Victoria Mekong Cruise 8 Days: Saigon to Siem Reap via Phnom Penh

The Victoria Mekong Cruise (upstream) is an 8-day, 7-night river cruise from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Can Tho through the Mekong Delta to Phnom Penh and on to Siem Reap, on the Victoria Mekong – a 35-cabin boutique ship for up to 70 guests with a private balcony in every cabin, an infinity pool, a spa and a panoramic restaurant. All meals, local drinks, house wine with lunch and dinner, guided shore excursions and transfers in the program are included. Prices start from US$4,830 per person, twin share – Victoria’s published fare, the same whether you start in Saigon or Can Tho.

Good to know (October 2026): the cruise ends in Siem Reap by road – the ship disembarks at Kampong Cham and a coach takes you to Siem Reap with lunch on the way. Upstream sailings leave every second Wednesday – see the departure dates. Children under 6 are not advised on board, and the ship is not suitable for wheelchairs. Cruise code VTE-VMK8.

Victoria Mekong Cruise at a Glance

Why Travellers Choose the Victoria Mekong Cruise

• Two countries, one unpacking: the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, Phnom Penh and rural Cambodia in a single journey, with the road to Siem Reap and Angkor at the end.
• Small and personal: 35 cabins and a maximum of 70 guests, so excursions are in small groups and the crew learns your name on the first day.
• A balcony for every cabin: all Deluxe Cabins are 25 m² with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony; the two suites are 45 m².
• Real facilities: infinity pool and Horizon Lounge Bar on the Sun Deck, Green Lotus Spa, gym, cinema, library and mini-golf on the Sky Deck.
• Drinks included: local beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee all day, house wine with lunch and dinner and a signature cocktail every evening.
• Culture on board: đờn ca tài tử folk music, a lion dance, Apsara dance, lotus folding, krama weaving and cooking demonstrations.

Choose Your Route: Upstream or Downstream, Saigon or Can Tho

The Victoria Mekong sails the same 8-day route in both directions, and Victoria publishes one fare whether you start (or finish) in Ho Chi Minh City – with the coach and lunch in Cai Be included – or join the ship directly in Can Tho.

Which direction? Choose upstream if you want to finish at the temples of Angkor; choose downstream if you are flying out of Ho Chi Minh City or continuing north through Vietnam. Sailing the other way? See the Victoria Mekong Cruise Downstream: Siem Reap to Saigon.

Victoria Mekong Cruise Itinerary: Upstream, 8 Days

Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Times and the order of visits can change with the river level, the weather and local conditions.

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Can Tho (Embarkation)

Meals: L, D

Morning: meet the Victoria Mekong team at G8 Center Hotel Saigon in District 1 and travel by coach into the Mekong Delta. Lunch at Le Longanier restaurant in Cai Be, with one soft drink or local beer included.

Afternoon: continue to Can Tho and board the ship at the Victoria Can Tho pier at around 16:00. If you start in Can Tho, this is where you join the cruise.

Evening: sunset sailing on the Hau River with a welcome cocktail, an introduction to the ship and its crew, and a performance of đờn ca tài tử, the UNESCO-listed folk music of southern Vietnam, before the welcome dinner.

Day 2: Long Xuyen Floating Market – Tiger Island

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: board a local sampan for the floating market and floating houses of Long Xuyen, where farmers sell fruit and vegetables straight from their boats.

Afternoon: cruise to Tiger Island for a gentle walk past rice fields, fruit gardens and village homes, and visit the Tiger Spirit Temple.

Evening: cocktails on the Sun Deck and dinner on board.

Day 3: Phu Tan Clay Stoves – Tan Chau Floating Village – Cao Dai Temple

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: go ashore by tender to Phu Tan, a village known for hand-made cà ràng clay stoves.

Afternoon: sampan ride through a floating village and its freshwater fish farms near Tan Chau, then visit a Cao Dai temple to learn about this uniquely Vietnamese faith.

Evening: a lion dance on board, followed by dinner.

Day 4: Tan Chau – Vietnam/Cambodia Border – Phnom Penh

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: the ship crosses the river border into Cambodia; the crew helps with formalities. Join a morning exercise session on the Sky Deck, try the mini-golf or simply watch river life go by.

