Travel with me from Siem Reap to Saigon – A Mekong Adventure

Journey of a Lifetime: Sailing from Siem Reap to Saigon aboard Uniworld Mekong Jewel

There are familiar trips you take for work, and then there are journeys that change the way you see the world, and the way you help others discover it. As a travel advisor, I’ve explored many destinations to experience and then share the detail of firsthand knowledge.  This trip left a lasting imprint with a seven-night immersion through Cambodia and Vietnam aboard the luxury Uniworld  Mekong Jewel.

From the emotional weight of Phnom Penh’s history to the gentle rhythms of rural village life along the Mekong, to the bustling mayhem of Saigon, this was a trip I can highly recommend and can’t wait to book guests on!

Siem Reap – The Prologue to the Mekong

Most travellers know Siem Reap as the gateway to Angkor, but spending time here before embarking on the cruise reminded me that it’s also a city with a remarkable heartbeat of its own.

Exploring Angkor Wat at sunrise, as anticipated, felt otherworldly, but what stood out to me more were the quiet conversations- the pride in a guide’s voice as he shared stories of the Khmer Empire, the reverence with which locals described preservation and restoration efforts, the resilience embedded in every temple stone. It set the tone for a voyage not just of sightseeing, but of learning and connecting.

When I finally stepped aboard the Mekong Jewel after a bus trip to the river, greeting other likeminded travellers and the crew with their warm smiles and impeccable hospitality, I knew the adventure ahead would be something truly special.  It did not disappoint.

Phnom Penh – A City of Contrasts and Courage

If Siem Reap is the serene prologue, Phnom Penh is the emotional heart of the journey.

Cambodia’s capital is vibrant and energetic, but beneath the bustle lies a difficult history that shapes everything. Our time at the killing fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was among the most challenging experiences I’ve had while travelling. It is not easy, nor should it be. This part of Cambodia’s story deserves to be honoured with honesty.

Walking through these memorials with a local guide who himself was a survivor, was humbling. His personal connection to the events, like so many Cambodian families, brought an immediacy that no textbook could convey. Hearing how the country has rebuilt itself from such darkness made every temple, every smile, every shared moment along the river feel even more profound.  And the incredible forgiveness displayed was even more humbling.

But Phnom Penh isn’t defined only by its past. The city pulses with ambition. Rooftop bars buzz at sunset, boutique galleries showcase young artists, and its riverside promenade feels hopeful, a place where the future is being carved with intention.

Life Afloat – Experiencing Uniworld on the Mekong

Uniworld’s ships are known for their boutique elegance, but the Mekong Jewel elevates that reputation in a way that feels utterly intimate. Underneath its luxurious finishes is a crew that treats guests like family, welcoming you not just onto a ship, but into their lives.

This wasn’t a ‘sit back and watch’ kind of cruise, it was immersive and authentic.

And perhaps that’s why having a documentary film crew on board felt so fitting. Their presence initially felt unusual – microphones clipped on, cameras tucked into corners, quiet whispers of ‘just keep walking like normal.’ But quickly, that faded into the background. Instead, it was clear their curiosity mirrored my own: What is it like to step inside these river communities? What stories live within these banks? How does travel change the traveller?  How does travel help the locals?

The film crew simply captured that process, and ever so beautifully.

Floating Between Worlds –  The Mekong’s Rural Heart

One of the greatest privileges of a river cruise is the ease with which you slip into places untouched by mainstream tourism. The Mekong is alive in a way that can’t be fully explained unless you’ve stood on its banks at sunrise, watching fishing nets cast into golden water, or heard the low hum of boat engines as locals travel between villages.

Our stops brought us into communities where life moves at a tempo the modern world has largely forgotten. We visited markets buzzing with colour – and smells!  Lemongrass, dragon fruit, fresh herbs, and tiny bundles of morning glory.  Fish and marine creatures of all varieties!, insects, eggs and of course, many varieties of rice. We watched artisans weave baskets with practiced hands and entered temples where monks blessed us with quiet smiles and barefoot children smiled and waved in wonder.

There were moments of laughter, especially when attempting to interact through gestures and shared humour. There were moments of humility, realising how simply and beautifully life is lived here. And there were moments of deep gratitude, recognising that travel at its best is an exchange, not a spectacle.

