This morning was a highlight of our journey on the river, with a visit to Tan Chau - a small town untouched by tourism – giving us a unique insight into the life of the local people.

We were transferred ashore by a local boat, we navigate through narrow channels to visit an "evergreen" island. On the way we see stilt houses which haphazardly lean against each other. A local grandfather, that was looking after the family children, invited us into his home, there were children everywhere with big smiling faces, with some waving and saying hello.

Once ashore in Tan Chau we tour the town by rickshow (Xe Loi) to visit a Mat and Silk Workshop.   

We watched how the weaving of the mats were done, the mats are used mostly for bedding instead of mattresses, because they keep you cool and they can be cleaned easily.

The silk factory is famous for its very expensive product called "Ianh May A" silk dyed black by the Diospyros mollis's fruit.

I couldn’t resist buying an easy wearing silk shirt, teal and rust colour.

4pm back on the ship we watch the chef create the famous Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, and give us a demonstration on fruit carving.

5pm we cross to Cambodia, celebrating it with Ice-Cream on the top deck, flavours of exotic fruit and Dad’s favourite Rum and Raisin. We watched the sun go down, a vibrant red display.

After dinner this evening we join everyone in the Saigon Lounge for the documentary about Khmer Rouge regime – Pol Pot – The Secret Killer, so we understand what happened in Cambodia in 1975 to 1979.