The Mekong is not a bay. It is a river that crosses a border — and that changes everything about how you travel it.
Most Mekong cruises run between Vietnam and Cambodia, with the river itself as the route. You wake up in one country and have breakfast in another. The journey is the itinerary — floating markets, Cham villages, Khmer temples and the great Tonle Sap lake.
Four ways to structure a Mekong cruise.
Mekong cruises are defined by their direction and their length. Before choosing a ship, decide which of these four journey types fits your trip.
Vietnam → Cambodia
Saigon → Phnom Penh → Siem ReapThe classic downstream journey. Board in Saigon, cross the border at Chau Doc, and finish at the temples of Angkor. Best for travelers starting in Vietnam.
Cambodia → Vietnam
Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → SaigonThe reverse journey. Begin at Angkor, sail down the Tonle Sap and the Mekong, and finish in Saigon. Best for travelers starting in Cambodia.
Mekong Short Cruises
Saigon ↔ Phnom PenhA 2–3 night crossing between Saigon and Phnom Penh, with a stop in Chau Doc. The most efficient way to link Vietnam and Cambodia by river.
Mekong Luxury Cruises
Saigon → Phnom Penh → Siem ReapA full 4–7 night luxury journey, with the middle Mekong, Kampong Chhnang and the Tonle Sap included. The most complete Mekong experience.
What you need to know about Mekong River cruises.
Clear answers to the questions travelers and travel agencies ask most often.
Between 2 and 7 nights. Short cruises run 2–3 nights between Saigon and Phnom Penh. Luxury cruises run 4–7 nights and include the middle Mekong and the Tonle Sap.
Both work. Saigon → Siem Reap is the most common and pairs well with flights from Hanoi or Saigon. Siem Reap → Saigon is quieter and pairs naturally with an Angkor stay first.
Short cruises of 2–3 nights focus on the border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia. Luxury cruises of 4–7 nights add the middle Mekong, Kampong Chhnang and the Tonle Sap lake.
All meals on board, your cabin, a guide, shore excursions, onboard lectures and most drinks are typically included. Visa fees and flights between Siem Reap and Saigon are not included.
The dry season, November to April, offers stable water levels and a reliable Tonle Sap crossing. The green season from June to October brings higher water and lush landscapes.
Yes. The classic Vietnam combination is Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay in the north, then a Mekong River cruise in the south. We build these as a single two-week itinerary with internal flights.
Nine river ships. One great river.
Every ship below is one we have sailed on or inspected personally, and every one of them operates the Saigon–Phnom Penh–Siem Reap route in one direction or both. Some are built for the short crossing; others are built for the full journey.
Aqua Mekong
The most luxurious ship on the Mekong — 20 suites, a pool, spa and a design-led expedition style. A 5-star river expedition.
Heritage Line The Jahan
Colonial-era style, 26 cabins, a pool and a spa. One of the most beautiful ships on the Mekong and a Heritage Line flagship.
Heritage Line Jayavarman
A French-Indochine ship with 27 cabins and a graceful, classical feel. Named for the Khmer king who built Angkor Thom.
Heritage Line Anouvong
Heritage Line’s newest ship, sailing the upper Mekong between Laos and Thailand. A different river entirely — quieter and more remote.
Heritage Line The Saigon
A boutique ship built for the shorter Saigon–Phnom Penh crossing — elegant, compact and ideal for travelers linking the two cities by river.
Heritage Line Ylang
A boutique Heritage Line ship with just 14 suites — the most intimate way to sail the full Mekong route in classic style.
Mekong Princess
A 14-suite all-suite river ship with a spa, a sun deck and a slow, elegant route between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Pandaw Mekong
A classic Pandaw river ship — teak decks, colonial styling and a long-standing reputation on the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Bassac Boutique Cruise
A converted wooden freighter offering an intimate, characterful crossing between Saigon and Phnom Penh. A Mekong classic.
Six reasons to travel the Mekong by river.
The Mekong is a different kind of cruise — a multi-day journey between two countries, with the river itself as the main event. Here is why it is worth doing properly.
Two countries in one journey
Most Mekong cruises cross the Vietnam–Cambodia border. You wake up in one country and have breakfast in another — with the border formalities handled on board.
The river is the destination
Unlike a bay cruise with a fixed circuit, a Mekong journey moves through real life — floating markets, fishing villages, Cham communities and Khmer temples.
Shore excursions every day
Most days include at least one shore excursion. That might be a sampan ride through a floating market, a village walk, a temple visit or a cycling trip.
Works with Angkor and Halong
A Mekong cruise sits naturally between Halong Bay in the north and Angkor in Cambodia. We build these as a single, seamless two-week itinerary.
Different levels of luxury
From the Bassac’s converted freighter charm to the Aqua Mekong’s 5-star suites, the Mekong has a genuinely wide range of ships and price points.
A quiet, uncrowded river
The Mekong is not a busy cruise corridor. Even in peak season you will often have long stretches of the river — and the sunsets — almost entirely to yourself.
Two ways to structure a Mekong journey.
The Mekong offers two distinct product types. Choosing correctly is the single most important decision you will make when planning a river journey.
