves Phnom Penh for Kôh Dek Chau island. Security briefing.
11:30 Arrival at Kôh Dek Chau island, A short break along the way, it allows to get a fascinating, close-up look at daily life in Cambodia. On the fringes of civilization, the 600 people who live on Kôh Dek Chau will receive your visit with some surprise. School children will escort you along your way. You will go through the village that occupies the full length of the island, walking along a trail shaded by date palms.
12:30 Re-embarking, departure for Kaam Samnaar (Cambodian border).
Lunch during the navigation.
16:00 Toum Tiou arrives at Immigration check point in Kaam Samnaar. Clearance of departure formalities.
17:30 The boat drops anchor for night on river between the borders.
19:00 Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction.
Welcome dinner. Overnight onboard
Day 2: Koh Dek Chau ~ Chau Doc
07:00 Opening of the immigration check point offices in Vinh Xuong - Clearance of departure formalities.
Breakfast.
09.00 Departure for Chau Doc. Vietnamese Guide boards, introduces himself. Casual talk with him.
12:30 Lunch during navigation.
13:30 Arrival at Victoria Hotel Chau Doc jetty.
Located to the north at the beginning of Mekong's famous delta, Chau Doc straddles both banks of the Mekong which fans out to the dimensions of a river mouth here. Floating fish farms have sprung up everywhere. Bamboo fish drying racks are set up a metre above the water's surface. The bourgeoning downtown area features some charmingly rustic colonial buildings, squeezed in by the marketplace - the colorful, vibrant heart of the city. As always, these busy parts of town, despite their sometimes strong odors, offer wonderful photo opportunities...
14:30 Departure for fish raising rafts and Cham minority village by local boat. Return to the Victoria hotel for a walk to Chau Doc market. Visit of Sam Mountain which peaks at 237 metres. Its well-known Buddhist sanctuaries offer an unobstructed view over the mosaic of glistening rice paddies below. To the left is Cambodia, and the flow of the Mekong on the horizon breaks into an infinity of silver ribbons. Visit on the way of the Lady Chua Xu temple and Tay An Pagoda.
18:30 Return to the boat after sunset.
19:00 Dinner at the Victoria Hotel’s restaurant.
Overnight onboard at the jetty of the hotel; you are free to enjoy the hotel facilities (swimming pool, billiards, bar, Internet) or stroll in Chau Doc.
Day 3: Chau Doc ~ Sa Dec
07:00 Early departure for Sa Dec, breakfast during the navigation.
14:00 After lunch, arrival at Sa Dec – Short panoramic tour of Sa Dec and transfer by bus to Trung Vuong primary school. Continuing to Kien An Cung Pagoda. Stroll around Sa Dec Market along Sa Dec River bank. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of the delta where a few colonial houses still remain, including the "Chinaman's house" (from Duras' novel "The Lover", also made into a movie).
16:00 Return to the boat with stopover at a nursery of flower and bonsai trees. Famous for its horticulture (it has many varieties of fabulously exotic flowers) Sa Dec was known as the "Garden of Cochin Chine" during colonial times.
17:15 Toum Tiou leaves Sa Dec for Vinh Long.
18:00 Dropping anchor few miles away on the way to Vinh Long.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4: Sa Dec ~ Vinh Long ~ Cai Be
06:30 Toum Tiou continues for Vinh Long.
07:00 Breakfast during navigation.
08:00 Arrival at Vinh Long, local boats pick up passengers for visiting a brick and pottery factory, the Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet Nursery of Fruit Trees as well a typical house and a show room of traditional farming tools. Vinh Long, which translates as "Majestic Dragon", is right in the middle of the delta, between two arms of the Mekong. The soil of Vinh Long is enriched by silt deposits, making it ideal for growing mandarins and other citrus fruits. Life is organized around the water. Houses on stilts, hawkers in boats, hundreds of small craft crisscross in all directions. The hospitality of the locals makes it a tourist destination par excellence.
10:50 Departure for Cai Be Floating Market – going across the Mekong River en route.
13:00 Toum Tiou leaves Cai Be for My Tho, lunch on board during navigation.
17:30 Arrival at My Tho – Toum Tiou drops anchor on river in the proximity of Thoi Son Island Local musician band embark to play traditional music for 45 minutes.
19:30 Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 5: Vinh Long ~ Cai Be ~ My Tho
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Local boats come alongside Toum Tiou to pick up passengers and transfer to the mainland. Departure for Vinh Trang Pagoda by car - Short panoramic tour of My Tho town on the way. Continuing for Dong Tam Snake Farm and My Tho Market. On the banks of a northern arm of the Mekong, My Tho, which translates as "fragrant herb", where tourists come to discover the beauty of the delta. It's a quiet, prosperous city of about 100,000 inhabitants, famous for its many fruit orchards, gardens and the huge rice fields that surround it. The climate is warm and pleasant year round. The surrounding countryside is home to one of the most luxuriant gardens of Vietnam, with its coconut palms, banana and mango trees.
10:45 Return at the pier- you will cruise on the river to Thoi Son Island by local boat to visit the island, explore local people’s daily life and enjoy locally seasonal fruits.
13:00 Re-embarking the Toum Tiou that leaves My Tho for Saigon
Lunch and leisure on board. Time to pack and prepare for the arrival.
18:00 Toum Tiou drops anchor on river en route.
19:00 Farewell cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship & Cruise Manager.
Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Overnight on board
Day 6: My Tho ~ Saigon
07:00 Departure for Saigon.
13:00 Toum Tiou arrives at Saigon port – customs formalities clearance.
13:30 Disembarking, local tour agent picks up passengers and transfers to hotel after a last lunch on board.
Notes
Prices shown are per person sharing a cabin.Siem Reap (Angkor) / Saigon
TT Siem Reap - Saigon - 7D/7N
Cruise program
Day 1: Siem Reap (Angkor) ~ Kampong Luong / Chnok Tru
15:00 Meeting in front of FCC hotel in Siem Reap. Transfer by local tour agent for Phnom Krom boat-pier. Transfer form the pier by local boat to the Toum Tiou.
16:00 Check-in at the boat docked near Phnom Krom in Siem Reap. Security briefing. Departure Kompong Pluk, a charming village near Siem Reap.
17:30 Arrival near Kampong Pluk.
Toum Tiou stays overnight under the protection of the flooded forest. If the timing is allowing it, short visit of Kompong Pluk.
19:00 Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction.
Welcome dinner. Overnight onboard.
Day 2: Kampong Luong / Chnok Tru ~ Kampong Chhnang
Departure of the Toum Tiou early in the morning. Sail to Kampong Luong, breakfast during navigation.
09:00 Arrival at Kampong Luong. Local boats are coming along the Toum Tiou and picking passengers for the visit.
Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station... everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
11:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Chnang.
Afternoon: Kampong Chhnang ~ Kampong Tralach
16:00 Arrival to Kampong Chnang. Located some 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.
18:00 Passengers re-embark. The Toum Tiou drops anchor few miles away.
19:00 Dinner and overnight onboard.
Day 3: Kampong Tralach ~ Phnom Penh
07:45 Departure of the Toum Tiou early in the morning. Sail to Kampong Tralach, breakfast during navigation.
08:30 Arrival at Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind. The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference. Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case last May for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
10:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou. Lunch on board on the way to Phnom Penh.
14:00 Arrival in Phnom Penh.
Balance of the day free exploration on own. Suggestions can be made up on the interest of passengers. FCC, Russian market, other boutiques (antiques), etc.
19:00 Return to the boat. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4: Phnom Penh
08:00 Breakfast, departure for the “KILLING FIELDS” - Tuol Sleng Museum, old center of detention, of torture and execution between 1975 and 1979. The visit of this place is essential to understand what could be the fatal madness perpetrated by the Khmer Rouges.
12.00 Return to Phnom Penh, lunch in a local restaurant.
15:00 Half day city sightseeing tour including the Royal Palace and the National Museum.
19:00 Return to the boat, local group performs on board traditional “APSARA” show for 45 minutes.
Day 5: Koh Dek Chau ~ Chau Doc
Toum Tiou leaves Phnom Penh for Kôh Dek Chau island, breakfast during navigation.
09:00 Arrival at Kôh Dek Chau island, A short break along the way, it allows to get a fascinating, close-up look at daily life in Cambodia. On the fringes of civilization, the 600 people who live on Kôh Dek Chau will receive your visit with some surprise. School children will escort you along your way. You will go through the village that occupies the full length of the island, walking along a trail shaded by date palms.
10:30 Re-embarking, departure for Kaam Samnaar (Cambodian border).
14:00 Toum Tiou arrives at Immigration check point in Kaam Samnaar. Clearance of departure formalities.
16:30 Departure for Chau Doc.
19:00 Toum Tiou drops anchor before the canal of Chau Doc. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 6: Chau Doc~ Sa Dec
08:00 Arrival at Victoria Hotel Chau Doc jetty. Located to the north at the beginning of Mekong's famous delta, Chau Doc straddles both banks of the Mekong which fans out to the dimensions of a river mouth here. Floating fish farms have sprung up everywhere.
