Regardless of how often you visit Southeast Asia, you can never learn enough about this region without taking a proper Mekong River cruise. A Mekong River tour provides a novel viewpoint and enhanced understanding of the region’s rich history, mysterious cultures, and isolated location. This travel blog introduces you top 5 best Mekong River cruises to help you choose the best one for your trip along the Mekong River.
What do you know about the Mekong River?
- The Mekong River spans an impressive length of 4,350 km (2,700 miles), making it the longest river in Southeast Asia.
- Originating from the Tibetan Plateau, the river meanders through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, forming the twelfth-longest river system in the world.
- Known for its exceptional biodiversity, the Mekong River boasts a remarkable level of ecological variety, second only to the Amazon.
Is it worth taking a Mekong River cruise?
Downstream the Mekong River is the Mekong Delta of Southern Vietnam.
- The Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam benefits from the fertile soil created by the sediment deposits from the upper Mekong River, allowing for the cultivation of vast rice fields and a wide variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
- The Mekong River in Vietnam forms a complex network of canals, small rivers, and arroyos, creating a picturesque landscape with villages, floating markets, rice paddies, fish farms, and fruit orchards.
- A cruise along the Mekong River offers the opportunity to visit orchards in Can Tho or Tien Giang, indulging in a diverse selection of fruits.
- The cruise also includes navigating through lush green canals to vibrant floating markets like Cai Be, Cai Rang, or Phong Dien, providing a glimpse into the bustling river life and the lively business of local vendors.
- In addition, you can take a break from the Mekong River scenery and explore the dynamic city of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as “the Pearl of the Far East.”
Boating upstream the Mekong River, you will leave the bustling Vietnam for the tranquility of Cambodia.
- Mekong River cruises offer a diverse array of experiences, including gorges, rapids, lakes, forests, bamboo villages, and temples.
- Explore Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, with its French-influenced architecture and visit the impressive Silver Pagoda.
- The highlight is Angkor Wat, an iconic 12th-century temple complex near Siem Reap, showcasing ancient Khmer architecture and history.
You may extend your trip and cruise the Upper Mekong River into Laos and Thailand and visit the famous Kuang Si Falls and Luang Pha Bang to immerse yourself more in the local nature and culture of Southeast Asia countries.
Best Mekong River Cruises for 2024-2025
1. Aqua Mekong River Cruise
The Aqua Mekong River Cruise will take you on a journey into the Vietnam and Cambodia frontier. Aqua River Cruise Mekong stands out because this luxury cruise Mekong offers many package services, small groups serving accompanied by kayaks, ensuring the best privacy for the guests.
- Quality: 5-star
- Price from: $4350
- Style: Modern
- Cabin: 20 Design Suites ranging from 30 up to 60 sqm
- Route: Ho Chi Minh (SGN) – Siem Reap (REP) – Phnom Penh (PNH)
- Itinerary:
- Discover Cruise 4 Days 3 Nights
- Explorer Cruise 5 Days 4 Nights
- Expeditions Cruise 8 Days 7 Nights
- Facility:
- Indoor dining room and outdoor private dining
- Indoor and outdoor bars
- Screening room with theater-style seating
- Outdoor cinema under the stars
- Library / Games room with the Mekong’s only foosball table
- Outside shaded lounge with single and double day beds
- Antique and artisanal boutique
- Lobby lounge
- Observation deck with outdoor sunbeds
- Top deck gym overlooking the river
- Infirmary with onboard medical staff
- Outdoor top deck plunge pool with private cabanas
- Two spa treatment rooms, one single and one double.
2. Heritage Line Avounoung
Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise is the Heritage Line’s first-ever vessel to cruise the majestic Mekong River in Laos. What makes Heritage Line Anouvong unique is the blend of traditional Laotian artwork with French-colonial accents.
- Quality: 5-star
- Price from: $1421
- Style: Boutique
- Cabin: 8 spacious staterooms and 2 luxurious suites.
