What's the typical length of river cruises from Ho Chi Minh City?

Most river cruises from Ho Chi Minh City last between 8 and 15 days, with an average trip of 11 days. You can choose a longer experience like the 15-day Emerald Harmony trip through Vietnam and Cambodia, or opt for a shorter 8-day RV Indochine cruise focusing on the Mekong Delta. One traveler told us "the 8-day cruise was perfect length to experience both countries while enjoying the relaxing pace of river travel."

Which stops do river cruises make between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap?

Your cruise will stop at local ports like My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec and Chau Doc in Vietnam before heading into Cambodia to visit Phnom Penh, Kampong Tralach and Siem Reap. You'll get to explore floating markets and ancient temples at each stop. One of our travelers shared that "visiting the local villages and markets along the Mekong gave us an authentic glimpse into daily life in both Vietnam and Cambodia."

When is the best time to take a river cruise from Ho Chi Minh City?

Plan your cruise between October and February for the best weather, with temperatures around 75-85°F (24-29°C) and very little rain. September and March can also work well, though you might see some showers. As one traveler told us, "traveling in January provided perfect weather conditions for both river cruising and shore excursions."

How many people are usually on these Mekong river cruises?

The boats are fairly intimate, carrying between 36 and 68 passengers. The Emerald Harmony is slightly larger with space for 84 people, while the RV Indochine takes 48 guests. One traveler mentioned that "the smaller ship size meant we got to know our fellow travelers while still having plenty of personal space."

What are the rooms like on these river cruises?

You'll stay in comfortable rooms on ships like the Scenic Spirit and AmaDara, with your own balcony, private bathroom and modern amenities. The Emerald Harmony offers deluxe suites with big windows, and before your cruise, you might stay at places like the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City. According to one traveler, "The cabin on AmaDara was spacious and well-appointed, with beautiful views of the Mekong from our private balcony."

How do the border crossings work on these cruises?

The ship's crew takes care of all the border paperwork when you sail from Tan Chau to Phnom Penh between Vietnam and Cambodia. Ships like the Scenic Spirit and Emerald Harmony usually handle the crossing while you're sailing so it doesn't interrupt your trip. Our travelers tell us that "the border crossing was seamlessly handled by the crew with minimal inconvenience to passengers."

River Cruises from Ho Chi Minh City

Can you imagine cruising the Mekong Delta to Angkor, exploring the Reunification Palace in Saigon, and passing through historic Cu Chi tunnels where Viet Cong lived underground. You'll sample honey tea at a local bee farm, discover Phnom Penh's Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and visit iconic Angkor Wat at sunrise. A stunning river cruise connecting Vietnam and Cambodia's greatest hits perfectly.

10 best River Cruise tour packages from Ho Chi Minh City

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River Cruise
8-Day Majestic Mekong Cruise 2025-2026 - 8 Days (from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Ben Tre, Sa Dec,My An Hung,Tan Chau,Oudong,Phnom Penh+4 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Mekong Mekong Delta
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
From
US$2,995per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
4-night Mekong Cruise Vietnam Cambodia on Mekong Navigator
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Cu Lao Gieng,Phnom Penh+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Mekong DeltaSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lotus Cruises
From
US$2,199per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Mekong Discovery (Northbound) 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long, Cu Lao Gieng, Chau Doc,Long Khanh,Phnom Penh,Hanchey,Angkor Ban,Kampong Tralach+5 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Saigon
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
From
US$5,679per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Treasures of the Mekong Meandering Cruise 2026|2027 - 15 Days
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, My Tho, Cai Be, Tan Phong, Sa Dec,Tan Chau,Chau Doc,Phnom Penh,Oudong,Silk Island,Angkor Ban,Kampong Cham,Hanchey,Siem Reap+9 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Spirit
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
25% Off
From $9,655
US$7,221per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong (2026) (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, 2026)
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Sa Dec,Hong Ngu,Phnom Penh,Angkor Ban,Hanchey,Kampong Cham,Siem Reap,Angkor Wat,Hanoi+8 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
Mekong Jewel
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
10% Off
From $6,499
US$5,849per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Northbound) 2027
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, Vinh Long, Cu Lao Gieng,Chau Doc,Phnom Penh,Hanchey,Angkor Ban,Kampong Tralach,Siem Reap,Angkor Wat,Banteay Srei+8 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Saigon
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
10% Off
From
US$7,149per person
+$175 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Charms of the Mekong 2027
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau,Phnom Penh,Oudong,Kampong Tralach,Koh Oknha Tei,Angkor Ban,Kampong Cham,Siem Reap+7 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
AmaDara
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
10% Off
From
US$2,749per person
+$280 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-seesites (port-to-port cruise) (14 destinations)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Thoi Son Island, Cai Be, Sa Dec,Chau Doc,Vinh Xuong,Phnom Penh,Kampong Tralach,Oudong,Kompong Chhnang,Kampong Cham,Koh Chen,Siem Reap+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
10% Off
From
US$1,980per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-seesites (11 destinations)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc,Phnom Penh,Kampong Tralach,Oudong,Kampong Chhnang,Koh Chen,Siem Reap+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
10% Off
From
US$1,754per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
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River Cruise
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-seesites (19 destinations)
4.8 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Thoi Son Island, Cai Be, Sa Dec,Chau Doc,Vinh Xuong,Phnom Penh,Kampong Tralach,Oudong,Kampong Cham,Kompong Chhnang,Koh Chen,Siem Reap,Angkor Wat,Tonle Sap Lake+11 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
10% Off
From
US$2,304per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
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River Cruise
2 Day Mekong River Cruise From Saigon to Can Tho or Cai Be
3.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"The boat was lovely, all dark wood. The food was excellent and plentiful."
Carol, traveled in February
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Cai Be
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
VietLong Travel
10% Off
From
US$336per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
7-night Mekong Upstream Vietnam Cambodia on Mekong Navigator
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"You must book this tour!!!!"
NicholasDaly, traveled in February
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Cu Lao Gieng,Phnom Penh,Kampong Cham,Siem Reap+3 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Mekong Navigator
River
Mekong
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lotus Cruises
10% Off
From
US$3,199per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
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River Cruise
From the Mekong Delta to the Angkor Temples (port-to-port cruise) (from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap)
4.8 (2 traveler reviews)
"Knowledgeable, fluent in English, friendly, and concerned about our safety always."
Awadesh, traveled in October
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, My Tho, Vinh Long, Sa Dec,Chau Doc,Phnom Penh,Koh Chen,Kampong Tralach,Kampong Chhnang,Siem Reap,Tonle Sap Lake,Angkor Wat+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
RV Indochine RV Indochine II RV Lan Diep+2 ships
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
14% Off
From $4,239
US$3,649per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
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River Cruise
From the Mekong Delta to Siem Reap (port-to-port cruise) (11 destinations)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Vinh Long, Cai Be, Sa Dec,Chau Doc,Phnom Penh,Koh Chen,Kampong Tralach,Tonle Sap Lake,Siem Reap+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
RV Indochine RV Indochine II RV Lan Diep+2 ships
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
14% Off
From
US$2,612per person
Price based on Private Double Room
View tour
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River Cruise
Mekong River Adventure
5.0 (4 traveler reviews)
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Cai Rang
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Mekong Mekong DeltaSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
30% Off
From $429
US$300per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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