Mekong Queen Cruise

Three days of authentic Mekong Delta life — the deepest river journey from Ho Chi Minh City

Mekong Queen river boat cruising the Mekong Delta with lush green banks and sampan boats
Duration 3 Days / 2 Nights
Route My Tho → Can Tho → Chau Doc (Cambodia border)
Departs From My Tho Pier, Tien Giang (1.5 hrs from Ho Chi Minh City)
Cabin Count 12 cabins
Max Pax 24 guests
Style Boutique
From ₹21,500 per person (twin sharing)
Meals All meals included (Balinese and some Indian-friendly dishes)
Activities Floating market, Sampan rides, Temple visits, Village walks, Rice paper workshop, Coconut candy factory, Sunset river cruise
Best For Culture travellers, Slow travel enthusiasts, India-Cambodia overland travellers

Overview

The Mekong Queen cruise is the most comprehensive Mekong Delta experience we offer — three days aboard a 12-cabin boutique river ship, travelling the full length of the delta from My Tho in the north to Chau Doc at the Cambodian border. This three-day journey covers everything the Mekong Delta is celebrated for: the floating markets of Cai Rang and Phong Dien at dawn (best between 5–7 AM when trading activity peaks), narrow canal sampan rides through water coconut groves, cottage industry visits (rice paper, coconut candy, rice wine), ancient Khmer temples near Chau Doc, and the slow, meditative pleasure of watching river life unfold from the deck. The Mekong Queen has 12 well-appointed cabins with river-facing windows, a rooftop observation deck, a restaurant serving excellent Balinese food, and a friendly crew. For Indian travellers, this cruise is particularly meaningful — the Mekong Delta shares many cultural similarities with the Ganges Delta and the river life feels both exotic and familiar. The route ends at Chau Doc, from where many of our clients continue overland to Cambodia — ask us about combining this cruise with a Siem Reap extension.

Pricing & Cabin Types

Prices in INR per person. Twin-sharing basis. Single supplement: +65%.

Cabin Type Price (per person) Size Bed View Bathtub
Classic Cabin ₹21,500 18 sqm Double River-facing window
Deluxe Cabin ₹25,000 22 sqm Double River balcony
Suite ₹31,500 30 sqm King bed Private terrace ✔ Yes

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  • Transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho Pier (1.5 hrs)
  • Board the Mekong Queen, settle in and welcome lunch
  • Afternoon: sampan ride through narrow water coconut canals
  • Coconut candy factory and rice paper workshop
  • Vinh Long market walk and riverside exploration
  • Mooring at Can Tho overnight
  • Sunset drinks on the observation deck
  • Set dinner with local Mekong specialties
  • 4:30–5:00 AM: Optional dawn sampan to Cai Rang Floating Market
  • Breakfast on board with river views
  • Phong Dien local market visit (less touristy alternative)
  • Cruise south through open Mekong waterways
  • Afternoon: Tra Su Bird Sanctuary by sampan (seasonal)
  • Arrival at Chau Doc, mooring
  • Sunset river cruise around Chau Doc
  • Dinner with Mekong fish specialties
  • Morning visit to Sam Mountain and Ba Chua Xu Temple
  • Cham and Khmer village by boat
  • Final breakfast on the Mekong Queen
  • Disembark at Chau Doc
  • Option A: Return transfer to Ho Chi Minh City (3 hrs)
  • Option B: Continue to Cambodia via Mekong river speedboat (ask us)

Inclusions & Exclusions

✔ What's Included
  • All meals from lunch Day 1 to breakfast Day 3
  • Two overnights in selected cabin
  • All excursions: floating market, sampan, village walks, temple visits, factory tours
  • English-speaking cultural guide throughout
  • Return transfer from/to Ho Chi Minh City (Option A)
  • Boat permits and local entry fees
✗ Not Included
  • Flights to Ho Chi Minh City
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Bali e-visa
  • Cambodia visa if continuing overland
  • Beverages (bar available)
  • Single supplement
  • Optional: Cambodia speedboat continuation (additional fee)

Ship & Vessel Details

Type
Boutique river vessel
Built
2016
Refurbished
2024
Length
32 m
Cabins
12
Max Guests
24
Decks
3 (cabin deck, restaurant, rooftop observation)
Air-conditioning
Yes
Wifi
Yes (riverside coverage)
Life Jackets
Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — emphatically. The Cai Rang floating market is a genuine working wholesale market, not a tourist spectacle. The morning mist, the boat traders, and the scale of activity at 5–6 AM is one of the most atmospheric scenes in Southeast Asia. By 8 AM the market winds down. The early start is worth it.
The Mekong Queen kitchen can prepare vegetarian Balinese food — rice, vegetables, tofu-based dishes, fresh fruit — and the local cuisine is naturally accommodating. For strict Jain requirements or North Indian preferences, notify us in detail at booking time.
Yes — from Chau Doc you can continue to Phnom Penh by speedboat (4 hours) or slow ferry, and then to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat). This is one of our most popular Bali + Cambodia combinations. Ask our team about itinerary planning.
November to April (dry season) is optimal — clear weather, calm waterways, and peak floating market activity. The monsoon season (June–October) brings heavy rain but also lush, vivid greenery and fuller waterways — some travellers prefer this.