What is the typical duration of Mekong River cruises starting from Ho Chi Minh City?

Mekong River cruises from Ho Chi Minh City typically span 8 to 15 days with 8-day journeys being the most common choice. The experience starts at Saigon Port where vessels like the Emerald Harmony begin their journey down the Saigon River toward Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Before boarding guests often stay at upscale accommodations such as the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers blending urban exploration with river adventures. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The perfect mix of relaxation and cultural immersion with each day bringing new discoveries along the river."

What are the main highlights to explore on the first day in Ho Chi Minh City?

Day one takes visitors through key sites including the Reunification Palace Notre Dame Cathedral Central Post Office and the vibrant Cholon district home to the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda. Tours start with lunch at hotels like Liberty Central Riverside or Sofitel Saigon Plaza. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The initial city tour gave us a great overview of Ho Chi Minh City's French colonial history and modern energy."

Where are the common embarkation points within Ho Chi Minh City?

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City serves as the starting point with pickup locations at prominent hotels like Le Meridien Saigon and Caravelle Hotel Saigon in District 1. Passengers then travel to My Tho Port roughly 70km away where vessels such as the Scenic Spirit and RV Apsara dock. According to TourRadar travelers: "The transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho port was smooth and well-organized making the start of our journey stress-free."

What's the best time of year to start a Mekong tour from Ho Chi Minh City?

October through January offers the most favorable conditions for Mekong tours with dry weather and mild temperatures. November December and January see the highest number of departures creating ideal conditions for exploring sites like the Tan My Floating community and Ben Tre's waterways. As one TourRadar traveler commented: "Traveling in December provided perfect weather conditions for both the city exploration and river cruise portions of our journey."

What unique cultural experiences are offered on Ho Chi Minh City Mekong tours?

The itineraries feature hands-on experiences at traditional candy workshops in Cai Be visits to floating markets rice paper making demonstrations and Apsara dance shows in Phnom Penh. Accommodations range from city stays at Liberty Central Riverside to river journeys aboard vessels like the RV Indochine II. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The local cultural activities and interactions with villagers along the Mekong were the highlight of our journey."

How long is the transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to the first cruise stop?

Travelers spend 2 hours traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho port followed by a 4-hour cruise to reach Cai Be the first overnight destination. Ships such as the Scenic Spirit and RV Apsara travel through the Cho Gao canal before anchoring. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The transition from city to river life was fascinating watching the urban landscape gradually transform into the peaceful Mekong Delta."

Mekong Cruises from Ho Chi Minh City

Ready for Vietnam? Imagine navigating Cu Chi Tunnels, cruising Mekong Delta waterways, discovering Angkor Wat's ruins, and sampling honey tea at local bee farms. You've got Phnom Penh's Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh's Reunification Palace plus floating markets and villages. Experiencing Vietnam's history to Cambodia's ancient temples while the Mekong flows through it all.

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10 best Mekong river cruises from Ho Chi Minh City

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City & Culture
Vietnam - 12 Days. Departure every Saturday and Sunday from Saigon
4.7 (23 reviews)
"Shared meals and easy days made me feel welcome."
Bakshif, traveled in September
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, My Tho, Mekong Delta, Hoi An,My Son Sanctuary,Kim Bong Carpentry Village,Da Nang,Lang Co,Hue,Hanoi,Halong Bay+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
MekongSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Legend Travel Group
18% off
From $907
US$744per person
+$399 local payments
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City & Culture
Vietnam Express - 8 Days
4.6 (5 reviews)
"The tour was well organised, and information about the tour was provided prior to the tour."
Tia, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, My Tho, Cu Chi, Hoi An,Hanoi,Halong Bay+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
MekongSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Legend Travel Group
33% off
From $838
US$561per person
+$399 local payments
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City & Culture
Mekong Delta from Saigon to Phnom Penh 3 days
4.3 (21 reviews)
"The first day we did not see any other tourists. All of the food (included in the price) was simply wonderful."
TeeandK, traveled in October
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Mekong Mekong DeltaSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Bravo Indochina Tours
33% off
From
US$359per person
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- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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City & Culture
Mekong River Adventure
5.0 (4 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
25% off
From $429
US$322per person
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City & Culture
15-Day Vietnam Tour: Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Hoi An & Hanoi
5.0 (1 review)
"organizing such a smooth trip"
Hannah, traveled in July
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, Mekong Delta, Vung Tau, Hoi An,Hue,Hanoi,Cuc Phuong National Park,Ninh Binh,Halong Bay+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
Open Asia Travel
25% off
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US$1,300per person
+$300 local payments
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River Cruise
From the Mekong Delta to Siem Reap
5.0 (1 review)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, My Tho, Vinh Long, Cai Be, Sa Dec,Chau Doc,Phnom Penh,Koh Chen,Kampong Tralach,Kampong Chhnang,Tonle Sap Lake,Siem Reap+7 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
25% off
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US$2,019per person
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City & Culture
Day-tour to the Mekong Delta
Duration
1 day
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Ben Tre
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
Mr Linh's Adventures
25% off
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US$49per person
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- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Ancient Wonders
Mekong Discovery Saigon to Siem Reap 14 Days
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, My Tho, Phnom Penh, Koh Chen,Kampong Tralach,Chnok Tru,Siem Reap,Angkor Wat+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
Best Vietnam Tours
25% off
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US$1,890per person
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City & Culture
Wonders of Indochina and the Mekong 2026-2027 - 16 Days
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Vietnam Cambodia Laos Thailand
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Mekong Siem Reap
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
18% off
From $7,260
US$5,921per person
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City & Culture
Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta full day Trip
Duration
1 day
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, Mekong Delta
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
LVP Travel
18% off
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US$89per person
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River Cruise
2 Day Mekong River Cruise From Saigon to Can Tho or Cai Be
3.5 (2 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
18% off
From
US$355per person
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River Cruise
7-night Mekong Upstream Vietnam Cambodia on Mekong Navigator
5.0 (4 reviews)
"Informed guides, an incredibly friendly & supportive staff, luxurious accomodations & a wonderful itinerary."
David, traveled in April
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
18% off
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US$3,199per person
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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 (3 reviews)
"The ship was perfect, the staff friendly and always helpful."
Linda, traveled in April
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
18% off
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US$3,737per person
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River Cruise
Upstream Mekong River Cruise Tour From Vietnam To Cambodia - 10 Days
5.0 (3 reviews)
"The excursions were well chosen, especially the temple visits and the rural village tours. We felt like we got to see the real heart of these countries."
Betsy, traveled in September
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, Can Tho, Cai Be, Chau Doc,Phnom Penh,Siem Reap+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
MekongSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
VietLong Travel
18% off
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US$1,850per person
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River Cruise
Enchanting Mekong and Siem Reap 2026-2027 - 11 Days
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Sa Dec, My An Hung,Cu Lao Gieng,Tan Chau,Phnom Penh,Oudong,Siem Reap+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
18% off
From
US$4,412per person
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