Mekong River Cruises: Essential Information
We've never been on a river cruise quite like a Mekong river cruise. And boy, was it memorable. A bucket list cruise for us, for certain, we were able to sail on AmaDara during the summer and fondly look back on it as one of the most memorable river cruises we've experienced.
Mekong River cruises offer a unique blend of natural and man-made treasures from Southeast Asia, featuring distinctive itineraries. These itineraries are unlike anything you’ll experience on European, American, or other Asian river cruises.
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Mekong River Cruise Lines
Here are six of the most popular and well-reviewed Mekong River cruise lines in operation. Each offers a unique experience on the Mekong. Though the river stretches an astonishing 2,700 miles (4,350 km) and passes through six countries, most river cruises stick to Cambodia and Vietnam.
River cruises on the Mekong differ in length and price depending on each operator. Capacity also plays a role, with some cruise lines offering a much more intimate experience.
You'll be happy to discover that these cruises are incredibly affordable and they are likely much more attainable than you would guess. Some of the cruises start at around $1,59.
Of course, you must fly to Asia to cruise, but thankfully, flights to this continent are readily available and can be found at competitive prices, especially if you plan ahead. Some cruise operators that sail the Mekong River will also assist with booking airline tickets; they may even offer all-inclusive packages that include flights.
AmaWaterways on AmaDara or AmaMaya
- Cruises are 7 days with the option to add days on pre- or post-cruise, totaling 15 days
- Starting prices from $2,299
- Accommodates up to 124 guests in its 62 cabins
- Routes: Riches of the Mekong, which sails from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The reverse route is called “Charms of the Mekong.”
We went on the Riches of the Mekong itinerary and it was fantastic!
Emerald Cruises Mekong River Cruises
- Cruises vary from 8 to 21 days
- Starting prices from $1,595
- Accommodates up to 84 guests in its 42 cabins
- Routes: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Phnom Phen, Cambodia • Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia • Hanoi, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Scenic Cruises Mekong River Cruises
- Cruises vary from 11 to 22 days
- Starting prices range from $3,526
- Accommodates up to 84 guests in its 42 cabins
- Routes: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia (and the reverse) • Hanoi, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia • Hanoi, Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Uniworld Mekong River Cruises
- Offers 13-day cruises
- Starting prices from $4,900
- Accommodates up to 68 passengers
- Route: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Aqua Expeditions Mekong River Cruises
- Offers: 3, 4, or 7-night cruises on Aqua Mekong
- Prices start at $4,125
- Capacity 40 passengers
- Route: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Viking River Cruises Mekong River Cruises
- Offers 15-day cruises
- Prices start from $4,500
- Capacity is up to 60 passengers
- Route: My Tho, Vietnam to Kampong Cham, Cambodia
Mekong River Cruises
- Offers 6 to 11-day cruises
- Prices start at $1,200
- They offer an intimate experience on one of their two ships, Mekong Sun or Mekong Pearl that each holds 28 to 29 passengers (Mekong Pearl has an additional single cabin) – a minimum of 10 passengers per cruise are needed to sail.
- Routes: Between the Golden triangle and Vientiane, Laos
Mekong Kingdoms
- Offers 3 to 4-day cruises
- Prices start at $7,000
- They offer an intimate experience on one of their two ships, 13-cabin ships
- Routes: Luang Prabang – Golden Triangle or the reverse
Get the best deals and save on river cruises by booking ahead of time, during a promotional period, or booking last minute.
Mekong River Cruise Season
The Mekong River’s flow is seasonal, with the water levels reaching astonishing lows and incredible highs.
- April to May: Low water level season
- May to June: Monsoon season
- August to September: High water level season
- September to March: Typical river cruise season
From April to May, the river levels are typically at their lowest, making boat travel improbable along the majority of the river.
May to June is usually the monsoon season with strong winds and heavy rains.
This results in the river reaching its highest levels from August to September, which means fast-moving currents and water levels often breach the river banks.
Due to the seasonal changes in the river’s water levels, most river cruises are non-operational from April to August, except Aqua Expeditions, which operates in a section of the river with regular water flow all year round.
The typical Mekong River Cruise season is generally from August to March, when most of the river is accessible, and currents are safer.
What to Expect on a Mekong River Cruise
Mekong River Map
Let's look at where you'll be, visually speaking, so you know the area of the world you'll be in. Sure, it's in Asia. But let's hone in on exactly what cities you'll visit during the cruise and also put the river in context with the six countries it flows through.
Countries the Mekong River Flows Through
The Mekong River flows through six countries, beginning in the Tibetan plateau.
From there, it flows through Southern China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, and finally flows through the Vietnam delta.
Here is a visual of the cities you can expect to visit, varying depending on the river cruise line and precise itinerary you choose:
Mekong River Cruise Food
The cuisine offered on the Mekong river cruises is no less than exceptional. If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to explain this before your trip to make your food experience as smooth sailing as possible.
The cuisine offered on each cruise will reflect the region you are exploring, as well as the typical dishes of the West. Expect seafood and fresh river delights, yet continental foods anyone would enjoy, like steak and salads.
The best river cruise lines will source most of their produce locally and design their menus based on your geographic journey, taking you on an authentic tour of the region through food.
