Vietnam River Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Vietnam River Cruise Tours & Trips

622 Vietnam trips. Tours from 158 tour companies. 2,111 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

26 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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River Cruise
Magnificient Mekong
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Angkor Wat, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh

Highlights

  • Cruise Map : Explore the stunningly scenic and culturally distinctive lands that lie along the remarkable Mekong River on this 15-day cruisetour.
  • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam : Ho Chi Minh City has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small fishing village called Prey Nokor. With a population of about 7.2 million people, it is now Vietnam’s largest city.
  • Phnom Penh, Cambodia : Once known as “the Pearl of Asia,” this bustling Cambodian capital is home to both charming French colonial architecture and the monumental Angkorian complexes for which Cambodia is revered.
  • Mekong River, Vietnam : The Mekong River boasts one of the richest areas of biodiversity on the planet: the Mekong river basin.
  • Angkor Wat, Cambodia : Built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is the most iconic portion of the Hindu temple complex located in Angkor, Cambodia.
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

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Vietnam, Cambodia & Riches of the Mekong
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3.7/5 Great
39 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Angkor Wat, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh , Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Enjoy a local boat ride to Sa Dec Village
  • Visit Buddhist Monastery in Oudong
  • Visit rice paper and candy-making workshop
  • Enjoy City Tour and Royal Palace Visit in Phnom Penh
  • Enjoy Phnom Penh Walking Tour
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I’ve sailed with AmaWaterways 4 times. They are the best! You become family. I can’t wait to sail with them again!"

Trip dates & details
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Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Northbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Welcome to Vietnam
  • Walking tour; visit the famous Rex Hotel for a drink, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class and lunch
  • Cu Chi Tunnels excursion
  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Visit a local workshop to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made in Vinh Long; interact with sampan-making and conical hat making families in Cu Lao Gieng
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
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Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay (Southbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Welcome to Vietnam
  • Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Temple of Literature; lunch at Koto; take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter; water puppets performance
  • Cruise on Ha Long Bay
  • Fly to Siem Reap
  • Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
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Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Bangkok (Southbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Welcome to Vietnam
  • Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Temple of Literature; lunch at a local restaurant; take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter; water puppets performance
  • Cruise on Ha Long Bay
  • Fly to Siem Reap
  • Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Bangkok (Northbound)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Welcome to Vietnam
  • Walking tour; visit the famous Rex Hotel for a drink, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class and lunch
  • Cu Chi Tunnels excursion
  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Visit a local workshop to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made in Vinh Long; interact with sampan-making and conical hat making families in Cu Lao Gieng
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Mekong Discovery (Northbound)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Visit a local workshop to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made in Vinh Long; interact with sampan-making and conical hat making families in Cu Lao Gieng
  • Visit a local market and the religious sites at Sam Mountain in Chau Doc; walking tour of Long Khanh A with cotton-weaving demonstration
  • Sightseeing by private cyclo, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum; afternoon at leisure; show by children from a local orphanage
  • Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and visit one of the Cambodian Killing Fields, or visit the lively central market
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River (Southbound)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cai Be, Chau Doc, Cu Chi Tunnels, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Highlights

  • Welcome to Cambodia
  • Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance
  • Visit Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, and a noodle-making village
  • Fly to Phnom Penh; onboard welcome reception
  • Visit Wat Hanchey and partake in a traditional water blessing by local monks; walking tour in Angkor Ban with school visit
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
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26 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Vietnam Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
2,111  Reviews
See all Vietnam tour reviews
Excellent
1,085
Great
233
Average
14
Disappointing
4
Terrible
5
A

Anonymous

Mar 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Vietnam Adventure

A busy trip that covered a lot of distance , seeing both north and south Vietnam . Travelling prior / during and after Tet gave a different perspective to the coun...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Amazing 10 days

This is a busy trip but gives you the highlights of this beautiful country. We went to the cities and the countryside. We enjoyed some fabulous food and the people...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Great trip leaving you wanting more..

It’s a hectic schedule with so much to cover but the trip was well organised and it offers a great taste into what Vietnam has to offer. It’s hard to pin it down to...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Awesome

A very busy trip that gave us a taste of so many parts of Vietnam and an opportunity to understand about the culture and food in the north and south. A good mixtur...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlights of Vietnam

This trip provided an insight into Vietnamese life in the past and present. The experiences were varied such as visits to sites of natural beauty as well as histor...

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Vietnam Tour Selection Trips

