LONG KHANH ISLAND, VIETNAM

City name: VIETNAM

Port name: LONG KHANH
Port history:
Port details:
 Long Khanh Island is a Mekong River cruise travel destination part of Vietnam's Dong Thap
Province (Mekong Delta). The island is located just across the river from Hong Ngu (district-
level/Class-3 town).
 As cruise port, Long Khanh was included in Emerald Waterways' Asia 2020 schedule of
the newbuild ship Emerald Harmony (2019-launched). The next table shows riverboat's 8-day
Vietnam and Cambodia cruise tour itinerary (northbound route) between homeports My Tho and
Siem Reap. Prices started from ~GBP 3,000 per person (double occupancy porthole cabin rates).
HANOI, VIETNAM
City name: VIETNAM
Port name: HANOI
Port history:
 During the period 1010-1802, the city was Vietnam's political centre. Between 1902-1954 it served
as French Indochina's capital, and between 1954-1976 was the North Vietnam's capital (after Ho
Chi Minh declared the country's independence from France in September 1945). In 1976, Hanoi
became the country's capital city, after the North's victory in Vietnam War (1955-1975).
Port details:
 Hanoi is a Red River (Song Hong) cruise port and Vietnam's capital city. Its population of around
7,7 million (metro 16,2 million) ranks it the country's 2nd largest city - after Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon). Hanoi City is approx 120 km (75 ml) west of Hai Phong and approx 1760 km (1090 ml)
north of Saigon.
CHAU DOC (MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM)
City name: VIETNAM
Port name: CHAU DOC
Port history:
 Chau Doc belonged to the territory of the various kingdoms that dominated the area of the Mekong
Delta, like the Kingdom of Funan, the Kingdom of Chenla and the Khmer Empire. Around 1600
Vietnamese were allowed to settle near what is now known as Ho Chi Minh City, but at that time
was called Prey Nokor. The Vietnamese started a custom house which they called Sai Gon. The
territory became Vietnamese about 300 years ago, when, Mac Cuu, a Chinese general, began to
expand Vietnamese and Chinese settlements deeper into the Khmer empire. In 1691, Prey Nokor
was occupied by the Vietnamese and in 1698 Vietnamese administrative structures were
established in the area. In 1802 it became part of the Gia Long Kingdom. In 1815, King Gia Long
(Nguyen Anh) of the Nguyen Dynasty ordered the construction of Chau Doc Fort on the western
bank of the river. A Chinese mandarin named Diep Hoi was assigned as head of Chau Doc and to
encourage people to settle and work in this area loans would be granted to immigrants to reclaim
land or set up businesses on these wild, wet lands. Three years after the Fort was built, Gia Long
launched another scheme to stimulate economic development of the Mekong Delta as well as
reinforce his defenses against Siam (nowadays Thailand) troops, should they attack. Nguyen Van
Thoai (also known as Thoai Ngoc Hau) supervised the construction of Thoai Ha and Vinh Te
 canals which cleared the waterways between Chau Doc and Rach Gia and Ha Tien ports. With the
establishment of canals and roads, Chau Doc also attracted more and more settlers. In the 1860s it
became part of Cochinchina, the first name for the French colony, and after that, part of French
Indochina. When Vietnam became independent from France the Mekong Delta became part of
Vietnam.
 After the Vietnam war and after the country was split into North and South Vietnam, thousands of
Viet Minh (Northern Vietnamese) cadres had stayed behind. The North Vietnamese government
maintained that a referendum on unification in line with the Geneva Accords would go ahead. As
part of the violence against the South Vietnamese government of Ngo Dinh Diem, anti-Diem
insurgents attacked a bar in July 1957 in Chau Doc and killed 17 people who were inside. The
killings were part of a low-level campaign targeting South Vietnamese officials.
In the 1970s, the Khmer Rouge regime attacked Vietnam in an attempt to conquer the Mekong
Delta region again. There is a memorial of the victims of this attack in Ba Chuc. This campaign
caused a Vietnamese invasion in Cambodia and subsequent fall of regime of Pol Pot and the
Khmer Rouge.
Port details:
 Chau Doc is a Mekong River cruise port in Vietnam, bordering Cambodia. The city is in the
Mekong Delta region and is part of the An Giang Province. Chau Doc city has population of around
160,000 and covers an area of 105 km2 (41 ml2).
 Chau Doc is located by Hau River (a branch of Mekong River) and the Vinh Te Canal. It is approx
250 km (160 ml) west of Vietnam's capital Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), or approx 6 hours travel by
bus. The city is most famous for the huge variety of fish sauces, mainly "mam tai" (kind of
anchovy). The local economy is based on tourism and basa catfish export. The city is a major
trading center due to its close proximity to the border with Cambodia.
TAN CHAU (MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM)
City name: VIETNAM
Port name: TAN CHAU
Port history:
 The town was founded in 1757 and is famous for its silk. As shore excursion option, cruise ship
tourists are offered to visit a silk-weaving factory (massive warehouse), where traditional
(mechanically driven) looms move forth and back with rapid precision. Another tour option is
visiting a factory producing rattan mats and baskets. Machines are entirely made of steel. There
are no automation or computers here and nearly everything is either done or controlled by
hand. The best part of Tan Chau cruising experience is enjoying the traditional rickshaw ride