Scenery As You Cruise the Mekong River
The scenery you will experience from your cabin window or the deck will be some of the most naturally stunning landscapes that you could possibly see.
Unlike European and other Asian rivers, urban cities along the Mekong are few and far between.
This is due to the low-water river season, where the river runs nearly dry, and the incredibly high-water season, where the river fills to its brim.
This makes the river banks and surrounding areas rather unsuitable for urban development.
With a lack of widespread urban development, your cruise along the river guarantees you unaltered and unparalleled views of the Mekong basin's natural beauty, which is stunning!
Besides your ports of call, there are signs of scattered local life throughout, some so unique you’ll wonder if you’ve traveled into the past. People along the Mekong, especially in Cambodia, literally live in and on the Mekong without many modern amenities.
You’ll pass wooden villages built on stilts designed to survive the flood season. Here, the locals fish directly from their homes and raise their families, farms, and even livestock.
Additionally, you will encounter temples, statues of Buddhas, and other notable monuments along the Mekong River. The Mekong is also home to fish such as the freshwater stingray and the giant catfish. The largest of these species has been caught in the Mekong River's Thailand and Cambodian sections. If you’re lucky, you may see some, though we didn't spot any during our AmaWaterways experience on the Mekong River.
Highlights of a Mekong River Cruise: Bays, Ports, and Areas
River cruises on the Mekong mostly sail between Cambodia and Vietnam. However, you will find some outliers, like the Mekong Kingdoms mentioned above, that sail between Thailand and Laos.
Each port of embarkment or disembarkment offers unique, sometimes once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
You should consider adding a couple of extra days at the start and end of your cruise. Below are a few highlights to look forward to during your cruise.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Angkor Wat.
It is a sprawling ancient metropolis of temples and temple ruins that shouldn't be missed. Consider tacking on a couple of extra days, either at the beginning or end of your trip, depending on which direction you're cruising, to explore these ancient ruins. People generally think that Angkor Wat is one temple but it's many temples across many miles that take days to see.
You can also take a short trip to The Cambodian Landmine Museum or enjoy one of the night markets in town. We also very much enjoyed the unique experience of learning about the bomb-sniffing rats at the APOPO center.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Visiting Phnom Penh can be a sobering experience. Here, you can experience the historical genocide of the 1970s by visiting the Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison) and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre (The Killing Fields).
Neither is for the faint of heart but is a meaningful cultural experience.
For something much more light-hearted, you could visit the Royal Palace.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
You don’t want to miss visiting the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. These are a series of underground tunnels the Vietnamese used in the Vietnam war to defeat the American invaders.
Easily one of the best war museums, possibly in the world, is the War Remnants Museum. It shows the honest, stark reality and atrocities of war.
For some cultural entertainment, check out a puppet theater show. They are available throughout the city and showcase the culture and history of Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is typically part of a cruise extension that you can book through the cruise line or independently.
If you aren’t tired of being on a boat, this one-of-a-kind journey will take you through some of the Earth’s most magnificent physical features. If traveling on your own, book one or two nights on a traditional junk boat, sing karaoke at night, and jump into the jade-colored waters.
You can kayak through caves and hike through the largest cave in Vietnam.
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is located in Laos, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), and China. The best place to experience it is from Chiang Saen, Thailand, where you can visit the Hall of Opium Museum and stand at a viewpoint where you can see the point where Laos, Thailand, and Burma meet.
Tourist Visas & Passport Info for a Mekong River Cruise
You always need to travel with your passport for an international river cruise. A good rule of thumb is that it should be valid for at least six months after your trip.
If you're sailing on the Mekong River, you also likely need tourist visas. Without getting too much into the weeds about what countries you'll need visas for and how to obtain them for your Mekong River Cruise, we'll say that if you book a cruise, check with the cruise line about the requirements. We had to purchase two visas for our Mekong River cruise, one for Vietnam and another for Cambodia.
Associated visa costs vary per country. Expect to pay around $30 per person for a visitor visa.
About the Mekong River
Mekong Water and Topography
The Mekong begins as a trickle of water up high on the Tibetan plateau.
From here, the water carves its way through steep rocky terrain where the river is only approximately 1 meter wide. As the river continues to travel, its steepness declines, and it widens out to cover areas up to 1 kilometer wide!
The waters of the river are typically brown in color, with some places where it runs a bit clearer than others.
Depending on which part of the Mekong you’re cruising on, you’ll experience natural landscapes where the river is wide, the forests line the river, and in some spots, you’ll be traversing through mountainous or hilly forested areas.
You’ll experience incredible sunsets and sunrises that will reflect in impossible ways off the Mekong waters.
Additional River Cruises in Asia
Cruises are gaining popularity within Asia. Here are a few more options should you decide to extend your stay!
Cruises in Thailand
Cruises in Vietnam
Out of all the river cruises we have been on, a Mekong River cruise has been a favorite both Dan and me. The trip is sure to be very unique amongst river cruising experiences. It will change up the traditional European river cruises you may have been on, whether the Danube River or Garonne in Bordeaux, for example.
With a Mekong River cruise, the temples, cultures, landscapes, and people you encounter in Southeast Asia will provide one-of-a-kind memories!
