South East Asia River Cruises
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10 best river cruises through South East Asia
Compiled by
NadineSouth East Asia travel expert at TourRadar
- Grand Tour of Indochina 2025-2026
- Wonders of Indochina and the Mekong 2026-2027
- Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Southbound) 2026
- Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Bangkok (Southbound) 2026
- Cambodia To Vietnam By Waterway In 15 Days - Deluxe Private Tour
- Deluxe Vietnam Aqua Life In 10 Days - 4 Stars and 5 Stars Option - Private Tour
- 16-Day Waterway Journey from Cambodia to Vietnam - Deluxe Private Tour
- Explore Vietnam & Cambodia: 17-Day Coaster Charm & Mekong Adventure
- From the Mekong Delta to the Temples of Angkor & Hanoi and Halong Bay (port-to-port cruise) (16 destinations)
- Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong (2026) (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, 2026)
Emerald Harmony connects bustling Saigon to historic Phnom Penh. Floating markets, local workshops, and centuries-old temples dot the route. Luxury accommodations, regional cuisine, and immersive cultural experiences define the journey.
Duration 24 days Destinations Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $24,697
42% Off- NZ$14,426You save $10,271
The Emerald Harmony sails through Southeast Asia, from Vietnam to Cambodia. The route winds through Mekong Delta's floating markets, Phnom Penh's Royal Palace, and traditional village life. Guests enjoy luxury river accommodation, cultural performances, and authentic regional cuisine.
Duration 16 days Destinations Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $20,302
40% Off- NZ$12,259You save $8,044
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Southbound) 2026
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Duration 19 days Destinations Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
40% Off- NZ$14,857+$1,566 upfront costs
Duration 16 days Destinations Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
40% Off- NZ$12,920+$924 upfront costs
Cambodia To Vietnam By Waterway In 15 Days - Deluxe Private Tour
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour did what it said it would. We were on a private tour and the Hotels, drivers, and guides were of the highest quality.”
Harold, traveled in January
Luxury awaits aboard Bassac Cruise and La Pandora through Southeast Asia's waterways. Floating markets, authentic villages, and limestone caves paint a picture of river life, while premium accommodations and regional cuisine provide comfort.
Duration 15 days Destinations Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Can Tho, Cai Rang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Halong Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator Realistic Asia From $3,915
7% Off- NZ$3,641+$1,114 local paymentsYou save $274
Deluxe Vietnam Aqua Life In 10 Days - 4 Stars and 5 Stars Option - Private Tour
89 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Vietnam is beautiful! The tours were great, even without a guide traveling with us.”
ANN, traveled in October
The waters of Southeast Asia stretch from Halong Bay to Mekong Delta aboard luxury vessels. Limestone cave exploration, floating village visits, and traditional boat rides highlight each day. Premium cabin accommodations and authentic local cuisine enhance the voyage.
Duration 10 days Destinations Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator Realistic Asia From $2,740
10% Off- NZ$2,466+$600 local paymentsYou save $274
16-Day Waterway Journey from Cambodia to Vietnam - Deluxe Private Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The 16-day waterway private tour gave me a deep, rich travel experience. Everything was handled professionally.”
Kasey, traveled in July
Waterways stretch from Mekong Delta to Halong Bay aboard distinguished vessels. Bassac Cruise guides through floating markets while Doris Cruise weaves among limestone karsts. Palace Gate Hotel and Apricot Hotel provide luxury between cruise segments.
Duration 16 days Destinations Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Can Tho, Cai Be, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Halong Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Operator Vietnam Tour Fun From $14,016
70% Off- NZ$4,205+$1,683 local paymentsYou save $9,811
From Mekong Delta to Ha Long Bay, premium vessels like Doris Cruise chart Southeast Asia's rivers. Floating markets and riverside temples dot the journey. Luxury stays at Victoria Chau Doc complement authentic local experiences throughout the route.
Duration 17 days Destinations Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Operator Vietnam Tour Fun From $9,423
70% Off- NZ$2,827+$1,131 local paymentsYou save $6,596
From the Mekong Delta to the Temples of Angkor & Hanoi and Halong Bay (port-to-port cruise) (16 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great food, great boat and facilities, great tours with flexibility. We were impressed that at each stop we had local tour guides.”
Peter, traveled in September
RV Indochine II delivers luxury from Halong Bay through Mekong Delta to Tonle Sap Lake. Floating markets and ancient temples line the route. Premium balcony cabins, regional cuisine, and expert-guided shore excursions create an unforgettable adventure.
Duration 14 days Destinations Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Cu Chi, My Tho, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Koh ChenSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $10,634
24% Off- NZ$8,109You save $2,525
Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong (2026) (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, 2026)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Super Ship Mekong Jewel reveals floating markets from Ben Tre to Phnom Penh. Traditional village life, local workshops, and authentic regional cuisine enhance the journey. Luxury river-view accommodations and expert guides complete the experience.
