Luxury vegan travel is the forte of Vegan Culinary Cruises and in July 2020, we cruise the natural beauty of the Mekong River as we dine on sumptuous vegan cuisine linked to the region.
The Mekong is the 12th longest river in the world and flows through several countries in mainland Southeast Asia passing through Tibet, China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This river, with its position between territories and its role as a source of natural resources, is a significant influence in the history, culture and cuisine of the countries it touches.
Khmer and the Mekong
Like many great rivers, the Mekong was the melting pot of early human civilization and one of the more well-known civilizations of this region was the Khmer Empire. The Khmer people of mainland Southeast Asia lived in various settlements beside the Mekong. In this historic place, wars between kingdoms occurred frequently until the emergence of the king Jayavarman II who established the Khmer Empire. This great civilization paved the way for the development of many wonders such as Angkor Wat, a religious structure dedicated to Vishnu. The Khmer empire warred with the Chams of what would later be known as Vietnam and enjoyed prosperity until its eventual decline and fall in the early 14th Century.
Cuisine and The Mekong
With its rich biodiversity and alluvium-producing waters, the Mekong creates a prosperous environment for the planting and production of various fruits and vegetables. The people of Cambodia and Vietnam use the river for irrigation and crop production. Rice, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of the people along the Mekong River with the crop used as a viand or an ingredient base for other types of food such as rice noodles or sweet desserts. Other Mekong nourished foods include coconut, water spinach, and cilantro.
The Mekong has greatly influenced the culture and cuisine of the countries it passes through. With Vegan Culinary Cruises, you can experience this marvellous food on our vegan LGBT cruise (LGBT-focused but friends and family also welcome) through the Mekong’s waterways in July 2020. Join us as we travel the Mekong and enrich ourselves in the culture of Vietnam and Cambodia.
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