Afternoon: arrive in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon, moored near the meeting point of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.

Evening: traditional Cambodian dance performance after dinner.

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Royal Palace – Choeung Ek

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: cyclo ride to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, then the National Museum and its collection of Khmer art.

Afternoon: visit the Choeung Ek memorial, a moving site that explains Cambodia’s recent history, then enjoy a signature cocktail at the Elephant Bar of Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

Evening: dinner on board in Phnom Penh.

Day 6: Koh Chen – Oudong – Koh Dach (Silk Island)

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: walk through Koh Chen, a village of copper and silver smiths, then travel by coach to Oudong, the former royal capital, and the Vipassana Dhura meditation centre.

Afternoon: tuk-tuk ride on Koh Dach, known as Silk Island, to watch silk being woven on wooden looms and see how the checked Cambodian krama scarf is made.

Evening: dinner and entertainment on board.

Day 7: Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham

Meals: B, L, D

Morning: visit Angkor Ban, a quiet village of traditional wooden stilt houses that survived the war years.

Afternoon: lotus-flower folding on board, then a riverside walk in Kampong Cham town.

Evening: farewell dinner on board.

Day 8: Kampong Cham – Siem Reap (Disembarkation)

Meals: B, L

Morning: breakfast in the Claypot Restaurant, then disembark at Kampong Cham and travel by road through the Cambodian countryside to Siem Reap.

Lunch: included on the way. The transfer ends at Lotus Blanc Resort in Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Need a hotel or an Angkor tour? We can arrange both.

Cabins and Suites on the Victoria Mekong

All 35 cabins face the river and have a private balcony, air conditioning, an en-suite bathroom, a safe, a minibar, a TV and complimentary water. Every Deluxe Cabin can be set up with a double bed or twin beds; the suites have a double bed. Photos, amenities and fares for each cabin are in the Price section.

Suite benefits: private car transfers, complimentary minibar, replenished ice bucket, luxury towels, branded bathrobe and slippers, a fruit basket topped up daily, afternoon canapés and binoculars.

Deck Plan and Facilities

• River Deck: reception lobby, boutique, Green Lotus Spa and 17 Deluxe Cabins.
• Panorama Deck: 16 Deluxe Cabins, the two suites and the Claypot Restaurant with 360-degree views and an open kitchen.
• Sun Deck: Horizon Lounge Bar, infinity pool, library and games room, cinema and fitness centre.
• Sky Deck: mini-golf green and sun loungers.

Dining and Drinks

Meals are served in the Claypot Restaurant on the Panorama Deck, mixing Vietnamese, Cambodian and international dishes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on full sailing days, plus the lunches ashore listed in the itinerary.

• Free-flow soft drinks, mineral water, tea, coffee and local beer all day
• House wine by the glass with lunch and dinner
• Daily signature cocktail from 18:00 to 19:00
• Premium wines, spirits and other drinks are charged on board

Special diets: tell us about vegetarian, vegan, halal-style, allergy or other needs when you book; the ship needs at least 30 days’ notice. Requests are always made but cannot be guaranteed.

Activities and Entertainment

• Shore excursions: sampan trips to floating markets and villages, cyclo and tuk-tuk rides, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Choeung Ek, Oudong and Silk Island – all with English-speaking guides and entrance fees included.
• On board: đờn ca tài tử music, lion dance, Apsara dance, lectures, film screenings, cocktail competitions, food and cocktail demonstrations, yoga and wellness sessions.
• Hands-on workshops: lotus-petal folding, Cambodian krama wrapping and weaving, and coconut oil making.
• At extra cost: massages at the Green Lotus Spa, tailoring and optional excursions.

Victoria Mekong Cruise Price 2026–2027

These are the per-person fares published by Victoria Mekong Cruises, in US dollars, sharing a cabin (twin share), for the full 8-day / 7-night journey with the services listed below. The fare is the same whether you start in Ho Chi Minh City (coach and lunch in Cai Be included) or join the ship in Can Tho. Victoria sometimes releases special fares on selected sailings – they appear in the departure dates.

