Magical Mekong and Beyond - Feb 2025 - Hostess Round Up - Jenn Boyd

We started our tour with a walk around Siem Reap, exploring the local market, and our first tuk-tuk ride, we visited Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple which gave the sisters a deeper understanding of this breathtaking UNESCO Heritage site.

Part of the Magical Mekong and Beyond Tour is a 7-day cruise on the Mekong from Cambodia to Vietnam including daily activities. We woke on our first morning to the mesmerizing sounds of wedding chimes in Angkor Ban village, a shining testament to the community's unbreakable spirit. Unlike many villages ravaged by the Khmer Rouge, Angkor Ban was used by the regime as housing and storage. We had the opportunity to walk through the village and meet the locals and visit a traditional home built on stilts. Colourful temples adorn the village and young monks dressed in orange robes go about their daily chores.

Our cruise takes us to Koh Dach, an island in the heart of the Mekong River, where local artisans are empowered to preserve traditional silk-making techniques. We witness the dedication of the local women as they cultivate silkworms and weave them into exquisite silk scarves and clothing.

We learn about the dark past of Cambodia and also explore the Royal Palace, the official residence of the King, with its classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding, the palace complex is beautiful, peaceful and surrounded by immaculate gardens, topiary trees and vibrant flowerbeds.

Yet another epic day on the Mekong River and there is plenty of life on the river to be seen. We cross from Cambodia to Vietnam and while we are on board the cruise we enjoy on board presentations on Vietnam's untold stories, cooking classes, massages, and time to relax. In the evening the cruise staff put on a hilarious karoke talent show judged by guests and followed by all the sisters mastering the nut-bush on the dance floor. What a night!

We are now in Vietnam and we visit Tan Chau, a small village on the Mekong River. We explore the town in a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw), stopping at a rattan workshop. Back on board we continue our cruise through narrow tributaries of the Mekong River, passing fish farms, and visiting a village known as “Evergreen Island”, a quiet farming community where the locals are tending their veggie and orchards, while kids played, dogs lounged around, roosters crowed and locals greeted us with a friendly hello, making us feel like we’d stepped back in time and into a peaceful paradise.

Leaving the Mekong behind we arrive in the chaotic city of Saigon or also known as Ho Chi Minh.  A different pace of life awaits us, cars and motorbikes zoom past us in every direction as we try to cross the road at the main roundabout in Saigon, we hold hands and take a deep breath and then make a mad dash for the other side. Life on the streets is amusing and interesting, we wander past street stalls serving fried crickets, scorpions and spiders, but I have something else lined up for the sisters and it’s not eating scorpions. I managed to get a booking at Luke Nguyen restaurant “Vietnam House”, set in a colonial building oozing with charm and nostalgia and serving delicious Vietnamese food that made our taste buds do the cha cha.

Our next adventure in Saigon was “The Ride Of Your life”, yes we found ourselves clinging to the back of vintage Vespa's cruising Ho Chi Minh City. Our knowledgeable and friendly guide met us at each pit-stop and introduced us to hidden bars, authentic Vietnamese cuisine and lively music bars brimming with energy. The sisters revelled in the electric atmosphere, their bright smiles and infectious laughter reflecting the pure joy of living life to the fullest.

Leaving the chaos of Saigon behind we head north to Hoi An, central Vietnam and to a thriving village called Tra Que, named after the fragrant vegetables grown here. We stop for a delicious lunch at Reu restaurant, where fragments of fishing boats, nets, and old tiles have been repurposed to create a beautiful space of tranquillity.  

We continue to Hoi An, the 'city of lanterns', a World Heritage Site. The old town's weathered buildings are painted ochre, and the town is made up of a maze of winding alleys, temples, markets and shopping. When night falls, the entire town and fishing boats light up, and become a sea of colourful lanterns - talk about a light show!

This tour is packed full of adventure, and the sisters are embracing every opportunity. Our next activity in Hoi An is a cooking class and the sisters are super stoked. It kicks off with a visit to the local market, where we find fresh produce, a lively atmosphere, and a long culinary tradition that gets us ready for our cooking class. We chill out on our 20-minute boat cruise along the Hoi An River, and arrive at Red Bridge cooking school where we meet our master chef, Luna, who guides us through each course, showing off her skills, and then it's our turn to get cooking. The sister’s laughter fills the kitchen and our bellies are full.

Our Cambodia and Vietnam Tour offered us a blend of city lights, river life, delicious cuisine, friendly locals, UNESCO sites, and natural wonders. From serene Siem Reap, life along the Mekong, the chaos of Saigon, beautiful temples and palaces, friendly locals and delicious cuisine. We leave with fabulous memories of an extraordinary group of sisters who were uplifting, took on every challenge, embodied the spirit of sisterhood through their unwavering support, endless conversations and heartfelt laughter.