Brand Backstory
The Mekong River is no stranger to river cruise ships, but Heritage Line is one of the very few luxury cruise lines there that are locally owned. Founded by John Tue Nguyen who grew up along the Perfume River in Huế, Nguyen started out as a tour guide before launching his own tour company, Trails of Indochina, in 1999. Nguyen followed up that act by launching Heritage Line in 2008 with the aim of showcasing more immersive, cultural experiences.
What I love about Heritage Line is that the company exclusively hires locals for every aspect of the journey. That’s why you might ride on a tuk tuk or on the back of a scooter taxi during your excursions. The cruise line is also known for its support for local communities and charities.
Ship Snapshot
The Jahan is Heritage Line’s largest ship, but it’s by no means large. The boutique cruiser is only 230-foot long with 26 cabins and a crew of 40. The ship was built in 2011 but it feels like you’re stepping into a 19th century luxury hotel in India with its Mughal-style motifs and furniture to match. Many staterooms are furnished with four poster beds while rattan loungers make up most of the outdoor seating.
While Heritage Line’s ships are all different from each other, they’re designed as a romanticized rendition of colonial-era architecture. The nostalgic decor suits the more laid-back style of cruising that the line offers.
Onboard Amenities
In between excursions, you’ll find most guests in and around the small pool on the terrace deck. Adjacent to the pool is a beautiful open-air bar. The Mekong River is a lifeline for the locals, and you can watch their daily lives unfold from the deck as they move about on their sampans.
Meals take place in the dining room and all guests are seated at the same time, although private dinners in the staterooms can be arranged. On the other end of the terrace deck you’ll also find the air-conditioned Observatory Lounge with divans, chess tables and a telescope. A spa treatment room hides nearby.
The upper deck is set up as a lounge area during the day, with a small library of books and board games. The lounge area turns into theatre-style seating in the evening for the nightly entertainment, which leans more cultural and educational onboard The Jahan. Think lectures about the history of Vietnam and Cambodia and on-theme classic movies like “Good Morning, Vietnam.” There’s a small boutique shop area carrying locally-made and upcycled goods.
Staterooms
The Jahan’s 26 staterooms are spread across two decks. There are four stateroom categories but all of them are spacious, with the smallest cabins measuring 323 square feet, and they all boast a private balcony. The Superior and Deluxe stateroom categories both have the same size and layout, with a separate seating area and a large shower, but distinct interior styles. These rooms come with either a double bed or two twin beds.
A category above are the 388 square-foot Signature Suites. There are two Noble Suites on board that are 549 square-feet each. These highest category suites come with a king bed and an oversized balcony complete with a private jacuzzi. All the rooms have mini fridges and strong air conditioning.
What’s Included
Mekong river cruises departing from Saigon usually leave from Mỹ Tho, a city 44 miles south of Saigon, and bus transfer between the two cities are included. Once on board, all Heritage Line cruises included one (or more) guided excursions each day. When there is no afternoon excursion, the crew will organize a cooking class and other activities on board. The cruise on The Jahan takes travelers to get a close look at the daily life of the Lower Mekong.
The excursions are centered around visiting small communities and learning about how the people of the Mekong Delta sustain their livelihoods, from visiting fruit farms to trying your hands on rattan weaving. All the excursions in Vietnam are led by one local guide, and our guide did not shy away from discussing Vietnam’s complicated history and the current troubles that plague the Mekong River. For those continuing on the journey past Phnom Penh, a Cambodian local will take over the excursions.
Meals are included, as well as snacks for afternoon tea time. Certain soft drinks, tea and coffee are complimentary all day, while local beers and a small selection of wines are included during lunch and dinner service only. Other alcoholic drinks or if you want to get a pint outside of meal times, they can be purchased at the bar.
Guests booked in one of the suites also get complimentary laundry service of up to four pieces per day. With the tropical climate, you’ll likely sweat through more clothes than you’d think, so it’s certainly a nice amenity to have. Onboard WiFi is also included for all guests, although the service is much better on the Vietnam side.
Food & Drink
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style with at least one live cooking station. The buffet always includes both Western and local options, including phở for breakfast. I enjoy trying the local dishes and each day I was able to find something I’d never tried before, like a salad made with torch ginger flower or stir fried ostrich.
The menu changes daily and in step with the itinerary. On the afternoon of the day we crossed the border from Vietnam to Cambodia, lunch included lort cha, short rice noodles that are a Cambodian street food staple, stir-fried fresh at the live cooking station.
Dinner is typically a three to four-course menu with a presentation that leans more fine dining. Each sailing will have one night where dinner will take place on the terrace deck, with a special buffet and traditional Cambodian dance performances.
Select alcoholic drinks, including local beers like Angkor and Tiger, as well as a handful of wines imported from Australia and Chile, are complimentary during lunch and dinner service. The Jahan’s bar isn’t fully stocked, but this isn’t really the cruise for partygoers (although there is plenty of cognac).
Fast Facts
Location: Vietnam and Cambodia
Vibe: Relaxed and serene
Rating: 4-Stars
Starting Rate: $1335 for a 3-night cruise or $3015 for a 7-night cruise
Room Count: 26
Our Favorite Thing About The Ship: the stadium-shaped wooden bar
Dining: Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is a more formal multi-course affair
Amenities: Swimming pool, small library
Closest Airport: Saigon, Phnom Penh or Siem Reap
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