Bamboo fish drying racks are set up a metre above the water's surface. The bourgeoning downtown area features some charmingly rustic colonial buildings, squeezed in by the marketplace - the colorful, vibrant heart of the city. As always, these busy parts of town, despite their sometimes strong odors, offer wonderful photo opportunities...
Short panoramic tour of the city. This is the perfect timing to discover the effervescence of the local market.
Back to the pier, departure for fish raising rafts and Cham minority village by local boat.
10:00 Toum Tiou leaves Chau Doc for Sa Dec. Lunch during navigation.
Afternoon: Sa Dec ~ Vinh Long - Cai Be
17:00 Arrival at Sa Dec – Short panoramic tour of Sa Dec and transfer by bus to Trung Vuong primary school. Continuing to Kien An Cung Pagoda. Stroll around Sa Dec Market along Sa Dec River bank. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of the delta where a few colonial houses still remain, including the "Chinaman's house" (from Duras' novel "The Lover", also made into a movie).
19:00 Return to the boat, departure for Vinh Long. Dinner during navigation.
Toum Tiou drops anchor few miles before Vinh Long. Overnight on board.
Day 7: Vinh Long ~ Cai Be ~ My Tho
07:00 Breakfast.
08:30 Arrival at Vinh Long, local boats pick up passengers for visiting a brick and pottery factory, the Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet Nursery of Fruit Trees as well a typical house and a show room of traditional farming tools.
Vinh Long, which translates as "Majestic Dragon", is right in the middle of the delta, between two arms of the Mekong. The soil of Vinh Long is enriched by silt deposits, making it ideal for growing mandarins and other citrus fruits. Life is organized around the water. Houses on stilts, hawkers in boats, hundreds of small craft crisscross in all directions. The hospitality of the locals makes it a tourist destination par excellence.
Departure for Cai Be Floating Market – going across the Mekong River en route.
11:30 Passengers re-embark at Cai Be, Toum Tiou leaves Cai Be for My Tho, lunch during navigation.
14:30 Arrival at My Tho – Toum Tiou drops anchor on river in the proximity of Thoi Son Island Local boats come alongside Toum Tiou to pick up passengers and transfer to the mainland.
Departure for Vinh Trang Pagoda by car - Short panoramic tour of My Tho town on the way.
On the banks of a northern arm of the Mekong, My Tho, which translates as "fragrant herb", where tourists come to discover the beauty of the delta. It's a quiet, prosperous city of about 100,000 inhabitants, famous for its many fruit orchards, gardens and the huge rice fields that surround it. The climate is warm and pleasant year round. The surrounding countryside is home to one of the most luxuriant gardens of Vietnam, with its coconut palms, banana and mango trees.
15:30 Return at the pier - you will cruise on the river to Thoi Son Island by local boat to visit the island, explore local people’s daily life and enjoy locally seasonal fruits.
16:30 Re-embarking the Toum Tiou that leaves My Tho for Saigon
Lunch and leisure on board while navigating on the marvelous canal of Cho Gao.
19:00 Farewell cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship & Cruise Manager.
Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Toum Tiou drops anchor on river en route. Overnight on board.
Day 8: My Tho ~ Saigon
07:00 Departure for Saigon, breakfast and leisure on board.
11:00 Toum Tiou arrives at Saigon port – customs formalities clearance
Notes
Prices shown are per person sharing a cabin.The Toum Tiou
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Built in traditional style, the Toum Tiou (also sometimes spelled the Toum Teav) was christened in 2002 on the river at Phnom Penh, the first Cambodian cruise boat with international standard accommodation.
Fully-paneled in wood, with charm and comfort in mind, The Toum Tiou was designed it in keeping with the local style. Modestly sized and with 
the safety of a steel hull, its low draft makes possible an access to the smallest and remotest of villages.
With the tasteful decoration of a bygone era, the Toum Tiou has 10 cozy double cabins, each with private shower, a large lounge area, a panoramic viewing space to the front, a half-covered bar-restaurant to the rear and a roof patio. Air conditioning, hi-fi system and library are provided.
The captain, ship hands, hostesses, cooks and purser are discreet and inconspicuous in the performance of their duties.
The Toum Tiou II
The Toum Tiou II is the latest addition to the fleet, newly built from scratch and launched in late 2009.
The Toum Tiou II is larger than her sister, the Toum Tiou, featuring 14 twin cabins and capacity for up to 28 guests.
