Mekong River Cruises
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Table of contents
- The best Mekong cruises
- What people love about Mekong Cruises
- Travel Mekong your way
- Best tour companies
- Popular Mekong Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your adventure
- Mekong tours for every type of group
- Top Mekong travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit
- Contact our Mekong travel experts
- What our customers ask about Mekong River Cruises
The best Mekong cruises
Compiled by
MelissaMekong travel expert at TourRadar
Mekong Discovery (Southbound) 2025
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic! we enjoyed it a lit.”
Dale, traveled in January
The Avalon Saigon's panoramic suites, with 14-foot windows and L'Occitane amenities, frame Cambodia's Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, artisans in Konpong Louang's silversmith village, and Vietnam's floating markets. Chef-prepared regional cuisine and daily cultural performances complete each day.
Duration 8 days Destinations Phnom Penh, Hanchey, Angkor Ban, Kampong Tralach, Chau Doc, Long Khanh, Cu Lao Gieng, Vinh Long, Ho Chi Minh City Age Range Ages 8+ Ship Avalon Saigon River Mekong Operator Avalon Waterways From
- NZ$11,127
7-night Mekong Upstream Vietnam Cambodia on Mekong Navigator
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Informed guides, an incredibly friendly & supportive staff, luxurious accomodations & a wonderful itinerary.”
David, traveled in April
The luxurious Mekong Navigator, with 34 elegant suites, charts a course through Ben Tre's coconut farms, Cu Lao Gieng's colonial architecture, and Phnom Penh's cultural treasures. Traditional performances, regional cuisine, and complimentary beverages enhance the journey.
Duration 8 days Destinations Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Ben Tre, Cu Lao Gieng, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, German Ship Mekong Navigator River Mekong Operator Lotus Cruises From
- NZ$5,657
7-night Mekong Downstream Cambodia Vietnam on Mekong Navigator
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Cabin lovely but situated back of boat and engine noise so loud prevented sleep. Food and service excellent.”
Barbara, traveled in February
RV Mekong Navigator's 34 luxury suites provide comfort while traditional water blessings, rural village sampan tours, and historic sites from Phnom Penh to Sa Dec unfold. Wine-paired dining, cultural performances, and expert-guided excursions enhance the journey.
Duration 8 days Destinations Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Cu Lao Gieng, My An Hung, Sa Dec, Cai Be, My Tho, Ho Chi Minh City Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, German Ship Mekong Navigator River Mekong Operator Lotus Cruises From
- NZ$6,822
From the Mekong Delta to Siem Reap (port-to-port cruise) (11 destinations)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
Colonial architecture graces Ho Chi Minh City's Notre Dame Cathedral before sailing to Cambodian treasures like Phnom Penh's Silver Pagoda. Local life thrives at Kampong Chhnang fishing port and Koh Chen craft village. The luxurious RV Indochine II provides upper deck cabins and gourmet meals throughout.
Duration 9 days Destinations Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Vinh Long, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Koh Chen, Kampong Tralach, Tonle Sap LakeSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Ships RV IndochineRV Indochine II RV Lan Diep River Mekong Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- NZ$4,055
From Siem Reap to the Mekong Delta (port-to-port cruise)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Comfortable ship. Very nice crew.”
ALEKSANDER, traveled in February
Colonial luxury awaits aboard RV Indochine II while visiting Kampong Chhnang's fishing port and Tay An Pagoda in Chau Doc. Highlights include Huynh Thuy Le's house in Sa Dec, the narrow Chao Gao Canal, and Cu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City. Costs approx. $310 per day including regional cuisine and expert-guided excursions.
Duration 9 days Destinations Siem Reap, Tonle Sap Lake, Kampong Tralach, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Sa Dec, Vinh Long, Cai Be, My ThoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Ships RV IndochineRV Indochine II RV Lan Diep River Mekong Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- NZ$3,984
What people love about Mekong Cruises
- 7-night Mekong Upstream Vietnam Cambodia on Mekong Navigator
Great tour with nice food and friendly people.