Supplements and Children

• Single traveller: add 60% to the per-person fare (a cabin for one).
• Children aged 6–11: 60% of the adult fare when sharing a cabin with two adults (maximum one child). A child sharing a cabin with one adult pays the full adult fare.
• Children under 6: not advised on board for safety reasons.
• Third person / extra bed: 75% of the per-person fare, on request in all cabin types.
• Under 18s must travel with a passenger aged 18 or over, and parents supervise their children at all times.
• Holiday surcharge 2027: about US$46 per adult and US$24 per child (6–11) per night on board on 1 January, 5–9 February (Tết), 16 April (Hung Kings Day), 30 April, 1 May and 2 September 2027.

Ready to book? Send us your sailing date and cabin type with the code VTE-VMK8 – we reply within 24 hours with live availability.

What’s Included and Not Included

Included

• 7 nights’ accommodation on the Victoria Mekong in your chosen cabin
• Welcome drink; breakfast, lunch and dinner on full sailing days and as listed in the itinerary
• Free-flow soft drinks, mineral water, tea, coffee and local beer; house wine with lunch and dinner; daily signature cocktail (18:00–19:00)
• All group shore excursions in the program, with entrance fees, local transport and English-speaking guides
• Road transfer Kampong Cham – Siem Reap (Lotus Blanc Resort) with lunch on the way
• From Ho Chi Minh City: coach G8 Center Hotel Saigon – Can Tho and lunch at Le Longanier in Cai Be
• On-board entertainment, Wi-Fi (subject to mobile signal) and a refillable water bottle
• Passenger liability insurance, taxes, fuel, river pilots, port and anchorage fees

Not included

• Visa fees for Vietnam and Cambodia
• International and domestic flights
• Travel insurance (required)
• Tips for guides and crew
• Private transfers and any transfer not in the program
• Optional excursions, spa treatments and tailoring
• Premium wines, spirits and drinks not listed above; personal expenses, laundry and telephone
• Medical services; a fuel surcharge if fuel prices rise sharply

Booking, Payment, Cancellation and Change Policy

Booking and payment

• A 20% non-refundable deposit confirms your cabin.
• The balance is due 60 days before departure; bookings made less than 60 days before departure are paid in full at booking.
• Groups of 4 cabins or more: 20% deposit at confirmation and full payment 90 days before departure.

Cancellation by you (1–3 cabins)

Groups of 4 cabins or more: 50% of the total from 90 to 61 days before departure; 100% from 60 days before departure or for a no-show.

Changing your booking

• Change of date or a move to a lower cabin category: free up to 90 days before departure; 20% charge from 90 to 60 days; 50% from 60 to 31 days; not possible within 30 days.
• Upgrade to a higher cabin category: no fee – you pay only the fare difference.
• Change of passenger name within 30 days of departure: US$30 per person.

If the ship cancels

• Bad weather before departure: 100% refund. During the trip: used services are charged and the rest is refunded.
• If fewer than 10 cabins are booked, the cruise company may cancel with 60 days’ notice and offer another date or a similar ship; if neither suits you, all payments are refunded.
• Itineraries can change at short notice because of river levels, weather or local conditions.

Practical Information Before You Go

• Visas: you leave Vietnam and enter Cambodia by river at the Vinh Xuong – Kaam Samnor border. The Cambodian e-visa is not accepted at this river crossing – you need a regular Cambodian visa, obtained from a Cambodian embassy before travel or on arrival at the border (US-dollar cash and a passport photo). You also need a valid Vietnam visa or e-visa for the start in Saigon. We send visa guidance with your booking.
• Passport details: we need a copy of your passport, your hotel and flight details and a contact number at least 30 days before departure.
• Health and mobility: river banks can be steep and slippery and there is no lift or doctor on board, so the ship is not suitable for wheelchairs or guests with serious mobility problems. Travel insurance with medical cover is required.
• Best time to go: October to March is the dry, cooler high season (December to February is the most comfortable). August to November brings high water and a lush, flooded delta; March to May is hot. Short tropical showers are common from May to October.
• What to pack: light clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples and the Royal Palace, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable shoes for river banks and a light jacket for air-conditioned rooms.
• Money: extras on board are paid at the end of the cruise; US dollars are widely used in Cambodia.

