Mekong River Tours & Trips

30 Mekong River trips. Tours from 17 tour companies. 357 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

30 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

Thailand & Laos Adventure
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bangkok , Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Mekong River , Vientiane

Highlights

  • Travel from Thailand's lively capital and activity-filled Chiang Mai, to the riverside tranquillity of Laos and its stunning scenery.
  • Discover just why Luang Prabang has UNESCO status as you uncover the French influence, beautiful temples, traditional arts and the world renown night markets.
  • Discover impactful local organizations that support local communities in various ways, including empowering local women through preserving traditional textile making, or caring for those who have been injured by the multitude of unexploded ordinance across the country.
  • Explore the mysterious beauty of the Lao jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat at Mandalao. Read more about this Intrepid Foundation supported project here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/elephant-sanctuary-laos/
  • Rise with the sun and watch saffron-robed monks shuffle between houses, where the faithful wait with offerings as part of an alms giving ritual.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"My wife & I are Australians and have been to Asia many times but not to Japan. We had heard good things, so we jumped on to an Intrepid trip in April, 2025. Our Guide was Shizuka Yoshimura who, while being born in Japan, was a well-travelled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic woman who was fun to be with and proved very capable in leading 9 of us, aged between about 30 years of age to mid-70's, from 4 nations around her own country. Shizuka was very fluent in English which was brilliant. Experience counts, both in the present, coping with transport & other issues which always arise, and in the planning and communicating the next stage of the tour with the group. Shizuka adapted to both the more able-bodied and the less physically able with care and good grace, always making sure that all members of the party were happy and comfortable with decisions regarding , e.g. whether or not to climb a few hundred steps to see a castle, shrine, etc. Everyone was always looked after and meeting points along the way were well spelled out, so no one felt abandoned in any way. Our accommodation was as advertised, so in the case of staying at Hacone in a traditional style (with really low beds and no seating above floor level), Shizuka arranged for standard kitchen chairs to be placed in our room which was great - it's always the little things that matter. Our trip was based on traveling most of the way by Shinkansen (bullet trains) and sometimes the ticketing was not straight-forward, but it was well explained all of the time and Shizuka's planning smoothed out the bumps every time. Shizuka's "local knowledge", being Japanese, assisted our group many times along the way when things may not have been going according to plan and we always felt looked after and confident that "The Boss" would quickly resolve any hiccups. Equally, Shizuka often gave us our own space and when a group dinner was not a part of the agenda we sometimes shared meals with her apart from the group or vice-versa - there was a good, relaxed feeling in the group that we were our own mature travellers as well as being a part of the group. Look, I know that things can go wrong whether you are hiking out in the bush or traveling at 300 kp/h, but in our experience our Guide Shizuka was very well equipped personally to adapt and overcome, and we had a beaut trip. Highly recommended."

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Signature Cambodia & Vietnam
5/5 Excellent
25 reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
Sky Vacations has the experience, know-how, and passion needed to craft custom trips around the world.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • 10 nights hotel accommodation
  • Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
  • Daily breakfast
  • Comprehensive sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to museums and sites as outlined in the program
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I had an amazing time with my family after getting our trip booked through Sky Vacations. I got recommended the agency through a friend and I haven’t looked back since booking with them. They’re always spot-on with the trips I’ve been able to book with them. Recently I went on a trip to Portugal with my family, they booked us a trip with a full itinerary from Porto and Lisbon and we were so impressed. Everything about the trip was spectacular, and we were honestly very impressed with how planned out the trip was, it was incredible. In the end, I wish I could give them more stars because of how lovely their services are, if you’re looking for your next trip to be booked, use Sky Vacations!"

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South East Asia Uncovered
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bangkok , Chiang Mai, Halong Bay , Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Hue, Luang Prabang, Mekong Delta, Mekong River , Saigon, Vientiane