- Mekong Discovery (Southbound) 2025
Very well organised. Relaxing. The local tour guides were exceptional. Would highly recommend tour. Staff on board the cruise, could not do enough for you. Enjoyable and fun.
- 7-night Mekong Downstream Cambodia Vietnam on Mekong Navigator
Staff excellent. Cabin lovely but situated back of boat and engine noise so loud prevented sleep. Other passengers were warned if this and given a reduced rate. Food and service excellent. Mooring at Phnom Penh for three nights with no view but underside of dock made balcony unusable for almost half of cruise. €1000 refund from Lotus accepted. Tourradar attempt to claim 20% of that disgraceful.
Travel Mekong your way
There's something special about the Jayavarman - it combines colonial elegance with the ability to navigate quieter parts of the Mekong. You'll drift past fishing villages and vibrant markets while enjoying quality service and comfortable amenities on board. The routes take you from busy trading spots to peaceful monasteries tucked away along the shoreline, showing you just how varied life is along this mighty river.
Select from our extensive range of 84 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Mekong with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Mekong. We have 17 adventures that vary from 2 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in April, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Best tour companies
Based on what our travelers are saying, Scenic's luxury Mekong cruises are getting solid reviews, particularly their Scenic Spirit vessel. One of our guests came back really pleased, saying it went beyond what they expected. The market has quite a range of options though - there's a bit of a cautionary note from someone who booked the Mekong Dawn through TourRadar and found they paid noticeably more than other companies were charging for the exact same cruise. The AmaDara seems to hit the right notes with its crew quality, knowledgeable guides and well-maintained boat. Though one traveler mentioned they would have liked more variety in the menu and also a schedule that wasn't quite so structured - they were hoping for more downtime to just relax and take things at their own pace. Looking at these different experiences, it's clear that pricing research matters before booking, and each cruise line has its own approach to scheduling and amenities. It's worth checking multiple providers, reading detailed itineraries and also asking about how flexible the daily programs are if you prefer a more laid-back pace.
Popular Mekong Cruise Ships
Best places to start your adventure
Most of our Mekong journeys kick off from Ho Chi Minh City - about 28 different cruise routes start there, with Siem Reap close behind launching 25 departures. Phnom Penh and Hanoi each serve as starting points for 9 different itineraries, and Vientiane offers something a bit off the usual path. The booking sweet spot is around 2 months out - that's 56 days to lock in your preferred cabin and dates. During the busy season from November through March you'll want to book even earlier to get spots on the popular boats. Our travelers tell us this period has the best weather too - lower humidity and less rain make it perfect for exploring floating markets, old temples and local villages. The whole journey covers roughly 1,000 kilometers of rich culture, with trips ranging from quick 3-night hops to longer 14-night explorations that really let you settle into river life.
Mekong tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
95 tours in MekongExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Mekong. We have 95 adventures that vary from 2 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in September, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Private / Personalized
6 tours in MekongPrivate Mekong journeys give you room to shape the experience your way. Many travelers combine temple visits with river cruising, taking extra time at temples that interest them most. In Luang Prabang, some clients choose to stay longer, joining the morning alms ceremonies and exploring the night markets at their own pace. These private tours work particularly well for specific interests - we can build in extra photo stops at villages, schedule more time at craft workshops or focus on diving deeper into the area's history. Our clients especially value the freedom to linger - like spending more time watching copper craftwork in Koh Chen or enjoying a private dinner set up along a quiet stretch of riverbank.
Top Mekong travel itineraries to fit your plans
Our popular 3-day Mekong routes connect Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, perfect for fitting river time into a broader trip. You'll meet silver craftsmen in Koh Chen, see traditional pottery making in Kampong Chhnang and take ox cart rides through Kampong Tralach village. The climb up Oudong Mountain gives great views, and you'll get close to daily life in the floating villages. Our travelers tell us they love having structured activities mixed with quiet moments watching life along the riverbanks. The boats provide comfortable cabins with welcome drinks when you arrive and meals that bring out local flavors. It's a nice way to add river experiences without committing too much time from your Southeast Asia plans.
