Sail aboard the elegant Mekong Princess on an unforgettable 5-day journey from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Phnom Penh. Combining boutique luxury with authentic cultural experiences, this all-inclusive Mekong River cruise takes you beyond the usual tourist routes to explore vibrant floating markets, peaceful riverside villages, historic temples, and the rich traditions of the Mekong Delta. Perfect for couples, retirees, and discerning travelers, this cruise offers spacious suites, exceptional dining, personalized service, and carefully curated shore excursions, making it one of the finest ways to experience Vietnam and Cambodia.
Tour Highlights
- Cruise aboard the luxurious Mekong Princess, one of the Mekong's finest boutique river ships.
- Journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh in comfort.
- Visit the famous Cai Be Floating Market and local handicraft workshops.
- Explore traditional riverside villages and family-run businesses.
- Experience authentic Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine.
- Discover the unique cultures of the Mekong Delta through guided excursions.
- Relax in spacious suites with panoramic river views.
- Enjoy personalized service with a high crew-to-guest ratio.
Why Choose the Mekong Princess?
Unlike larger ocean cruises, the Mekong Princess offers an intimate boutique experience designed for travelers seeking comfort, authenticity, and cultural immersion. With fewer guests on board, personalized service, elegant accommodations, and expertly guided excursions, you'll discover the true heart of the Mekong River while enjoying the comfort of a luxury floating hotel.
Who Is This Cruise Suitable For?
- Couples seeking a luxury river cruise.
- Retired travelers.
- First-time visitors to Vietnam and Cambodia.
- Luxury travelers looking for an all-inclusive experience.
- Photography enthusiasts.
- Culture and history lovers.
- Travelers preferring slow, immersive journeys.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Saigon Port Embarkation
Day 2: Ben Tre, Tra On
Day 3: Can Tho, Hoa An
Day 4: Hong Ngu Border crossing
Day 5: Phnom Penh Disembarkation
Why Travel the Mekong by River Cruise?
The Mekong River has been the lifeblood of Southeast Asia for centuries. Traveling by river allows you to experience everyday life along its banks—from bustling floating markets and peaceful farming communities to ancient pagodas and colonial architecture. Unlike road travel, a luxury cruise offers a relaxed pace, exceptional comfort, and ever-changing scenery throughout your journey.
Best Time to Cruise the Mekong
November – April: Dry season with sunny weather and comfortable temperatures—ideal for sightseeing.
May – October: Greener landscapes and higher river levels create spectacular scenery with fewer visitors.
Both seasons offer unique experiences, making Mekong cruises enjoyable year-round.
Onboard Experience
Include a dedicated section covering:
- Spacious luxury suites
- Fine dining featuring Vietnamese and international cuisine
- Sun deck
- Lounge and bar
- Spa services (if available)
- Daily shore excursions
- English-speaking cruise manager
- Complimentary beverages (if included)
- Wi-Fi availability
Why Book with Viet Exquisite Travel?
- Official Mekong Princess Cruise partner
- Local Vietnam travel specialists
- Expert cruise recommendations
- Personalized pre- and post-cruise travel planning
- Private airport transfers available
- 24/7 customer support
- Flexible extensions to Vietnam or Cambodia
FAQs
1. What is included in the Mekong Princess Cruise?
The cruise includes luxury accommodation, meals on board, guided shore excursions, entertainment, and many onboard amenities. Please refer to the itinerary for full inclusions.
2. Is this cruise suitable for seniors?
Yes. The Mekong Princess is particularly popular with retirees thanks to its relaxed pace, comfortable accommodations, and excellent onboard service.
3. Which direction is better: Saigon to Phnom Penh or Phnom Penh to Saigon?
Both itineraries offer similar experiences. Your choice usually depends on your overall Southeast Asia travel plans and international flight arrangements.
4. How many passengers are on board?
The Mekong Princess accommodates a limited number of guests, creating an intimate and personalized cruising experience.
5. Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available on board, although connection speeds may vary in remote areas along the Mekong River.
6. Do I need a Vietnam or Cambodia visa?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. We can provide guidance and assist you in preparing for your journey.
7. What should I pack?
Lightweight clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and smart-casual attire for evenings are recommended.
8. Can I combine this cruise with a Vietnam tour?
Absolutely. Many travelers combine the cruise with visits to Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, or Angkor Wat. Our travel specialists can create a seamless customized itinerary.
