In case you don’t know, back in November 2019 we unveiled our long-awaited new cruise vessel – ‘The Victoria Mekong’ and celebrated its inaugural voyage along the world-famous Mekong Delta river. We’re delighted to share photos of its maiden voyage with you and give you a guided tour of what’s to expect on board!
At 76.8m long and 13.2m wide, this sleek river cruise vessel has 35 beautiful cabins (including 2 VIP suites), an infinity pool, sun deck, pool bar and a movie room! The Victoria Mekong offers 4- and 5-day river cruises along one of the most enchanting stretches of the Mekong.
Let’s start from the bottom up. On the main deck you will find 18 double or twin Deluxe cabins. Each cabin is spacious with a comfy bed, modern furnishings, luxurious bathroom and a private balcony.
On the Upper Deck you’ll find 14 Deluxe double or twin cabins and two Luxurious VIP suites. As well as an outside seating area at the bow of the ship, the restaurant and outside viewing area on the stern of the ship.
The Claypot restaurant is a feature itself, with an open-plan kitchen and giving panoramic views of the Mekong river, it’s the perfect place to dine. Guests can savour beautifully prepared meals, showcasing the flavours of the region in an enjoyable atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served here, yet all feel like different experiences. Choose from an exquisite choice of wine and local beer, which can be enjoyed with your meals as part of your package.
Heading up to the Sun Deck, here you’ll find the gorgeous infinity pool and Infinity Pool bar. Here you can purchase classic cocktails and relax in the sun, whilst the Mekong meanders past you. You’ll also find the library, conference room, cinema room and spa towards the bow of the ship behind the cockpit.
The main attraction on this deck is the Horizon Lounge bar, which is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the world go by. With indoor and outdoor seating, its perfect for those seeking a tranquil moment on board by curling up with a book.
Onboard entertainment will also be found here, which will include a variety of performances from local musicians, dancers and talents.
Up to the roof top, you’ll be spoilt with breath taking views over the Mekong with comfortable sun loungers to relax on, or to enjoy a game of mini golf. Other seating is available towards the bow of the ship for those looking to socialise and enjoy the sun.
Did you know?
The Victoria Mekong is passionate about giving back to the environment it surrounds, therefore no plastic bottles will be found on board. Guests are given reusable water bottles to use for their stay and unlimited refills. This will help reduce the use of plastic and avoid plastic pollution in the river.
Also, the Victoria Mekong is proud to be one of the greenest ships on the Mekong, with its waste water irrigation system cleaning the water to almost drinking level before depositing it back into the Mekong Delta.
So how can I get on board?
A cruise on the Victoria Mekong forms part of 4 of our award-winning tours across Vietnam and Cambodia. Let’s tell you a little more about the tours:
This fully inclusive 14-night tour starts in Saigon (known now as Ho Chi Min City) and takes you to the Cu Chi Tunnels before boarding the Victoria Mekong on day 4. From here you’ll stop for lunch in Can Tho before boarding the ship in the late afternoon and setting sale ahead of a welcome dinner later that evening.
You’ll cruise up the Mekong and arrive at Tiger Island for a shore excursion and to experience traditional industries such as net weaving, incense making and watching local banh in (rice cakes) be made. Dinner will be on the ship with entertainment and then the cruise will continue to Vam Nao overnight.
At Vam Nao you’ll disembark the ship for land excursions around Tan Chau, where you’ll visit Cao Dai Temple, a silk village and with the additional option of visiting the submerged Tra Su Forest before heading back onto the ship for dinner and entertainment.
Then its on to Cambodia, where you will have many on board activities such as cocktail making, before docking in the late afternoon for a farewell dinner and Apsara performance at Sisowath Quay before spending your last night aboard the Victoria Mekong.
You’ll meet your new Cambodian guide this morning in Phnom Penh and be shown the main sites of the city such as the Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom and ending the day with a local beer by the riverfront.
Explore the history of Cambodia, with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields, before departing to take a flight to Siem Reap. The next day its an early rise in Siem Reap as you travel to the world-renowned Temples of Angkor. Here you’ll see Angkor Thom, Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King before heading to Ta Prohm and the world’s most magnificent temple – Angkor Wat.
Things don’t stop there! You’ll see Tonle Sap Lake and visit the floating village of Kampong Phluk and experiencing a typical day in the life of the local communities. Today you’ll be treated to a traditional Cambodian cooking lesson, where you will learn to prepare traditional Khmer dishes. A farewell dinner will see you off before the flight home the next day.
Imagine the Mekong experience, but in reverse, with a little extra added on – and you’ll get our award-winning tour ‘Classic Mekong’. Starting your 17 day tour in Siem Reap you’ll dive into the local culture and see the beautiful temples of Angkor.
Then its onto Tonle Sap Lake for a visit to the floating market or a cruise through the water village on a traditional Cambodian boat, before flying to Phnom Penh and visiting Wat Phnom.
After visiting the Tuol Sleng museum and the Killing Fields you’ll wave goodbye to your local guide and be picked up by a guide from the Victoria Mekong, who will take you to the port to board the cruise vessel to cruise downstream.
You’ll cross the boarder over to Vietnam and enjoy on board activities such as cocktail making, or have the chance to relax in the pool, on the sun deck or even play a round of mini golf.
