Top 10 Vietnam Cambodia River Cruises 2025/2026 Loved by British Travellers
Heritage Line Jahan Cruise Upstream 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap
9.4Excellent - 66 reviewsWe really enjoy our trip. The staff was very nice, especially Vietnamese guide.…Ms. Avra Jain -United States
Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be - Tan Chau - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Mekong DeltaHighlights- Appreciate all the beauty from the enchanting world-famous heritage sites to the pure natural landscape of Vietnam and Cambodia
- Learn about the Mekong Rivulets' history through cultural spots and bustling lifestyle along the way upstream
- Join the locals with off-the-beaten-track experiences
View tour5% offGBP£1,973£1,973/paxRV Mekong Princess Cruise Upstream 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh
9.8Excellent - 6 reviewsMany thanks to Ms. Moon for suggesting us this enjoyable trip. We said we wanted…Ms.Adela Toma -Germany
Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Can Tho - Cu Lao Gieng Island - Phnom Penh- Holiday Season Sale: 35% OFF!
Theme: Interact with local, Relaxation, Cultural, HistorySuitable: Couples & Honeymoon, Luxury Travellers, Singles & Solo, Group TravelHighlights- Admire the tranquility and untouched beauty of the Mekong River
- Explore a variety of traditional cultures in Vietnamese villages
- Experience the authentic local life
View tour28% offGBP£1,571£1,222/paxAqua Mekong Expedition Cruise 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap/ Phnom Penh
9.8Excellent - 3 reviewsWe were absolutely thrilled with our 7-night cruise aboard the Aqua Mekong Boat…Ms.Susan Baxter -Australia
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - My Tho - Sa Dec - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh - Tonle Sap Lake…- Early bird: 30% OFF!
Highlights- Explore a floating market by Sampan; meet a family at home & taste their local foods
- Visit the local market and the house of French author Marguerite Duras
- Explore the Tra Su flooded forest in a local boat. Search for 70 native bird species & rare turtles
- Easy climb to visit the Mahayana Buddhist monks at Sam Mountain monastery; shop with the chef
- Tour the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda & National Museum in Phnom Penh
- Sip sundowners on deck as 3‐Nighters arrive; evening Khmer apsara dance performance
- Head by skiff into Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve; transfer to Siem Reap
View tour30% offGBP£5,642£5,642/paxRV Mekong Navigator Cruise Upstream 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Phnom PenhTheme: CulturalHighlights- Make the short journey from ship to shore by traditional sampan to visit a local village where hundreds of sampans and rowing boats are made daily
- Enjoy a walk around the beautiful evergreen island, stopping for a visit at the home of a local war veteran.
- Visit the small museum and Buddhist memorial stupa and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Pol Pot’s regime
View tourGBP£1,211£1,033/paxRV Mekong Navigator Cruise Upstream 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap
Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Siem ReapTheme: CulturalHighlights- “Mekong Delta” themed dinner introduces the innovation of Southeast Asia cuisine
- Explore the intricate network of canals, discovering the essence of the Mekong Delta's rural life.
- Set sail to Cai Be, where the Mekong's charm reveals itself in the form of a floating market
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat
- Marvel at the architectural splendor of historical spots that stand as a testament to the grandeur of the Khmer Empire
View tourGBP£2,045£1,681/paxRV La Marguerite Cruise Upstream 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap
9.0Excellent - 10 reviewsYour guides where excellent we would happly recommend this houlday to all our friends…Mr. John Henwood -Australia
Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Tan Chau - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Siem…Highlights- Enjoy an exciting city tour of Phnom Penh - the majestic capital of Cambodia retains its French charm.
- Cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages with extensive fishing activities.
- Explore the pre-Angkorian temple located on top of a hill overlooking the Mekong.
- Discovery and experience of various wonderful handcrafting villages
View tour£1,330Mekong Eyes Classic Cruise 3 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh (by Speedboat)
8.9Very good - 23 reviewsWe enjoied the mekong eyes tour and the foot on board and the guide was really good.Mr. Horst Weise -Germany
Cai Be - Can Tho - Chau Doc - Phnom PenhHighlights- Enjoy the peaceful view of the Mekong Delta.
