Joanna James
A river cruise on the Mekong is the best way to experience life in Vietnam and the other lands bordering the river. A Mekong river cruise is a journey of experiencing life as it was in the Mekong Delta of ages past and present.
The higher elevations of the Mekong River start from the Tibetan plateaus of Qinghai and flow across Tibet to make its path towards the Mekong Delta via China. The Mekong travels through Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam to fall into the South China Sea. It happens to be Asia's seventh lengthiest river while being the 12th worldwide. Its route has been inhabited by riverside communities since 210 BCE. The river is a central trading juncture for riverside inhabitants in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The Mekong River is a place of discovery that should be explored with a luxury Mekong River cruise. Certain aspects of the river and the communities that live near it are taken into account by some of these journeys. You can try cruise line companies such as Mekong Kingdoms to personalise a journey according to your interests.
This crosses deep into the river and circumvents dramatic mountain peaks. It is also ideal for experiencing religious monuments. The cruise lasts for seven days and starts from Chiang Rai in Thailand.
This is a six-day cruise starting from central Laos and is excellent to get engrossed in the dramatic landscapes of Laos. The many hidden caves and colonial-styled towns are a treat for the senses. It starts from Vientiane and goes through Tham Kong Lor Cave, Tha Khaek, and Savannakhet in Cambodia and finishes in Pakse, Laos.
This is a five-day cruise, which starts in Sung Treng in Cambodia, and then goes via Kratie, Chhlong, Kompong Cham, and Phnom Penh. This is the wildest and remotest stretch of the Mekong in Cambodia. You will get to encounter isolated river communities living according to their traditional lifestyles, unhindered by modern society. One of the highlights of the cruise would be the dolphins in Kampi. The calm villages in Kratie and the island of Koh Trong are also idyllic.
This is the best cruise for experiencing the floating markets, riverside villages, and big city life. The cruise is three days by river and seven days overland. It starts from Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and travels through Chau Doc in Vietnam, Can Tho, Vinh Long, and My Tho, and concludes in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
November till January is the warm season on the Mekong and is the ideal time for a cruise with the rainy season behind you. But, know that it can get hot and humid, so pack cool and comfortable clothing. If you care to brave some rains, a cruise during the rainy season has its charms and will reward you plenty. You will get the opportunity to go on a deep river cruise in the Mekong River, which is another experience altogether!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
