The Jahan
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Named after the Indian emperor Shah Jahan, the newly launched Jahan is an elegant riverboat that plies the Mekong river between Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Siem Reap. The vessel can also be taken just as far as Phnom Penh.

All the 26 beautiful cabins are luxuriously decorated in a distinctly Indian style, and come complete with spacious en-suites and well-appointed sitting areas. In these, you will find a writing desk from where you may pen a postcard to a friend, or write your travel diary as you float through the atmospheric Mekong Delta. As in much of the ship, all the ceiling and wall décor has been hand-painted by local artists, and adds a certain bespoke element to the ship. Each cabin also has a private balcony, which provides an ideal spot to sit and watch the picturesque and often fascinating river scenery float by.

The Raj of India lobby lounge is a wonderful place to relax in the evening, especially as you may catch an engaging talk from one of the many interesting speakers here. The Viceroy Dining Hall serves up some mouth-watering Vietnamese, Cambodian and fusion cuisine, and you can also watch a cooking demonstration in the restaurant. The East India Club is an open-air bar on the upper deck and is certainly a great place to sip a cool drink throughout the day. Just a few steps away is the spacious sun deck with a plunge pool, without a doubt the best viewpoint to admire the scenery as you cruise along the mighty Mekong river. The Jahan also has an on-board spa specialising in massages and other treatments, if you are in need of deeper relaxation.

Along the journey, the Jahan drops anchor at various points of interest, and those on board have the opportunity to explore the local areas with an expert guide. Shore excursions include visiting local villages on islands in the Mekong Delta area of Vietnam, exploring bustling local markets, and iconic landmarks such as the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. It is truly a fascinating way to travel between Vietnam and Cambodia, experiencing how the two countries both differ and share cultural similarities.

The Jahan cruise itinerary can be combined with further exploration of Cambodia and Vietnam, and in our opinion it is one of the best ways to travel between the two countries.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson