Vietnam River Cruises: Mekong Routes, Ships and How to Choose (2026)

A Vietnam river cruise almost always means the Mekong: a few days on a small ship between the Mekong Delta and Cambodia, stopping at floating markets, villages and temples you’d struggle to reach by road. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to travel between Vietnam and Angkor, and you only unpack once. Here’s how the routes work, how long to sail, how the ships differ and when to go.

The routes

Most cruises run between the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Cambodia, in either direction. On the Vietnam side, ships usually board at My Tho, a short drive from Ho Chi Minh City, and sail through the delta via towns like Sa Dec and Chau Doc. They cross into Cambodia on the river and continue to Phnom Penh.

Longer sailings carry on beyond Phnom Penh, up the Tonle river past villages such as Kampong Chhnang, and toward the Tonle Sap lake and Siem Reap. Water levels on the lake change a lot through the year, so in some months the river part ends earlier and the last leg to Siem Reap is by road. Check how your sailing finishes before you book flights.

How long: 3, 4 or 7 nights

Three or four nights covers the delta and the run to Phnom Penh, or the stretch from Phnom Penh to the Tonle Sap. It’s enough to get a feel for river life without taking up a big part of your trip.

Seven nights does the whole journey from the delta to Siem Reap, or the reverse. It’s the better choice if the cruise is a main reason for the trip, and it replaces a flight or a long drive between Ho Chi Minh City and Angkor.

The ships

Mekong ships are small by ocean standards, typically with a few dozen cabins, which keeps the atmosphere quiet and lets them use small landings. They differ mostly in style.

Some are built to look like old colonial river steamers, with wood paneling and big windows. Heritage Line’s Jayavarman, with 27 cabins, and its sister ship The Jahan are good examples, sailing three- to seven-night itineraries between My Tho and Siem Reap. Others are more contemporary, with a modern design and a stronger focus on food and excursions by small boat. There are also simpler, traditional boats for one or two nights in the delta, if you’d rather have a short taste than a full cruise.

You can compare the ships listed on our Mekong River cruises page, including Jayavarman, The Jahan and Aqua Mekong.

What a day on board looks like

Mornings start early, often with tai chi on deck, then a trip ashore by small boat to a market, a workshop making rice paper or bricks, or a pagoda. The ship moves on while you’re at lunch, and the afternoon is free to watch the river, have a massage or join a cooking class. Excursions, guides and meals are usually included. Drinks vary by ship, so check.

When to go

November to April is the most comfortable time, dry and a little cooler, with December to February the most pleasant. From about June to October the rains come, the river rises and the delta is at its greenest, which has its own appeal and fewer people. For the weather on land, see our best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia guide.

Adding a cruise to a Vietnam trip

A cruise fits neatly into a north-to-south trip. Spend a few days in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, fly to Hoi An, then to Ho Chi Minh City, board in the delta and finish at Angkor. Our Vietnam and Cambodia itineraries show the dry-land version, and the river leg replaces the flight between the two countries. If you only have a day, our guide to traveling by riverboat from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap covers the shorter options.

You need visas for both countries. Vietnam’s e-visa covers stays of up to 90 days, and Cambodia has its own e-visa. Our Cambodia visa guide for US citizens explains how it works when you arrive by river.

Planning it with My Way Travel

We plan private trips across Vietnam and Cambodia, with the cruise booked as part of the journey and your own guide and driver on land before and after. My Way Travel is rated 4.8 to 5.0 on Tripadvisor across its listings in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Spain, Germany and the United States, with more than 3,000 reviews in total. Have a look at our Mekong cruises or tell us your dates.

Sources: Vietnamese operator itineraries for the Saigon to Siem Reap route; Cruise Critic and Heritage Line for Jayavarman and The Jahan. Last checked October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best river cruise in Vietnam?

For most people, a Mekong cruise between the delta and Cambodia, on a small ship of a few dozen cabins. Pick the length first, then the style of ship.

How long is a Mekong river cruise?

Usually three or four nights for one section, or seven nights for the full route between the Mekong Delta and Siem Reap.

Where do Mekong cruises start in Vietnam?

Most board at My Tho, a short drive from Ho Chi Minh City, and sail through the delta to Phnom Penh.

Can a Mekong cruise reach Siem Reap?

Some itineraries go as far as the Tonle Sap and Siem Reap, but water levels change through the year, so in some months the last leg is by road.

When is the best time for a Mekong cruise?

November to April, with December to February the most pleasant. The wet season, about June to October, is greener and quieter.