5 Best River Cruises in Asia

River cruising is one of the best ways to explore Asia. Why? First and foremost, it allows you to visit multiple destinations in a single trip (and only requires that you unpack once). Second, and perhaps more importantly, it gives you access to some pretty amazing experiences. Cruise lines that offer Mekong and other Southeast Asia river cruises spend a lot of time curating their itineraries, selecting ports and designing excursions that allow you to really immerse yourself in ancient cultures and traditions. 

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up five of our favourite Southeast Asia river cruises. Keep on reading to find the one that piques your interest. And yes, it’s okay if it’s all of them.

• Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River with Avalon Waterways
• Natural Treasures of Indonesia, Borneo & Taiwan with Scenic 
• Magnificent Mekong: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City with Viking Cruises
• Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia with Emerald Cruises
• Riches of the Mekong with AmaWaterways

Departs from: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ports of call: Vĩnh Long and Cù Lao Giêng, Vietnam – Châu Đốc and Long Khánh A, Vietnam – Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Wat Hanchey and Angkor Ban, Cambodia – Kompong Luong and Kompong Tralach, Vietnam – Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia

If your travel bucket list includes things like “Watch the sunset at the Angkor Wat temple complex”, then this cruise is for you. From the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Avalon Waterways’ 12-night Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong River itinerary takes you to some of the most iconic (and most popular) attractions in Southeast Asia. 

With a mix of Classic, Discovery and Active shore excursions available at each port destination, you’ll get to immerse yourself in ancient traditions and cultures throughout your entire journey. You can, for instance, prepare and eat delicious cuisine during a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class; visit the Killing Fields to learn about the sad history of the Cambodian genocide; and receive a water blessing from monks in a rural village.

Whether you’re cruising the mighty Mekong River for the first time or are simply looking for ways to get deeper into the heart of a destination, this is a great option. 

Departs from: Bali (Benoa), Indonesia

Ports of call: Sumbawa island, Indonesia – Komodo island, Indonesia – Taka Bonerate Islands, Indonesia – Palopo and Sulawesi, Indonesia - Ujung Pandang (Makassar), Indonesia – Derawan Islands, Indonesia – Sabah, Malaysia – El Nido, Philippines – Manila, Philippines – Hualien, Taiwan – Taipei (Keelung City), Taiwan

Okay… we’re cheating a bit with this one. Scenic’s Natural Treasures of Indonesia, Borneo & Taiwan itinerary isn’t technically a river cruise, but we just couldn’t resist including it on this list. Why?

For starters, it takes passengers to some of the most captivating destinations Southeast Asia has to offer — including the modern cities of Manila and Taipei, and the remote island paradises of Sumbawa, Komodo and El Nido. And the best part is that the itinerary spans more than two weeks; that means you’ll get to see, do and experience a lot, but also have the luxury of exploring at a leisurely pace.

Speaking of luxury! Your journey aboard the Scenic Eclipse II will be just as special as the time you spend at each destination. When you sail with Scenic, you get to stay in elegantly appointed suites and enjoy butler service (the cruise line boasts an almost 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio). Not only that, but your all-inclusive fare gives you access to fine dining and premium beverage options, top-of-the-line fitness facilities, personalized excursions and more.

Departs from: Hanoi, Vietnam

Ports of call: Siem Reap, Cambodia – Kampong Cham, Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Tan Châu, Vietnam – Sa Đéc, Vietnam – Cái Bè, Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

One of the things that makes people hesitant to embark on a Mekong River cruise (or any cruise, for that matter) is that they fear the ship will be overrun with children. But that’s not something you need to worry about on this trip! Since Viking Cruises is an adults-only cruise line, your time spent aboard the Viking Saigon will be ultra-relaxing. 

With a capacity for just 80 guests, its staterooms and suites range from a cozy 305 square feet to a spacious 705 square feet. Not only that, but the ship’s public spaces — including restaurants, bars and fitness centres — have been designed with floor-to-ceiling windows in order to maximize views. 

Of course, the boat isn’t the only reason to pick this Asia river cruise. Viking Cruises’ 14-night Magnificent Mekong itinerary allows you to explore the historic Old Quarter in Hanoi, visit the UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, discover rural villages in Tân Châu, sample delicious street food in every port of call and so much more.

Departs from: Hanoi, Vietnam

Ports of call: Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam – Hanoi, Vietnam – Hue and Da Nang (Chan May), Vietnam – Hoi An, Vietnam – Siem Reap, Cambodia – Oudong, Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Cambodia – An Long, Vietnam – Mỹ An Hưng, Vietnam – Sa Đéc, Vietnam – Mỹ Tho, Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Most Asian river cruises are simply, well… Asian river cruises. That’s not the case here! Emerald Cruises’ 20-night Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia itinerary includes river cruising and land touring. In other words, you get the best of both worlds. 

You’ll spend the first days of your vacation on land, travelling from Hanoi to Hạ Long Bay, Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An. From there, you’ll be transported to Cambodia — where you’ll embark upon the Emerald Harmony for a river cruise journey that takes you from Siem Reap to the Mekong Delta region in Southern Vietnam. 

In addition to exploring two of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful countries, you’ll get to enjoy a ton of extra perks. Your fare includes 21 excursions, nights spent in deluxe hotels, 46 meals (20 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 12 dinners), cultural experiences and tours, first-class service from the crew and trained guides, access to a knowledgeable cruise director and so much more.

Departs from: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ports of call: Kampong Cham, Cambodia – Angkor Ban and Koh Oknha Tey, Cambodia – Oudong, Kampong Tralach and Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Tân Châu, Vietnam – Sa Đéc, Vietnam – Cái Bè, Vietnam – Mỹ Tho and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Spanning just seven nights, AmaWaterways’ Riches of the Mekong itinerary is shorter than every other Southeast Asia river cruise on this list — but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile! Besides, you can always extend the trip by booking a pre- or post-cruise vacation package. 

This Mekong River cruise really is a feast for all the senses. You’ll get to see natural wonders such as the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary in Tân Châu, hear about Cambodia’s rich history at the National Museum in Phnom Penh, taste authentic regional cuisine (there are great dining options on board and on shore!), smell the freshly made goods at a market in Cái Bè, and feel the delicate hand-woven art made on “Silk Island”.

Every experience helps you discover what daily life is like in this part of the world, giving you a new perspective and outlook. If that’s not enough to convince you to embark upon this river cruise, we don’t know what is.

Whether you’re getting ready to try river cruising for the first time or are simply looking for the soonest departure date, get in touch! Our travel consultants can help you book all sorts of Asia river cruises, from classic Mekong River cruises to unique Irrwaddy River cruises. We can even help you organize a trip on the Yangtze River (Asia’s longest river), which flows from the Tibetan plateau, through the stunning Three Gorges region and past Shanghai to the East China Sea.

Psst! We have a bunch of experience booking Europe river cruises, too! Check out our top five itineraries.