Traveling along the Mekong, country by country

The river crosses or borders six countries. Laos has a full guide; elsewhere, we follow the towns along the river. Pick a country:

By Pierre-Marie Coupry · updated October 12, 2026 · Crossing borders along the Mekong

Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam: which country to choose

For each country: what the river means there, our stops and the best time to go. Distances are measured along the river and rounded.

The Mekong at dusk in Luang Prabang, boats moored below the mountains — Photo by Frank Eiffert on Unsplash

The full guide

Laos

The only country almost entirely along the river. Slow boat, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, the south and the 4,000 Islands.

The river: ≈ 1,890 km, ≈ 1,130 of them on the border
Stops in the guide: 9
Currency: kip (LAK)
Visa for US citizens: e-Visa ($50) or visa on arrival (≈ $40), 30 days

When to go

Measured at: Luang Prabang

Laos travel guide →

The right bank, in Isaan

Thailand

The river forms the border with Laos. Quiet towns facing the Lao mountains, linked by the Friendship Bridges.

The river: ≈ 900 km, on the border with Laos
Stops in the guide: 4
Currency: baht (THB)
Visa for US citizens: visa-free for 30 days (tourism)

When to go

Measured at: Nong Khai

Isaan and northern Thailand →

The wide river

Cambodia

Stung Treng, the dolphins of Kratie, Phnom Penh and the Tonle Sap. Fewer travelers than in Laos.

The river: ≈ 490 km
Stops in the guide: 3
Currency: riel (KHR), US dollars accepted
Visa for US citizens: e-Visa ($30) or visa on arrival, 30 days

When to go

Measured at: Phnom Penh

Cambodia travel →

The delta

Vietnam

The river's branches, the canals and the markets of Cần Thơ, all the way to the sea.

The river: ≈ 210 km
Stops in the guide: 3
Currency: dong (VND)
Visa for US citizens: e-Visa ($25), up to 90 days

When to go

Measured at: Cần Thơ

The Mekong Delta →

Yunnan

China

Here the river is called the Lancang. We only follow its lower stretch, around Jinghong.

The river: ≈ 2,320 km
Stops in the guide: 1
Currency: yuan (CNY)
Visa for US citizens: visa required; 240-hour transit covers Xishuangbanna

When to go

Measured at: Jinghong

The Mekong in China →

Myanmar

The river separates Myanmar from Laos for ≈ 230 km, down to the Golden Triangle. Few roads, hardly any travelers: no stop in the guide. The French government advises against travel to the whole country, formally so in Shan State, which borders the Mekong.

Distances: length of the river in each country, measured along the Natural Earth course (checked against Mekong River Commission chainage), rounded to the nearest 10 km. Month-by-month take: the scale from our “When to go” guide. Number of stops computed at build time.

Crossing borders along the Mekong

The crossings where you go from one country to the next without leaving the Mekong. Opening hours and visas on arrival change: check before you go.

Chiang Khong and Huay Xai 4th Friendship BridgeThailand → Laos By road, then the slow boat to Luang Prabang.
Nong Khai and Vientiane 1st Friendship BridgeThailand → Laos Direct bus or a short train ride to Vientiane.
Nakhon Phanom and Thakhek 3rd Friendship BridgeThailand → Laos Buses between the two towns.
Mukdahan and Savannakhet 2nd Friendship BridgeThailand → Laos Buses between the two towns.
Nong Nok Khiene and Trapeang Kriel Road crossingLaos → Cambodia Between the 4,000 Islands and Stung Treng.
Kaam Samnor and Vĩnh Xương River crossingCambodia → Vietnam By boat, from Phnom Penh to Châu Đốc.

Visas at each crossing: see our Visas and borders guide, checked October 2026. Land crossings between Thailand and Cambodia have been closed since the 2025 conflict.

Questions about a multi-country Mekong trip

Can you visit Laos and Cambodia on the same trip?

Yes, through the Nong Nok Khiene – Trapeang Kriel crossing, south of the 4,000 Islands: it's the only one open between the two countries. The Cambodian e-Visa is accepted there; on the Lao side, only the visa on arrival. Stung Treng is then about 60 km away, followed by Kratie and Phnom Penh along the river.

How long do you need to combine Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam?

Four to five weeks following the river: 2 to 3 weeks in Laos, 8 to 10 days in Cambodia and 6 to 8 days in the delta, based on our country estimates. With three weeks, you'll have to choose, for example northern or southern Laos.

Do you need a visa for each country?

For US citizens, yes in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam: e-Visas cost $50, $30 and $25, and Laos and Cambodia also issue visas on arrival, paid in dollars. Thailand is visa-free for 30 days of tourism. China requires a visa, except under the 240-hour transit, which covers Xishuangbanna but not the source in Qinghai.