The shores of the river have seen civilizations, empires and religions pass through since 2100 BC. Thus, on board the boats of yesteryear, the first explorers, would discover a timeless spectacle, resolutely identical to what is still visible today. Human activities, such as fishing, fish farming, copper work, which you will discover in the cities of Kampong Chhnang, Koh Chen or Chau Doc, have remained unchanged over the centuries and millennia in the Mekong River basin, where shrimp farming and breeding still take place on the shores.
Lake Tonlé alone is home to one of the most fascinating ecosystems in the world and a vibrant tradition of authenticity in the heart of the famous lake villages. Pagodas, schools, dwellings on stilts, floating vegetable gardens,... it is a whole world that adapts and lives on the water, where fishermen and merchants sail in their boats.
A true jewel of culture and tradition, Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, reveals its past and history through opulence and immemorial monuments. Built on the banks of the river, the city experienced its golden age under the Khmer empire and, much later, its French colonial influence and, more recently, its darkest hours under Pol Pot. All these events shaped a whole and vibrant capital, where the indelible traces of the past have become the tenants of a unique identity. The Khmers survived an art and architectural tradition that inspired the French to build the Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda in 1947, as did the Palace of Fine Arts and the National Museum, which housed authentic objects from the Angkor temples.
The Mekong is one of the largest rivers in the world, and it is, beyond its sheer size, because it has shaped entire countries. With an incomparable richness, escape enthusiasts will experience this stay intensely! Let us recall that the cruise itinerary leads to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, former Saigon, or to northern Vietnam, during an extension to Hanoi and Along Bay. It is a meditation trip that takes place all year round on board our two boats, RV Indochine and RV Indochine II.