Why Book the Victoria Mekong Cruise with Vietnam Tour Expert

• Licensed local operator: Asia Travel Expert Co., Ltd. (Vietnam Tour Expert) is an international tour operator licensed in Vietnam since 2012 and a contracted partner of Victoria Mekong Cruises.
• Everything in one plan: we add hotels in Saigon and Siem Reap, airport transfers, Angkor temple tours, Halong Bay and the rest of Vietnam to the same itinerary.
• Official fares: the prices on this page are Victoria Mekong’s published fares in US dollars – no hidden booking fees.
• Fast replies: we usually answer within 24 hours; WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368.

Local Expert Tips by Jimmy

• Book the Panorama Deck if you can – the views from the balcony are wider and you are one step from the restaurant.
• Add a night in Siem Reap – the coach arrives in the afternoon, so plan Angkor Wat for the next morning.
• Arrive in Saigon a day early – the coach leaves in the morning; use the spare day for the Cu Chi Tunnels or a Saigon Vespa tour.
• Bring small US dollar notes for tips and purchases in Cambodian villages.
• Plan the Vietnam part of your trip with our Saigon travel guide and Mekong Delta travel guide.

More river journeys: see all our Mekong River Cruises.

Ready to sail? Send us an inquiry with your sailing date, number of travellers and cruise code VTE-VMK8 – we usually reply within 24 hours.

Updated 25 October 2026 · By Jimmy, Vietnam Tour Expert · Sources: Victoria Mekong Cruises published schedule and fares 2026–2027, agent contract and program

About the Victoria Mekong Cruise

The Victoria Mekong is a 35-cabin river cruise ship that first sailed in December 2019 and is operated by Victoria Mekong Cruises, part of Vietnam’s Thien Minh Group. It runs 8-day, 7-night journeys between southern Vietnam and Cambodia in both directions.

Brief itinerary (upstream)

• Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Can Tho (embark) – Long Xuyen – Tiger Island
• Phu Tan – Tan Chau – Cambodian border – Phnom Penh (2 nights)
• Koh Chen – Oudong – Silk Island – Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham – Siem Reap

Prefer to end in Saigon? See the Victoria Mekong Cruise Downstream: Siem Reap to Saigon.

Cruise code: VTE-VMK8

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Deluxe Stateroom – River Deck

17 cabins on the River Deck (lower deck)

Cabin size:

25 m²

Bed size:

Double or twin

Max person:

2 guests (extra bed on request)

Location:

River Deck

Cabin Amenities

• Private balcony
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Air conditioning
• Walk-in shower
• Separate toilet
• Bathroom amenities

From US$4,830
per person, twin share – Victoria published fare, same from Saigon or Can Tho

Cabin DetailInquire

Deluxe Stateroom – River Deck

17 cabins on the River Deck (lower deck)

The River Deck cabins are the most affordable way to sail the Victoria Mekong without giving up space or views. Each 25 m² cabin is finished in warm natural wood, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a private balcony just above the waterline – close enough to watch fishing boats and floating houses drift past. The en-suite bathroom has a walk-in rain shower and a separate toilet compartment, and beds can be set as one double or two twins.

Cabin facts

Size	25 m²
Beds	Double or twin
Occupancy	2 guests (extra bed on request)
Location	River Deck

All amenities

• Private balcony
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Air conditioning
• Walk-in shower
• Separate toilet
• Bathroom amenities
• Hair dryer
• In-room safe
• Minibar
• Flat-screen TV
• In-house telephone
• Complimentary water

Deluxe Stateroom – River Deck fares, 8 days / 7 nights

Sailing season	Price per person (twin share)
Nov – Dec 2026	US$4,830
2027 low season (Apr – Sep)	US$5,400
2027 high season (Jan – Mar, Oct – Dec)	US$5,800

Single occupancy +60%. Child 6–11 sharing with two adults: 60% of the adult rate; extra bed: 75%. 2027 holiday surcharge about US$46 per adult and US$24 per child per night. Special fares on selected sailings are shown in the departure dates. Fares are Victoria Mekong Cruises’ published prices and are confirmed for your exact sailing date.