Highlights

  • The two day boat journey down the iconic Mekong River passes incredible rural scenery and is one of the must-dos to truly experience South East Asia.
  • Sample local food wherever you go, from a seafood dinner on Ha Long Bay, street snacks at markets, a meal at a buddhist nunnery, coconut candy and tropical fruits in the Mekong Delta, and a final dinner at KOTO restaurant.
  • Sail through Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts and island caves, visit a centre that turns the bay's discarded trash into treasures and spend the night checking out the stars on an overnight cruise.
  • Discover the mysterious beauty of the Lao jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat.
  • Rise with the sun and watch saffron-robed monks shuffle between houses, where the faithful wait with offerings as part of an alms giving ritual.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"My wife & I are Australians and have been to Asia many times but not to Japan. We had heard good things, so we jumped on to an Intrepid trip in April, 2025. Our Guide was Shizuka Yoshimura who, while being born in Japan, was a well-travelled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic woman who was fun to be with and proved very capable in leading 9 of us, aged between about 30 years of age to mid-70's, from 4 nations around her own country. Shizuka was very fluent in English which was brilliant. Experience counts, both in the present, coping with transport & other issues which always arise, and in the planning and communicating the next stage of the tour with the group. Shizuka adapted to both the more able-bodied and the less physically able with care and good grace, always making sure that all members of the party were happy and comfortable with decisions regarding , e.g. whether or not to climb a few hundred steps to see a castle, shrine, etc. Everyone was always looked after and meeting points along the way were well spelled out, so no one felt abandoned in any way. Our accommodation was as advertised, so in the case of staying at Hacone in a traditional style (with really low beds and no seating above floor level), Shizuka arranged for standard kitchen chairs to be placed in our room which was great - it's always the little things that matter. Our trip was based on traveling most of the way by Shinkansen (bullet trains) and sometimes the ticketing was not straight-forward, but it was well explained all of the time and Shizuka's planning smoothed out the bumps every time. Shizuka's "local knowledge", being Japanese, assisted our group many times along the way when things may not have been going according to plan and we always felt looked after and confident that "The Boss" would quickly resolve any hiccups. Equally, Shizuka often gave us our own space and when a group dinner was not a part of the agenda we sometimes shared meals with her apart from the group or vice-versa - there was a good, relaxed feeling in the group that we were our own mature travellers as well as being a part of the group. Look, I know that things can go wrong whether you are hiking out in the bush or traveling at 300 kp/h, but in our experience our Guide Shizuka was very well equipped personally to adapt and overcome, and we had a beaut trip. Highly recommended."

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Chiang Mai & Golden Triangle
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mekong River

Highlights

  • Journey into the countryside north of Chiang Mai on this short trip and experience the Golden Triangle, the infamous area where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet
  • Discover rural village life with an overnight stay in Doi Mae Salong, a beautiful region up in the mountains where tea is grown and local hilltribe people come to sell their crafts in the town market
  • No trip to Chiang Rai would be complete without a visit to the funky White Temple. Check out the startling modern design, and see where traditional Thai art and murals are broken up with pop culture references
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, EcoThailand Foundation. Donations help educate school children on important environmental issues like climate change, nature appreciation, conservation and sustainability.

Themes

Cultural, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"My wife & I are Australians and have been to Asia many times but not to Japan. We had heard good things, so we jumped on to an Intrepid trip in April, 2025. Our Guide was Shizuka Yoshimura who, while being born in Japan, was a well-travelled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic woman who was fun to be with and proved very capable in leading 9 of us, aged between about 30 years of age to mid-70's, from 4 nations around her own country. Shizuka was very fluent in English which was brilliant. Experience counts, both in the present, coping with transport & other issues which always arise, and in the planning and communicating the next stage of the tour with the group. Shizuka adapted to both the more able-bodied and the less physically able with care and good grace, always making sure that all members of the party were happy and comfortable with decisions regarding , e.g. whether or not to climb a few hundred steps to see a castle, shrine, etc. Everyone was always looked after and meeting points along the way were well spelled out, so no one felt abandoned in any way. Our accommodation was as advertised, so in the case of staying at Hacone in a traditional style (with really low beds and no seating above floor level), Shizuka arranged for standard kitchen chairs to be placed in our room which was great - it's always the little things that matter. Our trip was based on traveling most of the way by Shinkansen (bullet trains) and sometimes the ticketing was not straight-forward, but it was well explained all of the time and Shizuka's planning smoothed out the bumps every time. Shizuka's "local knowledge", being Japanese, assisted our group many times along the way when things may not have been going according to plan and we always felt looked after and confident that "The Boss" would quickly resolve any hiccups. Equally, Shizuka often gave us our own space and when a group dinner was not a part of the agenda we sometimes shared meals with her apart from the group or vice-versa - there was a good, relaxed feeling in the group that we were our own mature travellers as well as being a part of the group. Look, I know that things can go wrong whether you are hiking out in the bush or traveling at 300 kp/h, but in our experience our Guide Shizuka was very well equipped personally to adapt and overcome, and we had a beaut trip. Highly recommended."