- Route: Houay Xay – Luang Prabang
- Itinerary:
- Golden Triangle Traverse 4 Days 3 Nights (Downstream)
- Golden Triangle Traverse 4 Days 3 Nights (Upstream)
- Laotian Serendipity 8 Days 7 Nights (Downstream)
- Laotian Serendipity 8 Days 7 Nights (Upstream)
- Facility:
- Cafe – Bar Lounge
- Bodhi Spa
- Terrace deck
- De-Lagree Dining Hall
3. Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
The Heritage Line Jahan Cruise is the luxury Mekong River Cruise of Heritage Line’s most romantic cruise liner. This luxury Mekong cruise has Indian art and architecture that influenced the Khmer and Cham cultures in the Mekong Delta.
- Quality: 5-star
- Price from: $1074
- Style: Boutique
- Cabin: 26 designed cabins on two decks, each with its private balcony
- Route: Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Tonle Lake – Siem Reap
- Itinerary:
- Pearl of the Orient 4 Days 3 Nights (Saigon – Phnom Penh; Phnom Penh – Saigon)
- Senerity Cruise 5 Days 4 Nights (Siem Reap – Phnom Penh; Phnom Penh – Saigon)
- The Lost Civilization 8 Days 7 Nights (Saigon – Siem Reap; Siem Reap – Saigon)
- Facility:
- British-Indian Colonial design theme
- 26 Staterooms and Suites (four-room categories)
- Viceroy Dining Hall
- East India Club
- The Raj of India Lobby Lounge
- Observatory Lounge
- Apsara Spa
- Gym and steam bath
- Terrace deck with pool
4. Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise
The Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise is a combination of French art charm and Indochina romance, which reminds guests of the local arts and culture. The ship’s interior design is characterized by a charming French-Colonial theme along with stylish Khmer accents.
- Quality: 5-star
- Price from: $1024
- Style: Boutique
- Cabin: 4 spacious desks consisting of 27 opulent staterooms
- Route: Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Tonle Lake – Siem Reap
- Itinerary:
- Pearl of the Orient 4 Days 3 Nights (Saigon – Phnom Penh; Phnom Penh – Saigon)
- Senerity Cruise 5 Days 4 Nights (Siem Reap – Phnom Penh; Phnom Penh – Saigon)
- The Lost Civilization 8 Days 7 Nights (Saigon – Siem Reap; Siem Reap – Saigon)
- Facility:
- Indochina dining hall
- Club 1930 funnel bar & lounge
- Henry Mouhot lobby lounge
- Boutique shop
- Apsara spa
- Sundeck with pool
5. Pandaw Cruise
The Pandaw Cruise Mekong, built in Rangoon in 2002, is one of the most spacious ships cruising the Mekong River. Pandaw underwent an invigorating rejuvenation, elevating its offerings to new heights.
- Quality: 5-star
- Price from: $1559
- Style: Boutique
- Cabin: 24
- Route: Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Tonle Lake – Siem Reap
- Itinerary:
- Phnom Penh and Siem Reap 4 Days 3 Nights
- Saigon Phnom Penh 5 Days 4 Nights
- Classic Mekong 8 Days 7 Nights
- Facility:
- Indochina dining hall
- Club 1930 funnel bar & lounge
- Henry Mouhot lobby lounge
- Boutique shop
- Apsara spa
- Sundeck with pool
The Mekong River carves a lifeline into the heart of Cambodia and through southern Vietnam. Mekong River cruise which offers you a chance to explore the thriving cultures of the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam and Cambodia’s ancient ruins and colonial charms has always proved to be a fascinating and rewarding experience for all visitors. To save your time and budget, it is a smart choice to contact an agent travel.
Read more:
- Private 3 days Cai Be – Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Rach Gia
- Authentic Mekong Delta Tour 4 Days
- Southern Vietnam Discovery 6 Days
From Luxury Cruise Mekong Team, a brand of Indochina Voyages!
