A Mekong river cruise usually spends seven nights sailing between the Mekong Delta near Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh or Kampong Cham in Cambodia. Days mix village and craft visits, markets, pagodas and Phnom Penh's Royal Palace. Most packages add hotel nights in Ho Chi Minh City and in Siem Reap for Angkor.
A Mekong cruise is the most different of the major river cruises. Instead of cathedral towns, you stop at riverside villages, silk-weaving workshops, markets and Buddhist monasteries, and the ships are small: Avalon Saigon carries just 36 guests.
Every Mekong cruise crosses between Vietnam and Cambodia on the river, so you need visas for both countries. Most packages then continue by road or air to Siem Reap for the temples of Angkor, which UNESCO listed as World Heritage in 1992.
| Typical length | 7 nights on board; 10 to 15 days with hotel stays |
|---|---|
| Season | Mainly November to April; some lines also sail from September |
| Starts and ends | Ho Chi Minh City or My Tho, and Phnom Penh or Kampong Cham |
| Countries | Vietnam, Cambodia |
| Highlights | Cai Be and the Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Oknha Tey (Silk Island), Angkor, from Siem Reap |
Guide updated 26 October 2026.
Every AmaWaterways itinerary on the Mekong we list, 2 in all, with 175 departures. Open one for the day-by-day and the fare in each stateroom type on every date. Fares are per person for two sharing, in Australian dollars, cruise only, as listed by the cruise line on 2 November at 7:29am. Staterooms sell out and fares move between checks, so we confirm what is open and what it costs before you pay.
2 itineraries
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| Mekong | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charms of the MekongMekong · AmaDara, AmaMayaOne way, Ho Chi Minh City to Kampong Cham | 7 nights82 departuresNext: 30 Nov 2026, 14 Dec 2026, 28 Dec 2026 | Balcony fromA$3,111ppA$6,222 for 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Itinerary
As published by AmaWaterways. Excursions and timings can change with river levels and local conditions. Departures and fares
Lowest fare in each stateroom type, per person for two sharing, in Australian dollars, cruise only, as listed by AmaWaterways on 2 November at 7:29am. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Riches of the MekongMekong · AmaDara, AmaMayaOne way, Kampong Cham to Ho Chi Minh City | 7 nights93 departuresNext: 23 Nov 2026, 7 Dec 2026, 21 Dec 2026 | Balcony fromA$3,224ppA$6,448 for 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Itinerary
As published by AmaWaterways. Excursions and timings can change with river levels and local conditions. Departures and fares
Lowest fare in each stateroom type, per person for two sharing, in Australian dollars, cruise only, as listed by AmaWaterways on 2 November at 7:29am. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Call a Cruise Expert · 1300 214 840 Enquire TodayLife on board is relaxed, with shaded decks, Asian menus and evening cultural performances on some ships. Ashore, you travel by tuk tuk or on foot to workshops, schools, pagodas and markets.
It is hot and humid, so pack light clothing and a hat. Smartraveller warns that heat and high humidity in Cambodia often cause heatstroke and dehydration, and it advises against swimming in fresh water.
AmaWaterways' seven-night Charms of the Mekong shows the usual pattern. It sails from Ho Chi Minh City or My Tho to Cai Be and Tan Chau in Vietnam, then Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Oknha Tey (Silk Island) and Angkor Ban in Cambodia, ending at Kampong Cham.
In Phnom Penh, tours usually cover the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Uniworld's itinerary also visits the Killing Fields.
Some itineraries also stop at Sa Dec, known for its flower gardens and French colonial buildings. At Koh Oknha Tey you visit silk weavers and a local school, travelling by tuk tuk. APT's Mekong Serenity sails a longer route, between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap.
Sailings run upstream from Vietnam into Cambodia, or downstream the other way. Most cruises end at Phnom Penh or Kampong Cham, and you continue to Siem Reap by road or air. Avalon Saigon sails the whole way between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh, avoiding the long coach transfers some itineraries use.