Trip dates & details
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South East Asia Loop
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Angkor Wat, Bangkok , Battambang , Chiang Mai, Halong Bay , Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An , Hue, Luang Prabang, Mekong Delta, Mekong River , Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh , Saigon, Siem Reap, Vientiane

Highlights

  • Discover the incredible Angkor Wat. As well as a guided tour, you'll also have a pass to cover your whole time in Siem Reap. So you can explore this World Heritage temple complex as much and as often as you like.
  • The two-day boat journey down the iconic Mekong River passes incredible rural scenery and is one of the must-dos to truly experience South East Asia.
  • Discover the mysterious beauty of the Lao jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat.
  • Sample local food wherever you go, from a seafood dinner on Halong Bay, street snacks at markets, a meal at a buddhist nunnery, coconut candy and tropical fruits in the Mekong Delta, and dinner at KOTO restaurant.
  • Discover Kampong Luong and the countryside around Battambang with a visit to a floating village and a bike ride around farms and cottage industries.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"My wife & I are Australians and have been to Asia many times but not to Japan. We had heard good things, so we jumped on to an Intrepid trip in April, 2025. Our Guide was Shizuka Yoshimura who, while being born in Japan, was a well-travelled, knowledgeable and enthusiastic woman who was fun to be with and proved very capable in leading 9 of us, aged between about 30 years of age to mid-70's, from 4 nations around her own country. Shizuka was very fluent in English which was brilliant. Experience counts, both in the present, coping with transport & other issues which always arise, and in the planning and communicating the next stage of the tour with the group. Shizuka adapted to both the more able-bodied and the less physically able with care and good grace, always making sure that all members of the party were happy and comfortable with decisions regarding , e.g. whether or not to climb a few hundred steps to see a castle, shrine, etc. Everyone was always looked after and meeting points along the way were well spelled out, so no one felt abandoned in any way. Our accommodation was as advertised, so in the case of staying at Hacone in a traditional style (with really low beds and no seating above floor level), Shizuka arranged for standard kitchen chairs to be placed in our room which was great - it's always the little things that matter. Our trip was based on traveling most of the way by Shinkansen (bullet trains) and sometimes the ticketing was not straight-forward, but it was well explained all of the time and Shizuka's planning smoothed out the bumps every time. Shizuka's "local knowledge", being Japanese, assisted our group many times along the way when things may not have been going according to plan and we always felt looked after and confident that "The Boss" would quickly resolve any hiccups. Equally, Shizuka often gave us our own space and when a group dinner was not a part of the agenda we sometimes shared meals with her apart from the group or vice-versa - there was a good, relaxed feeling in the group that we were our own mature travellers as well as being a part of the group. Look, I know that things can go wrong whether you are hiking out in the bush or traveling at 300 kp/h, but in our experience our Guide Shizuka was very well equipped personally to adapt and overcome, and we had a beaut trip. Highly recommended."

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Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Northbound)
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Vinh Long

Highlights

  • Welcome to Vietnam
  • Walking tour; visit the famous Rex Hotel for a drink, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class and lunch
  • Cu Chi Tunnels excursion
  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Visit a local workshop to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made in Vinh Long; interact with sampan-making and conical hat making families in Cu Lao Gieng
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I traveled to Europe last October with 2 other couples for the Amsterdam to Basel Rhine River cruise. We also booked an extra day in Amsterdam and a 2 day extension to Lucerne. We had never heard of Avalon River cruises and didn't know anyone that had traveled with them, but really feel like we "lucked out" when we chose them for our cruise. After our experience, I can't recommend Avalon highly enough. This cruise line was the perfect balance of offering luxury while still being reasonably priced. Our ship (The View) was just lovely, the rooms (and bathrrooms!) so spacious, beds comfortable, the floor to ceiling windows fantastic, and the food delicious to eye AND palate, the staff helpful and professional, the included excursions informative and enjoyable and the optional available excursions unique and varied. (We loved the excurion to the Maginot Line.) It was the trip of a lifetime. I hope that we have the opportunity to cruise with Avalon again."

