• Overview

VIETNAM RIVER CRUISE

Vietnam River Cruise. Venture further into the Mekong Delta and up the main Mekong River than is possible on other available river excursions. This innovative route is primarily intended for Pandaw Club members who want to spend a longer time in the cozy and vibrant ambiance of our exquisitely built ships and who are looking for more immersed experiences in the nations Pandaw ships visit.

Vietnam River Cruise:

On a Mekong river tour, explore Southeast Asia while three millennia of history are revealed to you. Explore vibrant cities like Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and fishing villages where the river is the lifeblood of the community. Take a seat back and unwind on the quaint sundeck of RV La Marguerite while you cruise down the Mekong, making stops to see some of the lesser-known regions of the nation including Tan Chau, the primary silk hub of Vietnam, and Cai Be, which is home to the Cao Dai Temple, a blend of western Catholicism and Asian religions. 

Marvel at pristine views of tropical jungles and mountain peaks, striking rock formations, and remote communities that provide guests with genuine experiences and a warm welcome as you explore the splendor of the Mekong's strong waters. Your ship is expertly navigated through breathtaking gorges, past pristine sandbank mazes, and through tumultuous rapids by your experienced skipper.

The majority of Mekong cruises include trips to Angkor Wat, the greatest religious structure in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is a truly emerging destination, perched on the banks of the Tonle Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving metropolis that blends French colonial buildings, temples, and palaces with edgy, modern design. And Cai Be; a favorite destination for Mekong river cruisers, with its colonial architecture, exquisite flower gardens, and—above all—its floating marketplaces.

The best way to see some of Vietnam's most well-known towns and gain an intriguing overview of its history, customs, and cultural attractions is on a Mekong River cruise. Vietnam is a thin, curved strip that borders Cambodia, Laos, and China to the north. During your Mekong River tour, you will also visit Cambodia. Depending on which way you go, Mekong itineraries usually start and end in Vietnam, in the country's two most well-known cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam River cruises include transfers to or from the Mekong, even though Hanoi is located far north of it. This allows you to see more of the nation before or after you set sail. You will see towns, villages, and holy sites during your river tour, providing a fascinating look into the rich cultural heritage of this historic nation.

• Ports Along the Mekong River Vietnam:
  

Hanoi, which was formerly the capital of French Indochina and is currently the capital of Vietnam, has a rich colonial past and a plethora of more antiquated gems to discover. The French Quarter exudes an authentic colonial ambiance, while the Old Quarter is the city's primary tourist destination due to its abundance of retail choices. Colonial architecture may be seen everywhere, but you may also visit sites that are more associated with the East, such as the Temple of Literature and the Chua Tran Quoc Pagoda. Due to its close vicinity, Hanoi is also the starting point for many river cruise companies' excursions to Halong Bay, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful natural regions in the world.

My Tho, As one might expect, the old Saigon provides the chance to learn more about this nation's troubled past with visits to the well-known War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, a former South Vietnamese government structure that has been preserved virtually intact throughout the conflict. Aside from the amazing architecture found in historic Ho Chi Minh Square, other notable landmarks in the city are the Saigon Opera House and the renowned Central Post Office. Make sure to visit the Saigon Skydeck for the best view of it all.

Cai Be, Many Vietnam river cruises make stops in this charming riverside village. In addition to having a stunning French Gothic church, a vibrant riverfront, and a floating market, it has some quite lovely flower gardens if you're looking for some peace and quiet in the East. This area is also used to make rice paper, and several river cruise companies provide trips to see a local workshop where the paper is created.

Sa Dec, located directly across the Mekong from Cai Be, so you'll frequently see both on the same day of your Vietnam river trip. In addition to the chance to take a traditional boat ride on some of the lesser tributaries of the river, this location offers another well-known traditional market to peruse. The Ancient House of Huynh Thuy, the setting for The Lover, one of the most well-known novels by French novelist Marguerite Duras, is the primary cultural attraction.