through the city.
Port details:
 Tan Chau is a Mekong River cruise port and city in An Giang Province (Vietnam's Mekong Delta
region), with population around 160,000.
XEO QUYT FOREST (MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM)
City name: VIETNAM
Port name: XEO QUYT
Port history:
 Here, cruise ship tourists can also see a well-preserved underground house and a secret tunnel -
used by the Vietnamese during Vietnam War (1955-1975). The remains of Viet Cong bunkers can
be seen both via boat tours (sampans) and on foot (via walking trails). In the middle of the forest
 were the former headquarters of Provincial Party Committee. South Vietnamese and Americans
knew about camp's existence and attacked it on regular basis with ground troops and bombing.
Port details:
 Xeo Quyt Forest (aka Rung Tram) is a Mekong River cruise destination and park sized 52-hectares
(128 acres). The forest is located near My Hiep village (Vietnam, Dong Thap province), approx 35
km (22 ml) southeast of Cao Lanh. This is one of Mekong Delta's last natural forests.
VINH LONG VIETNAM
City name: VIETNAM
Port name: VINH LONG
Port history:
 A  province located in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam. Its capital is Vĩnh Long. Its
population is 1,046,390 and its area is 1,475 square kilometres (570 sq mi). Vĩnh Long (spelled 永
隆 in the former Hán Nôm writing system) is a Sino-Vietnamese name, translating as "eternal
prosperity." However, due to not understanding the meaning, Vinh Long was called "Vĩnh Dragon"
by some young people (don't know the meaning of the word Vinh and confused it with the word
Long Long meaning "dragon").
Port details:
 Vinh Long is a Co Chien River (Mekong Delta) cruise port and city (capital of Vietnam's Vĩnh Long
Province) with land area approx 48 km2 (30 mi2) and population around 150,000.
 Co Chien River (a tributary of Mekong River) is approx 10 km (6 mi) upstream. Across the river are
located two islands (An Binh and Bình Hoa Phưoc), approx 15 km (9 mi) across, and the Mekong
is on the opposite side. Several canals (crossed by vehicular bridges) run through downtown. City
transportation also includes boats, but at low tide both islands become unreachable. Among the
best-known tourist attractions is the outdoor market lined up with stalls selling mainly fresh fruits
(mangos, plums, milk apples).
SA DEC (MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM)
City name: VIETNAM
Port name: SA DEC
Port history:
 During USA-Vietnam War (1966-1967), here was the American PBR (Patrol Boat) base. Before
19th century, it was Dong Khau Dao's capital, and one of Mekong Delta's biggest cities. Today, the
city has 3 industrial zones (designated as A, C1, C), attracting many businesses from Vietnam's
Mekong Delta region.
Port details:
 Sa Dec is a Mekong River cruise port and city in Dong Thap Province (Mekong Delta, southern
Vietnam). Sa Dec is a major river port, as well as agricultural and industrial city with population
around 150,000.
ANGKOR BAN CAMBODIA
City name: CAMBODIA
Port name: ANGKOR BAN
Port history:
Port details:
 Angkor Ban is a Mekong Delta cruise port and small village famous with its original wooden
houses. These over century-old authentic houses still serve the locals engaged mainly in
agriculture. The village is surrounded by palms and banana trees.
 As cruise port, Angkor Ban is visited on regularly scheduled Vietnam and Cambodia cruise tour
itineraries (northbound and southbound) between Saigon-Phnom Penh and Saigon-Siem Reap.
KRATIE CAMBODIA
City name: CAMBODIA
Port name: KRATIE
Port history:
 Krâchéh, also spelled Kratie, town, northeastern Cambodia. Krâchéh is located on the eastern
bank of the Mekong River, at the head of Mekong navigation. It has a port and is linked to Phnom
Penh, the national capital, and to neighbouring areas by a national highway. There are slate
quarries near the town, and the region is also a source of white and yellow clays.
 The surrounding region is traversed by the Mekong River and borders on Vietnam (southwest). It
traditionally has had a multiethnic population including both lowland and upland Khmer (Khmer
Kandal and Khmer Loeu) and Cham. Agricultural products include rice, grown mostly along the
Mekong, and rubber, grown in the rich red-earth zones around Snuŏl and Krâchéh. Corn (maize),
potatoes, various vegetables, bananas, mulberry, cotton, and sugarcane are also grown. Upland
areas have a dense forest cover, including such good-quality hardwoods as rosewood and teak, as
well as wild date, mahogany, bean and berry, and rubber trees. There are also vast bamboo
groves. Regional industry includes the small-scale manufacture of agricultural machinery. 
Port details:
 Kratie is a Mekong River cruise port and town in Cambodia best-known for its wildlife viewing
opportunities (specifically the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins / rare freshwater mammal species) and
French colonial era architecture.
 As cruise port, Kratie is usually visited on itineraries including Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh.
Irrawaddy dolphins can be seen near the small village Kampi (approx 1 km north of Kratie). The
town itself is located between Phnom Penh and the vast jungles of the Cambodian provinces
Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri. The other famous tourist attraction is Kampi Rapids - a scenic picnic
area featuring several fast-running water currents.
KOH OKNHA TEY ISLAND (SILK ISLAND, CAMBODIA, CHONG KOH VILLAGE)
City name: CAMBODIA
Port name: KOH OKNHA TEY
Port history:
Port details:

