When travelers think of southern Vietnam, they often think of the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. However, if this is your only knowledge of this area, then do a little research and you’ll come across the unique river-lands of the Mekong Delta. One of the best ways to experience this area is to take a cruise. Check out our recommendations below!
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Overview of the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region covering southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of tributaries. The Mekong Delta region encompasses a large portion of southwestern Vietnam with over 40,500 square kilometers. Depending on the season, the surface area covered by water can be quite sweeping or small. Normally, the water rises during the rainy season (June to October) and falls during dry season (November to May).The region comprises 12 provinces: Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, An Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau, along with the province-level municipality of Can Tho.
Life in the Mekong Delta revolves around the river and its innumerable canals and tributaries. Not only is fishing a major occupation in the region, it is done uniquely. Local fisherman cast nets the scale of a whole village. But for a few decades now, the inhabitants of the delta have set out to grow fish in floating fish farms, initially from An Giang to farther downstream provinces. The most recent evolution is fish farming in ponds, and the landscape is beginning to change because of it.
The river and its tributaries form a dense net of waterways, of which near 15,000 miles can be navigated by yachts of over 100 tons in the delta alone, that is more than ten times the length of a compacted road. So all the markets are near the river and they often float on the river itself, like Cai Rang or Cai Be market. All the trades pertaining to the river are represented along the banks, where you find not only agriculture produce, fruit drying facilities and small-scale cane sugar refineries, but also mechanics and wooden yachts.
I’m not asking you to wait anymore! Let’s see what the best cruises to the Mekong Delta are!
The Lady Hau Cruise
If you want to truly experience the Mekong Delta, the Lady Hau Cruise is one of your best options! This cruise will help you discover the Mekong Delta tranquil villages. Along your journey, you can expect to have a breakfast cruise to the photogenic Cai Rang Floating Market, row through the incredible submerged forest at Tra Su, stop by Phnom Penh, Cambodia, or Rach Gia, the gateway to the beautiful Phu Quoc island.
The yacht is designed with precious woods with a maximum capacity of 35 people. In the morning, visitors can have a romantic breakfast while watching the sunrise on Cai Rang floating market and mingling with hundreds of yachts wading through the water. The afternoon sunsets are magical, so make sure to catch a glimpse. In the evening, if required, the staff will serve you a dinner feast on the Mekong River.
More information:
Tour duration: four days and three nights
Price range: from 13,600,000 VND (599 USD)
Website: Victoria Hotels Asia
Mekong Eyes Cruise
39 meters in length and 8.5 meters in width, the Mekong Eyes yacht has the shape of a traditional barge carrying rice in the Mekong Delta. However, this yacht uses the finest woods and are expertly decorated by skillful craftsmen of the Mekong Delta to reinterpret the model of river transport. With a capacity of 15 comfortable rooms, each one is well-insulated with glass window frames.
More information:
Tour duration: two days and one night
Price range: from 5,175,000 VND (230 USD)
Website: Mekong Eyes
Mekong Feeling Cruise
With comfort and service, Mekong Feeling Cruise is affectionately referred to as a small floating hotel. In particular, this yacht also has a spacious deck, ideal for sunbathing. With the “feel of Mekong difference”, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy exciting discoveries when floating upon the yacht. From the Tien Giang river, you will go down to Can Tho and then along the Mekong to Chau Doc. Do not forget to sip a glass of fine wine to relax in the peaceful atmosphere on the river and wait to visit the ancient temple in the village producing noodles in the Cambodian style, you may be rewarded with a Traditional Apsara dance.
More information:
Tour duration: three days and two nights
Price range: from 8,000,000 VND (351 USD)
Authentic Mekong Sampan
Authentic Mekong Cruise is designed to look like the traditional yacht of the ancient sampan people. With a length of 21.5 meters and a width of four meters, Authentic Mekong is made of precious wood, resistant to water and mold. Sail on this yacht, and you will suddenly feel the ancient life of the people who have spent all their lives to work and live on the water. Traveling with Authentic Mekong from Cai Be to Long Xuyen and vice versa, visitors will be amazed and awed by their discoveries about the landscapes and daily life of the locality. Thereby, they have the opportunity to expand their hearts to smile with the gentle people of the South.
