MEKONG DELTA TOUR & CRUISES

Cruise tours in Mekong Delta with various itineraries suit any budget will be the best way to explore country’s ‘rice bowl’ and so is both incredibly green and intensively farmed, with paddy fields and sugar-cane groves interspersed with numerous shady waterways. Mekong Delta is an important region both economically and culturally for the country as it is the world’s largest exporting region of rice. Home to 15 million Vietnamese, this is a world of waterways, backwaters and canals, always influenced by the whims of the river system. The Delta is an ideal place to experience the life of a local Vietnamese farmer in one of our home stays through one of our trips.

Mekong Delta tours and cruises are varied and can be explored on a day trip from Saigon, but to discover the region farther spend the 1 night in the cities of My Tho or Can Tho and on board the cruises we list down bellow. following are our great selection of hand picked cruise tours from the Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam. The Cruise tours are running between Vietnam to Cambodia and in Laos. In Southern Vietnam you may combine a Mekong Delta cruise with a journey toward the Phnom Penh that will be ended it in Siem Reap with a visit to mysteriously captivating Angkor Wat.

Cruising the Mekong

Perhaps the most scenic river in Asia, the Mekong is also the most vibrant, especially in Vietnam, where it fans out into the nine rivers that form its huge and fertile Delta. A cruise not only in and around the Delta area, but also upstream to Phnom Penh and on to Siem Reap, marks the striking cultural contrast between this bustling region and the tranquillity of Cambodia, providing a rich and varied element to any itinerary. Here are our favourite options, from one night to week-long voyages through the Mekong Delta.

Jayavarman & The Jahan

Jayavarman and The Jahan operate eight day cruises between Saigon and Siem Reap, but also have several shorter options for guests who wish to solely explore the Delta in luxury. Shore excursions are tailored to make the most of guests’ specific interests and if you wish, there is the opportunity to swap four wheels for two and explore by bicycle. With 27 elegant staterooms and junior suites, all with panoramic views which can be enjoyed from private balconies, the Jayavarman is a beautifully crafted vessel, combining French colonial style with an aura of the Far East. The Jahan has 26 spacious suites and is inspired by the elegance and exoticism of British India. Both vessels have a spacious sun deck as well as a small spa for ultimate relaxation and a quiet bar area perfect for a sundowner before enjoying dinner on board.

R/V Mekong Pandaw Mekong cruises

For many years Pandaw has been a pioneer of river cruising in Asia and they operate the 24 cabin R/V Mekong Pandaw between Saigon and Siem Reap in Cambodia and vice versa. The ship is a fine replica of a 1920s river steamer with teak decks and brass adornments creating a wonderfully colonial atmosphere. Air-conditioned, teak-lined double or twin cabins all have en suite facilities making for a comfortable stay on board. The vessel has a spacious dining room and a cocktail bar, as well as a glorious, partly- shaded sun deck from which to view the river. An eight day itinerary visits the Delta’s floating markets and Cham villages before crossing the border into Cambodia. Explore the capital of Phnom Penh by cyclo and the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake en route to Siem Reap. This is a great option for those who enjoy a leisurely, unhurried pace and prefer to see a number of destinations without changing accommodation.

R/V Bassac Fleet

Converted from traditional rice barges, the R/V Bassac fleet offers comfortable twin cabins with en suite facilities, a sun deck and bar, as well as a restaurant serving quality regional cuisine. The converted barges have six or ten cabins, while the two newer Bassac vessels have 12 cabins. All offer the same amenities as you cruise through the heart of the Delta on either a one or two night cruise. You will have the opportunity to head off to explore on smaller boats, stop to walk around local villages and visit cottage industries and the floating markets that form the lifeblood of the region. Without doubt, this is one of the most characterful and authentic ways to explore this fascinating region of southern Vietnam.

Sampans

Inspired by the houseboats of Kerala, private sampans are a fun and adventurous way of discovering the Mekong Delta. Generally used for fishing and for transporting goods, the flat-bottomed sampans are ideal for cruising narrow and shallow waterways and are constructed from teak and rattan. The traditional boats have been converted to provide cabins with simple en suite facilities and a living area covered by a woven bamboo roof. One or two night itineraries explore the Delta taking in Cai Be, Sa Dec, Can Tho and the colourful floating markets at Cai Rang.