Mekong Map - Mekong River Overview

Mekong River Overview

The Mekong River is the heart and soul of mainland Southeast Asia. The 12th longest river in the world, the Mekong runs 4,800 kilometers from its headwaters on the Tibetan Plateau through Yunnan Province of China, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. It is the largest river in Southeast Asia. The river forms the border between Laos and Myanmar (Burma) and most of the border between Laos

Names of Mekong River

The Mekong River is one of the world's 10th rivers in its river length and has great influences upon nature and societies of the Indo-china Peninsula. In English the river is called "the Mekong River", derived from "Mae Nam Khong", a term of both Thai and Lao origin.

Life in the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta was an ancient Khmer territory. The area was mostly marshland and forest. When the Nguyen Lords took control of this region, a series of canals were built and a system of transportation was implemented in the maze of water ways in the area.

Mekong Weather

The ideal time to visit the Mekong region is during the November-to-January dry season; it's the coolest time of year in often sweltering Southeast Asia. If you are traveling to the river's headwaters, in China, the month of September is your best bet...

How to discover Mekong & around

Most travellers head to the Mekong Delta on an organised tour – a cheap and easy way to get a taste of the delta. Those travelling on their own will have greater access to areas off the beaten track, with many little-visited places to discover.