- Take part in interesting daily life activities of local people.
- Have fun going shopping in Cai Rang floating market.
View tour40% offGBP£332£332/paxRV Mekong Princess Cruise Upstream 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap
9.6Excellent - 9 reviewsWe had beautiful eight days on Mekong Princess Cruise. The trip was worthwhile and…Mr.Adam Rothenberg -United States
Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Can Tho - Cu Lao Gieng Island - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Siem…- Holiday Season Sale: 35% OFF!
Theme: Interact with local, NatureSuitable: Couples & HoneymoonHighlights- Immerse in the tranquility and untouched beauty of the Mekong River
- Explore several traditional crafts in Vietnamese villages
- Experience the authentic local life
View tour30% offGBP£1,973£1,606/paxVictoria Mekong Cruise Upstream 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap
9.6Excellent - 4 reviewsWhat can we say. Perfect from beginning to end. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City…Tyson M -Australia
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Tan Chau - Can Tho - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Siem ReapTheme: Off the beaten track, Relaxation, CulturalSuitable: Couples & Honeymoon, Luxury Travellers, SeniorsHighlights- Sail across the Mekong Delta and witness the local life and one-of-a-kind river culture
- Immerse in Vietnamese and Cambodian culture in a totally extraordinary way
- Explore the typical bustling Southwest countryside of Vietnam with handcrafted villages
- Visit most famous historical attractions of Phnom Penh and admire their unique local lives
View tour49% offGBP£1,471£1,471/paxRV Mekong Princess Cruise Upstream 3 days: Can Tho - Phnom Penh
9.6Excellent - 1 reviewThe suites are amazing, and the food is fantastic for the trip. The crew is also…Aaron T -United States
Can Tho - Cu Lao Gieng Island - Phnom Penh- Holiday Season Sale: 35% OFF!
Theme: Interact with local, Relaxation, Cultural, HistoryHighlights- Mekong overnight cruise with charming French-colonial design style with excellent customer service onboard
- Explore the waterways region through Southwest Vietnam water passages
- Visit famous historical attractions of Phnom Penh
- Partake in a range of unique on-board activities provided by the staff
View tour23% offGBP£844£625/pax
FAQs
Each country offers a different visa policy. For the cruise between Vietnam and Cambodia, we will separate into two distinct routes:
- Upstream: You can get Vietnam & Cambodia visas on arrival (VOA) with an approval letter for Vietnam and pay stamp fees at the airport or river border.
- Downstream: You can get a Cambodia visa on arrival when you arrive for a Vietnam visa (since you cannot get a VOA at the border, you need to make a visa before arriving). We could support you in getting an urgent visa at the Vietnam Embassy in Cambodia with fees of US $85 if you don't have a visa before arriving.
I hope this information will help you know how to do it or please contact our travel consultant if you need more help.
A Vietnam - Cambodia cruise usually costs from US $675 to $2,311 per pax for entry-level (transfer fee is excluded). The price can vary depending on the service quality and cruise length:
- 3 - 4 days: From US $675 - $960/pax.
- 5 - 6 days: From US $1,092 - $1,600/pax.
- 7 - 9 days: From US $1,702 - $2,311 per pax.
The shortest cruises from Saigon/Can Tho (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia) typically take between 3 to 4 days, depending on the itinerary.
If you are already at the border between two countries, you will need around 4-5 hours on a high-speed boat. However, a full Vietnam Cambodia cruise lasting several days offers stops for sightseeing and cultural experiences, which are much more valuable.
The best months for a Mekong River cruise are from November to April. During this time, the weather is cooler and drier, with lower humidity, and less rainfall, offering more comfortable cruising conditions and better visibility for sightseeing. This season is also less likely to experience flooding, which can affect some travel routes.
