Pandaw restarts Mekong River cruises between Vietnam and Cambodia

   October 26, 2022 ,   Cruise Industry

After the successful ventures on the Red River last month, it was the turn of RV Bassac to take the spotlight as Pandaw River Cruises returned to the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The first batch of intrepid travelers since 2020 was welcomed aboard by the Pandaw crew and purser Maung Naing.

Starting their voyage in Port Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), their passengers took in the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia prior to arriving at the gateway to the Angkor temples, Siem Reap.

Not everything went exactly to schedule, with high waters in Cambodia meaning cruising up the Tonle Sap River would not be possible.

“Undeterred by this inconvenience, our experienced captain and purser decided that rather than utilise a long and uncomfortable bus journey to complete the scheduled excursions, we would instead take advantage of the conditions and sail further up the Mekong toward the home of the Mekong dolphin, Kratie, with new excursions planned in their place.”

As pioneers of the Asian waterways, Pandaw’s itineraries flow with the water levels on the river. The adventurers, many of whom returning Pandaw members, welcomed the rare treat of visiting Mekong's upper reaches in Cambodia. Sailing with Pandaw is a unique expeditionary adventure as it has been since the company's founding more than 27 years ago.

The Mekong River is the world's 12th largest and winds its way from Southwest China through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia prior to reaching the vast delta of Vietnam.

RV Bassac Pandaw cruise ship

With a length of 4350 km, there are many places to visit. Embarking on a river voyage with Pandaw allows travelers to experience the remote villages and towns in a way like no other. From the hustle of Ho Chi Minh City to the sleepier town of Luang Prabang (Laos); from the majestic Angkor Wat (Siem Reap) to the multi-cultural town of Jinghong in Yunnan Province (China), the company can take guests there.