 Koh Oknha Tey (aka Silk Island) is a beautiful island on Mekong River visited as a
"cruise port" destination popular for the river kayaking and Tuk-Tuk excursions to
the “silk islands” and their authentic silk weaving arts.
 As a cruise port, Koh Oknha Tey is included in the Mekong cruise schedule of the
riverboat AmaDara (2015-built ship owned by AmaWaterways). 
KOH CHEN CAMBODIA
City name: CAMBODIA
Port name: KOH CHEN
Port history:
Port details:

 Koh Chen Island is a Tonle Sap River (Mekong River) cruise port in Cambodia,
popular for its wide reach and bronze souvenirs. The closer you get to the island's
only village, the louder the sound produced by men hammering  heated bronze.
Most tourists visit Koh Chen as part of cruise itineraries from Siem
Reap and Phnom Penh. 
KAMPONG CHAM CAMBODIA
City name: CAMBODIA
Port name: KAMPONG CHAM
Port history:
 "Port of the Chams") is a province (khaet) of Cambodia located on the central
lowlands of the Mekong River. It borders the provinces of Kampong Chhnang to
the west, Kampong Thom and Kratié to the north, Tboung Khmum to the east,
and Prey Veng and Kandal to the south. Kampong Cham was officially divided
into two provinces on 31 December 2013 in what was seen by many as a political
move by the ruling party.[2][3] All land west of the Mekong remained Kampong
Cham while land east of the river became Tbong Khmum province. Prior to this
division, Kampong Cham extended eastward to the international border
with Vietnam, was the eleventh largest province in Cambodia, and with a
population of 1,680,694, was the most populous province in Cambodia. Its capital
and largest city is Kampong Cham.
Port details:

 Kampong Cham is a Mekong River cruise port in eastern Cambodia, and the
capital city of Kampong Cham Province. The city is located approx 124 km (77 ml)
northeast from country's capital Phnom Penh. By population (around 65,000) it is
ranked Cambodia's 6th biggest.
TONLE SAP LAKE CAMBODIA
City name: CAMBODIA
Port name: TONLE SAP
Port history:
Port details:

 Tonle Sap Lake (aka Boeung Tonle Sap) is a large freshwater lake in Cambodia's
Siem Reap Province (Lower Mekong Basin). The lake is attached to the 120-km
(75-mi) long Tonle Sap River connecting it to Mekong River. By surface area
(approx 2700 km2 / 1000 mi2) it is ranked Southeast Asia's largest freshwater
lake. When inundated seasonally (during the annual monsoon rains) lake's
surface area reaches approx 16000 km2 (6200 mi2). Tonle Sap has max-length
250 km (160 mi), max-width 100 km (62 mi), max-depth 10 m (33 ft) and max
water volume approx 80 km3 (19 mi3).
  On the lake's northern shores is located Siem Reap - homeport for river cruise
ships and among Cambodia's best-known resort towns. Siem Reap is also the
gateway to Angkor Wat - Khmer Empire's capital city. Boat cruises on the lake are
usually inclusive of roundtrip bus transportation (from/to Siem Reap), lunch and
plenty of opportunities for handmade souvenir shopping. These boat tours vary
by length and visit the following most-popular floating villages - Chong Khneas,
Kampong Khleang ~2-hour boat ride from Siem Reap), Kompong Luong,
Kampong Phluk, Prek Toal.

CHAMPASAK WAT PHOU TEMPLE, LAOS

City name: LAOS

Port name: CHAMPASAK WAT PHOU

Port history:

 During the Lao kingdom of Champasak (aka Bassac, between 1713–1946),

Champasak was once the state's capital. Its capital city status was abolished in
1945 by the French who created Laos. Current-day Champasak is a very small
town featuring guest houses (built along the river bank). The town is the gate to
the nearby Wat Phu temple ruins - located approx 10 km (6 ml) to the southwest.

Port details:

 Champasak is a Mekong River cruise port and small town located in southern
Laos, approx 40 km (25 ml) south of province's capital city Pakse.

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

City name: LAOS

Port name: LUANG PRABANG

Port history:

 The town consists of around 60 neighbouring villages, of which 33 comprise the

UNESCO site "Luang Prabang Town" (listed in 1995) for the well-preserved
monumwnts and unique architectural, cultural and religious heritage.
 Luang Prabang Town (population around 24,000) is on a peninsula at the
confluence of two rivers - Mekong and Nam Khan. It is famous for the numerous
Buddhist monasteries and temples. Every morning, hundreds of monks from the
local monasteries walk through the streets to collect alms. One of the major
landmarks is Mt Phou Si - a steep hill with height 150 m (490 ft). A steep staircase
leads to the shrine Wat Chom Si.
 Formerly, Luang Prabang was kingdom capital (previously known as Chiang
Thong). Until the 1975, Luang Prabang was the royal capital of Kingdom of Laos.

Port details:

 Luang Phabang (aka Louangphabang, Luang Prabang) is a Mekong River cruise

port and town in north-central Laos, with population around 55.000. Luang
Prabang is approx 300 km (190 ml) north of country's capital city Vientiane.

TIGYAING MYANMAR

City name: MYANMAR

Port name: TIGYAING

Port history:

 In 1277, the Mongols invaded Burma for the first time. However, due to excessive
heat, they were forced to turn back at Htigyaing, which was taken in 1283
(together with Tagaung) leading to the fall of Bagan Kingdom. In 1891, Saopha of
Wuntho rose in rebellion and attacked Kawlin which forced the British to fall back
on Tigyaing.
 Shwebo-Myitkyina road's Katha-Htigyaing section has been shortened in recent
years from 93 km (58 miles) to just over 42 km (26 miles) by Mezar Bridge that
links Tigyaing with Indaw. Rubber, teak plantations and rice paddies constitute
the main agricultural activities in the region.

Port details:

 Tigyaing (Htigyaing) is an Irrawaddy River cruise port and town in eastern

Sagaing Division (northern Myanmar / Burma). In Tigyaing, cruise ship tourists
can climb Pagoda Hill for scenic views of the river.