2–3 nights
- Saigon → Phnom Penh or Phnom Penh → Saigon
- Border crossing at Chau Doc handled on board
- One or two shore excursions — Chau Doc, floating markets
- Compact ships like The Saigon and Bassac
- Best for travelers linking the two cities by river
4–7 nights
- Saigon → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap in either direction
- The middle Mekong, Kampong Chhnang and the Tonle Sap
- Shore excursions most days, with lectures on board
- Flagship ships like Aqua Mekong, The Jahan and The Ylang
- Best for the complete Mekong experience
How a Mekong River cruise day looks.
Every ship has its own rhythm, but most Mekong cruises follow a similar arc. Here are two typical examples — one short and one luxury.
Saigon to Phnom Penh
The classic short crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia.- Day 1 · 12:00Board in Saigon. Welcome lunch as the ship leaves the city and enters the Mekong Delta.
- Day 1 · 16:30Shore excursion to a Delta village — fruit orchards, sampan ride or local workshop.
- Day 1 · 19:00Dinner on board, then evening on the sun deck.
- Day 2 · 07:30Breakfast. Ship crosses into Cambodia at Chau Doc.
- Day 2 · 10:00Shore excursion — Cham village, fish farm or floating market.
- Day 2 · 19:00Dinner on board. Overnight on the river.
- Day 3 · 07:30Breakfast as the ship approaches Phnom Penh.
- Day 3 · 10:00Disembark in Phnom Penh. Visa formalities handled on board.
Saigon to Siem Reap
The full luxury journey, with the middle Mekong and the Tonle Sap.- Day 1 · 12:00Board in Saigon. Welcome lunch and departure downstream.
- Day 1 · 16:00Excursion in the Delta — sampan ride through a floating market.
- Day 2 · 08:00Cross the border at Chau Doc. Excursion to a Cham village.
- Day 3 · 09:00Arrive Phnom Penh. Visit the Royal Palace and the National Museum.
- Day 3 · 16:00Sail on toward Kampong Chhnang. Onboard lecture on Khmer history.
- Day 4 · 09:00Kampong Chhnang excursion — pottery villages and the Tonle Sap.
- Day 4 · 15:00Enter the Tonle Sap lake. Birdwatching and sunset on deck.
- Day 5 · 08:00Disembark near Siem Reap. Transfer to your hotel or to Angkor.
How to start and finish a Mekong cruise.
A Mekong cruise typically begins in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) or Siem Reap and ends in the other. Both ends are well connected by air to Hanoi, Danang and Bangkok.
The Mekong, season by season.
The Mekong is a year-round river, but water levels change significantly. Here is how each season changes the journey.
Cool & stable
The most reliable season. Stable water, clear skies and a fully reliable Tonle Sap crossing. The best overall choice.
Hot & clear
Higher temperatures, very little rain and good water levels. Excursions are best in the early morning and late afternoon.
Lush & green
Higher water, green landscapes and short afternoon showers. A quieter season with beautiful light on the river.
High water
The Tonle Sap lake is at its largest. Some ships swap the lake crossing for a land transfer to Siem Reap. Dramatic and photogenic.
A local Mekong River cruise partner.
We work with travel advisors, tour operators and agencies who need reliable local help with Mekong River cruise bookings — with handpicked ships, private transfers, visa support and special partner rates.
Quick answers about Mekong River cruises.
How long are Mekong River cruises?
Most Mekong River cruises are between 2 and 7 nights. Short cruises of 2–3 nights typically run between Saigon and Phnom Penh, or Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Luxury cruises of 4–7 nights run the full route between Saigon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, often with stops in Chau Doc, Kampong Chhnang and the Tonle Sap lake.
Which direction should I travel on the Mekong?
Both directions are popular. Saigon → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap is the most common and tends to work well with flight connections. Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Saigon is quieter in the opposite direction and pairs naturally with a Cambodia temple stay at the start. Water levels also affect the Tonle Sap crossing between roughly July and November.
What is the difference between a short and a luxury Mekong cruise?
Short cruises of 2–3 nights focus on the border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia — Saigon, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh. Luxury cruises of 4–7 nights add the middle Mekong, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham and the Tonle Sap lake, with more time on shore and a higher level of onboard service.
What is included in a Mekong River cruise?
All meals on board, your cabin, a guide, shore excursions, onboard lectures and most drinks are typically included on luxury Mekong cruises. Some premium cruises include all drinks and gratuities. Vietnam and Cambodia visa fees are not included, and neither are flights between Siem Reap and Saigon.
When is the best time to cruise the Mekong?
The best time is during the dry season, roughly November to April, when water levels are stable and the Tonle Sap crossing is reliable. The green season from June to October brings higher water, lush landscapes and occasional short showers. Some luxury cruises operate a reduced schedule in the lowest-water months.
Can I combine a Mekong cruise with Halong Bay?
Yes. The classic Vietnam combination is Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay in the north, then a Mekong River cruise in the south between Saigon and Siem Reap. We frequently build these as a single two-week itinerary with internal flights between Hanoi and Saigon.
Do you work with travel agencies for Mekong River cruises?
Yes. We work with travel advisors, tour operators and agencies who need a reliable local partner for Mekong River cruise bookings — with handpicked ships, private transfers, visa support and special partner rates.
Find the right Mekong River cruise for your journey.
Tell us your dates, direction and preferred style — short crossing, full luxury or combined with Halong and Angkor. We will come back with a shortlist of the river ships that fit best.