In Vietnam and Cambodia - In the footsteps of Marguerite Duras

Overview

Marguerite Duras, author of The Lover and The Sea Wall, screenwriter of Hiroshima mon amour, was born in Saigon, Indochina, in 1914. She spent her childhood and adolescence in this region which corresponds to present-day Vietnam and Cambodia. This passage through Indochina between the wars will forever mark her work.

You will find in HoChiMinh City (formerly Saigon), Sadec, Phnom Penh and Kampot many vestiges of that colonial era which has forever passed. The tour will take you to some of the mythical places which influenced and shaped the unique genius of Marguerite Duras: the Chinese district of Saigon, Cholon, where she secretly met her Chinese lover; her high school, in HoChiMinh City, where she passed the baccalaureate; the lover’s house in Sadec, in the Mekong Delta; the region of Kampot, in Cambodia, recounted in The Sea Wall.

The tour will allow you to feel the old-fashioned charm of Indochina while experiencing the feverish excitement of contemporary Vietnam and Cambodia, two countries in South-east Asia that are in the process of rapidly changing.

Highlights

  • Discover the key locations in Indochina where Marguerite Duras lived in the 1920’s and 1930’s
  • Romantic 3-day cruise on the Mekong aboard Jahan, a 1920-style cruise ship
  • The temples of Angkor in Cambodia
  • Indochina colonial architecture
  • Boutique hotels chosen for their “Indochina 1920” style

Multi day Itinerary

Day 1: HO CHI MINH CITY

Visit to some centers of interest: Central Post Office with art deco architecture, cathedral, City Hall, colonial architecture. Sites frequented by Marguerite Duras.

Caravelle Hotel / Deluxe

Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY

The Chinese district of Cholon: the market, the pagodas, the typical small streets as described in the film The Lover

Day 3:  HO CHI MINH VILLE – MY THO – CAI BE

Travel by road from Ho Chi Minh Ville to My Tho. Embark the Jahan at My Tho.
Lunch aboard. Cruise the Mekong up to Cai Be. Dinner and night aboard.

Day 4: CAI BE – SA DEC – CHAU DOC – TAN CHAU

After breakfast onboard, explore Cai Be’s vibrant floating market, onshore visit of a handicraft workshop. Return on board Jahan for lunch. In the early afternoon, cruise towards Sadec (Binh Thanh Island*) and Chau Doc. Dinner and overnight on board.

* could be replaced by visit of Sadec town and Marguerite Duras sites of interest

Day 5: TAN CHAU – PHNOM PENH

After breakfast, disembark Jahan and depart to the Cambodian border by speed boat, go through the customs formalities and continue your cruise to Phnom Penh arriving by early afternoon. Check in hotel.

Day 6: PHNOM PENH

Visit of the Royal Palace, Art Déco central market, observation of a training session of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. National Museum of Cambodia

Day 7: KOH DACH – RIVER CRUISE  (Dinner)

Visit to the Silk Island (Koh Dach) on the Mekong, Toul Tom Poung Market in Phnom Penh. River dinner cruise on the Bassac in front of Phnom Penh

Day 8: PHNOM PENH – KAMPOT – BOKOR

The city of Kampot with its many buildings dating from the colonial era, the governor’s palace. Reach the Bokor Hill Station about 40km west of Kampot which refers to a collection of French colonial buildings constructed as a temperate mountain luxury resort and retreat for colonial residents in the early 1920s

Day 9: BOKOR – PREY NUP – SIHANOUKVILLE

From Bokor, excursion to Prey Nup where Marguerite Duras’ mother had a concession (polder) by the sea. Remains of their house in a Cham village near Ream. Continue to Sihanoukville. Beach.

Day 10: SIHANOUKVILLE – SIEM REAP

Flight from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap. City tour of Siem Reap and old market

Day 11: SIEM REAP

Visit the main temples of the Angkor Wat complex. Visit to the Banteay Srei temple.

Day 12: SIEM REAP

One-day tour from Siem Reap: Beng Mealea temple and Kampong Khleang fishing village.

Day 13: SIEM REAP

Departure from Siem Reap International Airport.

Inclusions

  • Mekong cruise from HoChiMInh City to Phnom Penh aboard the RV Jahan
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Private transportation
  • Airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfers for all flights
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Angkor temple pass and other entrance fees
  • Twin/double sharing basis at 4 Star hotels with daily breakfast (B)
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Cruise with dinner on the Mekong river in Phnom Penh

Exclusions

  • Domestic flight ticket in Cambodia: Sihanouk Ville – Siem Reap
  • Soft or alcoholic drinks during meal
  • Bank transfer charges
  • Vietnam and Cambodia visa fees
  • Tips for guide, porters and drivers

What to bring

  • Temple pass
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Good pair of walking shoes
  • Sunblock
  • Hat/cap

Terms and conditions

  • Minimum 2 adults per booking,
  • Cancellation with full refund up to 30 days prior to the tour scheduled departure
  • Infant (3 years old and bellow): 0% charge
  • Children (4-11 years old): 50% charge
  • Adults (12 years old and above): 100% charge

Some of our tours:

battambang colonial architecture, bamboo train, phnom sampeou 04

Battambang colonial architecture, bamboo train, Phnom Sampeou

$ 99
per person
pre angkor temples of roluos group and kampong phluk 02

Pre-Angkor temples of Roluos group and Kampong Phluk

$ 65
per person
temple complex of sambor prei kuk 01

Temple complex of Sambor Prei Kuk

$ 250
per person
beng mealea temple and kampong khleang fishing village 04

Beng Mealea temple and Kampong Khleang fishing village

$ 99
per person
in vietnam and cambodia in the footsteps of marguerite duras 06 (1)

In Vietnam and Cambodia - In the footsteps of Marguerite Duras

$ 2488
per person
grand circuit of preah khan and neak pean 01

Grand circuit of Preah Khan and Neak Poan

$ 59
per person
hilltop temple of preah vihear 05

Hilltop temple of Preah Vihear

$ 275
per person
customized multi destinations tours 15

Customized multi destinations tours

$ -
per person