Born from the snows of the Himalayan range in Tibet, the Mekong, one of the greatest rivers in Asia, begins its irresistible journey through southern China. Over more than 4,000 km, the deep gorges of Yunnan, the four thousand islands of Laos, the emerald rice fields and the incessant traffic of boats in Vietnam make up the identities of this king of rivers. At the end of its course, on the edge of the China Sea, it languishes in a delta so vast that it could be a country in itself. Through the monumental splendors of the successive capitals of the ancient Khmer Kingdom, through the lukewarm languors of My Tho or Vinh Long, through the bustling Cholon, the Chinese quarter of Saigon, you will cross worlds, marked by an ancestral tradition and a smiling modernity… In Cambodia, you will discover the universe of Theravada Buddhism in which the monks play an essential role in the organization of society, particularly in education, health and justice. In Vietnam, cults can be associated: Mahayana Buddhism is joined, particularly in the delta region, by the cult of ancestors.
The price includes
- Flights Zurich/Siem Reap and Saigon/Zurich (or vice versa) on scheduled flights with one or two stopovers (Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air France or Vietnam Airlines)
- Air taxes (€430 to date)
- Port taxes (€75 to date)
- All transfers mentioned in the program
- Accommodation in a double room with breakfast at the Sokha Angkor Resort 5* (NL) in Siem Reap (3 nights) and Sofitel Plaza 5* (NL) in Saigon (1 night) (hotels listed or similar)
- Accommodation on board the R/V La Marguerite during the cruise in the chosen category
- Full board from lunch on day 2 to lunch on day 13
- Drinks on board the Marguerite: water, canned soft drinks, local beers, tea, coffee at will all day long, as well as local wine during meals
- Drinks during meals during your stay in Siem Reap and Saigon: mineral water (50 cl/pers.), tea or coffee
- A conference on board during the stopover in Phnom Penh
- 2 shows on board according to the program
- Tips for the crew of the R/V La Marguerite
- All visits and entrances to the sites mentioned in the program with a local French-speaking guide
- The services of a French-speaking cruise director throughout the trip
The price does not include
- Drinks other than those mentioned
- Tips for guides and drivers (70 USD / pers. recommended)
- Cambodian and Vietnamese visa fees for Swiss nationals)
- Travel insurance
- Possibility of business class flights: contact us.
Minimum number of participants
30
Special conditions
EXTRACT
The General Terms and Conditions of Sale, of which the conditions reproduced below are only an extract, will be communicated to you in full before any conclusion of a travel contract. In accordance with the provisions of Articles R. 211-5 and L. 211-9 of the Tourism Code, RDM expressly reserves the right to make certain modifications to these General Terms and Conditions of Sale and to modify the price of its Cruises without notice. Any modification will be communicated in writing to the Seller before the conclusion of the Contract. " RDM " means Rivages Du Monde SASU whose registered office is located at 19, rue du Quatre-Septembre, 75002 - Paris, France, which organizes cruises and markets them to the Seller.
The “ Seller ” means the legal entity that directly sold the Cruise to the Traveler.
“ Traveler ” means any person who has purchased an RDM cruise from the Seller.
Reservation :
Any reservation will be the subject of a contract concluded between RDM and the Seller specifying all the conditions and obligations of RDM and the Seller (price, payment terms, programs, cancellation conditions, etc.). The contract will only be deemed concluded after payment of the deposit by the Seller.
Travel prices:
- Fuel cost: For the departures of the 2025 Maritime Cruises and 2024/2025 River and Coastal Cruises, the sales prices are revised if the variation in the cost of fuel, calculated on the basis of the pricing conditions communicated by the Carriers, is greater than 5%. The reference price of a ton of fuel is 680 USD (PLATTS index) and 1 EUR = 1.05 USD.
- Currency rates: The currency rates used to calculate prices for the 2025 Maritime Cruises and for the 2024/2025 River and Coastal Cruises are: 1 EUR = 1.05 USD, The portion of the program paid in dollars for the 2025 Maritime Cruises may be between 10 and 20% depending on the programs.
The share of the program paid in dollars for River and Coastal Cruises 2024/2025 for cruises in Asia and Oceania can be between 50 and 85% depending on the programs.
Contingent Management - Retrocessions:
The “TO” or “GIR” rate is applicable within the framework of a brochure type program or if there is a minimum of 15 Travelers.
The Seller does not undertake to RDM to fill all of the reserved cabins. In return, RDM reserves the right at any time and in consultation with the Seller to take back all or part of the unsold quotas.
Where possible, RDM will attempt to keep contingents free of charge for as long as possible. Seller agrees to provide RDM with a weekly sales statement as soon as sales have commenced.
The “Group” rate is applicable if there is a minimum of 15 Travelers.
RDM allocates a cabin contingent with an option date. The Seller does not undertake to RDM to fill all of the reserved cabins. In return, RDM reserves the right, at the end of the option, to take back all or part of the unsold contingents. The Seller undertakes to provide RDM with a sales statement at the end of the option.
Cancellation fees:
The “TO” or “GIR” rate:
In the event of cancellation by the Traveler, cancellation fees must be paid according to the following terms:
- Between the Reservation and 1 year before departure: 200 euros fee per person;
- Between 1 year and 6 months before departure: 20% of the total amount of Services;
- Between 6 months and 2 months before departure: 50% of the total amount of Services;
- Between 2 months and 1 month before departure: 75% of the total amount of Services;
- Less than 1 month before departure: 100% of the total amount of Services.
The “Group” rate
Possibility to cancel 15% of the quota without fees up to D-121. Beyond that, the following fees apply:
- From the reservation to D-121: 10% of the total amount
- Between 120 and 91 days: 20% of the total amount
- Between 90 and 61 days: 40% of the total amount
- Between 60 and 31 days: 50% of the total amount
- Between 30 and 15 days: 70% of the total amount
- Between 14 days and departure: 100% of the total amount
Reservations and payment
The “TO” or “GIR” rate
- 30% deposit on those registered 6 months before the first departure, updateable 4 months before the first departure.
- Balance 35 days before departure
The “Group” rate
- 30% upon signing the contract
- Balance 35 days before departure
Navigation
The port of call times are given for information purposes only and have no contractual value. The Captain of the ship is the only person authorized to define the conditions of navigation and has the right to interrupt a cruise, to modify its itinerary and the ports of call for reasons of force majeure, weather (fog, storm, insufficient or excessive rise in water levels, in particular) or for safety requirements of the Travelers or the ship.
Full General Conditions of Sale available upon request.
Optional excursions
Saigon Panoramic Tour (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the History Museum in Saigon (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of a lacquer factory (group of 40 people maximum)
Meeting with a family specializing in the artisanal production of rice paper and coconut candies (group of 40 people maximum)
Sa Dec City Tour (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the "Chinese House" (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of Tan Chau (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and the National Museum (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the S21 center (group of 40 people maximum)
Walk in the village of Tisserands (group of 40 people maximum)
Phnom Penh Walking Tour (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of the sanctuary dedicated to Mrs. Penh. (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the village on stilts (group of 40 people maximum)
Temple discovery at Wat Hanchey (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of the Wat Nokor temple (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of Angkor (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to Angkor Thom (group of 40 people maximum)
Banteay Srei Tour (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to Ta Prohm temple (group of 40 people maximum)
Continue to Angkor Wat Temple (group of 40 people maximum)
Tour of the Scents of Angkor (group of 40 people maximum)
Language: French (in some cases, a guide may be able to provide translations when a French-speaking guide is not available)
Possible extensions
Laos pre-cruise program 4 days.
Post cruise program in Halong Bay 4 days.
Formalities
Passport valid for 6 months after the return date and Cambodian and Vietnamese visa
Health formalities
Anti-malarial treatment recommended, it is advisable to consult a doctor before traveling. Vaccinations up to date.
The boat
To discover this very special region of the Mekong, you have to give up the road and take the route of the great river. On board the Marguerite, this boat that refers to Marguerite Duras offers 46 cabins, in a refined decor to go back in time to the colonial past, everything is focused on contemplating the river. At the stopovers, the visits follow one another to enrich your curiosity at the whim of the cities and villages, monuments and markets, workshops and factories.
Boat characteristics
- Length: 71 m - Width: 12 m
- Draft: 1.8 m
- Decks: Main, Upper, Panorama and Sun
- Cabins: 46 - Passengers: 92 maximum
- Crew members: 38
- Current: 220 V.
- Currency on board: Dong, US dollar and bank cards
- Vietnamese Pavilion
Important note
Attention! Depending on the water level, the program may be subject to changes. Only the captain is authorized to make the necessary decisions for navigation. The program may also be modified due to local cultural events or technical requirements.
Accommodation
Day 2, 3, 4: SOKHA ANGKOR RESORT 5* (local standards) or similar
Day 12: SOFITEL PLAZA 5* (local standards) or similar
Highlights
A unique itinerary on the upper Mekong, with wilder and more preserved banks
Two full days dedicated to the major temples of the Angkor site
Discovering Phnom Penh and Saigon and meeting the inhabitants of the river in the heart of the villages
Possibility to discover Halong Bay/Hanoi and Luang Prabang/Kuangsi Falls in Laos (optional)
Departure information
Possible departures from: Zurich
Valid identity card
Not required
Valid passport
Not required
Passport valid for 6 months after the return date
Not required
Passport valid for 6 months after the return date and Visa
Required
Passport valid for 6 months after the return date, Visa and insurance
Not required
Other information
Flight included
Vietnam