Mekong River has 4,350 km length, is the longest river in South East Asia and the 7th longest in Asia. It runs through 6 countries (China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam). In Vietnam, Mekong River is known as Nine Dragons River because 9 branches splitted from the river are perfect for growing rice. As a traveller, those thousands of kilometers offer a wealth of adventures. Here are some ideas to enjoy one of the longest rivers in the world.
There are 20,000 species of plants, 430 mammals, 1,200 birds, 800 reptiles and 850 fish species in Mekong River. It will be great to experience the delights of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar as well as the abudant nature by Mekong River cruises. In particular, the route allows passengers to visit thriving cities, rural communities, floating villages, floating markets, rice paddies as well as pagodas and temples. A cruise on the Mekong is the great way to discover and understand the captivating, wonderful corner of the world – an extraordinary experience that will immerse you in its people and customs at a wonderful gentle pace. Keep your camera ready to capture the view of greenery stretching over the river – you do not want to miss the memory of the Mekong Delta’s beauty.
Best time to travel is winter (between November and February) and early summer (fruit season: April and May). If you want to travel other time, check for the weather before going. The Mekong water level is highest between August and November. Seasonal tides of the Mekong River create diverse lifestyles. When the tide is high, there are a large amount of fish in the river, providing opulent resources to millions of people. Therefore, Mekong River is considered as the long lasting lifeline of the local people in river’s basin.

mekong river cruise

There are a lot of advantages while travelling by Mekong River cruises. Modern cruise operators in the Mekong spare no expense to create their amazing floating accommodation, so you may want to stay on board as long as possible. Mekong cruises offer a wide range of quality service such as dining, pool, gym, spa, lounge and sun deck. Standard cabins are available for passengers. They are well-equiped with private bathrooms and big windows, providing stunning view outside. The rooms in the ship are also well-furnished. Superior rooms and suites are available with extra space and deluxe furnishing. Most cruises will stop at one of the floating markets along the river. During the journey, passengers will have chance to meet local people, try local food and understand more about the lifestyle.
The itineraries can be varied, between 4 and 8 days, or even more, depending on the package that visitors choose.
There are some cruise options for visitors to choose. As for Vietnam – Cambodia route, Jayavarman, Jahan, Pandaw, Aqua Expeditions, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways cruises… are the best choices. Most of Mekong River cruise tours begin from Cai Be. The itineraries are quite similar among the cruise lines, including the popular and memorable sites in the cities, the daily life, the local delicacy, the floating markets (such as Cai Be in Vietnam), the museums, the pagodas and temples (such as Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia). During the trip, you could enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck to enjoy sunrise and sunset. What a magnificent water landscape of the Mekong River!
Depending on the cruises you choose, you will have different experience of South East Asia’s wonders. However, the price of the trip will vary, hence, it is better to look at the cost that you want to spend and the included service in the cruise fare.
As for Laos route, passengers can choose Pandaw, Mekong Sun, Mekong Pearl cruises. The tour can start in Vientiane, Huayxai or Luang Prabang. Visitors will have opportunities to visit a lot of popular sites in Laos such as the golden Pha That Luang Stupa, Sisaket Temple, the President’s Hall, Wat Prakeo Temple and the Phatouxay monument. The cruises on Laos route can take passengers through Thailand to discover Buddhist culture of the country. Cruise like Mekong Sun has already included international flights and Thai-visa for the guests. Check for each package to see which service suits you the most.
As for Myanmar route, passengers can choose Anawrahta, Sanctuary Ananda, Pandaw, RV Paukan or The Strand cruises. The journey will start in Salay or Bagan. There are a lot of activities in Myanmar cruises such as an early morning balloon tour, a local market visit, a morning yoga session, a cooking class, a visit to temples or pagodas,…
To book a Mekong River cruise, simply contact with us for further assistance. Asia Journey Travel team with 15 years of experiences in organizing and making Cruise reservation, we are more than glad to help you planning your trip.
Email: sales@asiajourneytravel.com
Hotline: +84969303322 / +84969623100

There are some tips for visitors before boarding a Mekong River cruise:
• Stomach issues can happen for many Westerner visitors during the trip in Asia in general and South East Asia in particular. Bring remedies along with you just in case this happens and get on with your trip.
• Remember to bring insect repellent.
• Deal with the heat. The temperature in Mekong Delta is normally hot. Wear loose layers, bring hat and sun scream.