When you have 10 days, you can really get into the Mekong's flow. Up in Laos, the routes take you to local chopstick makers, organize dinners on empty islands and show you through the massive Xayaburi Dam. Down on the lower Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia, you'll explore the Royal Palace, wander through floating markets and connect with village life. Our clients particularly enjoy the special moments - getting blessed by monks in old temples, watching lion dancers perform on deck and taking evening remork rides through glowing city streets. The ships come with spa services, morning tai chi and cooking classes using ingredients you'll pick up at local markets. It's ideal for anyone wanting to dive deep into the culture while enjoying really comfortable accommodations.
Our 14-day golf and cruise packages combine luxury river travel with rounds at Southeast Asia's best courses. You'll start in Vientiane playing excellent clubs like Lakeview, Long Vien and also Luang Prabang before joining your river vessel. While cruising, you'll visit remote Khmu villages, explore caves packed with Buddha statues and see the Golden Triangle area. Our guests love how active mornings on world-class courses flow into laid-back afternoons discovering riverside communities. The trip finishes in Thailand with rounds at Santiburi Chiang Rai and also Chiang Mai Highlands, both set against beautiful mountain scenery.
Demographics
Our solo travelers on the Mekong really connect with the river cruise experience - it's got this nice balance of being social when you want and having your own space when you need it. There's one cruise that our clients particularly love; it takes you into smaller villages away from the usual tourist spots, so you're seeing real local life but can always head back to the comfort of your boat community. The daily schedule works well for solo guests, mixing group activities with plenty of free time to do your own thing. What makes it special is how the staff create this warm, inclusive feeling where single travelers naturally get to know other guests over meals and village visits, while still having quiet moments to watch life unfold along the river from their private cabin.
The luxury Mekong cruises work beautifully for couples - they blend romance with real cultural experiences in a way that our guests really appreciate. Several routes feature intimate morning champagne service near ancient temples, private dining on your balcony and couples treatments in the onboard spa. There's this particularly good cruise that includes special VIP seats at the Cambodian Phare Circus and temple dinners by candlelight. Another favorite gets couples cooking local dishes together in hands-on classes and then enjoying evening drinks while watching the sunset from deck. The cabins themselves are lovely - they've got these beautiful French colonial details and big windows, so couples can take in the changing river views together in their own private space.
Our Mekong cruises connect with younger travelers by blending active exploration, laid-back socializing and authentic cultural moments. Guests can hop onto mountain bikes for village rides, glide through quiet delta channels by kayak, and trek up to temples for traditional water blessings. The evening Vespa tours in Saigon are a highlight, with local guides leading the way from hidden seafood haunts to small music spots. Cycling routes cover 20-65km daily past floating markets and silk workshops before returning to the boat where travelers gather for drinks at sunset. Morning excursions take you deep into places like Tra Su Forest by small boat, while afternoons focus on hands-on activities like cooking with market-fresh ingredients. As night falls, Phare circus performers, Khmer dancers and also regional specialties keep the atmosphere buzzing, with plenty of time to swap stories over cocktails on deck.
Solo Travelers74 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples76 tours
- Seniors (50+)51 tours
Best time to visit
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn Mekong journeys blend cultural discovery with easygoing river travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Our travelers love how the routes balance active mornings with laid-back afternoons - you'll cycle through villages, explore floating markets and then watch riverside life unfold from the deck. The thoughtful extras make these trips special, like champagne breakfasts near Angkor Wat, silk weaving workshops on Oknha Tey island, and also hands-on cooking classes with delta chefs. What makes autumn perfect are those quiet moments in hidden parts of the delta, where you'll glide through narrow canals by sampan boat, visit local artisans in their workshops, and join monks for traditional water blessings at hilltop temples. The smaller boats carrying just 36-68 guests can reach remote spots that bigger ships miss, which creates genuine connections with riverside communities.
