Top 10 Mekong Cruises Vietnam Rated by American Travelers
Aqua 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% offUSD$7,448$7,448/paxMekong Eyes Classic Cruise 3 Days: Cai Be - Can Tho
9.1Excellent - 28 reviewsThis time with the Mekong Eyes the trip was just enjoyable. The rooms are big enough…Mike Eckenigk -Germany
Can Tho - Cai Be - Mekong Delta - Cai Rang Floating Market - Tan Phong IslandHighlights- Spend a leisurely day exploring the rural village and interacting with local people.
- Relax on the sundeck and enjoy the fantastic scenery on the Mekong Delta.
- Visit the busy and active Cai Rang floating markets for shopping.
View tour40% offUSD$342$342/paxHeritage 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% offUSD$2,604$2,604/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% offUSD$401$401/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% offUSD$2,074$1,613/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% offUSD$206$206/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 tourUSD$2,699$2,219/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% offUSD$1,942$1,942/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% offUSD$1,114$825/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% offUSD$438$438/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.
Here are the best Vietnam Mekong River cruises, based on US travelers' reviews, prices, and services (transfer fees are not included in the price).
- Cai Be Princess Day Cruise (from $110/pax).
- Song Xanh Sampan 2 Days: Cai Be - Can Tho (from $401/pax).
- RV Mekong Princess Cruise 3 days: Saigon - Can Tho (from $825/pax).
- Victoria Mekong Cruise 5 days: Saigon - Phnom Penh (from $1092/pax).
- Heritage Line Jahan Cruise 8 days: Saigon - Siem Reap (from $2604/pax).
U.S citizens will need a valid visa for both Vietnam and Cambodia. Here's what you need to know:
Vietnam Visa
We strongly recommend applying for a Vietnam e-Visa in advance, preferably through a reputable agency such as BestPrice Travel (US$ 40/person).
NOTE: Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date.
Cambodia Visa
For upstream cruises, your cruise line will assist with visa-on-arrival processing at the water border between Vietnam & Cambodia.
- Cost: US$50 - $75/person.
- Required: Passport (valid for at least 6 months), 1 passport-size photo, cash for the visa fee.
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.
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.
A Vietnam Mekong River cruise can cost between $110 and $325/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 $110 - $120/pax.
- 2 - 3 day cruise: From $206 - $825/pax.
- 4 - 5 day cruise: From $1,229 - $1,613/pax.
- 7 - 8 day cruise: From $1,504 - $4,316/pax.