The Mekong River cruise between Vietnam and Cambodia has 2 directions:
- Upstream: Departing from Vietnam (Saigon/ Can Tho to Siem Reap/ Phnom Penh)
- Downstream: Departing from Cambodia (Siem Reap/ Phnom Penh to Saigon/ Can Tho)
The only difference is the start/end point. Both routes offer similar destinations and experiences onboard, you will not miss anything if you choose one of them. Let's choose the one that is most convenient for your post-cruise travel plan.
A cruise from Vietnam to Cambodia typically takes 4 to 8 days, depending on your chosen itinerary. You can start from Ho Chi Minh City/Can Tho and end in Phnom Penh/Siem Reap.
- Short cruise (3 - 5 days): Explore the Mekong Delta and then go as far as Phnom Penh.
- Long cruise (7 - 8 days): Adding exploration to Siem Reap, often including cultural stops.
1. Vietnam Visa
Vietnam has visa exemptions for British tourists for up to 30 or 45 days.
2. Cambodia Visa
British travelers need a Visa to enter Cambodia. Here are some options depending on your cruise direction:
Upstream Cruise
Your cruise line will assist with visa-on-arrival processing at the water border.
- Cost: 37.15 GBP - 55.75 GBP/person
- Required: Passport (valid for at least 6 months), 1 passport-size photo, cash for the visa fee.
Downstream Cruise
You will need to obtain a Visa on Arrival at one of Cambodia's international entry points.
- Available at: Major international airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville) and certain land borders.
- Validity: 30 days (Tourist Visa - T class)
- Requirements: Passport (at least 6 months validity), 01 passport-sized photo, Visa fee (around 22.29 GBP - 26.01 GBP), and completed visa application form (available at the airport/land border).
Here are some of the most recommended Vietnam-Cambodia river cruises for UK travelers with great service and the best rates.
- Heritage Line Jahan 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap (from £1988/pax)
- RV Mekong Princess 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh (from £1231/pax)
- RV La Marguerite 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap (from £1340/pax)
- RV Mekong Navigator 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh (from £1041/pax)
- Aqua Mekong Expedition 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap/ Phnom Penh (from £5685/pax, all-inclusive)
A Vietnam–Cambodia cruise usually costs from £108 – £241/person per day for entry-level. The price can vary depending on the cruise length and service quality.
Here is the average price for different durations (transfer fee excluded):
- 3 – 5 days: From £324 – £1,193 per pax
- 6 – 8 days: From £1,120 – £1,927 per pax
Questions & Answers (51)
Can you please advise if there are any cruises suitable for somebody who needs a wheelchair for mobility. If there are please advise which would be suitable. We are looking on travelling from HCM City to Siem Rep around 5th February 2025
Most of the boat in Mekong does not offer facilities for disable person but the staff can support during the trip. Just for excursion you could not join due to it has to move a lot also transfer by small boat.
Hi we are 4 adults looking for 2 main deck cabins, one with double bed and the other with 2 single beds. We want to travel from siem reap to Saigon, 7 nights. Our only travel dates are from 19 December to 29 December 2024. Can you supply me with a quote, thank you , Lola
Thank Lola for contacting us, our travel consultant is looking for available and will send you option via email.
We are hoping to book a cruise from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap for 2 people at the end of January/beginning of February 2025. Is there any availability as I know this is a busy time of year. Thank you
We still have few option and will send you via email.
When is the best time to join Mekong cruise? We are planning to start from Saigon to Phnom Penh. Now, we are quite free so traveling on any time in a year totally ok for us. So, please rcm the best time to go so we will arrange later. Many thanks!
Nov to Mar is best time to visit Mekong River with dry & cool weather.
Hello, we are a '60s couple looking to make a reservation for a Mekong Cruise in late April 2024. We would appreciate your suggestions for cruises that offer limited hiking or adventurous activities during the trip. We prefer a more relaxed experience. Thank you for your assistance.
Most our Mekong boat offer itinerary suitable for Senior so you don't worry about adventurous activities. May I know how long do you spend for Mekong we have option from 1 nights to 7 nights.