Mekong river cruise

[Georgyporky]

We love river cruises, and have "done" the European trips that interest us.

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos are on our holiday list for 2024, & a Mekong trip looks like a good way to see them.

Any recommendations for tour operators , please?
Or, who would you not recommend !

Bump.

Surely there must be a MNetter who has done this !

I did a 'cruise' about 20 years ago there. It was hard wooden benches and the loo was a hole in the bottom of the boat!

You could purchase opium at the stop off point for a few quid...

I don't think you'd fancy that trip OP!! 😉

I did it in Laos which was extremely primitive at that time. I've no idea what it's like now.

I loved Cambodia and my mate loved Vietnam, said it was a lot of fun, more hedonistic.

What do you actually want to do/see?

You can do a Mekong river cruise in Vietnam for a few days and then take a fast boat Chau Doc (Mekong Delta) to Cambodia.

We just picked up a cruise in Vietnam. I don't remember any problems with it. We had an overnight stay in some sort of basic communist style hotel and spent the night at a crazily luxurious karaoke bar.

Thanks for the replies. I'm no longer the adventurous person I used to be !
I want a mainstream package holiday, I'll carry on trawling the web.

My DH and I have just booked this and are due to travel early January. Sorry I can’t help you but we’re really looking forward to it

We booked an overnight one with viator with the tiny garden home stay. It was a really packed, fun 2 days. The actual ‘cruise’ bit was a bit rubbish (altho crazy and funny, just very touristy) but the rest of the experience made up for it.

I’ve only done European river cruises but we always use Riviera Travel who are excellent and they do Mekong cruises.

Thanks again.
Vietnam still insists on wearing masks on public transport, so we've changed our minds.
Back to the drawing board.

Where is Vietnam are you going OP? Dd and I went in summer barely anyone was wearing a mask.

That's interesting, but even a few people wearing masks puts me off. I really thought mask-wearing was defunct everywhere.
We were looking mainly at the cruise, perhaps Cambodia & Laos as well as Vietnam.
The advice is from the F.O., & it was glossed over by a tour operator who insisted it "wouldn't spoil your enjoyment" - ODFOD !
We'll be spending a lot of time on public transport, i.e. 'plane, boat, coaches, so we're looking for a different holiday.

Love to hear your opinion about what you saw, the only people I know who've been there went a very long time ago.

The Vietnamese have always worn masks afaik. They often wear white gloves too. They do not like to have the sun/colour on their skin. Obviously when I say 'they' I'm not speaking for every Vietnamese person! But culturally this CAN be a thing.

I agree, visiting Asia 5-10 years ago there were lots of folk on public transport in masks, it was considered polite.

I have looked at Emerald for a river cruise in the region but not done it (yet). Have you looked on Cruise Critic?

They're not wearing masks currently except on motorbikes against the pollution ! Is it a rule of the particular tour operator ?

Pretty sure Jane McDonald has been on a Mekong cruise if you check out her channel 5 programme

No mandatory masks on planes, taxis or buses in Vietnam, OP, so don’t give up on it. Or you could just holiday in Cambodia?

Burma - the Irrawady - did a great cruise there but that was15 years ago.

If you don't like masks you should avoid Asia altogether. Bit silly though.

"You must wear a mask on public transportation. Vietnam has not declared an end to the COVID-19 pandemic."

FO advice

I can't imagjne jane mcdonald doing this. But I hope she has as it would be hilarious.

I booked with Scenic and spent three days in Cambodia doing absolutely amazing activities (all organised). Then sailed the Mekong for a week and then spent one night (two days) in Vietnam.
I went this March and it was the best holiday I’ve ever been on and I’ve been on some good ones.

@Christmassss Thanks so much, this was exactly what I was asking!

Not on planes - I flew there myself earlier this month, including a domestic flight. And people aren’t wearing masks in taxis, shops/restaurants or while walking round. FO advice isn’t always that up to date I’m afraid.

@Georgyporky
Just back from Vietnam, albeit not a cruise. No mandatory mask wearing on any public transport, you saw plenty of people wearing them but you always have done in Asia long before the pandemic!
Great country, really cheap - very friendly people.