Some of the most moving experiences were stepping into local homes. Seeing how families build their lives on stilts over shifting floodwaters or crop fields, how they cook, learn, worship, and raise their children amid ever-changing river conditions, was eye-opening.

The school visit was especially memorable. Children raced to the playground, eager to practise English phrases, giggle at our accents, and show off their classrooms. They very much enjoyed playing with our flashing and buzzing smart watches!  Teachers welcomed us proud to share their work and hopeful for the future of their students.  The gifts the cruise guests bought of school supplies were greatly received and would be well utilised.

The Rhythm of the Mekong –  Life on Board

Sailing between Cambodia and Vietnam offered time to process what we’d seen on land. The Mekong isn’t simply a river, it’s a lifeline, a floating theatre of daily routines unfolding right beside the ship.

From the deck of the Mekong Jewel, I watched farmers tending rice paddies, children waving from the shore, cattle grazing lazily, and small wooden boats gliding past with goods balanced impossibly high.   Floating down the river offers a window into livelihoods shaped by currents and seasons.

Uniworld enhanced those reflective moments with cultural demonstrations on board. We learned about music, dance, and traditions. We shared meals bursting with flavour from fragrant pho, fresh spring rolls, fish amok rich with coconut, vibrant herbs and French fusion and ever so moorish bahn mi.

Crossing into Vietnam – A Shift in Energy

The border between Cambodia and Vietnam is invisible on the water, but the shift in atmosphere becomes obvious in the days that follow. The Mekong Delta explodes with colour and activity. Homes cluster closer to the riverbanks. Markets expand onto boats. The energy is brighter, faster and still deeply grounded in tradition.

Our shore excursions brought us into industrious villages where coconut candy is made by hand, bricks are shaped and baked in kilns, and family-run rice workshops operate with incredible efficiency. Each visit highlighted the ingenuity of delta communities, where nothing is wasted and everything has a purpose.

We travelled by tuk-tuk, small wooden boats, sampans, and by foot. We sampled tropical fruits straight from the orchards, sweets and baked treats – including the insect variety!

If Cambodia tugged at the heart, Vietnam stirred the senses.

Saigon – A Finale of (somewhat) Controlled Chaos

Our journey concluded in Saigon, where the Mekong surrenders itself to the city’s unstoppable momentum. The transition from peaceful river life to the organised chaos of Ho Chi Minh City was almost cinematic, perhaps fitting for a trip filmed from start to finish.

Motorbikes streamed like rivers through intersections with horn beeps a pleasant toot, not an angry honk!  Food stalls filled the streets with aromas of grilled meats, herbs, and broth. Rooftops sparkled. Saigon doesn’t whisper; it shouts. Yet underneath the noise is charm, creativity, and an unmistakable sense of ever moving forward motion.

Exploring its colonial architecture, markets, and historical landmarks felt like completing a full circle, from ancient temples to modern cityscapes, from quiet waters to urban pulse.

It was the perfect ending – chaotic, bold, joyful, unforgettable.

Reflections & Final Thoughts – Why the Mekong Matters

Sailing the Mekong isn’t just a holiday. It is a human experience.

It offers the chance to witness resilience, generosity, humour, and history all woven through landscapes that feel timeless. It invites travellers to move slowly, to meet people eye-to-eye, to learn about traditions shaped by the river and culture alike.

For me, as a travel advisor, this journey also reinforced how meaningful river cruising can be when it’s done with respect, authenticity, and local connection. Uniworld’s approach is elevated yet deeply personal and allowed each interaction to feel genuine rather than overly curated.

If you’ve ever considered a Mekong river cruise, I can say with certainty: go! Let the river surprise you. Let the people along its banks teach you something about life at its most grounded and honest level. Let the history stretch your understanding. Let the food delight you. Let the simplicity of rural moments balance the intensity of urban ones.

I hope you enjoy the documentary below and that it inspires you to see the Mekong not just as a destination, but as an incredibly historical story that is still being written.  Oh, and you may see me on here once or twice!

Deb Oliver – Island & Luxury TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

Click below:

TRAVEL DOCUMENTARY – UNIWORLD MEKONG JEWEL

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