By
Alex Smith |
Viking’s newest river cruise ship, Viking Saigon, has begun its inaugural season of cruising along the Mekong River in Southeast Asia.
The 80-guest ship has been purpose-built for sailing along the river, and will travel between Kampong Cham, Cambodia, and Mỹ Tho, Vietnam, as part of Viking’s 15-day ‘Magnificent Mekong itinerary. Regular sailing dates will be available until March 2023, followed by the 2023-2024 season in July.
“The fascinating cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia have always made this region a favourite destination among our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “We are also pleased to welcome back to Southeast Asia our first guests since early 2020. With arrival of the Viking Saigon, we look forward to introducing even more curious travellers to this iconic waterway in the coming years.”
Viking Saigon offers 40 outside staterooms, which feature hotel-style beds and floor-to-ceiling glass doors with a veranda or French balcony. The ship also includes a spa and fitness centre, infinity pool and open-air Sky Bar on the upper deck.
The ‘Magnificent Mekon’ itinerary will see the ship stop at destinations throughout Vietnam and Cambodia, with 16 guided tours. Guests will stay in hotels in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City before and after an eight-day voyage and will be able to visit sights such as the temple complex of Angkor Wat and the Old Quarter of Hanoi.