Sail Can Tho, which is a beautifully scenic area of the Mekong Delta with a choice of excursions. The next day you can visit a local floating market before disembarking the Victoria Mekong and taking the shuttle bus to Saigon (Ho Chi Min City).
You’ll discover Ho Chi Minh, including the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace and Central Post Office, before retiring for your last night in the city.
The next day you’ll fly to Danang and continue to Hoi An. Here you’ll have a walking tour of the town, before visiting Quan Cong Temple, the Japanese Bridge and a local bustling market. After a few days of soaking up the laid-back lifestyle of Hoi An, you’ll fly to Hanoi where you will stop by the Temple of Literature.
A top Wendy Wu tip is to try a traditional Egg Coffee at some point during your stay in Hanoi. You’ll be given plenty of opportunity to explore the city and its delights.
This tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay. But at Wendy Wu Tours, we like to mix the unforgettable with the extraordinary, so you’ll get to spend a night on a traditionally designed boat on Halong Bay before cruising through the karst peaks and breath-taking scenery. Whilst cruising on the tranquil green waters, you’ll enjoy a traditional seafood meal.
The next day its time to return back to the UK.
This 22-day tour you’ll cover the length of Vietnam experiencing all the highlights. Starting in Hanoi you’ll experience everything the Classic Mekong tour has to offer, with a little bit extra!
Starting in Hanoi you’ll discover the Ho Chi Minh quarter, Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and the Humble House on Stilts. This evening is one not to be forgotten as you attend an open-air performance of The Quintessence of Tonkin, which is performed on a lake.
As per the Classic Mekong tour, you’ll spend over night on Halong bay as well as sailing over its beautiful waters and enjoy a fresh seafood meal. You’ll get to watch the sunrise over the bay and believe us – its one of the most beautiful things you’ll ever see! Enjoy an invigorating session of Tai Chi before leaving the bay to head back to Hanoi for your flight to Hue, Vietnam s Imperial Capital.
Explore Hue and its imperial Citadel, including a visit to the Forbidden Purple city. Cruise along the Perfume River and admire the Thien Mu Pagoda, as well as visiting the tomb of Minh Mang, Zen house and Tha Om Garden House.
Then it’s onto Golden Bridge, one of the most iconic sights in the world. Located 14,000m above sea level, you’ll take a cable car up to this beautiful marvel to walk across and take in panoramic views.
Taking a more traditional feel, your next few days in Hoi An will include seeing how the locals live and work and join a local family for a cooking demonstration and lunch. To walk off your lunchtime feast you’ll partake in a walking tour of the town visiting the Japanese Bridge, the colourful market and Chinese Temple before retiring for the night.
The next day is onto Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) and once settled in the hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure. The next day you’ll see all the sights of Saigon – such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum.
Head out of the city to experience the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels, before heading back for your last night in Saigon. The next day it’s all aboard the Victoria Mekong to travel upstream on the River of Nine Dragons.
You’ll experience all the excursions listed on the other tours above as you cruise in complete luxury aboard the Victoria Mekong as you sail upstream on the Victoria Mekong and cross over into Cambodia.
Breakfast will be served before you disembark and bid farewell to your home on the water, as you meet your Cambodian guide and head into Phnom Penh to see the sights. You’ll visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.
After taking a day to reflect on the history of the city with a visit to Tuol Sleng Museum you’ll fly to Siem Reap for a journey into the temples of Angkor. However, the added addition to this tour is that you will relax on board a boat as you watch the sun set over Angkor’s moat.
Experience the delights of Cambodia with a visit to a local floating village and Cambodian cooking class before heading back home to the UK.
This 23-day tour is life-changing! Fly to the wonderful land of Laos and discovger Luang Prabang’s vivid colours and rich heritage. You’ll visit Wat Xieng Thong, The National Museum, Wat Visoun and Aham before ascending Phousi Hill and visiting a weaving centre.
Head slightly out of town to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls to watch a Takbat alms giving ceremony, before spending some time at the falls to take in the beauty. Later you’ll then head for your flight to Hanoi.
Discover the sights and delights of Hanoi, much like in our other 3 tours however our guide will include a coffee stop where you will experience a traditional egg coffee.
From Hanoi it’s onto the UNESCO Halong Bay where you will sail its beautiful green waters and stay overnight on a traditionally styled boat to watch the sun rise and set over Vietnam’s most beautiful views. At sunrise, you will be given the option to enjoy an invigorating session of Tai Chi, before heading back to Hanoi to transfer to Hue.
Discover Hue in a day, in our very special tour put together by our expert guide, retire for the evening and then enjoy the drive to Hoi An. Hoi An is a charming town and this afternoon you’ll be able to stretch your legs with a walking tour.
From Hoi An its onto Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) to explore and experience this treasure trove of fascinating heritage. Before boarding the Victoria Mekong to travel upstream on the Mekong Delta, to Cambodia.
Enjoy 4 nights aboard the Mekong taking in the breath-taking surroundings and all that the Victoria Mekong has to offer on board, in between shore excursions (as listed above).
Disembark the ship in Cambodia and head to the heart of Phnom Pehn to see sights such as the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, staying for two nights.
Fly onto Siem Reap, for 3 nights where you’ll experience the local life, and the beautiful temples of Angkor, before taking your flight back to the UK.
For a limited time only, any booking made on either of these tours receives a free Upper-Deck Cabin Upgrade on the Victoria Mekong.
For more information on when to go, take a look at our Best Time to visit Vietnam Page