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Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay (Southbound)
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Vinh Long

Highlights

  • Welcome to Vietnam
  • Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Temple of Literature; lunch at a local restaurant; take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter; water puppets performance
  • Cruise on Ha Long Bay
  • Fly to Siem Reap
  • Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I traveled to Europe last October with 2 other couples for the Amsterdam to Basel Rhine River cruise. We also booked an extra day in Amsterdam and a 2 day extension to Lucerne. We had never heard of Avalon River cruises and didn't know anyone that had traveled with them, but really feel like we "lucked out" when we chose them for our cruise. After our experience, I can't recommend Avalon highly enough. This cruise line was the perfect balance of offering luxury while still being reasonably priced. Our ship (The View) was just lovely, the rooms (and bathrrooms!) so spacious, beds comfortable, the floor to ceiling windows fantastic, and the food delicious to eye AND palate, the staff helpful and professional, the included excursions informative and enjoyable and the optional available excursions unique and varied. (We loved the excurion to the Maginot Line.) It was the trip of a lifetime. I hope that we have the opportunity to cruise with Avalon again."

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Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Southbound)
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Vinh Long

Highlights

  • Welcome to Vietnam
  • Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Temple of Literature; lunch at a local restaurant; take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter; water puppets performance
  • Cruise on Ha Long Bay
  • Fly to Siem Reap
  • Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I traveled to Europe last October with 2 other couples for the Amsterdam to Basel Rhine River cruise. We also booked an extra day in Amsterdam and a 2 day extension to Lucerne. We had never heard of Avalon River cruises and didn't know anyone that had traveled with them, but really feel like we "lucked out" when we chose them for our cruise. After our experience, I can't recommend Avalon highly enough. This cruise line was the perfect balance of offering luxury while still being reasonably priced. Our ship (The View) was just lovely, the rooms (and bathrrooms!) so spacious, beds comfortable, the floor to ceiling windows fantastic, and the food delicious to eye AND palate, the staff helpful and professional, the included excursions informative and enjoyable and the optional available excursions unique and varied. (We loved the excurion to the Maginot Line.) It was the trip of a lifetime. I hope that we have the opportunity to cruise with Avalon again."

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Mekong River Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
357  Reviews
See all Mekong River tour reviews
Excellent
432
Great
67
Average
10
Disappointing
4
Terrible
1
H

Heather W

Feb 2024

Written on

Outstanding Services!

Exotic Voyages is first class all the way. Lacey our travel advisor helped plan a trip for my brother and I to Thailand. I gave Lacey a rough of idea of what I wante...

M

Mariann Z

Apr 2023

Written on

Magical Family Adventure To Thailand

We had a trip of a lifetime to Thailand thanks to the perfect planning from Exotic Voyages. They covered every detail the moment we stepped off our international fli...

S

Supercarkids

Apr 2023

Written on

Wonderful family adventure!

"We just returned from an amazing family adventure to Thailand, with many thanks to Lacey at Exotic Voyages! We had little time to plan the trip and left almost ever...

J

Jim

Jun 2020

Written on

Another Great trip to Thailand

Mai Phuong put together Another wonderful trip for us. (She booked our beautiful trip to Vietnam in 2017). We went to Thailand over New Year’s and Mai took care of e...

J

Juerg

May 2020

Written on

Best 14 days Tour around Thailand

A very big compliment to Ha Vy, Mai Phuong, and everybody involved in setting up our Thailand itinerary. From the moment our first tour guide Patrick picked us up at...

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Mekong River Tour Selection Trips

  • Common choices include either a one-week Mekong-only cruise or a two-week land-and-water tour of the region that includes the week-long cruise. 
  • Winter is the best, or at least the coolest, time to take a Mekong cruise; summer is rainy season. 
  • Temperatures are hot any time of year. 
  • Be sure to apply for visas to Vietnam and Cambodia well in advance.

Additional details

The best Mekong River tours are about experiencing the local lifestyle, culture, and beauty of the river. You’ll have full days of excursions with time to rest on the boat between destinations. The amount of stops and cultural attractions you will see depends on the length of your trip and route.

The highlights of the trip are being able to get off of the boat and immerse yourself in the traditional lifestyle of the villages that sit on the river. Many of these stops provide options for you to interact with the culture such as bicycle riding, cooking classes, and temple visits.

When to Travel on the Mekong River

In southern Vietnam and Cambodia the temperature stays consistently between 75-95 degrees all year round. The summer months are the rainy and more humid season. During the summer, the rain falls in short bursts of downpours in the afternoon. There will be plenty of sunlight to still see things during the day.

Even though the dry season is recommended to be on the Mekong River, the wet season is also a good time to visit. During the wet season, the river is higher which allows the boat to travel farther into the river to see more villages. However, the wet season will also include a healthy amount of mosquitos. Make sure to back plenty of bug spray.

