River Cruises from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

What our customers ask about River Cruises from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

• What are the main destinations visited between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap?

  Your journey along the Mekong Delta takes you through vibrant local spots and historic sites. You'll explore the lively floating markets in Cai Be and visit Sa Dec, a charming colonial town known from the novel "The Lover" by Marguerite Duras. The route includes stops at the border town of Tan Chau, then continues to Phnom Penh where you can visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. You'll also get to know rural life in traditional villages like Angkor Ban and Kampong Cham. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The stops at local villages and markets provided authentic cultural experiences that felt untouched by tourism."

• How do you travel between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap?

  Most of your journey takes place on comfortable river ships like the RV Indochine, RV Apsara, or Emerald Harmony as you cruise the Mekong River. When you visit local spots, you'll switch to smaller boats called sampans to explore floating markets, hop on tuk-tuks to get around Phnom Penh, and take buses for some land transfers. TourRadar travelers often mention that the cruise ships offer "comfort and colonial-style charm" while giving you an up-close look at life along the Mekong.

• What unique cultural experiences are included in these tours?

  You'll get to know local life through village visits, temple stops, and market tours. The journey includes exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, watching silk weavers at work in villages like Tan Chau, receiving special blessings from Buddhist monks in Oudong, and seeing traditional Apsara dancers perform in Phnom Penh. As one TourRadar traveler put it, these experiences offered "deep insights into the local way of life and traditions."

• What kind of food will I eat during the trip?

  You'll get to try lots of Vietnamese and Cambodian dishes, with most meals included on your cruise ship. The food experiences range from tasting tropical fruits at Mekong Delta orchards to enjoying fresh seafood in Chau Doc and trying local specialties at Phnom Penh's markets. The ships serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both local dishes and familiar Western options. One TourRadar traveler mentioned that the "refined local cuisine offers a perfect introduction to the region's flavors."

• How long are the river cruise tours from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap?

  Most trips last 8-10 days, with about 7-9 nights spent cruising the Mekong River. Scenic Luxury Cruises runs a 10-day trip on their Scenic Spirit ship, while AmaWaterways offers an 8-day journey on the AmaDara. TourRadar travelers like the trip timing, with one saying "the cruise was excellent" with enough time to see important places like Phnom Penh, Sa Dec, and Angkor Ban while enjoying the river views.

• How much do Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap river cruise tours cost?

  Tour prices start at 2,184 USD and can go up to 12,990 USD per person, working out to about 243-1,299 USD per day. The price depends on how fancy you want to go. For example, Scenic Luxury Cruises' 10-day trip includes personal butler service and stays at nice hotels like the Caravelle Hotel Saigon. CroisiEurope follows similar routes but offers more moderate prices with different levels of accommodation.