Begin Your Luxury Mekong Journey
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a unique way to experience Vietnam and Cambodia, the Mekong Princess offers an unforgettable river cruise through the heart of Southeast Asia. Our local travel specialists can help you choose the ideal sailing date, suite category, and pre- or post-cruise itinerary to create a seamless, personalized journey.
Speak with a Mekong Cruise Specialist
DAY 1: SAIGON PORT EMBARKATION
Our guide awaits you at the Meeting Point, Park Hyatt Saigon, then transfer to the Mekong Princess docking at Saigon Port. Once aboard, you will be welcomed by your Vietnamese and Cambodian ship’s crew, before embarking on the most extraordinary journey of discovery. We sail at midday through the famed Mekong Delta on our way to the ‘Mighty Mekong River’. Lunch, with highly attentive oriental hospitality, will be served soon after departure, as we cruise along the Saigon River. Having settled into your luxurious suites, you can relax and enjoy the new scenes and watch the world pass by.Late in the day we anchor in the heart of the Mekong Delta, where cocktails are served as sun sets, and sampans pass by. A traditional Vietnamese dinner is soon ready, embracing a subtle fusion of dishes for the most eclectic tastes.DAY 2: BEN TRE, TRA ON
This morning we sail on traditional Vietnamese sampans through a channel lined with mangroves to visit a local coconut candy maker. After watching the candy-making process we will walk through the village to visit an orchard where fruits native to Vietnam can be seen in various stages of maturity on the vine. After a fresh fruit tasting, we continue to a pier where we board small, local boats (two guests per boat) for a trip through the narrow creeks lined with Nipah palm before returning to the ship. This afternoon we sail through an area of the Mekong Delta barely touched by tourism to see Phuoc Hau historic pagoda and a local handicraft village.
DAY 3: CAN THO, HOA AN
We begin our morning before breakfast aboard the sampans for a cruise through the fascinating Cai Rang floating market near Can Tho. The sampans will weave in and out of the many boats that sail into the market each morning to sell produce and other items the residents of the Mekong Delta need in their daily lives. As they weave through the market, there will be many opportunities for amazing photographs, while enjoying fresh fruit and the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” fresh coconut water. Before returning to the ship for breakfast, we stop at a local noodle factory, where we witness the amazing process of how they are made.After lunch, continue excursion by boat to Hoa An village, where is untouched and well- known with flower growing and handmade craft. Our first stop at flower gardens where we will see many different kinds of flowers and learn how to grow and take care of them. Then, a short walking to a local house and chat with the host to see how they live and work in their daily life.After a short break, continue our excursion on motor cart to another village. We stop by at the conical hat-making and mat weaving families, have memorable time chatting with local family members and learning how to create products though hands-on experience. Enjoy your walk in the peaceful village with rice fields, fruit trees...in between visiting 2 local families. Then, we say goodbye and go back to the ship by boat.DAY 4: HONG NGU BORDER CROSSING
Today we visit the local island village of Hong Ngu, not far from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces a large number of the traditional, Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. Woven in many homes around the village, here we have the opportunity to see the weaving process under several homes. Some villagers are also embroidery artists, displaying their art in and around thehomes. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered one western visitor prior to the arrival of the Mekong Princess, they are especially friendly and welcoming. Guests will also visit the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hao. This afternoon, the Mekong Princess will cross the border into Cambodia and continue up the Mekong River.DAY 5: PHNOM PENH DISEMBARKATION
Following breakfast, it’s time to say a fond farewell to the Mekong Princess and your ship’s crews at Phnom Penh Port.
PRICE: USD/PAX
INCLUSIONS
- Full board welcome and farewell diner
- Cruise Itinerary and Program
- Entrance and Sightseeing Fees
- In-house English-speaking Tour Guide
- Superb dining with all meals included
- 4-night cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom and all port taxes included
- Services of an experienced cruise director throughout the cruise
- Cabin amenities included infotainment system & 24/7 hotline support
EXCLUSIONS
- Airfares, and Hotels
- Visa Arrangements & Port tax per passenger
- Crew gratuities, Tips and personal expenses
- Beverages at bar other than mentioned
- All the meals which does not mentioned clearly above
- Peak season or Public holidays surcharge if any
- Compulsory Gala dinner on X-Mas or New Year if any
- All other services not clearly mentioned above