Mekong trips run from 8 days for the cruise alone to about 15 days with hotel stays. Avalon's longer version adds Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon. Uniworld's runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, and some lines offer Ha Long Bay or Bangkok extensions.
Mekong fares include your cabin, meals on board and guided excursions. Drinks and gratuities depend on the line: AmaWaterways includes wine and local beer with lunch and dinner on AmaDara, while Scenic and Uniworld describe their fares as all-inclusive. Hotel nights, guided Angkor visits and transfers depend on the package you choose.
Fares vary by ship, month and suite, so we do not list them here. Tell us your dates and we will compare the lines for you.
The drier months from about November to April are the most comfortable time for a Mekong cruise. From June or July to November, Vietnam's storm season and Cambodia's wet season bring heavy rain and flooding, although some lines still sail.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| November to January | The wet season ends and the main cruising season begins, with Christmas and New Year sailings on some lines. |
| February to April | Dry and increasingly hot. AmaWaterways' Mekong season runs until April. |
| May to June | Very hot, and Vietnam's storm season usually starts in June. |
| July to November | Cambodia's wet season, when severe storms and flooding can disrupt travel. Some lines, including Uniworld, still sail from September. |
AmaWaterwaysA family-founded river cruise line with twin-balcony staterooms, wine included with lunch and dinner, and a Chef’s Table on board. Australians fly to Europe, Egypt, Vietnam or Colombia to join the ship.2 itineraries from A$3,111 pp
APTA family owned Australian touring company cruising brand-new river ships in Europe, Mekong Serenity in Vietnam and Cambodia, and the Kimberley coast, with drinks, gratuities and transfers included in every fare.Fares quoted on request
ScenicAustralian-owned and truly all-inclusive: butler service, all dining and drinks on every Space-Ship river cruise and Eclipse-class Discovery Yacht voyage, from Europe’s rivers to Antarctica.Grand Indochina & Luxury Mekong from A$20,930 pp
UniworldBoutique river cruising from The Travel Corporation: one-of-a-kind, antique-filled ships of 68 to 152 guests, drinks, dining, gratuities and excursions included. Australians fly to Europe, Egypt or Vietnam to join one.Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong from A$10,799 pp
Avalon WaterwaysThe Globus family’s river line, known for Suite Ships whose Panorama Suites slide open into an Open-Air Balcony, bed facing the view. Australians fly to Europe or Asia to join one.Fares quoted on request
Yes, Australians need visas for both Vietnam and Cambodia. Vietnam does not issue visas on arrival to Australian passport holders, so apply for an eVisa on the official website before you travel; it allows stays of up to 90 days. For Cambodia, apply for an e-visa online or get a tourist visa on arrival, valid for 30 days. Check Smartraveller for the current rules.
Smartraveller advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Cambodia overall, and not to travel within 50 kilometres of the Thai border in seven named provinces. Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham and Siem Reap are not in those provinces. Check the latest advice before you book and again before you go.
Yes, most Mekong packages include hotel nights in Siem Reap with guided visits to Angkor. The ship does not usually reach Siem Reap, so the last leg is by road or air. UNESCO lists Angkor as World Heritage, and the site covers about 400 square kilometres.
Small. Avalon Saigon carries 36 guests, Scenic Spirit and Uniworld's Mekong Jewel carry 68, APT's Mekong Serenity carries 88, and AmaWaterways' AmaDara carries 120. AmaDara has no lift, so ask us about access if stairs are a problem.
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Sources: AmaWaterways: Charms of the Mekong itinerary, Avalon Waterways: Avalon Saigon, Avalon Waterways: Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River, Uniworld: Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong, APT: river cruises (Mekong Serenity), Scenic: river cruises (Mekong), UNESCO: Angkor, Smartraveller: Vietnam, Smartraveller: Cambodia, AmaWaterways: Mekong river cruises (Sa Dec, Oknha Tey, Phnom Penh). River fares are quoted per sailing and date by the cruise lines.