More information:
Tour duration: three days and two nights
Price range: from 8,820,000 VND (387 USD)
Bassac Cruise
Bassac is a yacht built entirely with precious golden oak, the kind of wood that was used only for the king and royal family. Traveling with Bassac, you will be delighted that the crew always has a list of backup destinations for you to choose from in case the weather turns. And even more unique, a Bassac kayak team awaits to help travelers to paddle and explore the Mekong through small canals. In addition, the bar area is quite an ideal place to hold cozy, elegant parties on the yacht.
More information:
Tour duration: two days and one night / three days and two nights
Price range: from 9,800,000 VND (430 USD)
Website: Transmekong
L’amant Cruise
The name L’Amant reminds people of the famous novel which shares the same name. Inspired by the yachts across Indochina in the early 20th century, L’Amant was designed in a traditional style but with modern amenities that will make you feel comfortable. Join L’amant Cruise, and you’ll have an awesome journey from the Mekong Delta to the white sand beaches of the Thailand gulf.
More information:
Tour duration: three days and two nights
Price range: from 11,000,000 VND (483 USD)
Website: L’Amant Cruise
RV Amalotus Cruise
Amalotus was launched in September 2011 and has been making its way from Saigon to Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Dong Thap and An Giang province to explore the cultural life of the inhabitants in the Mekong Delta and Siem Reap (Cambodia). With the stylish design of an ancient steam yacht, Amalotus captivates the world traveler with its professional service, a rich menu of cuisine, and beautifully decorated rooms.
More information:
Tour duration: eight days and seven nights
Price range: from 30,000,000 VND to 53,000,000 VND (1318 USD – 2328 USD)
Website: RV Amalotus Cruise
Le Cochinchine Cruises
Le Cochinchine was named by the Khmer tribe to honor Princess Ngoc Van. The yacht is designed entirely of wood and oaks with traditional and luxurious Vietnamese furnishings. On the cruise from Saigon to Cai Be and Can Thom, you will have the opportunity to enjoy life on the Mekong River and observe floating markets, fruit orchards, and sunsets. And the trip most worth your time, the cruise from Saigon to Angkor Wat, will definitely be an unforgettable experience! Le Cochinchine even has a popular program called “moon night on the river” which is highly recommended by former travelers. This cruise is designed to help you vacation slowly and enjoy every simple moment.
More information:
Tour duration: seven days and six nights
Price range: from 32,376,000 VND (1421 USD)
Website: Le Cochinchine
La Marguerite Cruise
The style and design of the yacht recalls the elegance of the Art Nouveau period in Paris. In particular, the interior is an ingenious architectural combination of French colonial details and cultural artifacts of the Mekong region. And La Marguerite brings this wonderful design into each of their 46 French-style rooms. Enjoy the cruise on the Mekong tributaries, and you will have a wonderful experience from Saigon to Siem Reap. In addition, you will have an eye-opening experience that will illuminate the life of the people living on the Mekong river. The most interesting activity is book reading. You’ll be told about the artifacts and legendary stories of the Mekong Delta people. This activity is inspired by the passionate French author Marguerite Duras. She was the writer of L’Amant – the internationally famous novel about the love between the author and a Vietnamese man named Huynh Thuy Le.
More information:
Tour duration: eight days and seven nights
Price: from 39,000,000 VND (1713 USD)
Pandaw River Cruise
Not only renowned as “the five-star hotel on the river”, Pandaw is also famous for its design as a French steam yacht. The decoration of fine wood exudes royalty and luxury. Each room has a very spacious balcony. If you travel with Pandaw, you will have the chance to visit the floating markets and the house of Huynh Thuy Le – “the lover” of the French writer Marguerite Duras. Moreover, the yacht will also take you to a Cham village, Phnom Penh city, Tonle Sap River, and Siem Reap – the old capital of Cambodia.
More information:
Tour duration: eight days and seven nights
Price range: from 55,000,000 VND (2420 USD)
Website: Pandaw
Now you know the best cruises in the Mekong Delta, but how about other important things such as itinerary and food? Check out our articles below!
All About the Cai Rang Floating Market
Where to Stay in the Mekong Delta
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