A meteorite like sunset over the Mekong River viewed from the virgin-white sand beach of Xing Xou Island.

Mekong immersive cruise: An amazing activity in Vientiane that visitors should not miss

Standing on the Mekong riverbank on a beautiful sunny afternoon in front of the Landmark Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, the weather was pleasantly cool as a group of about 30 people gathered to board an attractively-designed cruiser for a river trip operated by the FACNS company.

CEO Litthikay Phoummasak (right) accompanies passengers for a quick look at the camping and tent zone.

The cruiser is a durable and well-built craft that can carry up to 35 people, providing a wonderful opportunity to view both the Lao and Thai sides of the broad river.
A couple of months ago, my colleagues and I along with some foreign visitors and tour operators participating in the Asean Tourism Forum 2024 were lucky enough to take a cruise starting from near the Landmark Riverside Hotel upstream to Xingxou Island and Kaoliao village in Sikhottabong district, opposite Si Chiang Mai district on the opposite bank in Nong Khai province, Thailand.
The two-hour cruise was something special as it took place around sunset amid changing pastel hues as dusk slowly descended. We also enjoyed seeing and hearing flocks of birds who chattered loudly as they began roosting and gathered to drink at the river’s edge.
The birds seemed not to be the target of hunters, who ensnare many other avian species, while fishermen in slim wooden longboats glided up and down the river in hopes of a catch to take home to their families.
The cruise also takes customers to a broad grassy expanse of the riverbank known as Don Chan farmland, where they have the option to relax and chill out, picnic and kayak along the Mekong before continuing further north up the river.
As we proceeded upstream, the captain took us closer to the Thai side of the river so we could view the ornate Buddhist temples and the Seven-headed Naga statue that glinted golden in the lowering rays of the sun, while people on the riverbank called out to us and waved with friendly smiles.

An electric shuttle vehicle takes passengers from the riverside to tour the farm, where wild birds can be seen amid the Lao style rural atmosphere of the 35-hectare Don Chan farmland.

Before we boarded the cruise, the CEO of FACNS company, Mr Litthikay Phoummasak, informed Vientiane Times’ reporters that the “Mekong immersive cruise” programme was initiated for inclusion among the tourist activities planned during Visit Laos Year 2024.
The cruise supports the government’s ambition to provide new visitor attractions in the capital city, he said.
“The Mekong immersive cruise is our newly-designed tourism product, offering customers a low-key boat trip that is quite different from river cruises in Luang Prabang province. We give visitors the chance to experience the special environment and the differing surroundings of Laos on the one side and Thailand on the other,” Mr Litthikay said. The cruise also includes a visit to a farm where local people grow vegetables on a shared plot of land, with visitors able to sample freshly harvested home-grown produce.
“This enables visitors to experience a real farming environment, which closely resembles life in the countryside. Our customers are also surprised to see lots of birds flying overhead during their visit,” he said.
“Camping, fishing and Mekong River kayaking can also be enjoyed in the area around the farm,” he added.
During the two-hour cruise, I enjoyed the scenic views on both sides of the river, where certain similarities were clear. Temples could be seen close to both riverbanks and people were making the most of the last hours of daylight by strolling along promenades, fishing, and shopping at night markets.
To ensure the best experience, it’s advisable to check the weather forecast before booking a cruise so that you get a great collection of photos that will provide you with lifelong memories of your trip.
Company employees can pick you up from the airport or your hotel and take you to the boarding point, from where the comfortable boat takes you to the private farm, which you can tour in the company’s open-air shuttle vehicle, followed by a cruise that gives you close up views of local attractions on both the Lao and Thai sides of the Mekong.
After that, passengers can also visit Virgin Beach (the name given by the tour operator) to enjoy a breath-taking expanse of white sand before returning to the boat for a fine dining experience, after which you return to the cruise dock and then go back to your hotel or your home.
Drinking water, soft drinks and beer are served on the cruise and passengers are also covered by insurance. Snacks, fruit and chilled face towels are also provided, and a microphone and speaker add to the fun of the trip by allowing passengers to express their happiness through song.
Charges vary according to passenger numbers. A group of 2 or 3 people will each pay US$50, a group of 4 to 6 passengers will each pay US$40, groups of 7 to 9 will pay US$35 each, and a group of 10 to 12 or more will each be charged US$30.
Anyone interested in booking a private cruise on the Mekong River can visit www.8booking.la or facebook page 8booking to get more information about the activities included and the range of services provided by FACNS Company.

The cruise returns from Xing Xou Island and stops off at the Mekong Camping and Cruise site at Don Chan Farm.	Tourists enjoy the scenery and engage in friendly conservation during a boat trip on the Mekong River. --Photo Phon Thikeo.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
 (Latest Update April 10, 2024)