Best time to cruise the Mekong

The Mekong River is a year-round travel destination, but depending on when you go, you will have a different experience. The best time to cruise the Mekong is during the dry season, between November and April. November to January is the ideal time because the usual temperature will not be too high, and the rainy season has already passed. The temperature is fairly consistent throughout the year, with highs of 32°C and lows of 23°C.

The Mekong is the twelfth largest river in the world, flowing through six countries in Southeast Asia: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. We offer many trips to the Mekong, including from Vietnam and Cambodia. If you are taking a Mekong River cruise, you will most likely start and end in southern Vietnam or southern Cambodia.

1. High and Low Water Seasons

The Mekong Delta has two additional seasons that somewhat coincide with the dry and wet seasons, the high-water season and the low-water season. The high-water season is from mid-August to November while the low-water season is from December to mid-August. The difference between the two is that during the high-water season, Tonle Sap Lake becomes available to visit on a river cruise. Around this lake, there are a variety of floating villages and the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary. Ships can also dock there during this season, allowing travelers to visit Siem Reap which is only a 45-minute drive away.

Ships cannot sail directly to Siem Reap if the water levels in Tonle Sap Lake are unfavorable. Depending on where the trip ends, passengers must either fly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap or drive from Kampong Cham. The advantage of river cruising is that transportation costs are always included in cruise fares.

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2. Dry Season

The dry season in the Mekong is generally between November and April. This is a fantastic time to go if you are worried about rain or flooding of the river. Between December and February, many flowers along the Mekong are in bloom, providing unique photo opportunities. You will also have the opportunity to see and interact with a ton of locals during this season, as they will be working on farms or in markets.

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3. Rainy Season

The rainy season runs from May to October. It should be noted that during the rainy season, there is a monsoon season (a seasonal prevailing wind in Southeast Asia). This season is generally considered to be between April and September, which is a big reason why it rains so much during the rainy season. The mild annual rainfall, on the other hand, transforms the picturesque Mekong countryside into an endless expanse of vibrant greenery. Summer vacations in the US and Europe coincide with the Mekong’s “green season” from June to August when the rice paddies are at their most lush.

If you choose to go during the rainy season, you will have a different experience, but certainly not worse. It is recommended that if you go during the rainy season, go during the high-water season between mid-August and November to maximize your trip. You will have the advantage of being able to visit the Tonle Sap Lake area. This is also the time when fish, vegetables, and fruits from the floating markets will be at their most sought-after since almost everything blooms between June and July. This also makes it easier to get to Siem Reap which is a must-see in Cambodia.

Generally, the river will be less crowded and hotels, hostels and cruises will be a bit cheaper as this is considered off-season. It doesn't rain all day either, usually, the rain falls for at least an hour each day and stops towards the end of the afternoon, so you will have the opportunity to get off the boat and explore the local villages and markets most days. If you choose to take a Mekong cruise during the rainy season it is highly recommended to speak to your doctor about investing in malaria pills as the forest will be even wetter than normal which will lead to a larger breeding ground for mosquitoes.

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