Top 10 Mekong Cruises Vietnam Rated 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/paxMekong Eyes Classic Cruise 2 Days: Cai Be - Can Tho
8.8Very good - 25 reviewsThe boat was excellent, food very good, staff incredible. totally enjoyable experience.…James Smith -United States
Can Tho - Cai Be - Cai Rang Floating Market - Tan Phong Island - Mekong DeltaHighlights- Take part in many interesting activities in the daily life of local people
- Witness the green fruit orchards and rice fields in the countryside
- Explore Cai Rang floating market, one of the most bustling areas on the Mekong River
View tour40% offGBP£156£156/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/paxSong Xanh Sampan - Life on the River 2 Days: Cai Be - Can Tho
9.2Excellent - 6 reviewsGreat trip one of the hilights of our 3 week Vietnamese tour, excellent staff and…Mr.Stephen Harold Hartman -Australia
Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho - Mekong DeltaTheme: Off the beaten track, Relaxation, CulturalSuitable: Couples & Honeymoon, Luxury Travellers, CharterHighlights- Discover factories producing coconut candy, puffed rice, and clay pots, immersing yourself in the traditional craftsmanship
- Experience Delta cuisine, from tofu skin-making to coconut candy and puffed rice snacks
- Visit ancient houses, floating markets, Cao Dai temples, and rural villages for cultural immersion
- Enjoy stunning sunsets, delicious dinners, and a complimentary bottle of wine for a perfect private getaway
View tour26% offGBP£304£304/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 Princess Cruise Upstream 3 days: Saigon - Can Tho
9.7Excellent - 4 reviewsWe booked three days to explore the Mekong River through Ms. Moon. She is lovely,…Mr.Matt & Ms. Brittany -New Zealand
Can Tho - Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta- Holiday Season Sale: 35% OFF!
Theme: Interact with local, Relaxation, CulturalSuitable: Couples & Honeymoon, Luxury Travellers, Active Travellers, Singles & Solo, Group TravelHighlights- Visit a local coconut candy workshop
- Visit the fruit orchard
- Explore variety of local cultures
View tour23% offGBP£844£625/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/paxMekong 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/paxBassac Cruise 2 Days: Can Tho - Cai Be
9.1Excellent - 21 reviewsvery well organized would not hesitate to use again. Our guide on the cruise was…Mr.William Wright -Australia
Cai Be - Can Tho - Mang Thit River - Cho Lach - Cai Rang Floating Market - Mekong DeltaHighlights- Tranquil trip to explore Mekong Delta's natural scenery and culture
- Learning about the unique culture and enjoying the local dishes and various local tropical fruits
- Have fun while shopping at Cai Be floating market
View tour14% offGBP£194£194/pax
FAQs
Vietnam Mekong cruises offer amazing experiences. They explore the charming Mekong Delta or even go further to Cambodia.
These cruises often start in Vietnam’s fast-paced cities, ending in the more relaxed temple region (nice "slowdown" effect). They provide easier flight connections to Saigon.
Vietnam cruises are ideal if you prefer ending with a cultural highlight (Mekong Delta/Cambodia) and you’re flying into Vietnam first.
A Vietnam Mekong River cruise can last anywhere from 1 to 8 days, depending on your chosen itinerary.
- Short cruises (1 - 3 days) usually explore the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, with highlights like floating markets and local villages.
- Mid cruises (4 - 5 days) visit the Mekong Delta and travel to Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
- Long cruises (7 - 8 days) expand the exploration to Siem Reap, offering a deeper cultural journey through both Vietnam and Cambodia.
1. Vietnam Visa
Vietnam has visa exemptions for British tourists for up to 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).
A Vietnam Mekong River cruise can cost between £82 and £242/pax/day. The price varies widely based on the cruise length, vessel type, and level of luxury.
Here are some prices for reference for different itineraries (transfer fee is excluded):
- Day cruise: From £82 - £90/pax.
- 2 - 3 day cruise: From £153 - £614/pax.
- 4 - 5 day cruise: From £913 - £1,198/pax.
- 7 - 8 day cruise: From £1,117 - £3,206/pax.
Here are the best Vietnam Mekong River cruises, based on UK customer reviews, prices, and services (transfer fees are not included in the price).
- Heritage Line Jahan 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap (from £1973/pax).
- Mekong Eyes Classic 2 days: Cai Be - Can Tho (from £156/pax).
- RV Mekong Princess 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh (from £1222/pax).
- Song Xanh Sampan 2 days: Cai Be - Can Tho (from £304/pax).
- RV Mekong Navigator 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh (from £1033/pax).
The best time to travel on a Mekong River cruise in Vietnam is from November to February, during the dry season. The weather is cooler, humidity is lower, and river levels are still high from the rainy season, making for smooth cruising and lush scenery.
March to April is also good, though it gets hotter. The rainy season (June to October) has vibrant landscapes, but there's a higher chance of showers and itinerary changes.