River Cruise Tours & Trips in Asia
If you’re looking for a true cultural adventure, it has to be an Asian river cruise. Cruise the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia, visit floating markets, discover riverside temples, tour local villages, and experience river life. You'll see Asia from a different perspective, tasting regional foods, and meeting communities along banks. You’ll return home with ever-lasting memories.
Excellent
- Choose from 150+ Asia tours
- 150+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
From the moment Tour Radar put us in touch with Ashu from TTI India the communication was outstanding. Ashu responded to emails promptly and nothing seemed to be too much trouble. We asked for upgrades in accomodation, to do the trip in reverse, to have extra leg room seats on the flights
Deep Kerala Backwaters Cruise with Taj Mahal Trip 13 DaysThe activity was amazing! We left the hotel at 8.30 and, after the bus and the speed boat, we boarded the cruise ship at 13.00, when we had a great lunch. We enjoyed kayaking both in the afternoon and the following morning at 7.30 am. We had a delicious dinner and tried squid fishing. The cabin was wonderful and the staff amazing, especially our capraia, Mike. Great experience! Marco and Lav
2-Day Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise Private Balcony CabinHad a great time on this cruise. This a budget tour, and so clearly you can't expect a luxury boat or accommodations. However, the room was clean and comfortable, the bathroom large and in good working order. Our guide, Bang, and the staff on board were all top notch, very capable, efficient, friendly and attentive. Lots of food was served for each meal, and it was delicious. The happy hour and evening karaoke was fun, we had a great group of passengers and enjoyed each other's company. The excursions to Ti Top, to the caves and finally the kayaking were all great experiences.
All Included Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night On 3-Star Cruise
10 best River Cruise Asia tour packages
Compiled by
SteffAsia travel expert at TourRadar
- Journey along the Mekong 2027-2028 - 16 Days
- Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Bangkok (Southbound)
- Deep Kerala Backwaters Cruise with Taj Mahal Trip 13 Days
- Luxury Mekong and Temple Discovery Cruise 2026-2027/2027-2028 - 11 Days (from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City)
- The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-see sites (port-to-port cruise, 36 destinations)
- 2-Day Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise Private Balcony Cabin
- Hanoi - Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay 2 days 1 night on Cruise
- Treasures & Temples of Vietnam & Cambodia 2025|2026
- 7-night Mekong Downstream Cambodia Vietnam on Mekong Navigator
- Enchanting Mekong and Siem Reap 2026-2027/2027-2028 - 11 Days (from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City)
Cruise from My Tho to Kampong Cham on the 68-guest Scenic Spirit, visiting Tan Phong Island's fruit orchards and Le Longanier house for afternoon tea. See Phnom Penh's Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace, then take tuk tuks through Kampong Cham to Wat Nokor Bachey temple.
Duration 16 days Destinations Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
- US$10,420
Duration 16 days Destinations Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
- US$8,009+$520 upfront costs
Deep Kerala Backwaters Cruise with Taj Mahal Trip 13 Days
“The communication was outstanding, and nothing seemed to be too much trouble.”
Jane, traveled in November
A traditional houseboat glides through Asia's Kerala backwaters. The route covers Vembanad Lake's vast expanse and narrow canals of Champakulum, revealing floating villages while a chef prepares local cuisine from fresh market ingredients.
Duration 13 days Destinations Kochi (Cochin), Kerala Backwaters, Alleppey, Nedumudy, New Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur Age Range Ages 12+ Operator TTI TOURS From
- US$1,460
Duration 11 days Destinations Siem Reap, Banteay Srei, Tonle Sap Lake, Angkor Wat, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham, Hanchey, Koh Pen, Angkor Ban, Koh Oknha TeiSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $5,555
21% Off- US$4,366
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-see sites (port-to-port cruise, 36 destinations)
The mighty Mekong unfolds aboard Toum Tiou 2 from Tonlé Lake to Saigon. Unique water passages lead to floating markets and Tra Su Forest boat rides. Cultural performances enhance scenic Chao Gao canal cruising.
Duration 11 days Destinations Siem Reap, Tonle Sap Lake, Angkor Wat, Koh Chen, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Tralach, Oudong, Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Sa DecSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
21% Off- US$2,693
2-Day Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise Private Balcony Cabin
“We enjoyed kayaking both in the afternoon and the following morning at 7.30 am. We had a delicious dinner and tried squid fishing.”
gaylen, traveled in April
Duration 2 days Destinations Hanoi, Halong Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Ha Long Bay Lux Cruises Tours From
21% Off- US$160
Hanoi - Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay 2 days 1 night on Cruise
“Great organization, nice tour guides and a lot of fun and tasty food:)”
Malwina, traveled in November
Duration 2 days Destinations Hanoi, Halong Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish Operator LVP Travel From
21% Off- US$189
What our customers ask about River Cruise Tours & Trips in Asia
What are the main stops and attractions along Mekong River cruise routes?
The Mekong River cruise experience spans Vietnam and Cambodia with notable stops that showcase the region's rich heritage. Most routes include the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh and vibrant floating markets in Cai Be. The Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City offer historical perspective while stops at smaller riverside communities like Chau Doc Sa Dec and My Tho provide opportunities to connect with local life. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "Angkor Wat was magnificent for its architecture while the floating villages and traditional life along the Mekong were spectacular experiences."
What types of shore excursions are typically included on Mekong River cruises?
Shore excursions on Mekong River cruises connect travelers with local culture and history. Activities range from exploring floating markets in the Delta to touring ancient temples at Angkor Wat visiting the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and discovering craft villages like Koh Chen's silver workshops. The Emerald Harmony cruise includes visits to the Cu Chi Tunnels and traditional Buddhist ceremonies at Oudong Monastery. One TourRadar traveler shared "The variety of excursions was excellent - from bustling cities to remote villages we got to experience the authentic daily life along the Mekong."
How many days should I plan for a Mekong River cruise?
Standard Mekong River cruises run between 8 and 15 days. AmaWaterways offers an 8-day "Charms of the Mekong" route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh while Emerald Cruises extends to 15 days with their "Wonders of Vietnam Cambodia & the Mekong" including land tours. The choice often depends on whether travelers want a focused river experience or additional city exploration. A TourRadar traveler reflected "Our 11-day CroisiEurope cruise gave us the perfect amount of time to explore both the river life and major cities without feeling rushed."
What size ships are used for Asian river cruises and how many passengers do they carry?
Mekong River vessels are built for intimate experiences and navigation of narrow waterways. The Emerald Harmony carries 84 passengers the RV Indochine II accommodates 62 guests and the AmaDara maintains a boutique atmosphere with under 100 passengers. A TourRadar traveler on CroisiEurope noted: "With only 60 passengers the atmosphere was intimate and we got to know our fellow travelers while still having plenty of personal space in public areas like the panorama lounge."
What kind of cuisine is served on Mekong River cruises?
Food offerings on Mekong River cruises balance local Asian flavors with familiar international options. Ships like the Emerald Harmony serve dishes made from local ingredients alongside western choices. Most packages include all meals with unlimited beverages during lunch and dinner. Special dining events feature welcome and farewell dinners themed nights and cooking demonstrations. The RV Indochine II's main deck restaurant serves refined cuisine with river views. A TourRadar traveler noted "The food was exceptional - we loved trying different Vietnamese and Cambodian dishes while having familiar options available too."