Mekong River Cruises 2026–2027: From the Mekong Delta to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
A Mekong River cruise is the most relaxed way to see the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and the river towns of Cambodia: you sleep on board while the boat links floating markets, fruit orchards, Khmer pagodas and village workshops. Vietnam Tour Expert offers 12 Mekong cruises – from a half-day sampan ride in Can Tho (from US$67) and 2–3 day delta cruises from Saigon (from US$249) to 8–9 day luxury voyages between Saigon and Siem Reap (from US$1,679 per person).
- Short Mekong Delta cruises (1–3 days): Cai Be, Can Tho and the Cai Rang floating market – Mekong Eyes, Bassac, Mystic Sampans.
- Vietnam – Cambodia cruises (4–9 days): Saigon or the delta to Phnom Penh, Angkor and Siem Reap – Victoria, Toum Tiou, Mekong Princess.
- Private boats: the 2-cabin Dragon Eyes, or a whole Mekong Eyes boat for groups.
- Booked direct with a licensed local operator since 2012 – honest advice, clear policies and help with transfers and visas.
Compare the cruises below by route, length and price, or read our quick guide to choosing the right Mekong cruise.
Good to know (2026): prices are per person in US dollars, sharing a cabin, and change with the season and cabin type. Cruises between Vietnam and Cambodia cross the river border at Vinh Xuong – Kaam Samnor, where the Cambodian e-visa is not accepted – get the Cambodian visa at the border on arrival. From about March to July the water in the Tonle Sap is low, so the big ships start or end their Cambodia section away from Siem Reap and a coach covers the last stretch (included in the cruise).
Choose Your Mekong Cruise
Mekong Delta Cruises (1–4 Days)
Short cruises in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta start in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) or Can Tho. Most follow the river from Cai Be to Can Tho, stop at orchards, brick kilns and family workshops, and finish with the Cai Rang floating market at dawn.
Vietnam – Cambodia Mekong Cruises (6–9 Days)
The classic Mekong River cruise links Saigon or the delta with Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat. Expect Tan Chau and Chau Doc on the Vietnamese side, silk-weaving and silversmith villages in Cambodia, Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and the Killing Fields, then Angkor.
| Cruise |
Code |
Duration |
Highlights |
From (per person) |
| Toum Tiou II Cruise |
VTE-TT2-9 |
9 days |
Saigon – Siem Reap, small ship, more village visits |
US$1,679 |
| Mekong Princess Cruise Phnom Penh – Saigon |
VTE-MP6 |
6 days |
Shorter all-suite cruise, Phnom Penh to the delta |
US$2,023 |
| Toum Tiou I Cruise |
VTE-TT1-8 |
8 days |
Classic Saigon – Siem Reap route on a small ship |
US$2,078 |
| Mekong Princess Cruise |
VTE-MP8 |
8 days |
All-suite luxury, Saigon – Siem Reap |
US$2,530 |
| Victoria Mekong Cruise (upstream) |
VTE-VMK8 |
8 days |
Saigon – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap; Can Tho option |
US$4,830 |
| Victoria Mekong Cruise Downstream |
VTE-VMK8D |
8 days |
Siem Reap – Phnom Penh – Saigon; Can Tho option |
US$4,830 |
Private Mekong Cruises and Boat Charters
- Dragon Eyes: a private boat with just 2 cabins for couples, families or friends – 2 to 4 days from Saigon, to Phu Quoc or to Phnom Penh. See Dragon Eyes.
- Whole-boat charter: the Mekong Eyes Classic (14 cabins) or Explorer (16 cabins) can be chartered with a free itinerary – charter prices are on the Mekong Eyes page.
- Bassac: the wooden rice barges can also be booked privately for small groups – ask us.
How to Choose a Mekong River Cruise
- One or two nights to spare: Mekong Eyes or Bassac between Cai Be and Can Tho – the best mix of river life and floating market for the time.
- Only a few hours in Can Tho: a Mystic Sampan trip to the Cai Rang floating market at sunrise.
- Going on to Cambodia: Mekong Eyes to Phnom Penh (3–4 days) is the quickest river crossing; the 6–9 day ships add Angkor.
- Luxury: Victoria and the all-suite Mekong Princess are the most upscale ships in our range.
- Small ship, more villages: Toum Tiou I and II carry fewer guests and spend more time ashore.
- Beach to finish: Mekong Eyes or Dragon Eyes to Phu Quoc.
Best Time for a Mekong River Cruise
Mekong cruises run all year. December to April is the dry season with sunny days (about 25–35°C); March to May is the hottest stretch. From May to November short, heavy afternoon showers are common, and August to November brings high water, green rice fields and a flooded delta. Low water in the Tonle Sap (roughly March to July) changes the Cambodian end of the long cruises, as explained above.
What a Mekong Cruise Usually Includes
- Cabin with private bathroom and air conditioning; all meals on board (drinks vary by ship).
- Guided shore excursions by small boat, on foot or by bicycle, with an English-speaking guide.
- Not usually included: transfers to the pier (except where stated), visas, drinks, tips and personal expenses.
Each cruise page lists its own inclusions, cabin prices, children and cancellation policies. For getting to the boat, see our Mekong Delta transport guide; for planning the rest of your stay, read the Mekong Delta travel tips.
Tips by Jimmy
- Quote the cruise code when you book – it helps us confirm the right boat, route and date quickly.
- Book the long Vietnam – Cambodia cruises 3–6 months ahead for November to March; the small boats (Dragon Eyes, Bassac) fill up first at Christmas and Tet.
- Check your passport has 6 months’ validity and two blank pages, and arrange the Vietnam e-visa before you fly if your nationality needs one.
- Pack light: cabins have limited storage, and some boats board by small tender or a steep riverbank.
- Combine the cruise with a night in Saigon before and a day at Angkor after – we can arrange both.
Ready to cruise? Choose a boat above, or contact the Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a tailored plan.
