Viking has unveiled plans for a new ship in Southeast Asia to launch in the second half of 2021, replacing Viking Mekong which has been operated under a charter arrangement.
The new-build Viking Saigon is currently under construction and earmarked to debut from 30 August 2021, travelling Viking’s popular 15-day Magnificent Mekong cruise tour between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (or vice versa). Over eight days, Viking Saigon will cruise between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
The purpose-built Viking Saigon will accommodate 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms, a capacity increase of more than 40% on Viking Mekong.
Featuring Viking’s consistent clean Scandinavian design, all staterooms on Viking Saigon will have hotel-style beds and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a verandah or French balcony. That’s an upgrade from the Viking Mekong which has a wraparound verandah on its two berthing decks.
Guests on the new three-deck ship will also have access to a Spa and Fitness Centre, Infinity Pool and open-air Sky Bar on the Upper Deck – all amenities that not offered on Viking’s current Southeast Asia vessel.
“For many of our guests, Vietnam and Cambodia remain top destinations because of their significance in world history,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.
“We have led the river cruise industry with our fleet development and experiences that bring travellers closer to the cultures of the world for more than two decades. This will be the most modern vessel on the Mekong and will feel like ‘home’ to our loyal Viking guests who are familiar with the comfortable design of our ships,” he concluded.
The Magnificent Mekong itinerary includes hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, during which guests can enjoy shopping in Old Hanoi’s markets; exploring the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat; visiting Ta Prohm, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins; and seeing the sights of Phnom Penh by cycle rickshaw. On the river cruise portion of the itinerary, guests can discover silk towns, fishing villages, monasteries and floating markets.
Pricing for the Magnificent Mekong aboard Viking Saigon starts at AU$8,695 per person twin share departing 30 August 2021, including flight credits of up to $1,000 per couple and backed by Viking’s Risk-Free Guarantee, allowing guests the freedom to change their plans 24 hours before departure, when booked by 31 July 2020.
All renderings supplied by Viking.
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