Europe's rivers have long cornered the cruise market, but Southeast Asia is pulling travellers in a different direction. Australian bookings for Mekong sailings are at record levels, driven by shorter flights, favourable exchange rates and, ironically, the disruption caused by recent record-low water levels on the river. The good news: there's a genuinely strong fleet plying the water between Vietnam and Cambodia, with several new ships on the way.

Viking's Tonle, launched in late 2025, joins its 2022 sister Viking Saigon on 15-day Magnificent Mekong itineraries between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Both 80-guest ships follow the brand's familiar Scandinavian style, with a pool, spa and Sky Bar up top, and sail January to March and August to December.

Abercrombie & Kent runs the 24-guest Mekong Princess on seven-day cruises within 13-day Bangkok-to-Saigon journeys. Built in 2015 with French-colonial teak and brass interiors, her shallow draft lets her dock right in central Ho Chi Minh City — a rarity on this river.

The pipeline is busy. AmaWaterways launches AmaMaya in January 2027, a 135-metre sister to AmaDara with 60 twin-balcony staterooms and a wellness host. Uniworld's Mekong Mystique follows in 2028, echoing the 1930s French Indochine style of Mekong Jewel, with butler-served Royal Suites of nearly 86 square metres. Scenic is adding Spirit II and III in 2028 to join Scenic Spirit, whose 68 guests get five dining options and an open-air cinema.

For something smaller, Aqua Mekong takes just 40 guests with a one-to-one crew ratio, four tender boats and two shore excursions daily. Her kitchen was founded by celebrated chef David Thompson, and she's the only luxury Mekong ship offering free flight extensions to Siem Reap during low-water season.

APT's Mekong Serenity, its first owned ship on the river, carries 88 guests with butler tiers that range from spa treatments and shoe-shining to packing services and French Champagne. Its Vietnam-Cambodia land-river-air tours run from nine to 25 days.

For travellers weighing up an Asia alternative to the Danube or Rhine, the Mekong now offers ships at every comfort level, from boutique expedition-style to full-blown luxury — and most fares are all-inclusive, bundling excursions, drinks and transfers. Whether you want the intimacy of 20 suites or the facilities of a 120-guest vessel, there's a sailing worth comparing before the new ships push demand even higher.