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Deluxe Stateroom – Panorama Deck

16 cabins on the Panorama Deck (middle deck)

Cabin size:

25 m²

Bed size:

Double or twin

Max person:

2 guests (extra bed on request)

Location:

Panorama Deck

Cabin Amenities

• Private balcony
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Air conditioning
• Walk-in shower
• Separate toilet
• Bathroom amenities

From US$5,458
per person, twin share – Victoria published fare, same from Saigon or Can Tho

Cabin DetailInquire

Deluxe Stateroom – Panorama Deck

16 cabins on the Panorama Deck (middle deck)

Identical in size and layout to the River Deck cabins, the Panorama Deck staterooms sit one level higher, giving a wider outlook over the river banks and more privacy on the balcony. You are also on the same deck as the panoramic Claypot Restaurant, so breakfast and dinner are only a few steps away. A popular choice for couples and anyone who wants the best views at a Deluxe price.

Cabin facts

Size	25 m²
Beds	Double or twin
Occupancy	2 guests (extra bed on request)
Location	Panorama Deck

All amenities

• Private balcony
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Air conditioning
• Walk-in shower
• Separate toilet
• Bathroom amenities
• Hair dryer
• In-room safe
• Minibar
• Flat-screen TV
• In-house telephone
• Complimentary water

Deluxe Stateroom – Panorama Deck fares, 8 days / 7 nights

Sailing season	Price per person (twin share)
Nov – Dec 2026	US$5,458
2027 low season (Apr – Sep)	US$5,700
2027 high season (Jan – Mar, Oct – Dec)	US$6,500

Single occupancy +60%. Child 6–11 sharing with two adults: 60% of the adult rate; extra bed: 75%. 2027 holiday surcharge about US$46 per adult and US$24 per child per night. Special fares on selected sailings are shown in the departure dates. Fares are Victoria Mekong Cruises’ published prices and are confirmed for your exact sailing date.

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Victoria & Mekong Suite

Only 2 suites, at the aft of the Panorama Deck

Cabin size:

45 m²

Bed size:

Double

Max person:

2 guests

Location:

Panorama Deck (aft)

Cabin Amenities

• Separate living area
• Private aft balcony
• Bathtub & glass shower
• Air conditioning
• Complimentary minibar
• Bathrobe & slippers

From US$9,000
per person, twin share – 2027 low season (Victoria published fare)

Cabin DetailInquire

Victoria & Mekong Suite

Only 2 suites, at the aft of the Panorama Deck

The two suites – the Victoria Suite and the Mekong Suite – are the most exclusive accommodation on board. At 45 m² they have a separate bedroom and living area, both wrapped in large picture windows, and a private aft-facing balcony that looks back along the ship’s wake. The bathroom has a bathtub and an enclosed glass shower. Suite guests also receive private car transfers, a complimentary minibar, luxury bathrobes and slippers, a daily fruit basket, afternoon canapés and binoculars for spotting river life. With only two available, suites usually sell out first – book early.

Cabin facts

Size	45 m²
Beds	Double
Occupancy	2 guests
Location	Panorama Deck (aft)

All amenities

• Separate living area
• Private aft balcony
• Bathtub & glass shower
• Air conditioning
• Complimentary minibar
• Bathrobe & slippers
• Hair dryer
• In-room safe
• Flat-screen TV
• Binoculars
• Daily fruit basket
• Private car transfers

Victoria & Mekong Suite fares, 8 days / 7 nights

Sailing season	Price per person (twin share)
Nov – Dec 2026	US$9,492
2027 low season (Apr – Sep)	US$9,000
2027 high season (Jan – Mar, Oct – Dec)	US$10,400

Single occupancy +60%. Child 6–11 sharing with two adults: 60% of the adult rate; extra bed: 75%. 2027 holiday surcharge about US$46 per adult and US$24 per child per night. Special fares on selected sailings are shown in the departure dates. Fares are Victoria Mekong Cruises’ published prices and are confirmed for your exact sailing date.

• Single traveller +60%; child 6–11 sharing with two adults 60%; extra bed 75%; children under 6 not advised.

Ready to book? Send us your sailing date and the code VTE-VMK8.