2 Weeks in Mekong River

What You Should Know Before Going On A Mekong River Tour

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.