Southeast Asia River Cruises on the Mekong
Plan a Mekong river cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia step by step, then let our advisors quote the right sailing.
Get Mekong Cruise QuotesSoutheast Asia River Cruises Mean the Mekong
When travelers talk about Southeast Asia river cruises, they nearly always mean one stretch of water: the lower Mekong, from the green maze of Vietnam’s delta upstream into Cambodia, to Phnom Penh and, in the right season, onward toward the temples of Angkor. It is one of the most rewarding river journeys anywhere, and one of the easiest to get wrong if you book it like a European cruise.
This site is a planning guide. It explains the shape of a typical Mekong river cruise week, which direction to sail, how the river border between Vietnam and Cambodia works, what the 2026–27 and 2027–28 seasons look like and how to choose between the small ships that sail it. When you are ready, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will price the sailings that fit.
Plan It in Five Steps
1. Pick your season
High water after the rains opens more of the river; the drier months bring road transfers. See the 2027 season guide.
2. Pick your direction
Downstream from Cambodia ends in bustling Saigon; upstream from Vietnam ends at Angkor. See a typical week.
3. Sort the paperwork
Two countries, two visas, two currencies. Our Vietnam and Cambodia page explains.
4. Choose the ship
Cabins, group size and what is included vary more than prices suggest. Start with choosing a ship.
5. Add the land
Angkor, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay turn a week on the river into the trip of a lifetime. See extensions.
Life on the Lower Mekong
The delta is a working landscape. Barges low in the water carry rice, sand and bricks; floating markets trade fruit boat to boat; families live in stilt houses and sell from their front steps. Ships moor near villages rather than in grand harbors, and excursions go ashore by tender or small sampan to see coconut-candy makers, rice-paper workshops, pagodas and schools.
Across the border, Cambodia’s riverside is quieter until Phnom Penh, a capital of royal palaces and riverside promenades with a painful recent history that most itineraries address with care. Farther up, the Tonle Sap river links the Mekong with the great lake of the same name and the floating villages around it.
Who Sells the Mekong
International lines with 2026–27 Mekong departures include AmaWaterways, Emerald Cruises, Scenic, Uniworld, Avalon, APT and Aqua Expeditions, alongside regional operators. Our best Mekong river cruises page explains how to compare them. Every line is also listed in the Official River Cruise Directory.
Phnom Penh
The usual overnight call in Cambodia, with palace, pagoda and market visits.
Crossing into Cambodia →
Tonle Sap villages
Stilt and floating communities that rise and fall with the lake.
Water levels explained →
Why Small Ships Suit the Mekong
The lower Mekong is wide, but the places worth seeing are not. Canals in the delta are narrow, landings are often a plank onto a muddy bank, and village visits work best in small groups that do not overwhelm the people who live there. That is why the ships here are small and the excursions are run in sampans and local boats. It also means the atmosphere on board is relaxed and sociable: you will know most of your fellow passengers by the second evening, and the crew will know your name sooner than that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular of the Southeast Asia river cruises?
The lower Mekong between southern Vietnam and Cambodia. Most sailings last about a week on board and link the Mekong Delta with Phnom Penh, often continuing toward Siem Reap for Angkor Wat when water levels allow.
Do Mekong cruises start in Ho Chi Minh City?
Programs usually begin or end with hotel nights in Ho Chi Minh City, but the riverboat itself is commonly boarded in the delta, a coach ride away. Your quote should say exactly where you embark.
Is a Mekong river cruise suitable if I have limited mobility?
Discuss it with us first. Landings are often on riverbanks with steps, gangplanks or sand, and some excursions use small boats. Many guests manage well with help from the crew, but it varies by stop and by water level.
How far ahead should I book?
The most popular months fill early, and the small ships have few cabins, so booking many months ahead is wise. Our advisors can also watch for offers as they appear.
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
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Plan Your Mekong River Cruise
Tell us your dates and how long you can travel. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare Mekong sailings and the land programs around them.
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