Cruising in Southeast Asia

Cruise in Southeast Asia

Explore with limestone cliffs, visit lakes with floating communities, or cruise calm rivers to see famous towns.

Cruise in Southeast Asia lets you discover hidden spots that are hard to reach by land. You can enjoy relaxing experiences, like visiting remote areas in Burma, exploring Halong Bay in Vietnam on a traditional junk boat, taking a Mekong River cruise through Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, and cruising through Thailand and Bali. Some boats are luxurious, while others are simpler, but all provide access to unique places away from the usual tourist areas.

Cruising in Thailand

The Kwai features a charming colonial design inspired by the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. With space for only 20 guests, it offers a cozy and unique experience on this famous river. The boat has two decks and ten cabins, providing opportunities to learn about local culture through engaging lectures, knowledgeable guides, and exciting excursions to key attractions like Khmer ruins, rural villages, and the historic bridge from the 1957 movie “The Bridge On The River Kwai.”

The upper deck is an open area that serves as a dining room, lounge, classroom, and observation deck, with both sunny and shaded spots for enjoying the warm Thai sun.

Pandaw also supports local charity projects, so when you travel with them, you contribute to the communities along the route and may even visit some of these projects during your journey.

Cruising in Laos

The Anouvong is a small luxury ship that combines Laotian style with French elegance. It offers a beautiful journey along the upper Mekong River in Laos, from the Thai-Lao border to Luang Prabang and Vientiane.

Guests enjoy spacious cabins with big windows and French balconies, along with two luxurious suites that have front balconies and Jacuzzis. The ship features a cozy restaurant, a relaxing spa, and a café-bar, all of which provide a special onboard experience.

Cruising in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the Mekong River branches into nine rivers, forming the Mekong Delta. You can embark on two- to three-day boat trips that explore this vibrant region, especially focusing on the market towns of Can Tho and Cai Be. While the Delta is usually peaceful with its wooden floating villages, it buzzes to life every morning during the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho.

Further away from the Mekong, cruising on a traditional junk boat is the best way to discover the clear waters and impressive limestone formations of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay. These journeys offer a variety of activities, including kayaking, fishing, trekking, and cycling, to explore nearby islands.

If you’re a returning traveler, consider a cruise on the Red River. It’s a fantastic way to experience Hanoi while visiting the hill tribes in Mai Chau, a secluded farming area that is gradually welcoming more visitors.

Cruising across multiple countries

Theong River flows through five Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. It is very important for people living along its banks, as it provides fertile land, serves as a key trading route, and offers food and transport. Cruising along the river is a great way to see the different landscapes and cultures in the area.

One popular cruise route goes from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia. On this trip, you can visit amazing places like the temples of Angkor. If the water levels are high enough during certain times of the year, you can also explore Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in the region, known for its floating villages.