Duration 15 days Destinations Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, Hong Ngu, Phnom Penh, Angkor Ban, Hanchey, Kampong ChamSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $11,299
13% Off- NZ$9,799You save $1,500
What people love about River Cruise Tours in South East Asia
- Cambodia To Vietnam By Waterway In 15 Days - Deluxe Private Tour
Cambodia is magnificent and temples are wonderful site to be hold and Vietnam is such a lovely country. I visited Tra Su Cajuput forest which I found really fascinating
- Deluxe Vietnam Aqua Life In 10 Days - 4 Stars and 5 Stars Option - Private Tour
S Viet organized an individual tour for my husband and I. It included Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Saigon, The Mekong Delta and Can Tho. At every stage we were picked up from the airport/hotels in air conditioned cars with teriffic guides, we stayed at fabulous hotels, had fascinating/interesting tours and all in all had a fabulous time. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. We will definitely be travelling with them again.
- From the Angkor Temples to the Mekong Delta (port-to-port cruise) (22 destinations)
We had a great time. Accommodation was very good although our room at the back was a little noisy due to being near the generator and engine room which I would not recommend ( maybe a discounted price should be offered ). Very well organized and excellent tour manager. Always something on the itinerary even whilst the boat was sailing eg cookery demos, serviette folding, fruit carving, talks, films. I think the cruise could be shortened by a couple of days as a lot of the things we saw were very repetitive ,especially the pagodas! We were the only English guests on board which at times was a little difficult but on the plus side we had our own personal English speaking guides (3 in total at different parts of the cruise) which was fantastic. Chan Seng in Cambodia has to have a special mention for his fantastic knowledge and understanding of English.The food both on board and at restaurants on land was excellent my only complaint was that the drinks were not included in the package which for the price we paid I think they should have been, as most cruises do, ( only a soft drink or a beer were included per person per meal). Overall I would recommend this cruise as we had a lovely time.
What our customers ask about South East Asia River Cruises
How long are typical South East Asia river cruises?
South East Asia river cruises run between 7 and 24 days with most travelers choosing 13-15 day journeys along the Mekong River. CroisiEurope offers a 12-day route from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City while Emerald Cruises runs a 24-day Grand Tour of Indochina that includes stops in Hanoi Halong Bay and Bangkok. One TourRadar traveler noted "The 15-day cruise gave us the perfect amount of time to truly experience both Vietnam and Cambodia."
What size ships operate on South East Asia river cruises?
Ships on the Mekong River are designed for smaller groups with passenger counts between 36 and 124. The AmaDara hosts 124 guests with 52 crew members while the Scenic Spirit takes just 68 passengers. The RV Indochine II features 31 cabins across two decks for 62 guests. A TourRadar traveler who sailed on Scenic Spirit noted: "With only 68 passengers we got to know everyone and received incredibly attentive service from the crew."
What are the main destinations and highlights visited on South East Asia river cruises?
The main route runs between Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and Siem Reap Cambodia on the Mekong River. Stops include the floating markets of Cai Be the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City and traditional silk weaving demonstrations on Silk Island. Many trips include hotel stays like the Sofitel Angkor in Siem Reap for visiting Angkor Wat. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The variety of excursions was excellent - from bustling cities to remote villages we got to experience the authentic culture and daily life along the Mekong."
What are the best months to take a South East Asia river cruise?
November through February offers the most reliable weather for Mekong River cruises with dry conditions and moderate temperatures. While ships like Scenic Spirit and AmaDara operate year-round water levels can affect routes during the July-October rainy season. December through February sees temperatures of 75-85°F (24-29°C) in key stops like Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City. One TourRadar traveler noted on an AmaWaterways cruise: "Our voyage in February had perfect weather conditions for exploring both on and off the ship."
What is the dining experience like on South East Asia river cruises?
Meals combine Western and Asian dishes with ships like Emerald Harmony including complimentary wine beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. The RV Indochine II's main deck restaurant serves local cuisine in a colonial setting with river views. A TourRadar traveler commented: "The food was outstanding - fresh local ingredients and great variety. The special dinner featuring traditional Khmer dishes was a highlight."
How much does a typical South East Asia river cruise cost?
Prices range from 3500 USD to 9000 USD per person based on trip length and cabin choice. CroisiEurope's 11-day Mekong Delta cruise starts at 3827 USD while Emerald Cruises' 15-day luxury voyage runs around 10550 USD. Rates typically cover lodging meals drinks excursions and onboard activities. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "While not inexpensive the all-inclusive nature and high quality of experience made it excellent value for money."