Tan Chau provides an additional glimpse into the traditional Vietnamese way of life, and you should probably combine your visit with a real rickshaw ride. Itineraries that stop at the village not only give visitors a true sense of local life, but also frequently include a visit to Evergreen Island, which provides an intriguing glimpse into traditional Vietnamese agriculture and crafts.

• The Best Time For River Cruises Trip In Vietnam: 

A fantastic way to take in the beauty and culture of the region is to take a Mekong River cruise between Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong River cruise season in Vietnam runs from November to April, at which time it is ideal to go.

Although the Mekong River is a year-round vacation destination, your experience will vary based on when you visit. Between November and April, during the dry season, is the ideal time to enjoy a boat along the Mekong. However, November through January are the best months because the rainy season has already ended and the average temperature won't be too high. All year long, the average temperature is 89 °F (32 °C) with lows of 74 °F (23 °C).

Six nations in Southeast Asia are crossed by the Mekong River, which is the twelfth largest river in the world. These countries are China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Many tours to the Mekong are available from Adventure Life, primarily departing from Vietnam and Cambodia. You will probably begin and end your river voyage up the Mekong in either southern Vietnam or southern Cambodia.

High water and low water seasons are two more seasons in the Mekong Delta that roughly correspond with the dry and wet seasons. The low water season runs from December to mid-August, and the high water season is from mid-August to November. The main distinction between the two is that river cruises to the Tonle Sap Lake are possible during the high water season. The Prek Toal Bird Reserve and other floating settlements are located around this lake. During this time of year, ships can dock here, making it possible for visitors to take a 45-minute drive to Siem Reap.

If the Tonle Sap Lake's water levels are adverse, ships cannot travel straight to Siem Reap. Depending on where the tour ends, passengers must either drive from Kampong Cham or take a flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Benefits of river cruising: Cruise fares typically include transportation expenses.

Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh)

Southern Cambodia (Phnom Penh)

Vietnam River Cruise Season:

• Dry Season:

The Mekong is generally thought to have a dry season from November to April. If you're worried about rain or river flooding, the dry season is a great time to visit. Many of the Mekong's flowers are in bloom between December and February, providing a once-in-a-life time photo opportunity. Because they will be working in fields or in the markets during this season, you will also get the chance to view and talk with a lot of people. Learn about their experiences, as Lower Mekong Cruises invariably center on the history of the Vietnam War.

• Wet Season:

May to October is when the wet season occurs. It's important to remember that there is a monsoon season (a seasonal prevalent wind in Southeast Asia) within the wet season. This season, which is typically regarded as lasting from April to September, is mostly responsible for the heavy rainfall that occurs during the rainy season. On the other hand, the magnificent Mekong region becomes an infinite stretch of vivid green due to the moderate yearly rainfall. The Mekong's "green season" (June to August) coincides with summer vacations in the US and Europe when the rice fields are at their most verdant.

It won't be a terrible experience if you decide to travel during the wet season, but it will be different. To get the most out of your trip, it is advised that if you are traveling during the wet season, you go during the high water season, which runs from mid-August to November. The benefit of being able to visit the Tonle Sap Lake area will be yours. Since most things flower between June and July, this is also the time when the fish, veggies, and fruits at floating markets will be the most desirable. This facilitates simpler access to Siem Reap, one of Cambodia's must-see locations.

Since this is the off-season, the river will usually be less crowded and the cost of hotels, hostels, and cruises will be slightly lower. It also doesn't rain all day; on most days, the rain stops by late afternoon, giving you time to leave the boat and visit the nearby towns and marketplaces. The rain normally falls for at least an hour each day. It is strongly advised that you discuss with your doctor the purchase of malaria medication if you decide to go on a Mekong River cruise during the rainy season, as the forest will be considerably more damp than usual, creating a greater area for mosquitoes to thrive.