In late-January to the end of February, the Lunar New Year is celebrated. Vietnam and Cambodia both follow the holiday, along with other national holidays. Many shops, transportation, and restaurants will be closed the days around the new year. Additionally, for the three weeks of the holiday, transportation and stores will be affected and will make getting around the countries a little more difficult. Double check the calendar for major holidays or festivals before booking your trip.

Who Will Enjoy a Mekong River Cruise

History and culture lovers will love the Mekong River. Mekong River tours pass through some of the most cultural and historical regions in mainland Southeast Asia. Cultural and historical stops such as Angkor Wat, the floating markets, and Toul Sleng are snapshots into the historical makeup of southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

For those seeking a more casual river cruise then those of Europe, a Mekong River cruise will be right up your alley. The Mekong River flows through much of the rural countryside of Cambodia and Vietnam. Many stops along the river include small villages that seem like they are frozen in time. These rural villages provide a break from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh and have a relaxed vibe to them.

The Mekong River is the best spot for amateur photographers. The river flows through rice paddies, small colorful villages, and towering green hills that would fill up anyone’s camera. Make sure to have enough room in your camera to capture every new view around the riverbend.

A word of caution for new travelers to Southeast Asia. Many of the stops on the river will include rural villages and rugged landscape. This means there may be little to no cell reception, non-Western toilets (squat toilets), dirt roads, and very busy streets. Make sure to bring good walking shoes because walking through the villages or getting in and out of small boats may be a little tricky. Travelers who are active and looking to really get into the landscape will enjoy the day excursions.

Mekong River Cruise Safety and Accessibility

Most river cruises are only a few floors high to fit into the smaller areas of the rivers. But, this doesn’t mean there won’t be elevators for travelers traveling in wheelchairs. It may, however, restrict your movement on the ship.

It will be helpful for wheelchair travelers to have another traveler with them. Disembarking and boarding can be difficult due to smaller confines and weather issues. Many of the stops on a Mekong River guided tour feature villages with unpaved roads and floating markets with very small boats which may limit the activities one may do. For travelers with disabilities, it is recommended to do research beforehand to see whether the rugged landscape and day trips would work for you.

Many of the cruise ships have Wifi on board. However, due to traveling in rural and remote areas of the Mekong River, Wifi may be slow and not connect at all. You likely will not have service or Wifi in the villages, but will have better luck in the larger cities. Many of the cafes in the larger cities provide free Wifi.  

The Mekong River is in an area with a growing population, but not unsafe. However, it is important to make sure all valuables are locked and stored in your room before leaving on an excursion. Take just enough money for the day to lower your risk of pickpockets and some of these stops will not have an ATM to use to take out more money. Also, some of the cruise ships only take cash, so make sure to convert enough money before you arrive.

Food along the Mekong River is a cultural experience one shouldn’t miss. However, double check the street food before you take a bite. Make sure the food has been cooked or fried and hasn’t been sitting outside in the sun all day. If you bring along a bottle that can purify water then you can drink from the tap, but it’s best to stay cautious and only drink from bottle water.

Do You Need a Visa to Visit the Mekong River?

Most travelers, but not everyone, who visit Vietnam and Cambodia will need a visa. A few of the European countries and the United Kingdom are allowed to be in Vietnam up to 15 days before requiring a visa. Travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia will need a visa no matter the length of stay. All travelers to Cambodia will need a visa unless you are from a country on the exempt list.

Visas can be obtained upon arrival at the airports or online. Both will need a passport picture, especially if you decide to get a visa upon arrival. For stamp fees upon arrival in Vietnam, US dollars or Vietnam Dong are the only accepted payment for a visa. For online applications, documentation of application should be printed to show the airlines when you check in to your flight, especially for Vietnam. It is recommended to check your country’s international travel websites for a complete and up-to-date description of how to obtain visas for each country.

Common Mekong River Tour Lengths

Mekong River cruises are generally at least two weeks in length to see everything. These two weeks usually include a full day in the starting and final city. If you decide to go with a tour that includes Hanoi or Bangkok, it will be closer to 17 days to include days in those cities and flights to and from the departure city of your cruise.

There are some cruises that are only one week. These tours are more truncated and jam packed every day with new destinations. If you have only a certain amount of time, these tours would be the best option. Most of these tours include many of the main stops, but if you have the time and want to see the entire river, the longer tours would be the way to go.

What Languages are Spoken Along the Mekong River?

The main languages encountered on the Mekong River will be Vietnamese and Khmer (Cambodia). English will be spoken on the cruises and in much of the major cities. However, there may be some communication issues in the smaller villages where English is spoken less.

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