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

A cruise adventure starting in Ho Chi Minh City is a great way to see Mekong. We have 30 tours that range from 2 days up to 18 days. The most popular time for tours from Ho Chi Minh City is November, which has the most cruise departures.

10 best Mekong river cruises from Ho Chi Minh City

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River Cruise
From the Mekong Delta to the Angkor Temples (port-to-port cruise) (12 destinations)
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, 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
From
US$3,669per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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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
From
US$2,340per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Saigon, Mekong & Mui Ne Beach (Superior) - 8 days
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Mui Ne
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
MekongSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
From
US$935per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
8-Day Majestic Mekong Cruise 2025-2026 - 8 Days
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
65% Off
From $10,640
US$3,720per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Bicycle
Cycling the Mekong Delta - 7 days
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Lay, Cai Be, Vinh Long, Can Tho,Mekong Delta,Long Xuyen,Cai Rang,Chau Doc,Ba Chuc+5 more
Age Range
Ages 14+
Regions
Mekong Mekong DeltaSouthern Vietnam+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
65% Off
From
US$1,905per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Essential Vietnam and Cambodia Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap (2025)
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau,Phnom Penh,Oudong,Koh Chen,Kampong Cham,Siem Reap+5 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
APT
65% Off
From
US$3,807per person
+$483 upfront costs
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
65% Off
From
US$5,679per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-see sites (port-to-port cruise) (from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh,Kampong Tralach,Koh Chen,Siem Reap+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
65% Off
From
US$1,965per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-seesites (13 destinations)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Thoi Son Island, Mekong Delta,Cai Be,Sa Dec,Chau Doc,Vinh Xuong,Phnom Penh,Koh Chen,Kampong Tralach,Tonle Sap Lake,Siem Reap+9 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Mekong
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
65% Off
From
US$1,754per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Enchanting Mekong and Siem Reap 2026-2027|2027-2028 - 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
6% Off
From $4,557
US$4,266per 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)
"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
6% Off
From
US$3,233per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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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 $479
US$335per person
Price based on Shared Room
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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
30% Off
From
US$336per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Wonders of Indochina and the Mekong 2026-2027|2027-2028
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Vietnam Cambodia Laos Thailand
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Mekong Siem Reap
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
41% Off
From $14,055
US$8,310per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Journey along the Mekong 2025-2026|2026-2027|2027-2028 - 18 Days
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Vietnam Cambodia Laos Thailand
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Scenic Spirit
Regions
Mekong Siem Reap
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
39% Off
From $15,425
US$9,340per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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