reviews ED
Victoria Mekong Thien Minh Group
OVERVIEW: If clients are looking for authenticity, they won’t go wrong on Victoria Mekong. Sailing on a different river within the Mekong Delta to all other river cruise vessels, we didn’t see another tourist on most excursions. These ranged from visiting a silk workshop, which has made fabric for Angelina Jolie’s red-carpet gowns, to witnessing local artisans produce crafts for their community on the rural Tiger Island. The crew is almost exclusively Vietnamese and onboard performances include traditional folk music and lion dancing, giving a real sense of place to the whole experience.
CABINS: When I opened my cabin door, I wondered if I’d been upgraded. But no; the standard cabins, of which there are 33, measure a huge 269sq ft. With dark wood floors and understated furnishings, they have an air of simple, spacious elegance. All have floor-to-ceiling glazing opening on to a full balcony, bathrooms with rain showers and a separate toilet. For a bath, you’ll need to book one of the two suites – 484sq ft spaces with king- sized beds, separate living areas and larger balconies.
FOOD AND DRINK: Meals are served in the Claypot Restaurant and include house wines, local beers and soft drinks. Buffet breakfasts have plenty of Western choices, but you can opt for a fiery bowl of pho if you’d prefer to keep things authentically Vietnamese. Lunch buffets are extensive with many local dishes, and at dinner the multi-course à la carte menu is of a very high standard.
58 February 2020
FACILITIES: The ship is full of spots in which to sit and watch the world go by. The top Sky Deck has rows of sunloungers, plus a short putting green, and on the Sun Deck below there are more loungers around the infinity plunge pool. Inside, the handsome Horizon Lounge Bar is air-conditioned with picture windows, and there’s a peaceful library and a soundproofed, 21-seat cinema with a choice of more than 100 movies on a 100-inch screen. A small but well-equipped fitness room lets you run with a river view, and the spa, which has two rooms and therapists, uses locally sourced essential oils.
USP: In addition to the alternative, less-travelled route, the shorter cruise duration – four and five-day itineraries between Can Tho and Phnom Penh, rather than a whole week – means Victoria Mekong has a strong appeal for younger clients and those who don’t consider themselves cruisers. It has impressive sustainability credentials, from solar panels and recycled water to lower fuel consumption.
BOOK IT: The ship is a joint venture between Vietnamese hospitality group TMG and Wendy Wu Tours, and can be booked through the latter as well as operators including If Only, Travel 2 and Gold Medal. A package with a five-day upstream cruise, plus one-night stays in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Phnom Penh, and flights from the UK, starts at £2,149 with If Only.
ifonly.net;
victoriamekong.com
Reviewed by Joanna Booth
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
PICTURES: ALEXANDER STEPAHAN
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