- popular 37 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
The winter Mekong cruises really shine with intimate experiences along the delta's hidden corners. A favorite route kicks off with an exciting speed boat ride from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc, where you'll switch to smaller sampan boats to navigate the narrow canals. Our travelers love cycling through quiet villages and watching daily life unfold at the floating markets. For those interested in local traditions, another winter option takes you to Oknha Tey island for hands-on silk weaving sessions and up to hilltop temples for authentic water blessings from monks. The smaller ships, carrying just 36-68 passengers, can slip into remote spots that bigger vessels simply can't access, giving you a more personal look at riverside life.
- 35 tours
- 33 tours
- popular 37 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring weather sets up perfectly for active Mekong exploration, mixing cycling and cruising in well-balanced days. You'll pedal through rural villages in the cool morning light, then kick back on deck for spectacular sunsets. Our clients particularly like the special touches - sipping champagne breakfast near Angkor Wat and exploring Phnom Penh's colonial streets by tuk-tuk. The spring routes really connect you with local life, from pottery workshops by the river to cooking classes with delta chefs who share family recipes and kitchen secrets. The crew makes it extra special, with personal butlers noting your favorite drinks and making quick stops when you spot interesting markets, workshops and also riverside villages.
- popular 41 tours
- 38 tours
- May 2026 16 tours
- Summer 2026
Mekong summer cruises follow three distinct routes, each blending cultural experiences with comfort during warmer months. The downstream trip from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh spans 3 days, where travelers spend time with silver artisans in Koh Chen, observe traditional pottery techniques, and take authentic ox cart rides through Kampong Tralach. The 4-day journey from Phnom Penh to Saigon begins with a swift speedboat transfer before switching to intimate sampan boats to explore Cai Rang's floating market. Our travelers particularly love cycling through peaceful villages and also folk performances on Tan Phong islet. For those heading upstream from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the itinerary includes copper workshops, views from Oudong Mountain, and explorations of Kampong Phluk's stilted homes. These summer routes share a smart approach to timing, with activities scheduled early before peak heat, leaving afternoons for watching riverside scenes from cool, comfortable cabins or open decks.
- July 2026 18 tours
- popular 37 tours
Contact our Mekong travel experts
Joachim
Expert in Mekong at TourRadar
Joachim is one of our seasoned Mekong Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Mekong tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Mekong River Cruises
What routes can I take on a Mekong River cruise?
Most travelers love the classic route between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap it's really the heart of the Mekong experience. You'll wind through the incredible Mekong Delta see Phnom Penh and get to explore Angkor Wat which is just amazing. If you're looking for something specific you can focus on just Vietnam Laos or Cambodia or go for the full experience with a multi-country adventure. The Heritage Line cruise on Jayavarman from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap is fantastic you'll get to explore colorful markets see incredible landscapes and visit traditional villages along the way.
When's the best time to plan my Mekong cruise?
For the most comfortable experience you'll want to aim for November through January when it's cooler and drier that's why it's peak season though. If you're flexible with your dates and looking for better deals think about February to May or September to October just keep in mind March and April can get a bit hazy from seasonal burning in the fields.
Where can I find those hidden gems along the Mekong?
While the big cities are exciting it's the smaller spots that really show you the heart of the Mekong. Take Koh Chen where artisans still craft beautiful silver and copper pieces or Kampong Chhnang where pottery making is just part of daily life. In Kampong Tralach you can take this amazing ox-cart ride through the countryside and over in Tan Chau Vietnam you'll discover fascinating silk workshops and this unique Cao Dai temple. The Mekong Dawn's 3-day cruise from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap takes you right to Koh Chen where you can watch the craftspeople at work.