Traveling by riverboat from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap in Vietnam and Cambodia

The Mekong River flows through Cambodia and Vietnam from the Tibetan Plateau before emptying into the South China Sea.  

Phnom Penh , the capital of Cambodia, and quaint riverside villages have flourished because of the river's role as a natural transportation corridor.     

The Mekong River is a convenient and cost-effective way to see Cambodia and Vietnam in a single trip since it connects the two countries and eliminates the need for internal flights. Combining a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia , seeing the best of both countries is possible. You may use our Vietnam and Cambodia travel guide on My Way Travel as a starting point for arranging your trip.     

A trip to Cambodia and Vietnam often goes together, but why?  

For Buddhist monks, a temple in Cambodia is known as Angkor.     

Both countries may greatly benefit from the other's presence. Headlamps from a thousand Vespas cast a modern glow over Ho Chi Minh City's stately French buildings and glittering skyscrapers.     

Upon entering the Mekong Delta , one leaves behind this level of sophistication and returns to a more traditional way of living.     

When you finally reach Cambodia, the bustle of the river will have given way to a tranquil panorama of rice terraces stretching into the horizon.  

At the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia, the two civilizations blend. The stilted cottages that dot the lake's calm surface are home to Cambodians and Vietnamese who fled the conflict.     

Each country's past is fraught with tragedy. The Cu Chi Tunnels outside of Ho Chi Minh City and the remnants of the Khmer Rouge regime in and around Phnom Penh serve as sobering memorials to the atrocities committed during the Vietnam War.     

I recommend capping off your journey at the temples of Angkor if you want to leave a lasting impression.     

The following is the travel plan for a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam.  

Cholon Market, Ho Chi Minh City     

When combining Vietnam and Cambodia, I recommend visiting the south of the country. Vietnam is large. Therefore, visiting only one area will offer you a deeper understanding than attempting to see as much as possible.  

In my opinion, the best way to experience the Mekong Delta is to fly into Ho Chi Minh City , spend a few days exploring the city ( it was exciting to ride a Vespa through the dark streets of Ho Chi Minh City ), and then spend one or more nights sleeping aboard a six-berth vessel as you cruise through the region.      

Which boat should I choose for a Mekong River tour?  

Mekong River, Vietnam, Asia, Aqua Expeditions     

One of the boats I recommend is the Bassac , a repurposed rice barge with old-world allure, modern amenities, and delicious food. Private sampans provide a more personal way to see the area at your leisure.        

Going to Cai Be and the Mekong River from Ho Chi Minh City takes just two hours. Floating by lush rice paddies and fruit orchards on the river makes you question if you're still in the city.     

Floating wooden towns and traditional fishing nets line the riverbanks, while palm trees and rice fields create a beautiful green tapestry along the water's edge. French colonial houses dot the landscape of quiet waterfront communities.  

To see the weaving towns and farms of the Delta, you will need to transfer from your riverboat to a smaller boat that can negotiate the Delta's narrower canals.  

The Delta is one of Southeast Asia's most agriculturally productive regions, producing a large portion of Vietnam's rice and serving as a major center for producing fruit and processing fish.     

Farmers in coconut plantations will offer you sweets produced from their harvests, and the proprietors of local orchards, where you may sample unusual fruits like rambutan and mangosteen, will invite you in for tea.  

Sounds from the Cai Rang floating river market will wake you on your first full day at sea; this region is an important commerce route between Vietnam and Cambodia .     

Can Tho, Vietnam's Cai Rang Floating Market on the Mekong River     

South Vietnam and Cambodia merchants go great distances to stock up on tropical produce at sea.     

The vibrant colors of the dragon fruit and mangosteens on the Mekong River will always remind me of my time there. Traders raise their items on bamboo poles in the air to attract clients' attention.  

It is the largest example of a floating market in the Delta, and you may join the crowd by transferring to a smaller boat.  

Buddhist monks in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in front of the Royal Palace.     

Can Tho , the biggest city in the Delta, is the riverboat's final destination. The three-hour drive to the border town of Chau Doc passes through villages where people weave baskets while waiting in queues by the wayside.     

Picking up a speedboat at Chau Doc to transport you the further five hours upriver to Phnom Penh is a breeze.     

The murdering Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in the old S-21 jail where much of the mass murder occurred, may give you a flavor of the intriguing but terrible contemporary history of the Khmer Rouge.  

Traveling from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor temples, offers two options. You can take a scenic six-hour drive along the banks of Tonle Sap, or, for quicker travel, opt for a one-hour flight.

Floating Villages on Southeast Asia's Largest Freshwater Lake

Kompong Phluk is a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake, which relies on the Mekong River. A day trip from Siem Reap, the lake expands in the wet season due to rising water levels from the Mekong and monsoon rains, increasing its size fivefold. In the dry season, it nearly drains back into the Mekong.

Life on the lake revolves around these water cycles. By exploring in a longtail boat, you can meet locals who adapt to the changing water levels by building stilted homes that seem to float.

Angkor and My Favorite Temple, Ta Prohm

The Angkor temples are a UNESCO World Heritage site and draw visitors from around the world. My favorite is Ta Prohm, marked by its crumbling structures and tree roots entwined in the ruins. While many recommend visiting Angkor Wat at dawn, I suggest going to Ta Prohm for a more personal experience with fewer crowds. Sunrise casts a magical green light through the trees, creating an enchanting atmosphere for exploration before the day ahead.

Unexpected Encounters

A memorable part of my journey was a stop at a village between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap where locals hunt spiders. With the help of my guide, we visited a family's home and sampled fried tarantula and crickets. We even ventured into the jungle to learn how they catch tarantulas.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam and Cambodia

The best weather in Vietnam and Cambodia is typically in March and April. I recommend traveling from November to April, known as the green season, for better accommodation rates and significant savings. You might experience some evening rain, but it shouldn't deter you.

Add Beach Time in Thailand

If you want to relax on a beach, consider spending a few days at Ko Samet after flying from Siem Reap to Bangkok. It’s just a short drive from Bangkok, making it a convenient final stop. Koh Samet is one of the best nearby beaches, and you can easily take a speedboat back to the airport for your flight home.