  • Vietnam, especially the South, is hot and quite humid year round so be sure to dress appropriately, bringing light layers suitable for temples and other religious sites. Also be sure to drink lots of bottled water while on your guided tour to prevent dehydration.
  • Public transportation (mainly by rail) is reliable, safe, and relatively fast throughout the country. It can be a great way to mingle with locals and see the countryside, so be sure to look at guided tours which include this option.
  • While it’s possible to see the highlights in a week or ten days, two weeks is really optimal to see both North and South Vietnam, with stops in between to cities like Danang, Hoi An, and Hue.
  • Travelers who have already seen the major cities or those simply with more time should consider a side tour to the Sapa region in Northeast Vietnam. Aside from escaping the lowland heat, this mountainous region offers a traditional view into many of Vietnam’s ethnic tribes, such as the Hmong, as well as touring the meticulously maintained rice terraces.
  • Aside from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, the other ‘must see’ city is Hoi An. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its mix of French colonial, Japanese, and Chinese architectural influences. It’s also a shopper’s heaven, with custom clothes and shoes among the many items for sale by local shopkeepers.
  • Although slightly ‘touristy,’ a cyclo ride around the streets of Ho Chi Minh city or Hanoi is a great way to get your bearings and see life at street level.
  • Speaking of ‘street,’ don’t be afraid to try the local delicacies, which are often sold by merchants on the side of the road or walking with baskets full of baked goods. For food safety, it’s always a good idea to ask your tour leader to recommend a local vendor.
  • Traveling to Sapa by shuttle bus can be dangerous due to its windy roads. A better way to travel to this destination is by overnight train from Hanoi.
  • Group tours are helpful when traveling in Vietnam, as this can significantly reduce the price when purchasing tickets. This is especially applicable to boat tours.
  • Although Ha Long Bay is stunning, it can be overpopulated with tourists, especially during peak season. Instead, visit Bai Tu Long Bay. As it neighbors Ha Long Bay, you’ll see similar sights, but without the crowds.

Additional details

Is Vietnam safe?

Generally, it is very safe to travel in Vietnam. Of course, as with any tourist destination, pick-pocketing and bag snatches do occur, so be sure to leave your valuables (like your passport!) at the hotel. Use your phone sparingly when in public areas, and carry smaller notes with you. Going through these precautions and being vigilant can prevent you from becoming a target.

In the cities, look out for taxi scams and hassles, as they are more prevalent. To protect yourself from these scams, be sure to know your destination, and landmarks along the way. Agree on a price beforehand, and stick with the major taxi companies, like Mai Linh and Vinasun. In larger cities, you also have the option of using ride-sharing apps, like Uber or Grab.

The most common accidents that occur in Vietnam are motorcycle related. The roads in Vietnam are anarchic, so if you’re traveling on two wheels, make sure you are covered with the proper insurance.

Travelers should note that Vietnam has confirmed 16 cases of coronavirus as of March 2nd, 2020.

What is the weather like in Vietnam?

Since Vietnam is an elongated country, weather can vary depending on your location. In general, the country is hot and humid.

In the north, you can expect humid and hot summers with high rainfall between May to October. However, the north also experiences cool, dry winters between November to April.

The mountainous regions in the far north has frosty winters from December to January. The best time for adventure-seekers to trek would be during the drier seasons: September to November, and from March to May.

The central region experiences hot and dry weather from January to August. Pack your rain boots if you’re visiting between September and December — there is a high chance of heavy rainfall during this time.

Southern Vietnam has wet and dry seasons. The best time to visit would be during the dry season, when you don’t have to worry about the monsoons and floods that plague the months between May and August. The ideal months to visit would be from November to April.

As weather between regions vary, it is helpful to think of the country as three separate destinations when planning your travels.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

The most popular time to visit Vietnam runs from July through August. To avoid congested cities and attractions, April through June is the best time to visit Vietnam — especially if you want to take the time to explore all the regions.

Dos and Don’ts for travelers in Vietnam

Do’s

  • When visiting a temple, do keep your shoulders and knees covered as a sign of respect
  • Keep your bag on you and be wary, as snatches are quite common.
  • Keep your accommodation details with you at all times — should you get lost, it’s much easier to find your way back
  • Before getting into a taxi, negotiate and agree on a fixed price to avoid scams
  • Keep hydrated! It’s humid in Vietnam, and the last thing you want is a heat stroke ruining your vacation
  • Store some extra toilet paper with you — some public toilets may not have toilet paper available
  • Do be aware of the privacy of local life. Filming is considered intrusive, especially in the villages. As a rule of thumb, always ask for permission first.

Don’ts

  • Don’t stick your chopsticks into your rice bowl — this is considered unlucky and symbolizes death.
  • Don’t bring up the “American War” with locals — for many people, the psychological and physical wounds are still fresh. Several Vietnamese have mixed emotions about the war.
  • Don’t carry more cash than you need.
  • Don’t use your own utensils to pick food up from the communal dish in the center of the table; use the serving spoon

How to get around in Vietnam

The great transportation infrastructure in Vietnam makes it easy to travel from coast to coast. Whether its by train, plane, or bus, you can find several options that will help you explore all the gems Vietnam has to offer. From budget airlines to overnight buses — take your pick!

For the more adventurous souls, motorbikes are also an option. They’re a great way to travel between destinations. However, it can be quite tricky to navigate the sea of traffic in the bigger cities, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

For this reason, it’s better to save your motorbike riding for quieter areas, like Hoi An or Dalat. In order to avoid injuries, wear closed-toed shoes, keep your feet turned inward, and be aware of the burning exhaust pipe!

Currency and travel costs in Vietnam

While credit and debit cards are accepted at larger hotels and restaurants, cash is king in Vietnam. The currency used is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Using the dong can be confusing at times, as the high conversion rate can throw many people off.

As of summer 2019, USD1 is VND23,289. When you arrive in Vietnam, take some time to familiarize yourself with the notes, as they can look very similar at first glance. You don’t want to accidentally hand a VND200,000 note instead of a VND10,000 note when you’re in a rush!

The costs for traveling Vietnam can vary. If you are a budget traveler, $30 will be enough for a day. However, if you indulge in luxurious hotels and gourmet meals, your budget will be closer to $100 a day.

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