PAKOKKU MYANMAR

City name: MYANMAR

Port name: PAKOKKU

Port history:
 Pakokku, town, central Myanmar (Burma), on the Irrawaddy River below its
junction with the Chindwin. A trading centre for the Chindwin and Yaw river
valleys, the town deals in timber and palm sugar and is the head of downstream
Chindwin navigation. It has an airfield and a diesel-electric plant. The model
village of Kyauksauk is immediately northwest. The area east of Pakokku is
characteristic of Myanmar’s dry zone, with undulating gravelly and sandy land.
The Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers provide alluvium and are utilized for
irrigation. To the west, over the Shinmataung and Tangyi ridges, the region is
drained by the Yaw and Myittha rivers. Peanuts (groundnuts), millet, and sesame
are the principal crops. In the riverine areas sugar is produced from the toddy
palm. Rice, gram, peas, beans, tobacco, and corn (maize) are also grown, the
latter primarily for its husk, which is used for cheroot wrappers under the name
of yawpet. The western forests yield teak. In the Yaw River valley, cutch, a yellow
dye, is extracted from a type of small acacia tree. The Yenangyat oil field is to the
south of the town. Nearby riverine towns include Gangaw and Tilin on the
Myittha and Pauk and Seikpyu on the Yaw. The inhabitants are mainly Burman.
Port details:

 Pakokku is an Irrawaddy River cruise port and city in Magway Region

(Myanmar/Burma). The city is approx 30 km (20 mi) north-east of Bagan/Pagan.
Pakokku Airport (PKK) is an international airport. Other Magway Region airports
are located in Magway (region's capital city), Pauk, Gangaw, Kyaukhtu, Lanywa,
and Tilin.
 As cruise port, Pakokku is included in the regular schedule of Heritage Line - river
cruise company specializing in cruise tours in Burma, on the rivers the Mekong,
Ayeyarwady and Chindwin, and also Halong Bay (Vietnam).

KATHA MYANMAR
City name: MYANMAR

Port name: KATHA

Port history:

 In the 1920s (during Burma's British colonial rule), in Katha lived the English
novelist and journalist  George Orwell (1903-1950), best known for his fictional /
anti-utopian novel "1984".

Port details:

 Katha is an Irrawaddy River cruise port in Burma (Myanmar). Passengers who stop
here visit the large market in the village, which is within walking distance from the
cruise ship mooring site. At the market are sold fresh fish, meats, flowers, spices,
pottery, dishes. Residents shop twice per day so they always use fresh food
ingredients for their meals. Tourists can find beautiful handcrafted souvenirs at
good prices.

THAYETMYO MYANMAR

City name: MYANMAR

Port name: THAYETMYO

Port history:

Port details:

 Thayetmyo is an Irrawaddy River cruise port and city in Thayet District (Magway
Region, central Myanmar / Burma). The city has population around 110,000 and is
located across and south of Allanmyo, and between Magway and Pyay (Prome).

MAGWAY MYANMAR

City name: MYANMAR

Port name: MAGWAY

Port history:
 Magwe, Burmese Magway, town, west-central Myanmar (Burma). The town is
on the Irrawaddy River opposite Minbu. It is the site of Magwe
College, affiliated to the Arts and Science University at Mandalay, and has an
airfield.

 The surrounding area is part of the dry zone of Myanmar’s central basin between
the Irrawaddy to the west and the Pegu Mountains to the east. Along the river,
the land undulates, with marked development of river terraces. It is seamed with
nonperennial streams, only the Taungu (Yanbe) being perennial. Situated in a
zone of crustal instability, the area experiences occasional earthquakes. Because
the region is subject to monsoons and droughts, irrigation projects have been
constructed to enable the growing of paddy rice and sesame, peanuts
(groundnuts) for oil processing, and tobacco. Millet is also grown. The Pegu
Mountains hold valuable forest reserves.
Port details:
 Magway (Magwe) is an Irrawaddy River cruise port and city in Burma (Myanmar)
with population around 90,000 (metro 290,000). It is famous for the solid gold
covered Mya Tha Lun Pagoda (aka Myathalun Pagoda) located to the north.